CYCLE FROM DALAT TO HOI AN
March 22 – April 4 2024
sold out!!!!!!
Join me in March 2024 for an unforgettable cycling adventure through rural Vietnam from Dalat in the Southern Highlands to the ancient World Heritage listed city of Hoi An on the central coast via the famous Ho Chi Minh Trail.
I am Greg Cawley a 700hr + qualified yoga instructor and traveller and my business Brikman Yoga offers Men Only Yoga classes to men in Toowoomba and Brisbane, and more recently travel adventures for men.
I have travelled many times to Vietnam and have a passion for the country, the people and the food.
As part of this trip, experience (optional) yoga classes when the sites and conditions allow. At the end of each day or in the mornings yoga is a great way to loosen the body after hours in the saddle.
We will commence the trip with 2 nights in Ho Chi Minh City then fly to Dalat for an overnight stay and then commence the ride the next morning.
After 7 days riding, we will find ourselves in the beautiful coastal city of Hoi An where we can relax, shop, eat great food and chill out.
We will fly from Danang (a short taxi ride from Hoi An) back to Brisbane.
What better way to get together with a bunch of like-minded blokes and travel this amazing country, do some yoga in amazing settings and even have a few sneaky beers after a long day cycling.
IMPORTANT
This is not a trip just for hardcore cyclists or even yogis. All levels can enjoy this trip and the cycling. If youre not into yoga, then sit the sessions out.
A reasonable level of fitness is of course required and expected.
Ride as far as you wish each day and when you are ready, just put the bike into the trailer and spend the rest of the time in the van.
My brother who is 72 and I completed this trip last year. It was challenging at times but was a great way to get into rural Vietnam and experience life away from the tourist areas.
I can’t wait to share this adventure with you.
PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS
TRIP SUMMARY (subject to change)
PRICE $4995.00 AUD
Inclusions
International economy return fares on Singapore Airlines Brisbane to Ho Chi Minh City and return from Danang to Brisbane
Internal flight in Vietnam from Ho Chi Minh City to Dalat
All accommodation while in Vietnam on a share twin basis(single rooms available at extra cost)
All breakfasts on trip, all lunches while cycling and 4 dinners while cycling
All transfers in Vietnam
Experienced English-speaking guide while cycling
Private transport and backup vehicle while cycling
Good quality well maintained mountain bikes and bike helmet
Yoga classes taken by Greg when the itinerary and locations allow
Exclusions
Vietnam Visa, Spending money, Optional sightseeing, Meals not listed, Travel insurance, Tips for the cycling guide (not compulsory but expected)
22 March – Fly Brisbane to Ho Chi Minh City via Singapore.
23 March – Day at leisure HCM City
24 March – Fly HCM City to Dalat.
25 March – Dalat to Lak Lake - early start and commence the ride.
26 March – Lak Lake to Buon Ma Thuot
27 March – Buon M Thuot to Pleiku
28 March – Pleiku to Kontum
29 March – Kontum to Quang Ngai
30 March – Quang Ngai to Danang
31 March – Danang over Hai Van Pass to Lang Co and return to Hoi An. Cycle ride finishes
1 April, 2 April – Free time in Hoi An
3 April – fly Danang – Brisbane via Singapore
4 April – arrive Brisbane
Contact me for more details at greg@gregcawleyyoga.au or call 0435755033
DETAILED ITINERARY
March 22 – Meet at Brisbane International Airport for our Singapore Airlines flight to Ho Chi Minh City
9.10 Departure arr Singapore 15.10, transit at Singapore Airport, 17.30 flight to Ho Chi Minh City arriving at 18.40
Transfer to hotel
March 23 – Free day in Ho Chi Minh City
Options for the day include taking a tour to the Chu Chi Tunnels, visiting the Vietnam War Museum, checking out the famous Ben Than Market or just taking your own time and checking out the city.
Accomodation Hotel (breakfast included)
March 24 – Ho Chi Minh City to Dalat.
After breakfast, for those who wish to we will take a walking tour which will include a visit to The War Museum, the famous Bin Tanh Market and other historic sites as time permits.
