Walking Tours & Cycling Tours

In 2011, we saw Cadel Evans crowned as the ultimate victor of the Tour de France and awarded the yellow jersey, with Mark Cavendish, the fastest cyclist in the world, finally winning the much sought after green jersey, only a few months before he won the Rainbow jersey of the cycling World Champion.

This trip includes coach travel from the UK on Friday 20th July, with a trip to see the Final Time Trial of the Tour de France on the Saturday, and you will be in the centre of Paris on the Sunday for the final stage of the Tour de France and the crowning ceremony of the winners' jerseys this year. Accommodation will be in the heart of Paris at the 4-star Mercure Paris Suffren Tour Eiffel, which is only a few steps away from the Eiffel Tower.

HIGHLIGHTS: Saigon - Cu Chi Tunnels - Mui Ne - Dalat - Nha Trang - Buon Ma Thout - Pleiku - Kontum - Quang Ngai - My Lai - Hoi An - Marble Mountain - Hue - Danang - Citadel - Forbidden Purple city - Perfume River cruise = Hanoi

This trip is designed for those who are fit, energetic and enjoy cycling. We are each supplied with a mountain bike as we travel from Saigon, via the central highlands and the stunning coastline, on to Hanoi, visiting the fascinating attractions of this beautiful country along the way. This is neither an endurance test nor a marathon survival race from one point to another and we try to avoid the busy, major highways.

We ride instead on the back roads and, supported by a back-up vehicle, experience the best that Vietnam has to offer in a most interesting way There are some days where there is no cycling involved. On the cycling days, we tend to ride anywhere from two to six hours, however the support vehicle and bus are always on hand if you decided that you would like to rest instead of cycle.

Please note that this itinerary may vary slightly, depending on the cycling capabilities of your group. You can also start your Vietnam experience two days earlier and visit the bustling and colourful Mekong Delta. See your travel agent for further information.

On this tour you will see all the main high mountain stages of the 2012 Tour de France, which in the Alps includes the Grand Colombier, the summit finish at La Toussuire, and the Col du Granier. In the Pyrenees you'll see the stage to Foix, the massive stage the covers the Aubisque, Tourmalet, Aspin and Pyresourde and the final stage to the ski station of Peyragudes that includes the difficult Port de Bales. If this is not enough, you'll see the Chartres Time Trial, followed by the final stage on the cobblestones of the Champs Elysees.

On this trip, you can bring your own bike, or we give you the opportunity to hire one of our sportive type bikes. For those bringing bikes you will be able to ride the famous climbs that feature on the 2012 Route du Tour, in the Alps these will be the Col du Grand Colombier, Col de la Croix de Fer, La Toussuire and the Col du Granier, whilst in the Pyrenees you'll be able to climb the Col du Tourmalet, Col d'Aubisque, Col du Peyresourde and Col Port de Bales… There will also be the possibility to ride the mythical Mont Ventoux.

Following the Tour de France for 2 weeks can be tiring, therefore this tour has been designed with the minimum amount of hotel changes. Apart from the first and last 2 nights at our transfer hotel in Paris we shall spend 4 nights in the Alps in the beautiful lakeside town of Annecy, 2 nights in Avignon, 1 night in Toulouse, 4 nights in Lourdes and 1 night in Orleans. This is the intended 2012 Tour de France itinerary at this stage and is subject to change before departure.