Mai Chau Pu Luong Motorbike Tour
The Mai Chau Pu Luong motorbike tour is one of the best short rides from Hanoi, combining lush rice valleys, jungle off-road trails and traditional Thai village homestays in just 2 to 4 days.
Close to Hanoi Mai Chau - Pu Luong is a great get away
Tour Overview
The Mai Chau and Pu Luong motorbike tour departs Hanoi early morning, following the Da River valley past Hoa Binh before climbing into the terraced hills of Mai Chau. You spend the first night in a traditional Thai stilt-house homestay, eating dinner with your host family and waking up to rice fields outside the window. From there the route heads into Pu Luong Nature Reserve on a mix of paved mountain roads and hard-packed dirt tracks through ethnic minority villages that see very few tourists. The return leg follows the legendary Ho Chi Minh Highway back toward Hanoi through forested highlands — one of the great motorcycle roads in Southeast Asia. The full loop covers around 800 km and is available as a 2, 3 or 4-day tour to suit your schedule.
Riding Style and Difficulty
The Mai Chau Pu Luong motorbike route mixes smooth tarmac, quiet country lanes and off-road dirt tracks through Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Expect firm hard-packed trails in the dry season and muddier, more challenging paths after rain. Our guides monitor conditions daily and adjust the route to match both the weather and your appetite for adventure. The 2-day version is well suited to confident beginner riders. The 3 and 4-day tours with off-road sections through the nature reserve suit intermediate to experienced riders. Whatever your level, we ride at your pace and there is always a paved alternative if a section feels too technical.
Tour Destinations
Hanoi – Hoa Binh – Pu Luong Nature Reserve – Mai Chau Valley – Moc Chau – Ho Chi Minh Highway – Hanoi
Riding approximately 200 km per day, the full 4-day tour covers around 800 km of some of the finest motorcycle roads and trails in northwest Vietnam. Each day brings a completely different landscape — river valleys, terraced rice fields, jungle reserve tracks, highland tea plantations and forested mountain passes.
Bikes and Riding Gear
We run the Mai Chau Pu Luong motorbike tour on a fleet of well-maintained modern bikes including the Honda CRF 250L , Honda CB500X , Yamaha PG-1 and Honda XR150 for our rides. Every tour includes full riding gear at no extra cost — western-standard armored jacket, riding pants, HJC helmet and rain gear. An English-speaking guide leads the group and a trained support mechanic rides sweep, so a breakdown never ends your day. All fuel, oil and mechanical costs are covered in the tour price.
Tour Cost
All prices are per person all inclusive, twin share and are in US Dollars$
A deposit of $300.00 per person is required to secure your booking, final payment in full must be made before tour departure.
Join us for an adventure of a lifetime, All prices are all-inclusive.
| Motorbike | 2D 1N | 3D 2N | 4D 3N |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda XR 150cc | US$ 350 | US$ 525 | US$ 700 |
| Honda CRF 250cc | US$ 390 | US$ 585 | US$ 780 |
| Honda CRF 300cc | US$ 430 | US$ 645 | US$ 860 |
| Honda CB500X | US$ 430 | US$ 645 | US$ 860 |
| Yahama PG-1 | US$ 320 | US$ 480 | US$ 640 |
Prices are for group tours from 2 to 15 people, For a solo tour, add an additional extra 50% to the published tour cost.
Contact us for group discounts
Tour Itinerary: 4 Days - 3 Nights
Day 1: Hanoi to Pu Luong
Depart from Hanoi in the morning, riding through the lush Vietnamese countryside and small villages. Enjoy a scenic lunch at a local restaurant along the way. Arrive in Pu Luong by late afternoon, explore the nature reserve, have dinner, and stay overnight at a local homestay or guesthouse.
Day 2: Pu Luong to Mai Chau
Leave Pu Luong after breakfast, riding through picturesque landscapes and ethnic minority villages. Stop for lunch at a local eatery. Arrive in Mai Chau by late afternoon, explore the charming valley, enjoy a traditional dinner, and stay overnight at a Thai village homestay.
Day 3: Mai Chau to Moc Chau / Phu Yen
Depart from Mai Chau in the morning, traveling through stunning mountain scenery and terraced rice fields. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant en route. Arrive in Moc Chau or Phu Yen by late afternoon, explore the tea plantations and local attractions, have dinner, and stay overnight at a guesthouse.
Day 4: Moc Chau / Phu Yen to Hanoi
Leave Moc Chau or Phu Yen after breakfast, riding through beautiful rural landscapes and small villages. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant along the way. Arrive in Hanoi by late afternoon, concluding the tour.
