9-Day

Hanoi to Sapa Motorcycle Tour

Cloud Hunter

Hanoi - Pu Luong - Mai Chau - Ta Xua - Tram Tau - Mu Cang Chai - Than Uyen - Sapa - Seo My Ty - Hanoi

Cloud Hunter is all about getting up high, riding to the top of some of Vietnam’s highest mountains so that you can look down on the clouds from above. Traverse the narrow Dinosaur Spine on Ta Xua mountain before heading through national parks, stepped rice fields and back roads all the way up to the historic mountain town of Sa Pa.
9 Day Hanoi to Sapa Motorcycle Tour - Cloud Hunter - Rentabike Vietnam

Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi - Pu Luong

Pu Luong Nature Reserve on a clear day
We get out of town as quickly as possible and then we take the smaller back roads and ATK roads to get to the beautiful Pu Luong valley. This is not a hard day but concentration is needed as you become acclimatised the the bike and the traffic conditions.
handlebars and a Mai Chau dirt road
Again, not a difficult day, technically and it is a chance to relax a little and get a good feel for the bike. We take the road less travelled and, if time, a detour to get back round to Mai Chau village where we stay in a homestay that serves the best food in the village.
Ta Xua Lu Tre Homestay looking North towards the dinosaur spine
We take the road halfway up the Moc Chau plateau only to then descend down into the Black River valley and up the other side. There are plenty of opportunities for dirt track in this area and we will try to stay off the main roads, even if it means getting lost on occasion :) With luck, we will have time to get to the Dinosaur’s spine for photos.
Tram Tau hot springs
This is a very difficult road which can only be taken in the dry season (Nov – March) and it takes us over the Ta Xua range and down towards Nghia Lo. we stop off at the hot springs and stay overnight before heading out on much less technical but equally scenic road.
terraced rice paddies in Mu Cang Chai
This is where we hit the QL32 which is a great stretch of road. It is very easy to drive and there are plenty of sights to see as well as gorgeous views along the way. It’s the kind of drive that you don’t want to stop and you’ll find this day is over quite quickly.
riding through northern Vietnam on a Royal Enfield Himalayan
Here we follow the Hoang Lien Son mountain range northwards and up into the highlands. We will get the chance to see more H’mong, Lo Lo and Dao people from now on and also the chance to get off road and take some of the single tracks in the area.
As we move higher into the hills, the mountains open out before us and views become more and more impressive as we climb. We climb the O Quy Ho Pass, with Fansipan in view, before descending into Sa Pa town. Now is the chance to get that burger or pizza that you have been craving. We stay over night here as it gives us a chance to take the cable car up to the top of Fansipan and then go down into the valley.
riding a Honda XR 150 on a fun dirt road near Sapa
Sa Pa town is quite crowded at times and it is good to get out and into the valley below for some peace and quiet. We head for Seo My Ty village which is far far away from the crowds and a great place to relax and watch the locals going about their everyday business.
local ethnic women in their colourful clothing
We head back to the main road via the smaller back roads where we drop off our bikes and get a VIP bus to whizz us back to Hanoi. We’ll back in the early afternoon in time to get ready for our farewell meal and drinks.

Motorcycles

Inclusions/Extras

Cloud Hunter FAQ

Both the Honda XR150 and Honda CB500X are excellent choices. The main routes on this motorcycle tour are well-maintained, making them accessible and not too technical.

The XR150 is perfect for navigating the rougher, less-travelled roads thanks to its lighter weight and nimbleness. The CB500X, on the other hand, offers added power and comfort, making it ideal for longer stretches.

The best time to join our Hanoi to Sapa Motorcycle Tour is between September and May. Basically, it makes sense to avoid the Summer ‘wet’ season, when heavy rains, flooding, and landslides are possible.

Whenever you choose to ride, due to the route’s varying altitudes you’ll experience a range of temperatures, so be prepared for everything from cooler mountain air to warmer valley weather.

The adventure begins with a visit to the stunning Pu Luong Nature Reserve, followed by a ride to the lesser-visited areas of Ta Xua and Mu Cang Chai, where you’ll experience awe-inspiring mountainscapes and remarkable rice terraces.

When you arrive in Sapa, you’ll have the chance to explore Fansipan Peak, the highest point in Vietnam, and venture into the valleys to escape the typical tourist crowds.

Cloud Hunter is named after the Vietnamese term San May, which refers to the local tradition of venturing into the mountains to witness the stunning phenomenon of low-lying clouds blanketing the valleys.

On this tour, you’ll ride through high-altitude mountains where you’ll often find yourself above the clouds, looking down on a sea of mist below.

The bus journey back to Hanoi from Lao Cai is relatively quick, 5 or so hours, since it follows the main highway. To make the return trip more enjoyable, we take a relaxed morning ride down from Sapa to enjoy the scenic views before stopping for lunch. Then you’ll board the bus and be back in Hanoi before dinner.

This Hanoi to Sapa motorcycle tour takes you through diverse landscapes, starting in the lowlands and gradually ascending into the highlands. As you rise in elevation, the geography and agriculture shift dramatically.

