Trekking And Cycling In The North

The full-day city tour of Vietnam’s capital starts with Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum and traditional stilt house (closed on Monday & Friday), and the revered One-Pillar Pagoda. Then, pay visits to Quan Thanh temple and Tran Quoc Pagoda, along the shore of West Lake. Just before lunch time, visit Vietnam’s first university, the thousand-year-old Temple of Literature. In the afternoon, we visit the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Monday), featuring a wonderful collection of art and objects from throughout the country and different tribes.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Transfer to Viet Quang, Ha Giang (260 km from Hanoi) through a nice mountain road, lunch en route. Arrive in Viet Quang in the afternoon for hotel check in. Prepare for the hiking in the next day.

Overnight in Viet Quang.

After breakfast, drive to the start of trek (30 km from Viet Quang). We start with a small path and 3-hour climb. From 300 meters above the sea level, we then reach 1000 meters in the village of Pa Then ethnic in very colorful costumes. After a short descent, a picnic lunch is served. The path descends gently in the hills covered with tea and then leads into Tan Nam, Tay village. Overnight in Tan Nam village in Tay’s stilt house.

(1 hour drive, including 6 hours of walking up to 700 meters vertical).

After crossing a suspension bridge, we enter a region of growing wild. Climbs and descents alternate on a pleasant path. It passes through many small hamlets inhabited by Dao people with long jackets. The Dao women often have one gold-plated tooth and bear their long jackets even at work in the fields. Lunch with a Tay family. It would be churlish to refuse a glass of rice wine the host proposes. Late in the afternoon, we climb on a hill shaded by large palm trees. The scenery is fantastic, a small hamlet, perched in the middle of the rice terraces carved well is our haven in the evening. Our presence may cause a big surprise to the children of the village. Overnight in Phieng Lang at local house. (6 to 7 hours walking).

Early start to reach higher altitude. Small houses are scattered Dao Ta Pan on the slopes. The surprise is great for local poeple to see Westerners here. At noon, we crossed a high pass to reach Quang Nguyen, a remote village near a river. A cold beer is welcome. The children rushed to meet us with big smiles. A good rest before the long stage tomorrow is necessary. A beautiful river behind our accommodation is the best place for taking a bath. Overnight in Quang Nguyen at local house. (4 to 5 hours of walking with 1h30 to climb).

New early start to climb the Col de Nam Li at about 1500 meters. One of the most extraordinary step of rainforest that you will ever go. Atmosphere "Indiana Jones" guarantee. The trail creeps into an inextricable labyrinth forest turns into a wide channel of 50 cm at most, to climb the slope leading to the neck, wave replat lost amid the vines. We need to come down again for 1 h on the opposite side to get a clear view of a beautiful valley. The H'mong who inhabit the valley are clad in richly embroidered clothes. Overnight in Coc Dong at local house. The house is rustic, but the welcome exception. (5 -6 hours of walking, about 1100 m of elevation).

We follow the trail up higher and higher in the middle of terraced rice fields. On the way you may find lovely H'mong girls dressed in long red dresses. After 30 minutes of walking, we descend into smooth Coc Pai, the daily market for a lunch stop. The path is then easy to join Xin Man. Overnight in Xin Man at local house. (7 hours walking).

Departure by jeep from Xin Man to Bac Ha via Can Cau market. Visit the hamlets around Bac Ha: Ban Pho village occupied by the colorful H’mong. Overnight in Bac Ha at hotel.

In the morning, free to visit the colorful market Bac Ha, which takes once a week on Sunday and attracts all ethnic minorities in the vicinity of Bac Ha. We leave Bac Ha by a mountain road towards the Tay village at Trung Do then take the sampan there for a trip on Chay River to Bao Nhai. At Bao Nhai, resume the road to Lao Cai Raiway Station. Overnight in the train to Hanoi.

Arrive in Hanoi early morning. Pick up by your driver, then transfer to flowers market, opened every early morning. After breakfast at local restaurant, transfer about 3hrs to the famous and magnificent Ha Long Bay, one of Vietnam’s most incredible natural wonders and was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Upon arrival, you will board on a charming junk for 24 hours cruise. After lunch is a visit to Titov Island with a nice little beach for swimming and a great view point on the top. Spend the afternoon cruising through the 3,000 limestone pinnacles piercing the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin.. You’ll anchor nearby Titov this evening before an on-deck candlelight dinner featuring gourmet cuisine.

Overnight aboard the junk in Ha Long bay.

Note: • The cabins on board are simple, comfortable, clean, air-conditioned, and outfitted with their own and hot shower. • This is a join-in cruise.

Note: • The cabins on board are simple, comfortable, clean, air-conditioned, and outfitted with their own and hot shower. • This is a join-in cruise.

You will begin this morning with a sunrise breakfast before your exploration of Luon Cave (Tunnel cave) by sampan. Then continue to visit another part of Bay. Brunch on board. You will disembark the Junk and the car will transfer you to Ninh Binh province. Stop en route for visiting Pho Minh pagoda, arrive in Ninh Binh late afternoon and drop off at hotel.

Overnight in Ninh Binh at hotel.

In the morning, take a cycling trip to Hoa Lu, one of the ancient capitals of Vietnam. Enjoy the gorgeous limestone karsts and rolling green fields, which gave the area the nickname “Ha Long Bay of the rice paddies” then you explore 10th Century Dinh and Le Dynasty relics. After the cycling, drive to Kenh Ga area, a secluded floating village in Ninh Binh with a dramatic landscape of limestone cliffs and caves. Travel serenely by boat witnessing scenes of fishermen, children going to school, and everyday life along the river. Transfer back to Hanoi.

Overnight in Ha Noi at hotel.

In the morning, drive to Son Tay city in the North of Hanoi and the ancient village of Duong Lam. On arrival, you will begin cycling around the Mong Phu village and Mia pagoda. Discover rural communities unaffected by the outside world. This is a great opportunity to witness the calm and tranquility of everyday country life. After lunch, continue by car to Thay & Tay Phuong pagoda. Return to Hanoi in the afternoon.

Overnight in Ha Noi at hotel.