MARKET ON WHEELS (2 days)

MARKET ON WHEELS
(2 days)

Market on wheels -2 days, ref. B2C

What to expect:
This trip offers you an opportunity to explore the area by mountain bike, which makes the trip much more challenging and interesting. On this trip you will visit several villages. You will also be able to visit Bac Ha Market, the very famous and colorful market of the area. Here you will meet Flower Hmong, Black Dao, Phu La, Nung and Tay minorities. The trip offers you a boat ride along Chay River with beautiful scenery and caves.

Itinerary:
Day 1: (Saturday) Lao Cai — Coc Ly — Boat Trip — Bac Ha
After having breakfast, you will travel by car or cycle from Lao Cai Railway Station. The ride is relatively flat from Lao Cai. It will take you through rural area. The road is rougher for the last 16 km. You arrive in Coc Ly, where you start a boat cruise downstream Chay River. Along the ride, you can enjoy magnificent sights of the beautiful caves and life on the riverbanks. You will have lunch on a beach or later in the Trung Do village of Tay minority. Here you can also stop by a traditional Tay house for a cup of tea. After lunch, you first cycle on the dirt trail through the village and across a narrow stream. Your ride will then be on a good road, which goes uphill towards Bac Ha town. You stay overnight in a hotel and will have dinner in a local restaurant. (L,D)
Approx: 5 hours cycling/ 1 hour boat cruise/ 0,5 hour walking/ 1 hour lunch

Day 2: (Sunday) Bac Ha - Lao Cai
After breakfast, you take a short walk to visit the old castle of the former Hmong King. From there you can have a view over Bac Ha town. You will then visit the market with its colorful array of ethnic minority people such as Flower Hmong, Phu La, Black Dao, Tay and Nung, who gather to buy and sell their products. After spending the whole morning exploring the market, your lunch will be served in a local restaurant. After lunch you will be able to take a nice ride around the beautiful Ban Pho village of Flower Hmong and Nung minorities. After visiting the Ban Pho village you start heading back towards Lao Cai by cycle or by car. The ride will be mostly downhill and flat through rural area which is home to Phu La, Nung and Tay minorities. Before you arrive in Lao Cai, you will be able to stop by the Chinese—Vietnamese border, where the Red River flows into Vietnam territory. You will have time for a shower and dinner before you get on the night train to Hanoi. (B,L)
Approx: 3 hours cycling/ 2 hours walking/ 1 hour lunch

Note: The trip could be started and finished at Sapa or Lao Cai Railway Station, according to your wishes. A supply car will be provided. If the trip starts from Sapa, the itinerary can be changed depending on your wish. You will be able to spend the night in a traditional Tay house at Trung Do village.

INCLUDING:
• Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
• Accommodation in hotel ( base on twin share )
• Meal as mentioned: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner
• English or French speaking guide
• Entrance fee to indicated sights
• Mountain bicycle 24 or 27Speed (LA bike or Trek bike. etc...)
• Pump, bike tools, spares tubes.
• Spare bike
• Cold water box, small fresh towel.
• Mineral water drinking.

EXCLUDING: Other meals, tip, drinks, single room, personal expenses, insurance...