CCL03: Cycling into The Lungs of Sài Gòn(Full Day)

Overview

Join us for a unique tour to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cần Giờ – Vàm Sắt Mangrove Forest. This 30km ride will offer you an insight into 602.5 hectares of one of the world’s most sustainable ecological sites as per the World Tourism Organization (WTO). This is home to many incredible species such as wild monkeys, bats, crocodiles, and birds that you will be able to see by bike, boat, and trek. Moreover, cycling around the Mangrove Forest will introduce you to the real Vietnamese countryside. While pedaling, you will get to see the local industries such as fish farms, rice paddies, fruit plantations, salt-making as well as edible bird nest farms.

We’ll pick you up at 7 a.m. from your hotel to be transferred to the relaxing countryside by private van (approx 45 minutes transfer). You will get on your bicycle in Long Hậu and start cycling on small roads through fish farms and shrimp aquacultures as well as along the river for 7 km until the first ferry station. The ferry ride, which many locals use to get to work daily, will take you and your bike to the other side of the Saigon River. Once on the riverbank you will continue cycling through small authentic farming villages.

This ride will enable you to travel along rice paddies and edible bird nest farms which are unseen with other tours. Bird’s nest is an ancient delicacy very popular in South East Asia, and a kilogram might fetch up to $3,000 USD! You will continue for 6 more kilometers before getting to a bigger ferry station with a lovely view of the local fishermen at work. It will then be time to get back on your bike for the last 16 km to the National Park. On the way to Vàm Sắt, you will observe traditional salt making processes surrounded by Dragon Fruit plantations.

The National Park’s entrance will be crossed through a single track path in the middle of the mangrove forest and you will be able to spot some of the unique 26 bird species living there including 11 water birds. Once at the center of the park, you will leave your bike and go up to the impressive observatory tower to get a panoramic view on this UNESCO World Heritage site. The visit will continue with a boat tour within the mangrove forest where many bats can be spotted. A traditional lunch will be served before offering you some free time to see the park’s crocodiles and wild monkeys, or even go for a short trek. At 3:30 pm, our driver will await you for the transfer back to Sài Gòn and you will be back at your hotel at approximately 17:30.

HAVE A GREAT TRIP!

Prices

No. of Guest(s)		1	2	3
Price/Person	VND * 1,000	9,250	4,600	3,500
	~USD	$402	$200	$152
No. of Guest(s)		4	5	6
Price/Person	VND * 1,000	3,500	2,700	2,700
	~USD	$152	$117	$117
No. of Guest(s)		>=7
Price/Person	VND * 1,000	2,700
	~USD	$117

Inclusions

●   Transfer by AC minivan
●   High quality mountain bike available in all sizes (Cannondale, Trek…) + helmet
●   Experienced English-speaking cycling tour guide
●   All admission fees
●   All boat trips
●   Bottled drinking water
●   Snacks
●   Lunch (set menu)
●   Local taxes, fees and handling charges
●   Hotel pickup and drop-off (applied for all places in District 1, 3, 4, Bình Thạnh, Phú Nhuận).

Exclusions

●   Personal expenses
●   Tips and Gratuities (recommended)
●   Drinks (beer, soft drinks…)
●   Travel insurance

Amendment and Cancellation Policy

●   Within 24 hours before departure: Guests pay 100%
●   From 24 – 48 hours before departure: Guests pay 50%
●   Prior to 48 hours before departure: Guests pay 20%

●   All itineraries are flexible and can easily be altered to suit your needs and interests. Contact one of our travel consultants for more information.

●   We also offer pickup service at other districts with extra fees:

• District 2, 7, 8, 5, 6, 10, 11, Tân Bình: 500,000VND(~22$)/Group/Tour.
• District 9, 12, Thủ Đức, Bình Tân, Tân Phú, Gò Vấp: 1,000,000VND(~43$)/Group/Tour.

●   Children Policy

• From 12 years old up: pay as an adult.
• From 5 – 11 years old: Pay 75%
• Under 5 years old: Free of charge.
• However, only one under-five free admission per booking. If you have more than two under-five, from the second kid pays 50% each.

●   Child seat and bikes available, please advise at time of booking
●   All participants under 18 must be accompanied with an adult.
●   Please dress appropriately for the weather; tours go out in rain or shine.
●   Please provide us those information when you make a reservation:

• Full name, Gender, Year of birth, Nationality: those for travel insurance
• You height: this for preparing the suitable bike for you.
• Pickup address