Tam Coc (Ninh Binh) - Cuc Phuong / 3 Days

Tam Coc, which means Three Caves, is a beautiful area full of green grass along riversides that are a haven for the goats local people breed and can be seen practically everywhere around the place! Tam Coc, also called Halong-Bay-On-Land, is so full of surprises that you may also see monkeys sitting high on tree branches or swinging playfully, if you are lucky enough! It is unquestionably a river trip worth taking, especially if you are a photo enthusiast, and the best time to shoot some great pictures is during harvest (or even seedling), when locals collect the seeds of their fruits (in this case the water rice) all along the river. Tam Coc is often compared to China’s Guilin or the limestone islets found in the Halong Bay, in the Tonkin Gulf, mostly due to the geological resemblances these places bear.

The next day on the Vietnam motorcycle tour finds us visiting the stone-and-wood-built Phat Dien church, with the impressive Vietnamese-European architecture that took 24 years to complete building. Then, we ride all the way to Cuc Phuong National Park, a very favourite tourist attraction in Vietnam and home to a diversity of plant and animal life.

Day 1 – Hanoi – Hoa Lu – Tam Coc (145 km)

As we leave Hanoi at 8A.M., On this Vietnam motorcycle tour we intentionally avoid the A1 and ride the winding back roads that are not traffic-packed. As the kilometres melt down our wheels, we gradually get to see the real beauty of Vietnam. In about 7km, we stop for a quick visit to the village of Sam Xuyen, where you can taste some tea offered by the friendly locals, as you admire the rich, rice paddies, and the astonishing 500-year old bonsai tree that stands proudly.

Then, we head south and just before reaching our next destination, Hoa Lu, we stop at a local restaurant, to taste some local cuisine for lunch, before we get back to riding the back roads. At some point, we meet the A1 and ride it for about 5km. On the way, we visit the ancient Hoa Lu remains (the temples dedicated to infamous10th-century King Le and King Dinh, who chose Hoa Lu to build their capital’s fortress)

For the nest 25 km until we reach Tam Coc, we will be riding past steep limestone mountainous areas, narrow valleys, and igneous rock formations that compose a picture-like scenery. Then, we get some rest as local boatmen take us along the Hoang Long River that runs several kilometers in Tam Coc.

We stay overnight at a local hotel.

Day 2 – Tam Coc – Phat Diem – Cuc Phuong (120 km)

Today on our Vietnam motorcycle tour we leave Tam Coc at around 8:30 A.M. we ride the back empty roads for 27 km that will bring us to Phat Diem. All the way, we can admire the marvellous rice paddies, distinguished by endless green, if we happen to be riding during harvest. At Phat Diem, we take some time to taste some local coffee and visit sights such as the late 1800s cathedral of magnificent Vietnamese-Sino architecture, which is a fine demonstrator of the application of European measure.

Our Vietnam motorcycle tour journey takes us to Cuc Phuong, where a local barbeque lunch awaits, namely Sen Thinh. Cuc Phuong is a great pole of attraction for those interested in places with significant cultural heritage, and a perfect combination of wildlife and breath-taking scenery. As soon as we arrive there, we stop at the Primate Rescue Centre for a while, before we get back to riding another 20km, through thick vegetation, until we finally reach the Park Centre. On the way to the Park Centre, we can visit prehistoric caves where people of that era used to live in. the cave’s exit has a welcoming surprise for you. It is the best spot to view the gorgeous surrounding jungle as it sprawls in Limestone Mountains and completes a mesmerizing scenery with smooth transitions between green rice terraces and lush forests and jungles.

We stay overnight in a local stilt house.

Day 3 – Cuc Phuong – Hanoi (150 km)

We leave at 9:00 A.M.Today’s Vietnam motorcycle tour includes a 2-hour trail through the jungle. Somewhere in the middle of the 3-kilometre trek, we can take a break and stop for a bit to see the 1,000-year-old Sequoia tree (Tetrameles Nudiflora) that measures D: 5.5m and H: 45m. Then, we will head back to Hanoi, taking the back roads. On the way, we will meet a number of villages and see happy children filling the air with their joyful hellos, as visitors get past their land! Again, the scenery is evergreen mountains and rice paddies, which is interrupted by a cave that used to be the ammunitions and food storage place during the war and now only used as a sacred place of prayer.

Lunchtime will find us in a well-liked local restaurant, where we can taste traditional Vietnamese cuisine and their Barbeque goat specialty! Right after we finish our lunch, we take the Ho Chi Minh train back to Hanoi, through a traffic-free easy road.

The final section of our Vietnam motorcycle tour will take us back to Hanoi, through amazing Limestone Mountains and bountiful harvest, just before rush hour. Meanwhile, there is a small one-kilometre off-road track that can take us to another cave, which used to be a hideaway for Generals and soldiers alike, during the French War. The cave provides an admirable inside and excellent view of the surrounding farmland, after an easy climb up.

Tour Includes

• 01 motorbike per person
• All petrol (gasoline)
• Rain gear, helmets
• Motorbike jacket
• 01 night in a bungalow
• 01 night in hotel in twin share room
• Local English Speaking guide
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary: 2 Breakfasts (B) 3 Lunches (L) 2 Dinners (D)
• Boat trip in Tam Coc
• All entrance fees

Tour Excludes

• Visa to Vietnam
• Any other transportations are not mentioned in the itinerary
• Insurance
• Drinks
• Meals are not mentioned in the itinerary
• Tip for guide
• Other personal expenses

What to bring

• Passport
• Good sunglasses
• Good shoes for walking
• Other personal needs and some cash for drinks or souvenirs.

Prices are quoted in US Dollar/ per person in group of:

Note: To make a reservation you are required to pay a 30% reservation deposit. we accept credit/debit card payments via Onepay our secure online payment system. We also accept a Western Union or a bank transfer. However, we recommend you pay via Onepay, as it’s quick, convenient, it’s simple to use and is the cheapest way of making a payment. You can pay the remaining balance in our office by credit/debit or cash before you depart on your tour.

Note: Prices include – Twin shared rooms. Single room supplement is available for people who prefer to have their own room. An additional fee is required and must be booked in advance.

Note: Motorbike damage Insurance This comprehensive insurance policy covers lost, theft or any damage to the motorbike caused by an accident. The policy excludes any, personal medical insurance, liability to other vehicles or injury caused to another party. For full policy underwriting please click here.