CROSSING BORDERS TOUR 2007
VIETNAM – CHINA – LAOS
(Dec 1st - Dec 21st 2007)
SAVE NOW 410 EUR for this event, for the next CROSS BORDERS TOUR in Oct 2008 cost will be 2.442 EUR/rider
 Yunnan Province is without doubt one of the most alluring destinations in China. It's the most varied of all of China's provinces, with terrain ranging from tropical rainforest to snow-capped Tibetan peaks. It's also the sixth-largest province and home to a third of all China's ethnic minorities(nearly 50% of the province is non-Han) and half of all China's plant and animal species. There are 25 different ethnic minorities in Yunnan, making it the most culturally diverse province in China. This multiplicity of cultures has endowed the province with a rich heritage that it shares with all who come to visit. There is always something wonderful to see and do here.
The natural beauty of Yunnan Province defies description. It has mountain ranges and glaciers that are snow-capped all year round, deep virgin forests, lakes and hot springs, alpine landscapes, precipitous valleys, beautiful farmlands, mountain rivers and valley streams, floral splendor that blooms throughout the year, and vast skies with amazing clouds.
Yunnan is also well known for its mild climate year-round-its name means' South of the Clouds'. The provincial capital, Kunming is similarly referred to as the 'Spring City'. Thus if you could only go to one province, this might well be it.
Until recent times most of Yunnan was not easily reachable as it was cut off from communication with the outside world by precipitous mountains. Many believe that the Shangri-la referred to in James Milton's Lost Horizons, was here in Yunnan. It now may be the last virgin land where one can observe cultures whose layers go back for thousands of years into the past. Visit Yunnan and be prepared to be enchanted.
It was not possible for us to just dream about motorcycling into this magic land until now. The dream has come true, we have made it true. Come and ride, make your adventures of a life time. If you are dreaming about an adventure on a motorcycle by reading stories, listening to friends...it will never come true. But if you have really enough courage, this trip make it truely. Be pride on doing this trip, it is more than a trip because it is THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFE TIME
Riding in the most beautiful route in the Northwest of Vietnam, crossing China border to Yunnan, Lijiang, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Dali, wheeling on windy mountain passes, exploring the richest mountain hill-tribe cultures of Asia. Rolling onward to Tibet, Burma border then cross Laos border to Luang Prabang during 21 days. There are many large High-way in China but we prefer the back-road through countryside and mountainous.
 Day 1 : Dec 1st 2007: Hanoi – Mai Chau, 170km ~4h; B, L, D
 Transfer out of the City by car, we choose the longer road to Mai Chau but with more beautiful scenery and less traffic. Enjoy traditional dancing in local Thai ethnic family. Overnight with family.
Thai family
Day 2: Dec 2nd 2007: Mai Chau – Phu Yen, 130km ~4h; B, L, D
Begin the rocky riding for an hour to the region of H’Mong hill-tribe, Explore the Moc Chau highlands with green tea fields then crossing Black River by ferry to Phu Yen.
Hoang Gia Hotel
Day 3: Dec 3rd 2007: Phu Yen – Mu Cang Chai, 160km ~4h; B, L, D
Ride along 2kms of dirt road through the mountain passes of Lung Lo through forest, begin to follow Hoang Lien Son mountain ranges heading up North through high mountain passes.
People Communist Guesthouse
Day 4: Dec 4th 2007: Mu Cang Chai – Sapa, 170km ~4h; B, L, D
 Explore the most beautiful landscape in the Northwest of Vietnam, Tram Ton passes, walking around Sapa.
Hoang Long Hotel
Day 5: Dec 5th 2007: Sapa – Lao Cai – Hakou – Kaiyuan, 240km ~5h; B, L, D
Checking the border into China. Heading up stream on the Red River bank, visit the old French town Mengzi and the old colonial train station near the Lake Nanhu.
Diannan hotel 3*.
Day 6: Dec 6th 2007: Kaiyuan – Stone Forest – Kunming, 210km ~4h; B, L,
Beautiful scenery - paddy fields with crops. On the way, stop at Shilin to visit the Stone Forest (110 km). Stone forest is the number one natural wonder in China, 270 million years ago it was underwater but shifts in the earth's crust caused the sea to recede making a new tableland, while its limestone bed rose up, to create the stone pillars.
Camellia hotel 2*.
Day 7: Dec 7th 2007: Kunming City tour; B
1896 m, the capital of Yunnan Province, the gate of China to South East Asia, the trade to Burma, Thailand and Vietnam is very flourishing. As its climate is good all year round, Kunming is also famous for its wide variety of flowers. City tour: visit the Bamboo Buddhist Temple (18 km) with 500 Arhat statues which were built in the Qing Dynasty (280 years ago).
Camellia hotel 2*.
