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TRIBALNORTHVIETNAM

ThenorthernmostregionofVietnamistrulyamotor-biker’sparadiseforon-andoff-roadriding.TheruggedMountainsofnorthernVietnamarehometocolorfulhilltribesandsomeofthebestriceterracinginthewholecountry,ifnotthewholeofSoutheastAsia.Everybendintheroadrevealssomethingnewandadventureisguaranteed!BelowfollowssomeinformationthatyoushouldknowbeforewemeetinHanoi.Ridingabilities.Youdon’tneedtobeahard-coreoff-road/enduroexperttojoinourtours.Youdoneedexperiencewithtravellinginforeigncountriesandwithridingongravelforthistour.Thedayscanbelong,dependingonmanyfactors,soyouhavetobecomfortableinmostsituationsinordernottosufferfatiguetoquickly.Thepaceisrelaxed,itisnotacompetition,aswearetravelingandwilltakeabreakfrequently.Therewillbetimeenoughtotakepictures,movies,restetc.Onourlongertourswehaverestingdaystoenjoyallthelocalculturalhighlightsandtorefuelenergy.Wedowanttoemphasizethatforouroff-roadtoursthatyouneedtobehealthyandinagoodphysicalcondition.Wehavedifferentlevelsforourdifferenttours.Onourwebsiteitisclarifiedwhichlevelthetourisandwhatlevelofexperienceisneeded(Vietnamislevel4).Self-assessmentisnoteasy,andifindoubtpleasedon’thesitatetocontactus.Wearemorethanwillingtoexplainyoumoreaboutit.Duringthistouryouwillrideonlight250CCHondaCRFoff-roadmotorcycles.Theyareeasytohandleandperfecttodothejob.We’llrideondifferentkind

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surfacefromperfectcurvytarmac,gravelroadsandsingletracksthatcanbesteepandstony.Combinedwithwater-crossings,remotetribalvillagesandjaw-droppingviewsitisanamazingtourthatwillmoveallyoursenses.

ITINERARYDay1:Arrival(Hotel)-welcomingdinnerDay2:GuidedHanoicitytourbyUSArmyJeep(hotel)–½dayDay3:HaNoi-BaBe220km(Home-stay)Day4:BaBe-DongVan210km(Hotel)Day5:DongVan-HaGiang200km(Home-stay)Day6:HaGiang-PanHuu110km(Resort)Day7:PanHuu-XinMan180km(Guest-house)Day8:XinMan-Sapa220km(home-stayatBanHovillage)Day9:Sapa-MuCangChai140km(Home-stay)Day10:MuCangChai-NgocChien-NghiaLo230km(Hotel)Day11:Nghialo-MocChau200km(home-stay)Day12:MocChau-PuLuong180km(Homestay)Day13:PuLuongHaNoi180km(Hotel)Day14:DeparturePRICERider: 36700SEK/€3495Pillion notpossibleSupportvehicle 22900SEK/€2050

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Included• Airportpickup&dropoff• 3nightsinHanoi(singleroom)inluxuryhotel.• 1/2dayHanoicitytourbyUSArmyJeep(incllunch)• 11ridingdaysonmotorcycle.• HondaCRF250cc• English,Vietnamese,Swedish,and/orDutchspeakingguides• Mechanicandallspares• Allaccommodation(homestays,resorts,guest-housesandhotelsontour

(singleroomwhereavailable)• Allmealsontour(localfoodforbreakfastanddinner,picnicsforlunch,etc.)• Alldrinksduringtheday(exceptbeerandwine)• Welcomedinner(localVietnamesefood)• Finalnightdinner(localVietnamesefood)• ThirdpartyinsuranceExcluded• Flightticket• Medical/travelinsurance• Visa(ifneeded)• Alcoholicdrinks• Personalexpenses

