Northern Vietnam Adventure 10 Days Ha Giang Loop, Ban Gioc Waterfall, Ba Be Lake & Sapa Trekking Tour

DAY 1: HANOI – BA BE [Guide/B/L/D]

An early start to the day to make the most of what we have in store for you and then hit the road north towards Ba Be National Park. Lunch will be had in a restaurant in a village on the way, and then our route will take us up through the mountains and tea plantations to Ba Be Lake, an amazing green lake in the middle of a natural green forest. Kayaking on Ba Be Lake is the best way to explore the breathtaking beauty of the sublime national park. Paddle through islets; visit hidden caves and fishing villages. Kayaks go where other big boats cannot, getting you up close to the incredible surroundings and fascinating wildlife. This is a short but exciting tour which allows you to see the best bits of Ba Be. Transsfer back to your hotel

DAY 2: BA BE – BAN GIOC [Guide/B/L/D]

fter enjoying breakfast, you will depart for Trung Khanh which lies right on the border with China. Here you will have another chance to meet and interact with the local Nung people living in the village of Phuc Sen, a mountainous village famous for its traditional blacksmithing. The farming tools made here are an integral part of the lifestyle which is evident in the surrounding rice paddies and fields.

Nestled amongst these amazing landscapes is the breathtaking Ban Gioc Waterfall which spans over 300 meters, split half and half between Vietnam and China. You’ll get some time here to simply take in the amazing atmosphere surrounding the falls, which presents an excellent opportunity for some fantastic photography. Overnight in Ban Gioc

DAY 3: BAN GIOC – BAO LAC [Guide/B/L/D]

It’s time to head over to Nguom Ngao Cave, for a very different, but no less impressive natural wonder. The cave stretches for 2,144 meters underground and is brimming with incredible stalactites and stalagmite

s. Depart to Bao Lac via Tinh Tuc. 30km from Bao Lac, in Hung Dao commune, there is a beautiful village of the San Chi ethnic group. Of course, we will stop to visit and discover the beauty of the village. You will be one of just a few travelers to visit this area because of its hidden location behind the hill.

The village with hundreds of houses on stilts is nested on the side of a mountain and has views of the stunning valley. To reach to the village, you will have to walk up a steep 2km incline. The higher you walk, the better the view you will get. Also, you can visit a family to understand the authentic life of this ethnic group.

After, continue to Bao Lac, where you will be in awe of the magnificent nature where the mountains gently meet the valleys of rice terraces so stop to film or take photos whenever possible. This is well known for the Black Lo Lo ethnic group. This region was highlighted by the French media, “The journey into unknown land”. This documentary was filmed in Khuoi Khon village of the Lo Lo people, 9km away from Bao Lac town, by the rugby player, Frederik Michalak. Overnight in Khuoi Khon Village

DAY 4: BAO LAC – MEO VAC - DONG VAN [Guide/B/L/D]

After breakfast, you will depart from Bao Lac to Meo Vac. It's possible to visit Meo Vac market on Sundays, then continue by crossing Ma Pi Leng Pass which seduces you with the breathtaking view of limestone mountains, Nho Que River and Hmong Villages nested in the mountain. Then go to Dong Van with the magical landscapes of this region present along the route.

Next, visit the Palace of the Hmong King, Dinh Vua Meo. Dating back 100 years ago, far from the plain, the regions of Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, Meo Vac created an autonomous zone with their own king.

They cultivated poppies and their economy was based on the opium business with China. Overnight in Dong Van

DAY 5: DONG VAN – QUAN BA - YEN MINH – HA GIANG [Guide/B/L/D]

Depart to Ha Giang with the magical landscapes of this region present along the route.

You will enter the Limestone rock plateau zone, considered as mountainous Halong Bay. This majestic natural treasure has been listed in the World Geological Park book.

On the way, you will discover “Nha Trinh Tuong” by a walking to the Lung Hoa Village. This is the typical house of Hmong people in the village which is built on sticky ground. Reach the Quan Ba pass and take a short break to admire Quan Ba town with the famous twin fairy mountains (Nui Co Tien).

Continue to visit a village of Bo Y in the Quyet Tien Commune. Their origin is from China. The Bo Y is a small community of 2000 people who populate in the mountainous parts of the north. Arrive in Ha Giang in the middle of the afternoon, beginning a trek to the Me - Lup – Tha Villages. Featuring serene beauty, these villages are made up of hundreds of houses on wooden stilts covered by palm leaves. In front of the houses, there are small ponds for raising fish and water hyacinth cultivations for pigs. You will be welcomed by big smiles from the villagers testifying to their legendary hospitality. Visit a typical house and discover the local daily life.

Transfer to check in at your hotel and relax

DAY 6: HA GIANG – HOANG SU PHI [Guide/B/L/D]

Pick up and transfer for visit to Hoang Su Phi. From mid-September to first-October, the ripe rice season of the Northern mountainous provinces and Hoang Su Phi terraced fields in particular starts. It’s a good time to visit Hoang Su Phi Ha Giang to feast your eyes with stunning pictures of terraced fields stretching endlessly on the cliffs.

