We're “welcomed” by thousands of small bikes and scooters as we ride our first miles in Vietnam.  Looking at a buzzing sea of two, three and four-wheeled vehicles, the crushing and seemingly chaotic traffic in this historic city of six million people can easily overwhelm.  However, after studying the patterns, it is amazing to see how forgiving and easily the traffic actually flows.  You will see no fast-movers, no anger, and as long as you Become One with the Traffic and Go with the Flow, you will have no problems.

Welcome to the start of the IndoChina Adventure 2014, the 3rd iteration of this truly enthralling ride.  Based on feedback from our Clients, we are offering this Adventure the IndoChina Highlights Adventure, a 36-day itinerary, which runs concurrently in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.  Please see the table below for more information.

We'll begin in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), where we'll clear customs and take delivery of our bikes.  We'll then head out for a grand tour of IndoChina, touring through Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. In Cambodia the tour's end, we'll reload our bikes in a container, and head home from Phnom Penh.

For highlights of this magnificent Adventure, please read on. . . .

Highlights of the tour will include

• Before we dive into the traffic we will visit The Mekong Delta by bus and boat, stay over-night, and return to Saigon for a final night in the big city.

• Heading North, we ride some wonderful mountain roads before making our way to the coast where we visit the ancient town of Hoi An, our first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here we will take time to enjoy some wonderful beaches.

• After touring the old capital city of Hue, we visit the War Memorial as we cross the former DMZ (De-Militarized Zone) on our way north via National Highway 1.

• We will leave our bikes in Hanoi after one night’s rest, and take a private coach to Ha Long Bay, Boarding a private boat, we will spend the night on deck and in our staterooms, enjoying the natural wonder of these mystical waters.

• In northern Vietnam the region of Sapa will impress with its splendid nature and colorful Hill Tribe people. We will go hiking to some of these villages and meet these fascinating tribes in their villages.

• Luang Prabang, a World Cultural Heritage Town, will be our first major stop in Laos. Here we will visit the Pac Ou Cave and Ban Xanghai Village by boat. Every morning, at 6:00AM, hundreds of monks will gather in the streets to collect food donations from the local people.

• A side trip for those that would like to visit Phonsavan, the well-known Plain of Jars, which is currently under evaluation as a new World Cultural Heritage Site.

• Vat Phou, yet another Cultural Heritage Site that we will visit while staying in Pakse, Laos.

• We’ll once again gaze upon the Mekong River as we look from the window of our hotel in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia. Here we will visit the infamous Killing Field, and the graceful Silver Pagoda Grand Palace, in addition to others.

• A higlight of Globeriders journey of IndoChina is our visit to the world famouse Angkor Wat the largest religiouse monument in the world.

• We’ll head for the beaches of Sihanoukville where we will enjoy a luxury resort, or get on the bike and venture up the hill to Bokor Mountain, a former French Hill Station. There is also a nearby village called Kep where people make their living from crab fishing, well worth a visit <g>.

To participate in the IndoChina Adventure, you must be experienced and comfortable riding in both crowded urban traffic, and on roads with varying surface conditions, piloting your fully-loaded motorcycle. You should own a rough-terrain capable "dual-purpose" type motorcycle, with sturdy, lockable panniers or saddlebags, with an approved handlebar-mounted portable Garmin GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver.

The tour package fee DOES include: two-way containerized shipment of your motorcycle, outbound from our home port of Seattle, Washington, USA, to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.  Your bikes will be return shipped from Cambodia to Seattle. Also included are: visa applications and processing fees, driving permits, customs, warehouse and temporary importation fees, all accommodations, most dinners, all breakfasts, some lunches, fees for guides, drivers and lead or chase vehicles, bus transportation on sightseeing days, most en route planned group activities, and the support and assistance of trained GlobeRiders staff guides.

The tour package DOES NOT include: motorcycle or shipping insurance, trip insurance, your airfare, transportation of your motorcycle to/from our home port of Seattle, Washington, USA, personal daily expenses such as fuel, consumables, lunch, tips for guides and drivers, recovery or repair of your motorcycle beyond the capabilities of the GlobeRiders and local guides, medical transport, and treatment or evacuation in case of illness or injury.

For riders living outside of the United States, GlobeRiders will assist in organizing shipment of motorcycles either to/from Seattle, or to/from the start and end of the tour.  Because our costs for shipping a container are fixed, shipment outside of our container will be at the expense of the motorcycle owner, however in most cases we will be able to help with some of the payment for out of container shipment and all of the involved paperwork on arrival in Vietnam.

IndoChina Highlights Adventure, 36 days, Pricing

*NOTE - The tour package fee for a non-pillion passenger includes a guaranteed seat for a partner and stowage of a reasonable amount of luggage in an upgraded "chase" vehicle, with a dedicated driver and guide.

** NOTE - A deposit is required to secure your place on this tour.  If we are unable to attract a minimum of 8 Riders, the tour will be cancelled and your deposit will be refunded in full.  The tour is being offered at the tour packages fees listed above for 8 to 16 Riders.  If/when we have received a minimum of 8 deposits, the tour is "Go" ; your deposit will not be refunded should you withdraw from the tour for any reason.  At our discretion, you may be allowed to apply a credit in the amount of your original deposit towards a future tour if taken within one calendar year from the date of your withdrawal.  This credit may only be used once.  if this credit is not used within one calendar year from the date of your original withdrawal, the credit is forfeit.

For additional information about our tours and processes, we strongly encourage you to read our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page by clicking here.

To get a preview of what it will be like, please visit our Live!Journal (a blog) of the IndoChina Expedition 2007, the pre-run or "recce" that we conducted in preparation for the IndoChina Adventure 2008 by clicking here.

If you have any questions, or wish to make a no obligation reservation, you can send us email by clicking here.

The Fine Print: Early planning is essential.  Riders, passengers, motorcycles and portable GPS receivers must be qualified by GlobeRiders.  You will be asked to provide riding and character references. Only approved motorcycles with spoked wheels are allowed on our tours. Tour participants are required to obtain a signed certification of good health from their physician.  Participants must show proof of medical and medical evacuation insurance. Safety first; a full coverage or flip-up style full-coverage helmet, full-fingered gloves, full-coverage riding suit with protective armor and riding boots must be worn at all times when your motorbike is in motion. Priority placement is always given to GlobeRiders clients who are return customers. Final pricing for any tour may be adjusted to reflect changes in foreign exchange rates and/or the final group size.