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DaybydayDay1:ArrivalHanoi(hotel)WewillmeetyouatNoiBaiInternationalAirportandtransferyoutoyourhotelfor2nights.Eveningfree.Day2:Hanoi1/2Daycitytourandorientation(hotel)WewillcomemeetyouatyourhotelinourclassicUSarmyJeepstotakea1/2daycitytourHanoiOperaHouse,TheFrenchquarterArmyMuseumandtheMuseumofEthnology.Lunchincluded.Wedropyouatyourhotellateafternoonandpickyouupagainfororientationdinneratalocalrestaurant.Day3:Hanoi-BaBeLakeNationalPark,220km(home-stay)Sealedroadswithdirtsections6hr.LeavingHanoiweheadoffonpavedroadsclimbingupintothemountains,LunchonroutebeforeturningofftothesmallroadthattakesustotheBaBeLakeNationalPark,Thisspectacularclearlakesurroundedbyjunglecoveredmountainsisgreatforaswimandiscoolinthesummer.OvernightanddinnerwithalocalTayhill-tribefamily.Day4:BaBelakeNationalPark-DongVan,210km,(hotel)Sealedroadsanddirtsections8hr.Afterbreakfastweheadnorththroughhill-tribevillages,forestandriverstoBaoLac.ThegatewaytotheHaGiangplateau.Weleavethemainroadandjoinpavedroads(offroadoptionsavailable)tothehighpassesandblackrocksthatmakeupthelandscapeofHaGiang,Hereyouseemanycolorfulhill-tribesandspectacularscenery.Wehavetinetostoptakephotosandvisitsomevillagesorlocalmarkets.OvernightinDongVan.Day5:DongVan-HaGiang,200km(Home-stay)Sealedroadswithoffroadoptions7hr.Earlystarttodayandweheadtoupthemountains,theroadherehugstheclifffaceandweclimbuptotheMaPhiLiengPass,herewecantaketimeforasnackandenjoytheviewsintoChina,TaketimetostopintheancientvillagemarketofDongVan.Lunchenroute,westopatNhaVuaMeoandvisittheHmongKingspalacebacktothe1840’s.MoreamazingpavedroadsthroughtherockylandscapeonourwaydowntoHaGiang.Overnightinhome-stay.Day6:HaGiang-PanHou,110km,(resort)Sealedroadswithdirtsections5hr.TodayweleaveonmainHanoihighwayfor50kmthenturnoffandclimb

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throughthericeterracestoHoanSuPhianddowntotheDaohill-tribevillageofPanHou.OvernightinFrenchrunresortwithitsgardensandrelaxinglounge,taketimetoexploreonbikesorthesurroundingvillages.Day7:PanHou-XinMan,180km,(guesthouse)Off-roadtracksandshortpavedsections5hrWeleavetheresortafterbreakfastandheadthroughtheterracedmountains,stoppingtomeetpeople,takephotosandcheckoutthecountryside.Afterlunchwekeepheadingupthemountains,fromheretheroadgetrough(2hr)aswecrossoverthepassanddownintotheXinManvalley,HeretheFlowerHmonghill-tribeliveandcanbeseenwearingtheiruniquecolourfulclothesastheycarryonwiththeireverydaytask.Bigviewsandweekendmarkets.OvernightinXinManDay8:XinMan-BanHoVillage,220km,(home-stay)Sealedwithdirtsections6hr.Inthemorningweheadoutanddriveonsealedandpackeddirtroadsupthroughthemountainsthroughvillagesandforest,Lunchenroute,afterLunchwetravelthroughterracedricefieldsandtotheH’mongHill-tribevillageofBanHo.Overnightinlocalhome-stay.Day9:BanHoVillage-MuCangChai,140km(home-stay)Sealedwithdirtsections5hr.WegetonthebikesandtakeashortridetotheFrencherahill-stationofSapawherewecanstopforacoffee,afterashortbreakweheadovertheTramTonpassandoverthehighestmountainsinVietnam.AfterapicniclunchwecontinuethroughteaplantationsandterracedricefieldstothemountaintownofMuCangChai.Overnightinhome-stay.Day10:MuCangChai-NgocChien-NghiaLo230km,(hotel)Dirtroadsandsmalltracks6hr.Inthemorningweheadbackupinthemountainsondirttracksforadayoftoughriding.Stopforhill-tribevillagesandstunningviewsstopforpicnicforlunch.WecontinueonsmallroadstothevillageofNgocChienandstunningviewsonourwaytoNghiaLowherewe.OvernightinNghiaLo.Day11:NghiaLo-MocChau,150km,(home-stay)Sealedroadswithdirtsections7hr.Weleaveourhome-stayandheadoverthehighmountainsonsmalldirttracks,crossingtheblackriveronasmallboat,andmakeourwaytakingback-roadsandexploringthehillsandterracedfields.OvernightinMocChauhome-stay.Day12:MocChau-PuLuong,180km(home-stay)

