Day1: Hanoi: Enjoy the city and in the evening sample some of Hanoi's superb cuisine.

Day2: Hanoi - Lao Cai: Transfer to Hanoi railway station to catch the 21:00 night train to Lao Cai. O/N on the train.

Day3: Lao Cai - Sapa: Disembark from the train very early in the morning and either bike or transfer to Sapa. It's not all that far but it is virtually ALL up hill. Sapa is the hilltribe capital of North Vietnam. There are a variety of minority people in this area and they all come to Sapa to the market.

Day4: Sapa -Tam Duong: Start from Sapa by cycling about 16 kilometres uphill to the Vietnam highest pass at 2000 meters above sea level where you see beautiful Silver Waterfall and Tram Ton heaven gate then it is downhill for around 26 kilometres on the road described as the most beautiful one in Vietnam with breathtaking scenery all the way to Binh Lu. In the late afternoon you will arrive in Tam Duong, where you will stay overnight.

Day5: TamDuong - Xin Ho: Cycle through Tam Duong plain which is covered in shark's teeth-like limestone karst. Visit a village of Mang people near Sin Ho with the next stop being Sin Ho, which is home land of the Red Hmong, Kho Mu, Mang and Dao ethnic minorities. They are settled there longtime ago and still retain their traditional culture and habits. The trip to Sin Ho is occasionally suspended due to the restriction of the local authority.

Day6: Xin Ho - Paso - Laichau ( MuongLay ): Cycle downhill to Chan Nua then onto Lai Chau (a couple pretty big climbs). Then follow the picturesque Nam Na river into Muang Say (aka "Old Lai Chau"). Stay at the hip Lan Anh hotel where there no doubt will be an active badminton game in the evening.

Day7: Lai Chau - Dien Bien Phu: In 1954, the French Garrison at Dien Bien Phu was pinned down when the Vietnamese were able to do something thought impossible.... carry heavy artillery into the mountains. When you ride in this area you will wonder yourself how they ever did it. The siege at Dien Bien Phu ended in a French surrender and marked the end of French Indochina. Little known is the fact that the US had developed a plan to aid the French by using tactical nuclear weapons at Dien Bien Phu.

Day 8: Dien Bien Phu to Muang Khua, Laos: Depart Dien Bien and cross into Northeast Laos at Tay Tran. This is the least populated section of Laos. Continue on to Muang Khua on the banks of the Nam Ou river. Day 9: Muang Khua to Odomxai: This is a scenic lightly traveled road to bustling Odomxai. Odomxai seems to be undergoing a rennaisance. Lots of construction and activity in the town these days. They have an airport here also (with less than daily service). Day 10: Odomxai to Pak Mong: A tough climbing day at the start and then rolling hills with magnificent scenery before a 29 k Descent to Pak Mong.

Day 11: Pak Mong to Luang Prabang: On to the historic and enchanting city of Luang Prabang. Follow the banks of the Mekong before entering the city proper. It's also possible, with advance planning, to bike the 20k in the opposite direction to Nong Khiaw and then take a boat down the Nam Ou River. This will take you right by the Pak Ou caves at the confluence of the Nam Ou and Mekong Rivers. Day 12: Rest day in Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang is encircled by mountains and situated on the banks of the Mekong where it meets the Nam Khan river. There is a lot to see in this World Heritage Town: Temples, Monastaries, the Royal Palace and French Colonial Architecture as well as the beautiful falls outside of town. It's worthwhile to get up and observe the monks collecting alms at 6 am. Day13: Luang Prabang departure.