Highlights
- Experience off-road trails through remote mountain regions.
- Explore the lush landscapes of Pu Luong Nature Reserve.
- Discover the serene beauty of Mai Chau Valley.
- Visit the tea plantations and local attractions in Moc Chau.
- Ride through breathtaking mountain passes and terraced rice fields.
- Enjoy traditional meals and stay at local homestays, immersing yourself in the local culture.
- Ride through picturesque countryside and small villages, experiencing the rural charm of Vietnam.
On tour, the accommodation is a mix of village Home-stay where we eat with our host and sleep in houses on stilts or hotel with AC, WIFI and hot showers.
Meals on tours take the best of local cuisine and picnics in the hills, we take of coffee in the morning to afternoon refreshments and great local dinners.
What's Included
- Motorbike Honda CRF250L or Honda XR150
- English Speaking Guide
- All meals, water and soft drinks on tour
- Accommodation in Local home-stays and hotel – twin share
- Petrol, oil and mechanic on tour
- Riding gear: HJC open face helmets
- Rain Pants and rain poncho
- Spacious saddle bags & Waterproof bags to pack clothes in
- Western standard armored motorcycle jacket and riding pants
- Bungee cords and tie downs
- Permits, tolls and entrance fees
- Free map, souvenir T-shirt
- Personal expenses
- Beer and alcohol on tour
- Personal health insurance
- Damage to the motorbikes
Please visit our FAQ page to learn more about what to expect on tour, documents required to ride and what to bring on tour.
Contact us if you have any questions.
Please contact us with any special request or needs, we cater to clients with dietary restrictions. We cater to Vegetarians, Vegans, people with food allergies or religious restrictions please let us know.
Make a Booking

FAQ
How far is Mai Chau from Hanoi, and how long does it take by motorbike?
Mai Chau is approximately 135 km southwest of Hanoi — around 3 hours by motorbike on scenic back roads through Hoa Binh province. We avoid highways and take quiet countryside routes, so the ride itself is part of the experience from the moment we leave Hanoi.
How much does the Mai Chau Pu Luong motorbike tour cost?
Prices start from US$320 per person for a 2-day, 1-night all-inclusive tour on a Yamaha PG-1, up to US$860 per person for the full 4-day, 3-night tour on a Honda CRF300L or CB500X. All prices include your motorbike, English-speaking guide, support mechanic, all meals, accommodation, fuel, riding gear and permits. Nothing is extra except personal expenses and alcohol.
Do I need motorbike riding experience to join this tour?
Some riding experience is recommended. The 2-day version suits confident beginners who are comfortable on a manual motorbike. The 3 and 4-day tours include off-road tracks through Pu Luong Nature Reserve that are better suited to riders with some dirt-road experience. Our guides always adapt the route to the group’s ability — no one is pushed beyond their comfort level.
What motorbikes are available on the Mai Chau Pu Luong tour?
We offer five well-maintained bikes: Honda XR150 (lightweight, great for beginners), Yamaha PG-1 (comfortable and affordable), Honda CRF250L (popular all-rounder for off-road), Honda CRF300L (more power for serious off-road riding), and Honda CB500X (touring-focused with extra power). All bikes are regularly serviced and a mechanic travels with every tour.
What is the best time of year to ride the Mai Chau and Pu Luong route?
October to April is the best season — clear skies and firm dirt tracks in Pu Luong. September and October are especially scenic when the rice terraces turn golden before harvest. We run tours year-round; during the rainy season (May to August) we adjust off-road sections to paved alternatives and the countryside is lush and green with far fewer tourists on the road.
What is included in the tour price?
Everything is all-inclusive: motorbike of your choice, English-speaking guide, support mechanic riding sweep, all meals and drinking water, twin-share accommodation in homestays and guesthouses, fuel and oil, full riding gear (armored jacket, riding pants, helmet, rain gear), waterproof saddle bags, all park entry fees and road permits, and a souvenir T-shirt. Personal expenses, beer and alcohol, and personal travel insurance are not included.
What are the homestays like in Mai Chau and Pu Luong?
The homestays are traditional Thai and Muong stilt-houses where you eat dinner and breakfast with the host family — a genuine cultural experience with home-cooked local food, often with rice wine and folk music in the evening. Bedding and basic bathroom facilities are provided. In Moc Chau, accommodation is typically a small guesthouse with air-conditioning, Wi-Fi and hot showers.
Can I do this tour as a solo rider?