Day 8: Dec 8th 2007: Kunming – Yuanmou, 207km ~5h; B, L, D
Upon arrival, visit the Earth Mound Forest, a 
mysterious and magnificent wonderland. Visitors wandering around the earth mounds are just like people touring in a wonderland. The main spectacles include views of castles of ancient Greece; cathedrals of ancient Rome and temples of ancient China.
Yuanmou hotel 2*.
Day 9: Dec 9th 2007: Yuanmou – Huaping, 214km ~5h; B, L, D
Today the ride to Huaping is along a paved road, via Yongren, Renhe (Sichuan province, 123 km), Pangzhihua (Sichuan), then to Huaping (Yunnan). Ride along the Yangtze River valley about 30 km, through natural forest.
Local hotel 2*.
Day 10: Dec 10th 2007: Huanping – Lijiang, 203km ~4h; B, L
Lijiang is located at an altitude of almost 8,000ft and is a UN World Heritage Site. The old part of the town has wonderful old cobbled streets, meandering streams and views that will take your breath away. The ancient town of Lijiang is a lovely Chinese traditional town. Naxi classical concert in the evening.
Sanhe Guest Inn3* in the old town of Lijiang.
Day 11: Dec 11st 2007: Lijang City tour; B
Visit a traditional Naxi Village Baisha, where life has gone relatively unchanged for hundreds of years. Black Dragon Pool, where the snow-capped mountains seem to shimmer as they are reflected in the waters of the lake. A visit to a Tibetan lamasery Yufeng is also an option.
Sanhe Guest Inn3*.
Day 12: Dec 12nd 2007: Lijiang - Tiger Leaping Gorge, 106+23km ~3h; B, L, D
 Enjoy riding along the Yangtze River to Qiaotou. Tiger Leaping Gorge is in the countryside north of Lijiang and the scenery is stunning. The Yangtze River, still in its infancy here, passes through the Gorge with cliffs of almost 4,000m on either side.
Woody House (there are only 6 rooms with the bathroom for 12 people; the others have to go the public for the shower)..
Day 13: Dec 13rd 2007: Tiger Leaping Gorge – Dali, 223km ~5h; B, L
Riding on the old road to Dali, via Jianchuan (110 km). Dali, located beside the beautiful Erhai Lake, used to be the capital of Nanzhao and Dali kingdom, two strong and independent dynasties lasting from 725 till 1360 AD. We enjoy mountain passes, villages and forest. On the way, visit the one of oldest Bai village Zhouchen to see the traditional Bai method of tie-dying cloth.
Landscape hotel 3* in Dali Old Town.
Day 14: Dec 14th 2007: Dali City tour; B
 Sightseeing in Dali: visit 3-pagodas, the symbol of Dali, etablished a thousand years ago in Nanzhao Kingdom. We visit Xizhou Bai village market and see the unique house of a Bai family. Cruise Erhai Lake and islands, at 250 sq kms, the second largest freshwater lake in Yunnan.
Landscape hotel 3*.
Day 15: Dec 15th 2007: Dali – Zhernyuan, 223km ~5h; B, L, D
Today we will drive along the Tea & Horse Road in the Wulian Mountain area. It was started in the Han dynasty (nearly 2 thousand years ago), flourished in the Tang Dynasty (a thousand years ago) and was completed after the Second World War when the highway was built. The road starts from Puer in Simao and ends in India via Tibet. People exchanged the tea from Yunnan with horses and herbs from Tibet. It can be compared with the Silk Road since it was the only road in South-west China.
Zhenyuan hotel 2*.
Day 16: Dec 16th 2007: Zhenyuan - Jinggu – Shuangjiang, 236km ~5h; B, L, D
 Riding along a narrow mountain road to Shuangjiang (125 km), the district of the Lahu people (Kucong in Jinping), via Jinggu (121km). Cross the Mekong river at Dahai. Visit a village Jiefang.
Roadside views: crops on the high mountains, especially at the bridge on the Mekong River, Lahu people
Shuangjiang hotel 2*.
Day 17: Dec 17th 2007: Shuangjiang – Ximen, 154km ~4h; B, L, D
Rocky, bumpy and narrow road through spectacular scenery to Ximen. In the Wa area (154 km). Drive along a branch of the Mekong -Xiao Heijiang (Black river). Head towards the Burmese border at Yuesong Wa village (16 km from the old town) on an unpaved road to see the real life of the Wa people up near the Armed Police Frontier Station. Return to Ximen.
Local guest house.
Day 18: Dec 18th 2007: Ximen – Menghai, 235km ~5h; B, L, D
Continue on the narrow bumpy road to Lancang (110 km). Drive along the river Nanlanhe Road to Menghai (125 km). The town of Xishuangbanna bordering Burma and Laos is a sub-tropical area. The main people here are Dai, Hani, Bulang and Yao. It is rich in primitive forest and world-renowned as a rich kingdom of animals and plants. Visit the Dai Octagonal Pavilion, the symbol for Buddhism. Visit Aini village (the branch of Hani) to discover the marriage custom of testing for pregnancy before marriage!