You’ll ride through expansive paddy fields that give way to dense forests, then climb up steep mountainsides. The lush rice terraces transform into fields of corn, eventually transitioning to pine forests. Along with the changing landscapes, you’ll encounter different ethnic groups, from the Tay, Muong, and Thai in the lower regions to the Dao, Hmong, and Lo Lo in the mountains.

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1Tour
2Bikes
3Details
4 motorcycle riders
0 pillion riders
Shared accommodation provided as standard. Upgrade to private for $40/day per person.

FAQ

Bookings. Customisations. Documentation. Extras.

Rentals

Late-model scooters, semi-autos, tourers and dual-sports.

Question?

Let's hear it! We'll get back to you within 24 hours.

Daily

Total

Rider (XR 150)

$140

$1260

Rider (CRF 300)

$180

$1620

Rider (CB 500X)

$180

$1620

Rider (GS 1250)

$280

$2520

Pillion

$120

$1080

Damage Waiver

$20

$180

Private Room

$40

$360

Support Vehicle*

$150

$1350

* All prices given are per rider except for the support vehicle. The support vehicle is free for groups of 7 or more, otherwise the cost is shared across the group. 

Daily

Total

Jeep (1 PAX)

$210

Jeep (2 PAX)

$120

Jeep (3 PAX)

$90

Jeep (4+ PAX)

$80

Rider (Easy Rider)

$115

Rider (Self-Drive)

$105

Private Room

$15

* Our jeep tour prices operate on a sliding scale. The larger your group, the less each person pays—each member of your group will pay the lowest daily rate shown. For example, if you have a group of 4 or more, you will each only pay $80/day.

Honda XR 150 motorcycle rental

Engine Type

air cooled, OHC, single cylinder

Displacement

149 cc

Bore X Stroke

57.3 mm x 57.8 mm

Ignition

CDI

Fuel System

20 mm piston valve carburettor

Compression Ratio

9.5:1

Starter

electric with kick starter backup

Gearbox

5-speed

Front Suspension

telescopic fork, 180 mm axle travel

Rear Suspension

single shock swing arm, 150 mm axle travel

Front Brakes

dual piston caliper, 240 mm disc

Rear Brakes

mechanical drum

Front Tyres

90/90 19

Rear Tyres

110/90 17

Wheelbase

1362 mm

Seat Height

825 mm

Ground Clearance

243 mm

Kerb Weight

129 kg

Fuel Capacity

12 litres

Dimensions

2091 mm (L) x 811 mm (W) x 1125 mm (H)

Honda CRF 300 motorcycle rental

Engine Type

single cylinder, DOHC, liquid cooled

Displacement

286 cc

Bore X Stroke

76 mm x 63 mm

Ignition

Full Transistor Digital

Fuel System

PGM-FI electronic fuel injection

Compression Ratio

10.7:1

Starter

electric

Gearbox

5-speed

Front Suspension

43 mm telescopic upside down

Rear Suspension

Prolink Mono with 5 stage pre load adjuster

Front Brakes

256 mm disc, 2 piston caliper

Rear Brakes

220 mm disc, single piston caliper

Front Tyres

80/100 21

Rear Tyres

120/80 18

Wheelbase

1455 mm

Seat Height

880 mm

Ground Clearance

285 mm

Kerb Weight

142 kg

Fuel Capacity

7.8 litres

Dimensions

2230 mm (L) x 820 mm (W) x 1200 mm (H)

Honda CB 500X motorcycle rental

Engine Type

liquid cooled parallel-twin four stroke

Displacement

470 cc

Bore X Stroke

67 mm x 66.8 mm

Ignition

PGMI – FI

Fuel System

fuel injection

Compression Ratio

10.7:1

Starter

electric

Gearbox

6-speed

Front Suspension

41 mm SFF-BP USD Forks

Rear Suspension

Prolink Mono with 5 stage pre load adjuster

Front Brakes

dual 296 mm discs with 4 piston calipers; ABS

Rear Brakes

240 mm disc; ABS

Front Tyres

110/80R19M/C (59H)

Rear Tyres

160/60R17M/C

Wheelbase

1445 mm

Seat Height

830 mm

Ground Clearance

180 mm

Kerb Weight

199 kg

Fuel Capacity

17.7 litres

Dimensions

2,155 mm (L) x 830 mm (W) x 1,410 mm (H)

BMW 1250 GS

Engine Type

air-liquid cooled, twin cylinder, DOHC, boxer engine

Displacement

1255 cc

Bore X Stroke

102.5 mm x 76 mm

Ignition

FI

Fuel System

fuel injection

Compression Ratio

12.5:1

Starter

electric

Gearbox

6-speed

Front Suspension

BMW Motorrad Telelever; stanchion diameter 37 mm

Rear Suspension

single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever

Front Brakes

dual disc brake, floating brake discs, diameter 305 mm, 4-piston radial calipers

Rear Brakes

single disc brake, diameter 276 mm, double-piston floating caliper

Front Tyres

120/70 R19

Rear Tyres

170/60 R17

Wheelbase

1514 mm

Seat Height

850 mm

Ground Clearance

790 mm

Kerb Weight

249 kg

Fuel Capacity

20 litres

Dimensions

2207 mm (L) x 952.5mm (W) x 1430 mm (H)