Vietnam's Dragon's Tail

Dragon's Tail Tour

Tour Description: Guided

This 6 day adventure takes you by bike from the Central highland hill station of Dalat to the World Heritage site of Hoi An.  This unique journey is a fantastic way to see the country by bike in an ideal climate for biking.

The itinerary can be done in reverse as well, for those starting in Hoi An and venturing down from the north.

You will bike on fairly flat terrain of coffee and rubber tree plantations, or on rolling hills through fantastic sections of pine forest, great sections of jungle, nice landscapes and waterfalls. There is also a section of deep jungle forest on both sides of the road.  

This ride is very hilly and runs along the border of Ngoc Linh National Park and Ngoc Linh Mtn. (2400 meters) through the Truong Son mountain range - a great chance to ride along the famous Ho Chi Minh Trail of Vietnam. Riders will also take a boat to a remote village on the far side of Lak Lake where you could do some light trekking from the village. Trip also includes a visit to Sea Lake, a local minority village (Ba Na), a scenic suspension bridge, a traditional wooden church, Russian tanks and Charlie Hill. The final destination, Hoi An, is a World Heritage Site.

Learn more about guided tours. 

Tour Description: Self-guided

This 6 day adventure takes you by bike from the Central highland hill station of Dalat to the World Heritage site of Hoi An.  This unique journey is a fantastic way to see the country by bike in an ideal climate for biking.

The itinerary can be done in reverse as well, for those starting in Hoi An and venturing down from the north.

You will bike on fairly flat terrain of coffee and rubber tree plantations, or on rolling hills through fantastic sections of pine forest, great sections of jungle, nice landscapes and waterfalls. There is also a section of deep jungle forest on both sides of the road.  

This ride is very hilly and runs along the border of Ngoc Linh National Park and Ngoc Linh Mtn. (2400 meters) through the Truong Son mountain range - a great chance to ride along the famous Ho Chi Minh Trail of Vietnam. Riders will also take a boat to a remote village on the far side of Lak Lake where you could do some light trekking from the village. Trip also includes a visit to Sea Lake, a local minority village (Ba Na), a scenic suspension bridge, a traditional wooden church, Russian tanks and Charlie Hill. The final destination, Hoi An, is a World Heritage Site.

Learn more about guided tours. 

Highlights: Guided

• Biking on fairly flat terrain of coffee and rubber tree plantations.
• Rolling hills through fantastic sections of pine forest, great sections of jungle, nice landscapes and waterfalls.
• Riding along the border of Ngoc Linh National Park and Ngoc Linh Mtn. (2400 meters) through the Truong Son mountain range and the famous Ho Chi Minh Trail.
• Taking a boat ride to a remote village on the far side of Lak Lake.
• Visiting to Sea Lake, a local minority village (Ba Na), a scenic suspension bridge, a traditional wooden church, Russian tanks and Charlie Hill.
• World Heritage Site: Hoi An

Highlights: Self-guided

• Biking on fairly flat terrain of coffee and rubber tree plantations.
• Rolling hills through fantastic sections of pine forest, great sections of jungle, nice landscapes and waterfalls.
• Riding along the border of Ngoc Linh National Park and Ngoc Linh Mtn. (2400 meters) through the Truong Son mountain range and the famous Ho Chi Minh Trail.
• Taking a boat ride to a remote village on the far side of Lak Lake.
• Visiting to Sea Lake, a local minority village (Ba Na), a scenic suspension bridge, a traditional wooden church, Russian tanks and Charlie Hill.
• World Heritage Site: Hoi An

Daily Program: Guided

Day 1: Arrival in Dalat

Day 2: Dalat, Lak Lake (68 miles / 110km)
7:00 am: Pick up at your hotel and departure to start of the ride (20 minutes outside of Dalat). Fantastic riding section about 11 miles / 17 kilometers downhill to Tanung. Flat to rolling hills after this. Then, vehicle transfer (or ride part ways) to the top of Phu Son Pass for an early lunch at 11:30 am. Bike down Phu Son Pass to Lak Lake. Arrival at around 5:00 pm. Check into Lak Resort and relax. Dinner in the restaurant of the Resort. 

 Day 3: Lak Lake, Buon Me Thuot (31 miles / 50km)
7:30 am: After breakfast, head out to visit one of the old summer retreats of Emperor Bao Dai. Then, take a boat to a remote village on the far side of Lak Lake. Some light trekking is possible from this village.Back to Lak Lake for lunch and a rest before the 50 km bike ride to Buon Me Thuot (mostly flat).- Arrive in Buon Me Thuot around 4:30 pm. Check into Dam San Hotel. Free evening to have dinner and explore Buon Me Thuot City on your own.  

Day 4: Buon Me Thuot, Pleiku (68 miles / 110 km)
7:30 am: Breakfast at hotel. Short transfer (about 30 minutes) out of Buon Me Thuot before biking. This day is particularly long with 68 miles / 110 km of biking through a fairly flat terrain of coffee and rubber tree plantations. Transport vehicle is available for those wishing to bike a shorter distance. The road wanders over rolling hills through fantastic sections of pine forest. A superb biking day. Lunch will be taken on the way (picnic style lunch on this day). Arrive in Pleiku between  4:30 pm and  5:00 pm. Check into Tre Xanh Hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant in town. 

