8 Day Mountain to The Sea Guided Motorcycle Tour in Vietnam

This tour starts in the old capital and now world heritage city of Hoi An. Take time to wander through the old capital and maybe enjoy an ale or two. Shopping is a must, so make sure there is enough room in the luggage. You will ride and wind your way up the Hai Van Pass, a bit more successfully on the workhorse Honda XRs than the Top Gear crew on their scooters. And then it off to the Ho Chi Minh Highway. This road will amaze you as it snakes its way through the Highlands and valleys of this region of Vietnam.

No need to rush since there are a few days of this biker’s delight. You will have time to rest when you reach the beautiful and peaceful Lak Lake but not for too long since Da Lat is next. Finally, you will ride triumphantly into the beach resort town of Nha Trang. Now is the time to sit back, compare and share photos and finally relax while you talk about all that you did and saw over the last seven days. Consider another day or two in this bustling seaside resort town.

Pre-tour day

You will be picked up from the airport and taken to your pre-tour accommodation. There will be some time for sightseeing, so, if you can, make time to visit the world heritage old town and maybe also take a break at one of the many bars. A welcome dinner is supplied in the evening, along with a comprehensive briefing of the journey. You will also be provided with a map of the intended journey. This is a great time to meet the other riders.

Day 1: Hoi An to A Luoi (220 kilometers / 136.7 miles)

This is a reasonably long day and you will still have some fun riding. You will ride up the coast through the town of Danang, famous for its China Beach and setting for the Robin Williams movie "Good Morning Vietnam". As you exit the town, you will experience the fun of riding the Hai Van Pass of Top Gear fame. This pass once divided the different kingdoms of old Vietnam and the views at the top will definitely warrant a quick break for a cold drink.

You will travel further north and then head west for a ride down Highway 49, a road that wanders through a landscape dotted with spice trees and fruit farms.

Day 2: A Luoi to Kham Duc (230 kilometers / 143 miles)

Today, you will meet the Ho Chi Minh Highway. This was part of the road system that troops used during the years of the American conflict in the late sixties and early seventies of the last century. Today, it is a concrete highway that twists and turns its way through jungles and mountains. It is a remote area of Vietnam that gives some extraordinary riding opportunities. There is not much traffic along this road, but it is still best to remain alert for the occasional truck delivering goods to the remote towns or the occasional cow that prefers the ease of moving along the road or the warmth of the surface for a quick rest.

Day 3: Kham Duc to Kon Tum (180 kilometers / 112 miles)

You will leave for Kon Tum and ride more of the famous Ho Chi Minh trail. Be ready for major fun on this curved paradise as it drops into the jungle valleys and rises to the mountain ridges. You will have some stops at minority villages and a picnic lunch across a rickety bridge. A must visit is to the orphanage behind the old wooden church. You will also take time out to visit and gift local Sedang kids on the Ho Chi Minh trail.

Day 4: Kon Tum to Buon Me Thuot (240 kilometers / 149 miles)

Buon Me Thuot is today's destination with a mix of roads through towns and valleys. Watch as the locals calmly ride across, often two up or carrying astonishing loads, the suspension bridge that will scare the visitors even just walking on. You will also enjoy a museum visit and a visit to the tea, coffee, cacao, and pepper plantations, with a special stop at the rice paper making village.

Day 5: Buon Me Thuot to Da Lat (210 kilometers / 130.5 miles)

Today, you are off to Da Lat, often described as the honeymoon capital of Southern Vietnam. Da Lat is also the flower capital and important for the fresh produce delivered to main cities. Relax near the lake and if you have enough energy, take time to visit the night markets that take over the center of town after dark or watch the local K’ho traditional Music and Dance festival.

Day 6: Da Lat to Phan Rang (120 kilometers / 74.5 miles)

You will travel via some tertiary roadways that are nothing but fun for the XRs. Down through valleys that are seldom visited by foreign travelers. A must is a visit to the Cham village, the oldest pottery village in South East Asia. Take part in the coconut bridge challenge and possibly be rewarded with a bottle of local wine.

After lunch at one of these small towns, you will head towards the coast to Phan Rang. The accommodation is located along the famous Ninh Chu beach. Now it's time to just sit back and relax at a sidewalk café and watch the world go by.

Day 7: Phan Rang to Nha Trang (120 kilometers / 75 miles)

You will leave for Nha Trang and the chaos of morning traffic of this bustling seaside resort town. You will travel along the coastal beach roads towards Nha Trang and maybe stop at one of the beautiful little beaches, where you can relax and enjoy a seafood barbecue and take a dip in the ocean. You will then head back to Nha Trang where the tour will end. If you are not in a hurry, Nha Trang is a great place to stay for a few more days to relax a bit more, enjoy some final souvenir shopping, and visit some of the local landmarks.

Skill levels required for this tour

Intermediate:

• Can ride for 3 - 4 hours
• Average riding experience
• Little assistance required
• Comfortable with extreme curves and leans
• Average experience with unsurfaced roads
• Steep ascents and descents

Advanced:

• Can ride for 5 - 6 hours
• Extensive riding experience
• Assistance on demand (if required)
• Experienced with riding a variety of motorcycles
• Comfortable with any terrain and weather conditions

• Chill out in Da Lat (the honeymoon capital of the central highlands)
• Rest and reminisce in Nha Trang (the beach capital of central Vietnam)
• Ride the concrete highway as it twists and turns through the mountains and jungles of western Vietnam
• Ride the Hai Van Pass (made famous in the Top Gear Vietnam special)
• Traverse parts of the famous Ho Chi Minh
• Visit Lantern Street in the old capital of Hoi An

The motorcycle tour will take place in Vietnam taking the route from Da Nang to Nha Trang.

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Lucky Bastard Motorcycle Tours provides a fully inclusive welcome dinner upon your arrival at your designated tour departure location. Daily breakfast, lunch, and evening meal for the whole tour are provided.

All towns will have their own unique aspects whether it is a cultural show performed by one of the many minority peoples, night markets, scenic sunrises, or a game of billiards and pool at the local hall. Take time to enjoy any or all of these and you will begin to experience Vietnam as the locals do.

• 1 night pre-tour accommodation
• 6 nights accommodation
• Airport transfer from Da Nang International Airport (DAD)
• Bike transfer
• Cold drinks, fruits, and snacks on tour
• Daily delicious breakfast and lunch
• Evening meals
• Experienced and qualified English-speaking tour guide
• Honda XR150 cc motorcycle rental and fuel
• LBMT T-shirt
• Limited liability insurance
• Local touring map
• Mechanic to assist in a trouble free adventure
• Rain gear
• Support van
• Welcome dinner

• Alcoholic drinks
• Helmet
• Personal expenses
• Personal laundry
• Personal travel insurance
• Tips

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• A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid 15 days before arrival.