Menghai hotel 2*.
 Day 19: Dec 19th 2007: Menghai – Jinghong – Menglun, 127km ~4h; B, L, D
Continue riding along the Mekong River to Ganlanba (38 km) through the forest and Dai villages, enjoy paddy fields dotted with traditional Dai villages, and explore the simple life of these pristine and hospitable farmers. Visit Dai Custom Garden with Dai performances and water splashing. Transfer to Menglun Botanic garden (34 km.) to enjoy this garden full of tropical plants.
Menglun hotel 2*.
Day 20: Dec 20th 2007: Menglun – Boten – Udomxay, 200km ~5h; B, L, D
Ride along a quite busy road currently under construction to the border of Laos.Exit China and enter Laos at Boten.Take a winding mountain road, passing through ethnic villages.
Udomxay Hotel 2*
Day 21: Dec 21st 2007: Udomxay – Luang Prabang, 180km ~4h; B, L, D
Easy riding along a good winding mountain road, visiting ethnic villages along the way. Visit Pak Ou cave situated on the banks of the Mekong River and containing thousands of Buddha images.
Phu Sy Villa 3*
 B : Breakfast, L : Lunch, D : Dinner
Official Document required:
Valid Passport;
International Driving License for Motorcycle;
4 color photo size 1 inch (of your face without glasses);
Motorcycle paper (if you want to ride your own bike) with its insurance for third party;
Personal Insurance for Motorcycle Accident.
All of the Official Documents copied must be sent to Voyage Vietnam office in Hanoi 2 months before the departure.
Price:
The price based on twin-share or triple-share room 2-3*** Hotel or family. For single occupancy please add 325 EUR.
If until Oct 2007 we can import the Yamaha XT 250, this tour will run by XT 250.If not we run by Minsk
IF WE RIDE THE MISK:
1.594 EUR/pax for the tour + 170 EUR transfer your bike back to Hanoi = 1.764 EUR/pax
Pillion 1.558 EUR/pax
Seat on support car = 1.355 EUR/pax limited
Special offer for riding your bike back to Hanoi on your own with 4 days extra add 109 EUR/rider, one day In Luang prabang = 47 EUR/rider. For more information please contact us
 Included:
Permission to enter and exist China, Laos on motorcycle
Transport your bike from Luang Prabang back to Hanoi (170 EUR/bike already added)
2 Group Leaders from Voyage Vietnam through the trip
1 mechanic
1 local guide through the ride in China
1 support car followed the group in China
All entrance fees during the tour;
All Accommodation; Hotel 2-3 star in China;
All food as mention in the program above
Motorcycle, gasoline needed for the tour.
Not included:
Drinks and 8 meals as mention in the tour program;
Visa and taxes for enter and exist those countries
Tipping or gratuities to guides and drivers;
Mandatory international travel insurance;
Excursions other than those specified in trips;
Extra cost if itinerary is delayed or changed due to unexpected reasons beyond control.
FOR THE OPTION TO RIDE YOUR MOTORCYCLE BACK TO HANOI
1 day relax in Luang Prabang + 4 days ride back to Hanoi
Day 22: Dec 22nd 2007: Luang Prabang, Relax; B, L, D
Full day relax in Luang Prabang to discover this World Heritage site.
Day 23: Dec 23rd 2007: Luang Prabang - Plan of Jars, 180km ~4h; B, L, D
Ride a gain your motorcycle on high mountain passes, through beautiful villages of H’Mong and Thai Dam people. When arrive in Phonsavan, park you staffs in the Hotel then ride to the Plan of Jars for the sunset,
Day 24: Dec 24th 2007: Plan of Jars - Sam Nua, 230km ~5h; B, L, D
Ride in phonsavan plateau on ward to Muong Kham with a stop to visit Tham Piew cave - where about 400 people were killed during the second Indochina War by a rocket from American Jet on 24 Nov 1968.
Enjoy some dirt ride on the way to Nam Neun before heading again on sealed road No6. We will come to a winding road alongside beautiful green forest. Picnic lunch in Suan Hin Stone Garden before ending the day ride in Sam Nua.
Day 25: Dec 25th 2007: Sam Nua - Nam Xoi - Na Meo - Cam Thuy, 220km ~5h; B, L, D
Explore Vieng Xay on your motorbike, the former Pathet Lao Revolutionary head-quarters with its famous hundred limestone cliffs, caves and Phathet Lao stories from the second Indochina War. After lunch, we ride to Nam Xoi, cross the last border to return to Vietnam.
Day 26: Dec 26th 2007: Cam Thuy - Hanoi, 160km ~4h; B, L, D
Easy riding on good road through limestone mountain karts, surrounded local villages return to Hanoi. End trip.
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