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Sealedwithdirtsections5hr.AfterBreakfastweheadbacktroughthehillsondirtroadsalongtheblackrivertothevillageofPuLung,therearemanyoptionontheroutetodaysoifyouarereadyformoreoff-roadorstayonthepavement.Overnightinlocalhomestay.Day13:PuLuong-Hanoi,170km(hotel)Sealedroads5hr.AfterBreakfastweheadbacktotheblackriverandHanoi,arriveinHanoiaround3pmanddrivebacktoourgaragetodropoffthebikes,wewilltransferyoutoyourhotel.Wewillmeetat19:00forafarewelldinner.Day14:Hanoi-NoiBaiInternationalAirportTaketimetodosomelastminuetshoppingbeforewetransferyoutotheairporttocatchyouflighthome.Endofanamazingadventure! WHATTOBRING?Documents:

• PASSPORT(validfor6monthswithatleast2consecutiveblankpages.• DRIVER'SLICENSE• INTERNATIONALDRIVERSLICENSE.• MEDICALANDTRAVELINSURANCE.Bringcontactnumberandpolicy

number.Makesurethathelicoptermedevacisincluded.• CREDITCARD:thereareATM’sinHanoi.PaymentwithcardonlyinHanoi.• CASH(US$)BringcashUS$ortakefromaATM.Youcanchangefor

VietnameseDong.• VISA:PleasecheckVisarequirementsforyourcountryoforigin,priorto

travelasformostcountriesavisaisneeded.Avisaapplicationformbeforedepartureisneeded(somecountriesareexempted)whenstayinglongerthan15days.Bringthistogetherwith2xphoto4x6cm.withawhitecolourback-ground.Bringthevisaletteraswell.

Gear/clothes:

• Protectiveridinggear(suit,helmet,gloves,etc).Thetemperaturecanfluctuatebetween30Celsius(Hanoi)and5C°upinthemountainswhenit’sraining.

• Boots.Bringhard(enduro)bootswithankleprotection.Itwillsafeyouleg/ankle!

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• Sunglassesandsunscreen• Lightraingear/rainjacket.Temperaturescandropwhenridingonhigh

altitudeorwhenraining.• Casualwearforeveningdinnersandnon-ridingdays.• Warmfleeceandhatforourcoolerdays/evenings• Camelbags/Hydrationback-pack.Highlyrecommended!Necessaryvery

handytopreventdehydration(alsotopreventaltitudesickness).• Camera.Thesemagnificentviewsyouwanttocapture!• Head-light.Somehome-stayshavenoelectricityduringthenight.• Travelsheets/thinsleepingbag/travelpillow.Canbeusefulwhenstaying

inthehome-stays.• Powerpack.Asaback-upforchargingyouelectronicequipment/phone.• Yourspiritforadventure!

OTHERREQUIREMENTS:MEDICAL/VACCINATIONSPleasecontactyourlocalhealthauthorityforwhichvaccinationsareneeded/mandatory.Thisvariespercountry.Malaria.WewillnotbeinthesouthofVietnam,butifyou’replanningtoextendyourstayandtravelelsewhere,pleasecontactyoulocalhealthauthority. YellowFever.AlthoughthereisnoriskofyellowfeverinVietnam,avalidyellowfevercertificateisrequiredifyourjourneystartsorentailspassingthroughtheYellowFeverBeltofAfricaorSouthAmerica.Medicines.Don’tforgetyourpersonalmedicines.Somepainkillersandmedicinesagainsttravellers-diarrhoeaarerecommendedtobring.ROADTRAVELWITHINVIETNAMVietnamhasanextensiveroadinfrastructureincludingnationalroadsandsecondaryroads.Mostroadsareingoodcondition,butthereareafewexceptions,withsomegreatgravelroadsforouroff-roadexperience–yeahhh!Traffic.InVietnamthetrafficisontheright-handsideandchaotic,especiallyinbiggercities/townslikeHanoi.Butwhendrivingslow,accidentsarelesslikelytohappen.Onthemainroadsbusesandtrucksareontopofthehierarchyandtakeoverwhenevertheyfeellikeit.Thiscanbeincurvesorwherever.Keepalwayscautiousand“expecttheunexpected”!Speedlimits.Keepaneyeoutforthedesignatedspeedlimitasthesemayvarydependingonroadconditionsandlawenforcementdoestakeplacenexttotheroad.

