Hanoi - Mai Chau - Son La - Dien Bien Phu - Lai Chau - Sapa - Ha Giang - Ba Be (TT 08)

Northern Vietnam Complete Discovery Trekking Tour

Hanoi - Mai Chau - Son La - Dien Bien Phu - Lai Chau - Sapa - Ha Giang - Ba Be - Hanoi

17 DAYS 16 NIGHTS

Tour Code: TT 08

 (Private Tour)

ITINERARY BRIEF

* Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

* Day 2: Hanoi - Mai Chau Valley (B, L, D)

* Day 3: Mai Chau - Moc Chau - Son La (B, L, D)

* Day 4: Son La - Dien Bien Phu (B, L, D)

* Day 5: Dien Bien Phu - Lai Chau (B, L, D)

* Day 6: Lai Chau - Sin Ho - Tam Duong (B, L, D)

* Day 7: Tam Duong - Sapa (B, L)

* Day 8: Sapa (B, L)

* Day 9: Sapa - Bat Xat - Lao Cai (B, L, D)

* Day 10: Lao Cai - Bac Ha (B, L, D)

* Day 11: Bac Ha – Hoang Su Phi – Ha Giang (B, L, D)

* Day 12: Ha Giang – Sa Phin – Dong Van (B, L, D)

* Day 13: Dong Van - Meo Vac (B, L, D)

* Day 14: Ha Giang - Ba Be (B, L, D)

* Day 15: Ba Be lakes (B, L, D)

* Day 16: Ba Be - Hanoi (B, L)

* Day 17: Hanoi - Departure (B)

ITINERARY IN DETAIL

DAY 1: ARRIVE HANOI

Arrival at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, you will be warmly welcomed by driver (No Guide). Then transfer to hotel, check in & leisure (the room may not be available after 14:00 PM).

The rest time, you will be freely explore Hanoi by your ways.

Overnight in Hanoi

Meals: None

Included: No tour guide, private transfer

DAY 2: HANOI - MAI CHAU VALLEY (B, L, D)

Have breakfast at hotel.

At around 08:00, Tour guide will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi and drive to Mai Chau, an area of beautiful landscape and home to the Thai ethnic minority. After about 3,5 hours passing expansive rice paddies, scenic villages and spectacular limestone mountains as well as catching the daily activities of the locals along the way, it is time for you to catch the spectacular scenery of Mai Chau valley from the White Stone Pass. As winding the final downhill to Mau Chau Valley, you will find yourself really soaked into the bustling atmosphere of the Thai’s hamlets. We will then have lunch with local specialties at their house.

Continue this day trip by spending the whole afternoon strolling or cycling around one of their picturesque villages, taking photos of local naive children or talking to the villagers working on their terraced fields.

In the evening, we will enjoy a sumptuous dinner with the locals and don’t miss the chance to sample the local rice wine with a long bamboo straw.

Overnight in a traditional stilt-house of a local family.

Overnight in Mai Chau

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Included: Private tour guide, private transfer

Accommodation: Homestay/hotel

DAY 3: MAI CHAU - MOC CHAU - SON LA (B, L, D)

Upon leaving Mai Chau the roads begins to deteriorate; however many villages dot the hillsides and undulating terrain make for an interesting journey. Along the way stop in Xa Linh for a two hour trek past many timeless hill villages which are home of the Hmong hill tribe people. Travelling across the Moc Chau Plateau we catch a glimpse of the many tea plantations and see the Black Thai hill tribe people. They belong to the same Thai ethnic group, but are different from the White Thai in Mai Chau by their tradition and habits.

Overnight in Son La

Meal: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Included: Private tour guide, private transfer

Accommodation: Homestay/hotel

DAY 4: SON LA - DIEN BIN PHU (B, L, D)

Have breakfast.

Starting our third-day tour with breakfast and a cup of local coffee, we then depart for Dien Bien at around 8:30.