We will take our time and then transfer to the airport for our 16.20 Vietnam Airlines flight to Dalat. Arriving 17.20
We are met on arrival and transferred to our hotel. We will have a trip briefing with our cycling guide and then the evening is free for dinner or a wander around Dalat.
Accomodation Hotel (breakfast included)
March 25 – Dalat to Lak Lake (approx 160klm)(ride approx 80klm)
After breakfast we commence riding from the hotel and head southwest. After 15 minutes we get to the city outskirts and start to join the back roads through vegetable farms and coffee plantations and a fantastic 12km downhill to Tanung Village.
We stop at the Elephant waterfalls and take the chance to visit the silk factory nearby.
We ride through rolling hills and some great downhills through tropical rainforest, farms and tribal villages
We have a vehicle transfer(when required) and end up at Lak Lake for the evening.(riding approx 80k or more dependant on your choice)
Accomodation Hotel (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
March 26 – Lak Lake to Buon Ma Thuot (approx 50klm)
After breakfast we cycle along the lake to Jun village, the home of the Ede ethnic tribe
We continue our ride through farms and plantations and arrive at Buon Ma Thuot for the evening
Accomodation Hotel (breakfast and lunch and dinner included)
March 27 – Buon Ma Tuot to Pleiku(approx 170klm)(ride approx 60klm)
An early start today and we ride straight from the hotel
After 15 minutes we turn off the main road and ride along back roads through rural villages, rubber and tea plantations. After a few hours we rejoin the main road and transfer by bus to Pleiku – the major market town in the central highlands
Accomodation Hotel (breakfast and lunch included)
March 28 – Pleiku to Kontum(approx 40 klm)
Today is a relatively easy ride to Kontum with a stop at The Sea Lake, a famous attraction out of Pleiku.
The ride rolls up and down through small towns and forests until we hit a quiet town located near the Dakla River. The rest of the day is free to explore Kontum
Accomodation Hotel (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
March 29 – Kontum to Quang Ngai (approx 195klm)(ride approx 80klm or more)
An early start by bus from Kontum and we start our ride from the start of the central highlands down to the coast.
Today is one of the best rides of the trip through tribal villages, amazing scenery and long winding downhills.
We transfer after the ride and arrive at the coastal town of Quang Ngai
Accomodation Hotel (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
March 30 – Quang Ngai to Danang(approx 150klm(ride approx 60klm or more)
We depart the town and head directly to the sobering war site of Mai Lai, the scene of the infamous massacre.
After visiting the site and the museum we continue our ride along backroads where the locals rarely see foreigners
We will transfer after the ride approx 2 hrs to the modern sea side city of Danang where there are many bars and restaurants to visit in the evening
Accomodation Hotel (breakfast and lunch included)
March 31 – Danang to Hai Van Pass and return to Hoi An
After breakfast we warm up our muscles and then begin our ascent to the top of the Pass.
The Hai Van Pass is challenging with 11k climb has a gradient of 7% and is the dream ride of many cyclists worldwide. The road is very quiet, you can peacefully enjoy the environment while witnessing stunning views of the mountains and the ocean. No wonder the Hai Van Pass is known as one of the most picturesque cycling coastlines in South East Asia – Hai Van means Ocean Cloud.
Once we have completed our climb, we take a deserved rest, enjoy a cold drink and admire the stunning far-reaching views. After we have rejuvenated our batteries, we cycle another 11 kilometers down the other side of the Pass to Lang Co for lunch.
After lunch, we will take a bus back to Da Nang and along the coastal road to Hoi An where the cycle ride ends .
Hoi An is the original European trading port in Vietnam and dates back to the 16th century and now is a living museum
It is famous for its custom tailors, its amazing food and its ambience
Accomodation Hotel (breakfast and lunch included)
April 1 & April 2 – at leisure in Hoi An
Plenty to do here. Get some clothes made for you, hire a bike and explore the area, take optional tours, incl a well worth it cycle to the Me Son ruins or just chill out in the town. It’s a fantastic place
Accommodation Hotel (breakfast included)
April 3 – morning at leisure in Hoi An
In the afternoon we transfer to Danag airport for out flight back to Brisbane
16.35 Danang to Singapore arr 20.15
21.30 Singapore to Brisbane arr 06.55 April 4
Trip concludes