Free time to discover wellness canter, we offer various options to help you unwind and de-stress. Whether you are in the mood for a spa treatment or an herbal bath, we have everything you need. Herbal bath is a unique experience that follows a secret recipe passed down for generations by the Red Dzao people. Our herbalist selects only the best organic herbs from the garden, ensuring they are of the highest quality.

DAY 7: HOANG SU PHI [Guide/B/L/D]

At the beginning of the walk, you pass through a village of Yao with long tunics who have settled their house on pillar on the mountainside. You will go through the rice fields in terraces, the bamboo forests.

The group stops at a Red Dao House . The family is welcoming you with a cup of local tea. You can either rest while waiting for lunch or join your local guide to assist him in the preparation of the meal.

The walk will continue in the afternoon to a Tay village in the valley. The group will then follow the river to return to Panhou Village.

Overnight in Panhou

DAY 8: HOANG SU PHI - SAPA [GUIDE/B/L]

Today we move towards the northern part of the north zone, from Hoang Su Phi to Sapa. This west-east corridor offers motorcyclists magnificent landscapes of mountains and valleys, as well as the dazzling rice fields of the local people. You can rest in Lao Cai and observe the border of Vietnam and China. Later, we will head to Sapa. The bent and twisted roads will elevate the travelers to the city of 1600 m above sea level. Overnight in Sapa

DAY 9: SAPA [GUIDE/B/L]

You will start by a short driving south toward Muong Hoa valley which is the largest rice paddy terraced among Sapa area. The walk commences at the point go down to May Bridge. After a short time for discovery the rock field, you follow a dirt trail going downhill to rattan bridge, waterfall and Giang Ta Chai village of Red Dao people. This portion of the trek offers stunning view of Muong Hoa valleys as well as chances to understand life of tribal peoples in remote land when paying visit to a minority's house. The trek continues toward Ta Van village of Black H’mong & Day people. After lunch at local restaurant, continue to explore the daily life of Black Mong, handy-craft shop, embroidery, indigo process and join batik class in Lao Chai Village. The beautiful art of batik – using wax and dye to create patterns on cloth – has been around for centuries. Then transfer back to your hotel with your own time to enjoy swimming  or relaxing.

DAY 10: SAPA - HANOI [Guide/B/L]

Enjoy a light trek to discover a quaint hill tribe village near Sapa, including the different traditions, cultures and costumes of two minority groups. From Sapa, begin trekking downhill to Ta Phin Village. If your visit is between May and October, it will coincide with the local planting and harvest time, a chance to see the local farmers in action. Explore Ta Phin Village, home to the ethnic groups of the Black H’mong and Red Dzao who have been living in harmony in this village for generations despite having different customs, cultures and dress. Transfer to Hanoi or Lao Cai Train Station

Services Included

• Nine nights of hotel, resort, lodge or homestay accommodation.
• Premium 4-star or luxury 5-star gateway hotels according to the selected package.
• Best-available private mountain rooms in remote destinations.
• Twin or Double sharing.
• One Single room for a booking of five travellers.
• Private air-conditioned mountain vehicle.
• Professional driver experienced on northern mountain roads.
• Fuel, tolls, parking and driver expenses.
• Experienced English-speaking guide throughout the overland journey.
• Local guide where required by the confirmed programme.
• Breakfasts, lunches and dinners stated in the confirmed itinerary.
• Drinking water during private transportation and activities.
• Private Sapa village walk or moderate trekking experience.
• Sapa village entrance fees where applicable.
• Dong Van Karst Plateau permit where required.
• Entrance to the Hmong King’s Palace.
• Lung Cu Flag Tower entrance when included in the confirmed route.
• Nho Que River boat ticket when operating and scheduled.
• Ban Gioc Waterfall entrance ticket.
• Ban Gioc bamboo-raft ticket when operating.
• Nguom Ngao Cave standard visitor ticket.
• Ba Be National Park entrance ticket.
• Ba Be Lake boat service according to the confirmed itinerary.
• Life jackets during scheduled boat journeys.
• Border-zone and local registration assistance.
• Local taxes and service charges for included arrangements.
• Twenty-four-hour operator emergency contact during the journey.

Services Not Included

• International and domestic flights.
• Vietnam visa or electronic visa fees.
• Travel, medical, cancellation and emergency-evacuation insurance.
• Emergency rescue, medical treatment, evacuation or repatriation costs.
• Hotel accommodation before Day 1 unless specifically confirmed.
• Meals not clearly stated in the confirmed itinerary.
• Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks and personal snacks.
• Fansipan cable-car, funicular and mountain-railway tickets.
• Self-drive or pillion-rider motorcycle services.
• Personal trekking boots, poles, clothing and equipment.
• Private rooms when only shared local accommodation is available.
• Room upgrades beyond the confirmed category.
• Early hotel check-in and late hotel check-out.
• Laundry, telephone calls and personal expenses.
• Tips for guides, drivers, boat crews and accommodation staff.
• Peak-season and public-holiday supplements.
• Christmas, New Year and Vietnamese Lunar New Year supplements.
• Additional expenses caused by weather, landslides, flooding or road closures.
• Any service not clearly listed under “Services Included”.