The path from Son La to Dien Bien with typical stunning sceneries of Northwest Vietnam will surely leave you unforgettable experiences. On the way, you will pass the expansive terraced fields of corn, bean or banana along with colorful souvenir booths of the locals along the road sides. Continuing our way through the impressive Pha Din Pass at the height of 1,500m, admiring a fantastic panorama of the charming valley encompassed by the cloud all year round, and passing roads of colorful wild flowers, we finally reach Dien Bien – the land of rich history. Lunch is served en route to Dien Bien.

Upon arrival in Dien Bien, we will spend the rest of the day visiting the Muong Thanh paddy field, historic sites of De Catries bunker, A1 Hill, explosive holes, etc. to understand more about the magnanimous battle of the Vietnamese people.

Check-in accommodation and enjoy dinner with specialties of Dien Bien and then be free for relaxing and discovering the surroundings.

Overnight in Dien Bien Phu

Meal: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Included: Private tour guide, private transfer

Accommodation: Homestay/hotel

DAY 5: DIEN BIEN PHU - LAI CHAU (B, L, D)

Have breakfast.

The Northern Vietnam journey continues to Lai Chau Town, our base for exploring the surrounding areas, the real Vietnam. Mostly rural dwellers who are just as interested in finding out about our lives as we are of theirs and very few other traveler. After checking into hotel, embark on a boat for a two hour trip along the Da River, passing through the stunning mountain landscapes. The pace is very relaxed, a perfect way to observe the local lifestyle close up.

Overnight in Lai Chau

Meal: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Included: Private tour guide, private transfer

Accommodation: Homestay/hotel

DAY 6: LAI CHAU - SIN HO - TAM DUONG (B, L, D)

Have breakfast.

Today continue to the next stop being Sin Ho which is home land of the Red Hmong, Kho Mu, Mang and Dao ethnic minorities. They are settled there longtime ago and still retain their traditional culture and habits. The trip to Sin Ho is occasionally suspended due to the restriction of the local authority. Departing Sin Ho we make our way past the hilly region to Tam Duong. This timeless town is surrounded by stunning mountain backdrops and lush tea plantations.

Overnight in Tam Duong

Meal: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Included: Private tour guide, private transfer

Accommodation: Homestay

DAY 7: TAM DUONG - SAPA (B, L)

Have breakfast.

The scenery of the north is unequaled although the conditions are very simple. After breakfast we drive following the main artery of trade in northwestern region. This bumpy road links to many hill towns and villages. At an elevation of 1,500 meters, Sapa was founded in the early years of the last century as a hill resort for French administrators when the heat on the plain became unbearable. After checking into hotel we can soak up the fresh climate as much as we want by spending our time wandering around this charming town and some legacies of the French period.

Overnight in Sapa

Meal: Breakfast, lunch

Included: Private tour guide, private transfer

Accommodation: Hotel

DAY 8: SAPA (B, L)

After breakfast, go trekking to Lao Chai, Ta Van and Giang Ta Chai villages of H’mong, Dzay, Red Dzao minorities. From here we have a magnificent view to the minority villages and terraced rice fields beneath us. Then get back to Sapa for overnight.

Overnight in Sapa

Meal: Breakfast, lunch

Included: Private tour guide, private transfer

Accommodation: Hotel

DAY 9: SAPA - BAT XAT - LAO CAI (B, L, D)

Have breakfast.

Heading out of town, make our way through the breathtaking mountain landscape to Bat Xat. The weather in this region is cool due to the high altitude. Embark on a short walk, passing through several villages which is populated by the Phu La, Dao and Giay ethnic minorities. They are very poor, but have an interesting local culture and a colorful history. A part of the pleasure of travelling in this region is the simple joy of seeing hill tribe people. Continue our trip to Lao Cai border town, our final destination.

Overnight in Lao Cai

Meal: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Included: Private tour guide, private transfer

Accommodation: Hotel

DAY 10: LAO CAI – BAC HA (B, L, D)

Have breakfast.

Bac Ha, the weekend market of Muong Khuong also attracts a wide variety of ethnic minority groups such as Hmong, Dao, Thu Lao, Pa Di, Tu Di and Phu La.

