CYCLING THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS - PLEIKU AND KONTUM CULTURAL BIKE TOUR

Day 1 – Pleiku exploration – 60km with 500m of ascent [B/L/Welcome Dinner]

We will arrange to meet at approximately 07:00 for a delicious breakfast and coffee at one of our favorite local restaurants in Pleiku and we will have time to ensure that your bicycle is properly fitted and you are acquainted with it. Thereafter, we will depart on a moderate-paced journey through the surrounding Pleiku villages where we will have several opportunities to meet with local farmers and village elders for a meaningful cultural exchange. 

The cycle tracks on this segment of the journey are an equal mix of single-track dirt, mud and gravel, with a handful of wider gravel and paved lanes. At several points, we will stop for a snack and drink break, to recover from a long ascent and admire the majestic surroundings.

Near the end of the day's journey, we will take a special trail that will allow us to view rice paddies nestled into the mountainside. This is very unique to the region, as lower elevations and flood-prone areas are often ideal terrains for growing rice. The verdant colors of the mature rice growths will make for spectacular photos.

We will conclude the day's cycling adventure at a hidden waterfall, where we have planned a hearty late lunch with adult beverages and a dip in the cool and clear waters.

We will travel a total distance of 62 kilometers today before a 75-minute transfer back to the city of Pleiku where we will stay at a tranquil local hotel and you will have freedom to explore and recharge for the challenging day of riding ahead.

Day 2 - Pleiku - Kon Tum 60km with 1000m of ascent [ B/L/D]

After an early breakfast and coffee at a local restaurant, we will take a 1 hour transfer to the start of our day's cycling route. Today is a more challenging ride than we had on Day 1, with over 1000 meters of ascent on the route and gravel track and dual track paths heading north for the majority of the day.hardBreakWith lots of climbing today, we will be sure to stop for nutrition and water breaks multiple times during the trek. Depending on the group's average pace, we will either have a picnic lunch or a stop for lunch at a local restaurant.

After a long day on the bike, we will take a short transfer to our highlight destination, where Mr Biker Saigon's multi-lingual expert guide will spend an hour facilitating a cultural exchange between the riders and the Bahnar Culture Keeper and village elder.

On this guided tour of his residence, there will be ample time to learn about the village, its origins, 2000-year history and the unique religious imagery employed by the Bahnar. This revered Culture Keeper is a talented musician and will demonstrate traditional instruments and weapons for those interested in partaking in this exchange.

After this refreshing cultural experience, we will continue to Kon Tum, where we will have individual time to explore the city center and dinner with adult beverages to celebrate the day.

Day 3 - Kon Tum – Mang Den - 60km with 1350m of ascent [B/L/D]

The first part of the day is definitely the most challenging and technical riding of the whole excursion. We climb 500 meters in elevation over 12 kilometers distance in this first optional segment. While the climbing isn't extreme, the views are! We wind through narrow single track bike routes that lead right along the crest of our favorite mountain view, giving spectacular opportunities for photography and documenting our adventure together.

For those who opt not to ride this optional segment, after breakfast, there will be a choice to depart 45 minutes behind the lead group and explore Kon Tum or depart immediately and spend those 45 minutes exploring the meetup village 20 kilometers into the journey. Either way, the time to explore local culture will be facilitated by one of our expert guides.

Upon meeting up, we will head off together from kilometer 20 for what will be the most challenging and adventurous day of cycling on this excursion, weaving around and across the tarmac roads. We plan our first rest and nutrition break about an hour into the journey for the main group and a delicious lunch shortly after exploring the communal houses of the Ede ethnic minority made of traditional bamboo construction that serve as a self-supporting mini village for those residing in the area.hardBreakMr Biker Saigon believes that the authentic local experience of local ethnic minorities is something to be cherished and honored. For that reason, we have partnered with the local people to ensure that our ride respects their local community and traditions while always adhering to our core commitment to leave only smiles and positive interactions as our impact. We use no single use plastics and commit to pack out all non-organic trash that we may use along the way. We strive to make the world a cleaner and safer place for cyclists.