Yes — solo riders are very welcome. You can join one of our scheduled group departures (check the Join a Group page for upcoming dates) or book a private solo tour with a dedicated guide. A 50% supplement applies to the listed price for private solo tours. Many solo travellers have joined our groups and made lifelong friends along the way.
What happens if my motorbike breaks down during the tour?
A trained mechanic rides sweep with every tour, carrying spare parts and tools for common repairs. Most issues are fixed roadside in under 30 minutes. For serious problems, our support vehicle can transport the bike while you continue riding. All fuel, oil and mechanical costs during the tour are fully covered.
What is the best short motorbike tour from Hanoi?
The Mai Chau Pu Luong motorbike tour is one of the best short rides from Hanoi for riders who want real Vietnam without a two-week itinerary. In just 2 to 4 days you ride through the Black River valley, overnight in traditional Thai stilt-house homestays in Mai Chau, explore the jungle trails of Pu Luong Nature Reserve, and return to Hanoi via the legendary Ho Chi Minh Highway. It’s the perfect introduction to guided motorbike touring in northwest Vietnam.
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EXCELLENT Based on 163 reviews Posted on Google Karl ThomsonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This has been hands down the trip of a lifetime. You get to see the real Vietnam and the riding is amazing. The team at We Ride Vietnam take amazing care of you and the tour is very well planned. Will come back with other mates for sure.Posted on Google Sed ConsultantsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This is just the best way to see the real Vietnam. Hai and his team have been awesome guides. New CRF300 bikes, great accommodation, Fantastic food and so many laughs..I can't rate this experience highly enough. I'll be back for another tour with Weride vietnam for sure.Posted on Google Ben OxenhamTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We Ride Vietnam delivers the ultimate two-wheeled adventure. Founded by expert guide Hai, their flawlessly organized tours tackle everything from the rugged dirt tracks of the Ha Giang Loop to the historic Ho Chi Minh Trail. With top-tier mechanics, robust Honda bikes, exceptional homestays, and unmatched local insights, they turn a chaotic ride into a seamless, five-star journey… amazing experiencePosted on Google Lane RountreeTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. What an amazing trip, every part was a memorable, the food, the scenery, people, the accommodations were all great, feel like part of the “we Ride Vietnam” family by the end of the tripPosted on Google Nick bakkerTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. What an insight into the life of Vietnam’s and Laos culture. Plenty of interesting places we went to and past through. Learnt a great deal about the Vietnam war. All accommodation was A/C thank god which made us feel rested ready for the following day to look forward to. The river crossings and bridges were a highlight including the well earned swim half way through the trails on some days. Great pace and bikes were fine. Was challenging at times and was nice change to be in the mountains with mist and drizzle on the last day. You won’t go hungry or thirsty. Had good pace with leader and sweeper very competent.Posted on Google chris carrollTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had a fantastic four days custom tour north east of Hanoi guided by Duc. Every type of terrain, great experiences including home stays, and interactions with locals aided by Duc. Honda 250CFR was solid, reliable and powerful enough for all conditions. Loved it.Posted on Google Robert AppsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Returned last week from another amazing trip with Hai and his team from We Ride Vietnam. Fantastic scenery, with support, food and accommodation to match. Vietnam really is a country of contrasts and with wonderful people, and there can be no better way to experience it, than from a motorcycle. Thanks again to Hai, our guide Son, mechanic/guide Long (please accept any spelling errors with names here) and our enterprising cameraman for showing us more of their wonderful country.Posted on Google Heike AppsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. An amazing holiday through NE Vietnam on Honda CRF 250s. The We Ride Vietnam crew were professional and looked after us extremely well. The accommodation and food were all excellent. This was my 3rd trip with them. The itinerary was very interesting with something special to see each day. Overall the views were spectacular and I really enjoyed myself. I would recommend We Ride Vietnam to anyone. HeikePosted on Google al jTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have just returned from a 8 day 7 night Ha Giang loop trip with We Ride Vietnam. Hai and his team did a fantastic job, well organised and very professionally run, we had Son as a guide, Long as our mechanic/guide along with camera man and support vehicle driver. All accommodation and meals were covered for the entire trip along with hotel to bike transfers, the only thing we had to pay for was alcoholic drinks at the end of the day. Before departure each morning our mechanic would check over every bike and have them lined up ready to go. We had 2 different skill levels of riders in our group and both were well and truly catered for, splitting the group up on several occasions to keep all interested. If riding a bike around Vietnam is on your to do list give Hai at We Ride Vietnam a call, your won't regret it ever! Alan J.Posted on Google Alexander KudriavcevTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Hai and the team are amazing, did the 8 days tour in North Vietnam and honestly the best experience ever!














