EXPLORE NORTH-EAST REMOTE HILLTRIBES 8days

Itinerary in Brief:

Day 1: Hanoi – Thai Nguyen – Ba Be

Day 2: Ba Be National Park ≥ 4hours trekking

Day 3: Ba Be – Ha Hieu - Tinh Tuc – Bao Lac - Meo Vac ~ 200km

Day 4: Meo Vac – Dong Van - Hmong King palace - Lũng Cú – Ha Giang

Day 5: Ha Giang - Hoang Su Phi  - Xin Man - Bac Ha

Day 6: Bac Ha – Market – Sapa 

Day 7: Sapa ~ 20km

Day 8: Sapa – Lao Cai - Night train/ Luxury Bus to Hanoi

Highlight:

Ba Be National park, Heaven gate pass, king’s palace, Flag tower Lung Cu, Markets, Sapa activities, and sceneries along driving routes, minorities of Tay, Nung, Coin Dao, flowers Hmong, black Hmong, Day, Red Dao….

Details Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi – Thai Nguyen – Ba Be     

BaBe lake, “the three lakes in English” is located in Vietnam's rugged north mountainous area. This brings us into contact with these fascinating and colorful tribes and studying the tropical forest. We spend two days tour for exploring the dramatic countryside in and around BaBe National Park where we will stay as guests of the home-stay of Tay tribe, boating to cave, swimming in the crystal water of the lake.

Leave Hanoi in the morning for the 5-hour drive to Ba Be National Park. After having lunch in Bac Can town, the continuing route is a tortuous drive to Buoc Lom boat dock for 3 hours motor boat along Nang River to Puong cave then going through three lake to the center of the Park BaBe. Arrive at Ba Be National Park center around late afternoon. Overnight at Ba Be Park Guesthouse.  Driving section: ~ 230km  (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are included)

Day 2: Ba Be National Park ≥ 4hours trekking

After breakfast, check out of the guesthouse and drive to the dock to take a dug-out canoe trip which cross the first and the second lake of “The three lakes” to CocToc village of Tay ethnic people. After visiting the village fishermen and see some weaving handicrafts product, we continue to enter to an easy trail through the tropical forest to Bo Lu village. And have lunch at a house on stilts in the village. We then trek to the dense forest path to visit the tree “dracontomelun” of 1,000 years old. We finally arrive in the panorama of Pac Ngoi village which nestled between the forest and limestone cliffs at the mouth of the Cho Leng River. Overnight at a local house on stilts of Tay ethnic minority.  Driving section: ~ 2km (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are included)

Day 3: Ba Be – Ha Hieu - Tinh Tuc – Bao Lac - Meo Vac ~ 200km

After breakfast, we start the mountain tortuous route into the remote areas which are such a real life experience exploration of many ethnic minorities’ villages and markets. Sometime we stop to see the markets and local people on the way for taking pictures. Have lunch in Bao Lac Townville and walk around the local market. Arriving Meo Vac in the late afternoon and check in a little hotel which is considered is the best one in the town.  Driving section: ~ 200km  (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are included)

Day 4: Meo Vac – Dong Van - Hmong King palace - Lũng Cú – Ha Giang

After breakfast, we drive to the marvelous historic Ma Pi Leng pass toward Dong Van town. Taking photos at this charming pass then go to Hmong King palace, the King Vuong Chi Sinh and his family tree exhibited inside the place, the head of difference Hmong groups and people in this province. Afterward, we drive to boarder Lung Cu to visit the Flag tower where is determined is the top point of Vietnam country. Having lunch on the way and driving down hill through Heaven Gate pass, Cong Troi Quang Ba to Ha Giang town in the late afternoon. O/N at a house on stilts of Tay trible in Ha Giang town.  Driving section: ~ 180km   (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are included)

Day 5: Ha Giang - Hoang Su Phi  - Xin Man - Bac Ha

Easy ride 45km down highway 2 to Tan Quang where we turn left and up hill to the mountain again. This morning we departs for Hoang Su Phi, the mountain area which is famous for being the most beautiful area for step-paddy fields beyond Sapa. Stop at different villages for sightseeing and lunch halfway en route. The rest of the day we driver to the worst road condition for the best experience route and see the lovely livelihood of the inhabitant here. It is worthwhile since you will enjoy the spectacular sceneries and great views along the Chay river. O/N Bac Ha. Driving section: ~ 126km  (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are included)

Day 6: Bac Ha – Market – Sapa 

A relaxing morning promenade around Bac Ha, see a market day for all tribes: Tay, Nung, Dao, Flower H’mong, Giay, Phu La etc… and another Hmong King Palace, The King Hoàng A Tuong. Depend on your arrival date we will arrange to see some difference markets such as Coc Ly market on Tuesday (20km from Bac Ha), Lung Khau Nhin market on Thursday (100km from Bac Ha), Can Cau market on Saturday ( 15km from Bac Ha), and Bac Ha markets in town or Simacai market on Sunday (30km from Bac Ha to boarder China).  In the afternoon, we drive from the market to Sapa. On the way we stop at Lao Cai boarder , and the rest is going up hill to Sapa, the highest town, the most charming town of Vietnam.  O/N in Sapa tourist town. Driving section: ~ 140km (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are included)

Day 7: Sapa ~ 20km

In the morning, start trekking down the valley along trails and across rice paddies to visit Black HMong village of Laochai and Dzay village of Tavan.  Via San 2 school, catholic family church, and explore the valley Muong Hoa on foots. We get pick up and drive back to the town to have late lunch. In the afternoon we have a relax afternoon for personal activities or having a drink to see the sun set at the roof of Indochina, the Fanxifan mountain 3143m above the sea level.  Optional activity: visit Ham Rong Mt. for some good panoramic views of Sapa town and the surrounding valleys.  Driving section: ~ 20km  (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are included)

Day 8: Sapa – Lao Cai - Night train/ Night luxury Bus to Hanoi

After breakfast, we drive to Cat Cat village to see a local dance which perform by a black Hmong group. It is one of the most wanted by tourist when they come to Northern Highland. In the afternoon, we leave Sapa and ride down the mountain pass to LaoCai via TaPhin village of Red Dzao people where we can see hundreds of women have very colorful red embroideries and coins on their clothing. On their head they wear a red scarf. Some of the women have shaved off their eyebrows because of a nice Red Zao’ Legend.  We continue along small paths in the village to see house and cave. Optional activity is a chance to try the traditional steam bath which is provided by Red Dzao only for the health and beauty of their body. Late afternoon, we drive down to Lao Cai train station and boarding the night train to Hanoi. End of tour upon arriving Ha Noi. Driving section: ~ 60km   (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are included)

What to take

We suggest a small, lightweight pack for cameras, spare film, drinking water and comfortable trekking shoes, clothes for changing