Offroad Motorcycle Exploring North Vietnam 9 Days

This 9-day adventure takes you on a thrilling journey through the stunning landscapes of Northwest Vietnam. You'll traverse winding single-track paths, encounter diverse cultures, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of this region.

Highlights:

Breathtaking Scenery: Explore terraced rice fields, majestic mountains, and lush valleys. Off-Road Thrills: Conquer challenging dirt tracks and experience the adrenaline rush of off-road riding. Cultural Immersion: Visit vibrant hill tribe villages and learn about their unique traditions. Authentic Experiences: Stay in homestays, savor local cuisine, and interact with friendly locals. Expert Guides: Benefit from the knowledge and support of experienced guides.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Hanoi - Pu Luong Nature Reserve Begin your adventure in Hanoi and embark on a scenic ride to the Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Enjoy stunning views of karst mountains and emerald rice fields.

Day 2: Pu Luong Nature Reserve - Moc Chau Plateau Continue your journey to the Moc Chau Plateau, famous for its tea plantations and picturesque landscapes. Experience the thrill of off-road riding through winding trails and lush forests.

Day 3: Moc Chau Plateau - Phu Yen Discover the charming town of Phu Yen, known for its traditional markets and friendly locals. Explore the surrounding countryside on your motorcycle, taking in the breathtaking scenery.

Day 4: Phu Yen - Tram Tau Head to Tram Tau, a hidden gem in Northwest Vietnam, offering stunning mountain views and serene villages. Ride through challenging off-road terrain and encounter diverse ethnic groups.

Day 5: Tram Tau - Mu Cang Chai Visit the iconic rice terraces of Mu Cang Chai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Witness the breathtaking beauty of these terraced fields, especially during harvest season.

Day 6: Mu Cang Chai - Sapa Continue your journey to Sapa, a popular hill station with stunning mountain vistas. Explore the vibrant markets, interact with local tribes, and hike through picturesque valleys.

Day 7: Sapa - Bac Ha Discover the colorful Bac Ha market, a bustling hub of local handicrafts and ethnic diversity. Ride through scenic mountain passes and encounter remote villages.

Day 8: Bac Ha - Thac Ba Lake Visit the serene Thac Ba Lake, surrounded by limestone karsts and lush forests. Enjoy a boat trip on the lake, admiring the stunning scenery and visiting floating villages.

Day 9: Thac Ba Lake - Hanoi Return to Hanoi, reflecting on your unforgettable adventure through the diverse landscapes and cultures of Northwest Vietnam.

What are these Adventure Rides like? These rides are designed along the theme of exploring the world.  They include a mix of remote dirt routes, back paved roads, sometimes some very seldom ridden paths and pavement.  Rides are a mix of all these things and sometimes some surprises due to weather conditions.  These rides are for experienced, well seasoned riders that are capable of turning a washed out road experience into just part of the day's fun.  Riders should be comfortable with turning around when necessary and finding an alternative route around unexpected obstacles. These rides are not for new riders. As an experienced rider, the tough part of having a great motorcycle adventure is the routing and logistics.  What routes do I take? Where do I stay? How do I find the best routes and places?

Signup info:

The cost to join this 9 day ride is $2,695  This covers your lodging for the 9 nights during the ride. And it covers the cost of the rental motorcycle (Honda CRF 250 or CRF 300) It also includes your ride packets which consist of a custom Garmin GPS map on a micro SD card and printed ride maps and descriptions.

Now taking signups: You can now reserve your spot on this ride by leaving a $400 Deposit  (Ride limit is 12 riders) 

After your signup riders will receive an email from me with further ride information and instructions.

Note: Riders must make full payment by August 9th, 2025.

Riders will receive ride packets in the mail two week before the ride.

Refund Policy

 If you need to cancel up to three months prior to the ride start date I will give you a full refund but I will keep $100 to cover the planning work. Sorry but I make non refundable commitments myself so it gets hard for me. "I hate this world of non refundable deals myself."  If you need to cancel within three months of the ride, I cannot give a refund unless I can find a replacement rider.  In the case of finding a replacement rider, I will gladly give you the full refund minus the $100 to cover the planning work.  In the event of ride cancellation, you will be given a full refund.

Ride Yoda's

We have done the homework for you: We have studied and developed and ridden to find the best possible routes and then we have put them into great daily rides.  As riding skills and desires for riders can be different, we have developed and include route options.  We find that many riders like to ride with their best friends, however their friends may not always have the same riding skills and desires.  As the day's ride progresses, riders have choices of easier and harder routes.  This allows you to tailor the ride more towards your own riding desires and allows you to make choices that might better suit your friends when necessary.  Sometimes riders may just want a break too.

How does the ride navigation work?

This is a self-led GPS ride; all riding is on your own.  You are responsible for your own riding.  You are given a GPS map file and instructions on how to use your Garmin GPS unit.  People will hook up in small groups of less than 6 riders and tend to ride together.  You are not encouraged to ride alone.  You are responsible for your own riding and yourself. 

 (see my ride Navigation Video)

Are you right for this ride?

When something goes wrong on a ride, would your riding friends say that you are more likely to need help or more likely to give help?  You should be in the more likely to offer help camp.  This ride is filled with riders that are more likely to give help, so most of the time the riders never need help.  Additionally there is all the normal stuff: come prepared to maintain your bike, fix your bike on the trail, repair flat tires, deal with bad weather and rain and make a joke or two.

How do I make the GPS stuff so easy?

I develop very high quality ride maps custom for our ride. They come from much of what I and others have ridden.  I take the best from all my rides and make new ones. 

(See my Custom Ride Maps Video)

Note from me, gpsKevin

My goal for this ride is simple:  great riding.  You can count on great routes and places to ride.

But in addition, the ride is about discovering new places, meeting new friends, seeing new parts of the World.

Thanks,

gpsKevin

FAQ's

Q: Would this be a good ride for new riders?

A:  No, this ride is for intermediate and experienced riders only. The riding has easy route choices and tough route options. 

Q: What are motel room arrangements?

A: Motel arrangements are double occupancy meaning you share a 2 bed room with another rider.

Q: What bikes are right for this ride?

A: Adventure bikes, Overland 4x4, and Dual Sport bikes can all do well; it depends on your ride choices

Q: Can I use my cell phone rather than GPS?  

A: Sorry, at this point we do not support cell phone GPS use for our rides.  The IMG files will not run on a cell phone. 

Q; What do I do if I don't have a Garmin GPS?

A: Buy one, you need it.  Get a Garmin, it is still the most reliable 

Q: Is the riding really on my own?

A: Yes, but you will make new friends on the ride.  We do not encourage riding alone.

Q: How good are these routes?  

A: They are 99% perfect.  Or sometimes, 99.9% perfect.  Or sometimes, 95% perfect.  So be prepared for a little imperfection.

Q: What are Custom GPS Ride Maps?

A: Custom GPS ride maps are electronic maps designed specifically to show the paths and path choices for a particular ride.  The maps show the paths as clear bold lines so the riders can easily see them even on small screens.  The lines are often comprised of groups of arrows or chevrons so that riders can easily tell the recommended direction of travel.  The lines come in multiple colors so that riders can easily choose between Hard and Easy options. Custom ride maps make ride navigation much easier than ever before.