After breakfast, embark on a two hour drive delivering to Muong Khuong Town. There is a wonderful experience to wander around this colorful congregation. In the early afternoon, travel by roads to Bac Ha. This is basically an overnight stop to break our long journey. Enjoy walk to visit the Hmong King’s former residence and Ban Pho where villagers make the potent local maize alcohol.

Overnight in Bac Ha

Meal: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Included: Private tour guide, private transfer

Accommodation: Homestay

DAY 11: BAC HA - HOANG SU PHI - HA GIANG (B, L, D)

Have breakfast.

Upon leaving Bac Ha, set off on a full day journey through Sin Man and Hoang Su Phi to Ha Giang Town. The rough but scenic route traverse a dense jungle before crossing over a pass and dropping down to Sin Man. This day is a real challenge for our driver as we travel by winding roads with many uphill and down hill drives. Along the way we may encounter the Nung Ing, Tay, Red Dao, Dao Ao Dai, La Chi and Co Lao, just some of the many hill tribe groups who have settled there.

Overnight in Ha Giang

Meal: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Included: Private tour guide, private transfer

Accommodation: Homestay

DAY 12: HA GIANG - SA PHIN - DONG VAN (B, L, D)

Have breakfast.

Today we head north west out of Ha Giang Town towards this northernmost tip of Vietnam. The former H’mong royal house at Sa Phin is a primary attraction of the region but the blend of hill tribe people’s colorful costumes and the majestic mountainous scenery make this long and bumpy trip an unforgettable experience.

Overnight in Dong Van

Meal: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Included: Private tour guide, private transfer

Accommodation: Homestay

DAY 13: DONG VAN - MEO VAC - HA GIANG (B, L, D)

Have breakfast.

The remote region of Dong Van and Meo Vac is a land of rugged mountains and beautiful hill villages which are unchanged for centuries. Here are the ethnic minority people are frequently seen in this hill town and small vendors along the street sell local textiles and handicraft. Visit Dong Van Town before continuing to Meo Vac which is conquered by the Lo Lo and Pu Peo ethnic minority people. They still retain their age old cultural traditions and are recognisably distinct from each other by their dress. The remoteness and the simple lifestyle of local people are a highlight of Meo Vac although conditions are very basic. We return to Ha Giang via Yen Minh, using a shortcut way.

Overnight in Ha Giang

Meal: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Included: Private tour guide, private transfer

Accommodation: Homestay

DAY 14: HA GIANG - BA BE (B, L, D)

Have breakfast.

An early morning start to drive through the rolling hills and the picturesque scenery to Ba Be National Park. The roads are very bumpy and zigzagging however we will have a chance to meet the Hmong, Dao, Tay and Nung ethnic minorities who make for the main population of this region. We are sure to attract their attention as this part of the country receive very few visitors. Depending on road and traffic conditions we arrive in Ba Be by late afternoon or early evening, but it is till an interesting day.

Overnight in Ba Be

Meal: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Included: Private tour guide, private transfer

Accommodation: Homestay

DAY 15: BA BE LAKE (B, L, D)

Have breakfast.

The legendary lake of Ba Be is just one continuous water body although the name means” three lakes”. Today embark on a boat cruising down the Nang River which is the main water source of the lake. This exciting river trip will give us a taste of the tranquil countryside and an enjoyable exploration of the Ba Be National Park. We traverse en route the Poong Grotto before stopping at some nearby hill tribe villages and getting off the beaten track to the scenic Dau Dang Waterfalls.

Overnight in Ba Be

Meal: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Included: Private tour guide, private transfer

Accommodation: Homestay

DAY 16: BA BE - HANOI (B, L)

Have breakfast.

After breakfast, set off the day to get back Hanoi. Enjoy sightseeing on the route and arrive Hanoi around afternoon. Free at your leisure in the rest of the day.

Overnight in Hanoi

Meal: Breakfast, lunch

Included: Private tour guide, private transfer

Accommodation: Hotel

DAY 17: HANOI - DEPARTURE (B)

After breakfast at hotel, free leisure until driver (No Guide) pick up you and transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Say goodbye Vietnam.
Thank you for traveling with us.

Meals: Breakfast

Included: No tour guide, private transfer