| Hanoi to Saigon via the Ho Chi Minh Trail April 10-23, 2011 |
The Rally fee covers a magnificent, classic, restored 650cc Ural motorcycle, all petrol and maintenance, all accommodation in well appointed hotels (twin share), all food as outlined in the itinerary (there are a couple of dinners and lunches where Rally participants are free to take a break from the group and dine at their leisure), all non-alcoholic liquid refreshments on ride days, airfares from Hue to Ho Chi Minh city, all entrance fees, all airport transfers and cultural performances. If you wish a private room, then add US$650 to the ride fee.
All our classic 650cc Urals have been modified with comfortable suspension, front disk brakes and modern electrics. They are fully serviced throughout the ride by expert mechanics and are a joy to ride. Support vehicles will carry all luggage, food and refreshments and radio support between our experienced guides will ensure a trouble free ride.
Well appointed 2-4 star accommodation will be used throughout the ride, and particular attention will be paid on fantastic local cuisine. Hotels include the 4-star Morin Hotel in Hue, the 4-star Vinh Hunh Resort in Hoi An, the 4-star Grand Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and the 3-star Army Hotel in Hanoi. We will also have a night in a local White Thai hill tribe village in Mai Chau.
Monday April 11
Arrive Hanoi. Private transfer to your hotel. Welcome reception dinner. (D) Overnight at the Army Hotel*** in Hanoi.
Tuesday April 12
In the morning we make a side car tour of Hanoi, visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, War Museum, the remains of a downed B52 and the delightful Old French Quarter of Hanoi. In the afternoon we have a chance to become acquainted with our Ural motorbikes and make any last minute adjustments. Overnight at the Army Hotel***. (B, L, D)
Wednesday April 13
In the morning we visit the Ho Chi Minh Trail Museum on the outskirts of Hanoi. Then we jump on our motorbikes and pass extensive farming lands comprising a sea of paddy fields split by tree-lined roads and limestone mountains. After a light lunch near Hoa Binh we cross two mountain passes before descending to the gorgeous mountain valley settlement of Mai Chau. Overnight in a Thai ethnicity stilt house in Mai Chau. (B, L, D) 140km
Thursday April 14
We head south on a beautiful winding road which follows the banks of the Ma River until we join the new Ho Chi Minh Highway, which lies on top of the original Ho Chi Minh Trail. This newly carved route leads us due south, through remote back country, not far from the Laotian border. In the afternoon we cut eastwards towards the coast and stay overnight in the coastal city of Vinh, which is close to where Ho Chi Minh was born and which was the target of particular significance to US air raids during the war. Overnight at the Vinh Kim Lien Hotel ***. (B, L, D) 300km
Friday April 15
We head south along Highway One, deep into rural Vietnam, before heading inland towards the Lao border. We pass the Dong Loc intersection, (a main junction for supply lines during the War) which is widely regarded in Vietnamese eyes as the beginning of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. We then pass through remote back country, close to the border, as the scenery steadily becomes dominated by karst limestone rock formations. We pass two famous intersections where until 1972 most of the Trail's truck traffic passed over into Lao. In the afternoon we arrive at the World Heritage site of Phong Nha Cave, where local civilians and military sheltered from incessant bombing during the war. Then we take an amazing boat ride into the cave, which is one of the largest in the world. Overnight at the Phong Nha Kim Lien Hotel **. (B, L, D) 280km
Saturday April 16
Having obtained special permission, we strike deep into sublime, pristine jungle that comprise the World Heritage Khe Bang National Park. A classic ride! Along the way we pass a number of significant war time locations where the bulk of North Vietnam's foot soldiers and trucks crossed into Laos. We will see the cobblestones of the original Trail, overgrown in the jungle. In the afternoon, having skirted the Laotian border, we arrive at Khe Sanh, the site of the former US Marine base that underwent the famous siege in the prelude to the Tet Offensive in 1968, now widely considered as the turning point of the Vietnam War. Overnight in Khe Sanh at the Thai Linh Hotel ***. (B, L, D) 230km.
Sunday April 17
After a visit to the fascinating Khe Sanh museum, where wrecked Huey and Chinook helicopters testify to the ferocity of the siege there, we head down to the coast through the former DMZ (de-militarised zone), passing the famous Hien Luong Bridge (former demarcation line between North and South Vietnam), the Truong Son cemetery, where the remains of 10,000 North Vietnamese who worked on the Trail lay at rest, and the Vinh Moc Tunnels, where thousands of villagers lived underground during the course of the war. Then we follow the beautiful coast and continue onto the delightful city of Hue, which lies along the banks of the Perfume River. Overnight at the Morin Hotel**** in Hue. (B, L, D) 160 km
Monday April 18
Hue is the former imperial capital of feudal Vietnam and is a perfect place to relax after our driving to date. Take a boat cruise along the Perfume River to visit the tombs of the former Emperors Minh Mang and Tu Duc or visit the remains of the Imperial Citadel, which was largely destroyed during the Tet Offensive in 1968. Overnight at the Morin Hotel **** in Hue. (B, L, D)
Tuesday April 19
We strike directly up the Me Oi (translation – "oh mum") pass towards the infamous A Shaw valley, site of Hamburger Hill and the besieged A Shaw special forces camp. There we meet the Ho Chi Minh Trail again, and head up into pristine jungle-clad mountains, where on a clear day, we can see directly down to the coast, over 80km away. With the Laotian border just metres to our right, we cruise on delightful road through the forest, before cutting down to the coast, past ancient temples and fiercely fought over territory during the war. With the sea breeze in our hair, we arrive at the charming World Heritage listed Hoi An, a major trading centre in SE Asia in the 16th and17th centuries. Overnight at the Ving Hung Resort **** in Hoi An. (B, L) 280km.
Wednesday April 20
Those who wish can ride up to the beach and relax or otherwise enjoy a free day to explore Hoi An by foot or by bicycle. With fine wining and dining, impressive architecture, fantastic tailoring, endless shopping and a great beach, there is no shortage of activities to indulge in. Overnight at the Vinh Hung Resort**** in Hoi An. (B, D)
Thursday April 21
It's our last day on the bikes, and what better way than cruising up and over a number of fabulous coastal passes, made famous by the BBC Top Gear Vietnam Special, as we head northwards to Chu Lai, a former US air base, where we will catch an afternoon flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight at the Grand Hotel****. (B, L, D) 140km
Friday April 22
Ho Chi Minh City is the bustling commercial heart of Vietnam, and site of the former South Vietnam Presidential Palace (where the North Vietnamese tanks broke through the gates) and the War Remnants museum. After a morning visiting the sites, take the afternoon off for a little last minute shopping, before regrouping at the roof top bar at the Rex Hotel, where war correspondents gathered during the war, before hitting the town on our last night in Vietnam. . Overnight at the Grand Hotel****. (B, D)
Saturday April 23
Transfer to the airport for your flight home. |
Historical Adventure Charity Rally
Seven days riding covering over 1,500 km
The Rally passes through a host of significant former battle sites, from both sides of the conflict, including Khe Sanh, Hamburger Hill, the DMZ, Vinh Moc tunnels and the Mu Gia pass, amongst others.
|
|