As we trek across the villages of the local ethnic people toward our final daily destination of Mang Den, the route will become hillier and rolling hilltop passes will slowly make way to a majestic view of the mountain we will climb to reach Mang Den.

On this final ascent of nearly 15km in distance, we will find challenging paths and switchbacks as we ascend from 600 meters of altitude to our adventure's highest point - 1200 meters of altitude. BBQ dinner and enjoy our winter in Vietnam!

Day 4 – Mang Den – Pleiku - 80km with a net descent of 600m [B/L/D]

Today, we cycle the Legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail System, which boasts smooth tarmac and steep descents from our summit at Mang Den. The distance of 80km is the furthest day of cycling on this itinerary, but the modern reconstruction of the Ho Chi Minh Trail and the sweeping descents ensure that we will experience the adventure of group riding to its fullest.

With stunning vistas to the left and right while descending down the Ho Chi Minh Trail, there will be ample opportunities for breathtaking photos to document our adventure together.hardBreakAdditionally, we will have the opportunity to contrast and compare the normal busyness of our daily lives with the tranquil yet constructive lives of those who live along what we affectionately dub "The Loneliest Route", a 30km section of the Ho Chi Minh Trail system where we will seldom encounter another human being. During this solitary part of our journey, we will break for a picnic lunch to admire the serenity of rural Vietnam.

Arriving at our destination at about 15:00, we will embark on a transport back to Pleiku.hardBreakSince we are aware of multiple plans to depart via Air Transport, we will be back in Pleiku by 16:00, leaving plenty of time for our last communal dinner and delivering those who need to depart to the airport with plenty of time to spare.

EXCLUDED:

• Travel insurance


• International flights


• Vietnam Visa stamp fee


• Beverages & other personal expenses


• Other items not mentioned above


BOOKING PAYMENT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

* For a single-day trip, full payment upon confirmation.


* For multi-day trips: Deposit of 50% of total payment is made upon confirmation date /or 14 days before the starting date of the trip.


* The remainder of balance is due 07 days before the starting date of the trip for multi-day trips.


CANCELLATION POLICY 

* 20% of total invoiced payment is charged if the cancellation is made from 10 to 05 days before the scheduled date of departure for the booked itinerary.


* 45% of total invoiced payment is charged if the cancellation is made from 04 to 02 days before the scheduled date of departure for the booked itinerary.


* 75% of total invoiced payment is charged if the cancellation is made 01 day before the scheduled date of departure for the booked itinerary.


* 100% of total invoiced payment is charged if the cancellation is made on DAY 01 or in case of NO SHOW.


* Domestic flight tickets are non-refundable. 


Things to think about:

Even though we provide modern bikes and safety gear, we understand that sometimes customers wish to have their own personal items. We would suggest customers bring their own helmet and cycling gloves for comfort and out mechanics can even fit customer own seats and pedals. All bikes will be labelled with customers’ name so that they have the same bike each day and alloy smooth operations.

Transportation arrangements:

Where-ever possible we will cycle from point A to point B meaning the guests have as much experience on the bicycle and exploring outdoors. At certain points we will use our comfortable and modern 16-seater minivan to transport guests safely to start and endpoints. These vehicles come with air conditioning.

If a customer wishes to not continue after lunch, they can be safely transported inside the minivan. The vehicles are present along the way for emergency purposes and can be used as necessary.

Food and Dietary Requirements:

At Mr Biker Saigon we believe in fresh and local food experiences wherever possible. This means eating delicious locally sourced and cooked food and giving the guests a real authentic trip. We can also cater towards allergies and dietary requirements such as vegetarian, vegan or simple requests. 

Food will always be local but with some minor changes to cater towards a Western pallet of tastes.

We will also provide snacks along the way such as seasonal fruits and energy food.

Liability and Personal Health Insurance:

Mr Biker Saigon does not provide personal liability insurance to the guests on the trip. We suggest that each guest has the relevant Personal Health Insurance for travelling in Asia and that it covers activities such as cycling.

Customers using our services please carefully read this waiver form in the link below and noted that this form will be signed before your departure:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ewkPPVKtdO6PqIfKcrYmhWR0anEQYn_hYBMtuONu4tk/edit