Day 5:  Pleiku, Ngoc Hoi (47 miles / 75 km ride) 
After breakfast, departure by bike from the hotel at around 8:00 or 8:30 am.Visit a "Sea Lake" on the way. Then visit a local minority village (Ba Na), a scenic suspension bridge and a traditional wooden church. Continue visiting Russian Tanks and Charlie Hill.Lunch in Kontum. In the afternoon, keep biking about 43 miles / 69 km thru rolling hills to hotel in Ngoc Hoi with the arrival time between  4:30 pm and  5:00 pm. Check into BMC Ngoc Hoi Hotel. Free evening to have dinner and explore the town on your own.  

Day 6: Ngoc Hoi, Phuoc Son (50 miles / 80 km ride)
Breakfast at hotel and departure at 8:30 am. This is the best riding day of the trip with a fantastic 50 miles / 80 kilometer section of deep jungle forest on both sides of the road.  The ride is also very hilly and runs along the border of Ngoc Linh National Park and Ngoc Linh Mtn. (7,874 ft. / 2,400 meters) through the Truong Son mountain range. This is also the day that we travel along the famous Ho Chi Minh Trail; the Ba Na and Sedang minorities reside in this jungle area.Lunch along the way at a local restaurant.Vehicle transfer in the afternoon the rest of the way to Phuoc Son with an estimated arrival at 5:00 pm.- Dinner in Phuoc Son with an overnight in a comfortable local guest house. 

Day 7: Phuoc Son, Hoi An (37 miles / 60 km ride)
8:00 am: Departure after breakfast at hotel with 37 miles / 60 km biking through more great sections of jungle, nice landscapes and waterfalls. Lunch on the way (picnic style). After lunch continue by vehicle to Hoi An World Heritage Site (approx. 43 miles / 70 km) with an estimated arrival at 3:00 pm. Drop off at your hotel. 

Day 8: Departure

Daily Program: Self-guided

Dates: Guided

Daily upon request for parties of 2 or more.

Dates: Self-guided

Packages and Prices: Guided

Tour package
Per person, double occupancy $714 Single supplement, (one person, one room) $85 Extra night in Dalat $27 Extra night in Hoi An $35 Elephant Ride $15 Bike Rentals Mountain bike rental (included in price) $0

Packages and Prices: Self-guided

Included Services: Guided

• English speaking guide(s)
• Vehicle transfers
• Hotel accommodation 7 nights
• All meals and purified drinking water throughout the trip, except for 2 free nights in Buon Me Thuot and Ngoc Hoi
• All necessary tourist permits and entrance fees
• First aid kit

Included Services: Self-guided

Hotels: Guided

These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.

Day 1: Blue Moon Resort
www.bluemoonhotel.com.vn 

Day 2: Lak Resort
www.daklaktourist.com.vn
Lak Resort, set on the hill with 32 standard rooms overlooking the immence lake of Lak, is a romantic destination for travellers. You can enjoy an unforgetable holiday away from the hustle and bustle of the city and bring home with you beautiful memories of your Vietnam trip.
Day 3: Dam San Hotel
www.damsanhotel.com.vn
Situated in the heart of the city and spiced with the local culture essence, Damsan is the best choice when coming to Buon Me Thuot City. At Damsan Hotel, you will enjoy comfortable rooms or luxurious suites with a broad valley view.
Day 4: Tre Xanh Hotel 
www.gialaictc.com.vn/
Tre Xanh 3 star hotel with 120 well equipped standard rooms will meet all needs of tourists coming to Pleiku. Standing on the top floor of the hotel, you can see almost poetic and peaceful views of the Mountain City. Also, you can feel the romantic beauty of Sea Lake.
Day 5:  BMC Ngoc Hoi Hotel 
bmcngochoihotel.com
BMC Ngoc Hoi Hotel is located in the center of Plei Kan Township. The special feature of this hotel is the harmony combination between modern and traditional architectures.
Day 6: Be Chau Giang Hotel 
With its harmonious beauty and friendly environment, Be Chau Giang Hotel can meet the customers' demands easily.
Day 7: Vinh Hung Riverside Resort
www.vinhhungresort.com

Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options. 

Hotels: Self-guided

These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.

Day 1: Blue Moon Resort
www.bluemoonhotel.com.vn 

Day 2: Lak Resort
www.daklaktourist.com.vn
Lak Resort, set on the hill with 32 standard rooms overlooking the immence lake of Lak, is a romantic destination for travellers. You can enjoy an unforgetable holiday away from the hustle and bustle of the city and bring home with you beautiful memories of your Vietnam trip.
Day 3: Dam San Hotel
www.damsanhotel.com.vn
Situated in the heart of the city and spiced with the local culture essence, Damsan is the best choice when coming to Buon Me Thuot City. At Damsan Hotel, you will enjoy comfortable rooms or luxurious suites with a broad valley view.
Day 4: Tre Xanh Hotel 
www.gialaictc.com.vn/
Tre Xanh 3 star hotel with 120 well equipped standard rooms will meet all needs of tourists coming to Pleiku. Standing on the top floor of the hotel, you can see almost poetic and peaceful views of the Mountain City. Also, you can feel the romantic beauty of Sea Lake.
Day 5:  BMC Ngoc Hoi Hotel 
bmcngochoihotel.com
BMC Ngoc Hoi Hotel is located in the center of Plei Kan Township. The special feature of this hotel is the harmony combination between modern and traditional architectures.
Day 6: Be Chau Giang Hotel 
With its harmonious beauty and friendly environment, Be Chau Giang Hotel can meet the customers' demands easily.
Day 7: Vinh Hung Riverside Resort
www.vinhhungresort.com

Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options. 