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Driver’slicense:Youmusthaveavaliddriver’slicenseissuedinyourowncountry.InternationalDriverslicense.Itismandatoryyoucarryanofficialtranslationofyourlicense/aninternationaldrivinglicense.Youshouldalwayshaveyourdriver’slicensewithyouwhenyouaredriving,asyouwillbeaskedtoproduceitifyouarepulledoverforanyreason.Fuel:Fuelisincludedinthetourpriceandwewillrefuelwiththewholegroup.OTHERUSEFULINFORMATIONINSURANCEMakesurethatyouhaveatravel/medicalinsurancethatalsocoversmedicalevacuationbyair.Someoftheplaceswewillride,areveryremote.ERV(Swedishonly)offersagoodtravelsinsurancethatevencoversupto10.000krself-riskondamageofrentalmotorcycles.OPTIONThebikeshave3rdpartyinsuranceonly,whichcoversyouincaseyoucausedamagetoothersincaseofanaccident.Acomprehensivebikedamageinsuranceispossiblefor220$USDThisinsurancepolicycoverslost,theftoranydamagetothemotorbikecausedbyanaccidentorfall.Thepolicyexcludesany,personalmedicalinsurance,liabilitytoothervehiclesorinjurycausedtoanotherparty.Contactusforfullcoverageanddetails.CURRENCY VietnamhastheVietnameseDong(VND).Thevalueis100.000Dong=39SEK/3,8€/4,2US$(January2019)ATM.Therearecashmachinesinbiggercitiesandtownsavailablewhereyoucanwithdrawnlocalmoney.CASH.BringUS$incash.Soyoucanalwayschangeincaseneeded.WATER. WaterinVietnamisnotsafetodrink.Whentravelingtoremoteruralareasyoushouldtakeyourowndrinkingwateralongorbuybottledwater.

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ELECTRICITY TheVietnameseelectricitysupplyis110/220voltsAC50HZ.InVietnamthepowersocketsusedareoftypeA,CandD.Checkoutthefollowingpictures(whenfromcontinentalEurope).Moreinfoyoucanfindhere:http://www.power-plugs-sockets.com

INTERNET/WIFI Youcanbuyalocalsim-cardwithinternetaccess.InternetandWi-Fiareaccessibleinurbanareasbutnoteverywhereinruralareas.TIPSANDTIPPING Asaroughguide:givelike10%toawaiterinarestaurant.SECURITY Vietnamisasavecountry.Butusecommonsenseandtakebasicsafetyprecautions.Keepvaluableslockedawayanddon’twearexpensivewatchesorjewellery,flashexpensivecameras,etc.Ifindoubt,askaguideoratyouraccommodationforsafetyguidelines. MISCELLANEOUS.AIRPORTPICK-UP/DROPOFF.Youwillbepickedupbyadriver(withaExplore360sign)whenarrivingatHanoiInternationalairportandbroughtbackwhendeparting.Pleasesendyourflightnumberandtimingstous.TRAVELSUITCASE/SOFT-BAG.Whentravelingwithallyourgearyoucanbringabigsuitcase.ThisoneyoucanleaveinhotelwherewestayuponarrivalandwhenwecomebacktoHanoi.Forduringthetour,pleasebringasmallersoft-bagforinthesupportcar.Therearesmallerwaterproofsoft-bagsavailabletostrap(withbungeecordsalsoavailable)onthebikesforrainclothesetc.incaseneeded.HOTELWewillstayinTiranthotelintheOldQuarterinHanoithe1st,2ndandlastnight(thismightchangeduetoavailability).

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Contactinfo:www.tiranthotel.comNo38GiaNgustreetHoanKiemHanoi,VietnamTel:+84-4-62655999PLEASEDOGETINCONTACTWITHUSIFYOUHAVEANYFURTHERQUESTIONS!E-mail:info@explore360.nuPhoneChris:+46-720150570