Bike Rentals: Guided

Bikes available:

• Front suspension Giant Mountain bikes with a minimum of Shimano Deore drivetrains and component sets.
• Bike frames: 13" - 22"27 speed, 26" rim bikes
• Slick / knobby tires 
• Baby seats are available.

Equipment available:

• Helmets
• Gloves
• Water bottles
• Repair kits carried by all guides on all trips. 
• Spare parts carried as well
• Saddle Bags if requested 

Bike Rental included in price. 

Bike Rentals: Self-guided

Bikes available:

• Front suspension Giant Mountain bikes with a minimum of Shimano Deore drivetrains and component sets.
• Bike frames: 13" - 22"27 speed, 26" rim bikes
• Slick / knobby tires 
• Baby seats are available.

Equipment available:

• Helmets
• Gloves
• Water bottles
• Repair kits carried by all guides on all trips. 
• Spare parts carried as well
• Saddle Bags if requested 

Bike Rental included in price. 

Surface and Terrain: Guided

This biking is on paved road, through flat and rolling hills. Generally rolling or hilly terrain with average daily distances up to 70 km per day for cyclists in good physical condition.

This tour is rated Moderate and is for cyclists in good physical condition.

Surface and Terrain: Self-guided

This biking is on paved road, through flat and rolling hills. Generally rolling or hilly terrain with average daily distances up to 70 km per day for cyclists in good physical condition.

This tour is rated Moderate and is for cyclists in good physical condition.

How To Get There: Guided

Tour start:
Nearest airport: Dalat or Hoi An, Vietnam

Tour end:
Nearest airport: Hoi An or Dalat, Vietnam

How To Get There: Self-guided

Tour start:
Nearest airport: Dalat or Hoi An, Vietnam

Tour end:
Nearest airport: Hoi An or Dalat, Vietnam

Weather: Guided

Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns. 

Get weather information >

Weather: Self-guided

Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns. 

Get weather information >

Tour Company Background: Phat Tire Ventures: Guided

Phat Tire Ventures (PTV) Vietnam was created with the goal of providing challenging adventures deep into the unexplored and remote areas of the mountains and coast of Central Vietnam. They understand how difficult it is to get off of the established tourist track, and are constantly exploring new routes and new places to mountain bike, trek, kayak, raft, climb, rappel and explore. 

They are located in Dalat and HoiAn, Vietnam, and have been in business for 11 years. They can handle groups as small as 2, and are very geared towards handling customized trips and family groups that have special requests.

PTV welcomes you to Vietnam: "We look forward to having you on our trip and giving you the chance to 'peak behind the curtain' and see the real countryside."

Tour Company Background: Phat Tire Ventures: Self-guided

Phat Tire Ventures (PTV) Vietnam was created with the goal of providing challenging adventures deep into the unexplored and remote areas of the mountains and coast of Central Vietnam. They understand how difficult it is to get off of the established tourist track, and are constantly exploring new routes and new places to mountain bike, trek, kayak, raft, climb, rappel and explore. 

They are located in Dalat and HoiAn, Vietnam, and have been in business for 11 years. They can handle groups as small as 2, and are very geared towards handling customized trips and family groups that have special requests.

PTV welcomes you to Vietnam: "We look forward to having you on our trip and giving you the chance to 'peak behind the curtain' and see the real countryside."

Terms and Conditions: Phat Tire Ventures: Guided

Payment Policy: 

- The quoted price is subject to change due to changes in the program, number of participants and/or unforeseen increases in Hotel rates.

- Final payment must be received 3 weeks before the date of the event.

- Payments can be made in US dollars or Vietnam Dong.

- Payments received in Vietnam Dong must be based on the current exchange rate onthe date of payment.

Cancellation terms: 

- 7 days before the event, Phat Tire Ventures will retain 50% of the Total Cost.

- Less than 7 Days of the event no refund.

Terms and Conditions: Phat Tire Ventures: Self-guided

Payment Policy: 

- The quoted price is subject to change due to changes in the program, number of participants and/or unforeseen increases in Hotel rates.

- Final payment must be received 3 weeks before the date of the event.

- Payments can be made in US dollars or Vietnam Dong.

- Payments received in Vietnam Dong must be based on the current exchange rate onthe date of payment.

Cancellation terms: 

- 7 days before the event, Phat Tire Ventures will retain 50% of the Total Cost.

- Less than 7 Days of the event no refund.