Itinerary
- Day 1
Lao Cai to Sapa
You'll arrive at Lao Cai railway station around 5:30am after the overnight train from Hanoi, then drive 38km through winding mountain roads to reach Sapa at 1500m elevation. Breakfast comes at 8am at your hotel, and after that you'll head out trekking off the main paths to Lao Chai village where you can see Muong Hoa Valley and rice terraces stretching below. Following a picnic lunch, the trek continues to Ta Van Village to meet the Dzay people, then on to Giang Ta Chai where you'll find the Red Dzao tribe. This first night you'll stay in a local Dzay family's house. Total trekking distance is around 10-12km.
- Start point
- Hanoi, Vietnam (Hanoi old quarter, 07:30 - 08:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel in Sapa at 8am), Lunch (Picnic lunch on the trek)
Included Activities
- Breakfast at hotel in Sapa
- Trek to Lao Chai village
- Visit Ta Van Village and meet Dzay people
- Visit Giang Ta Chai village (Red Dzao tribe)
- Picnic lunch during trek
Landmarks/POIs Sapa Fansipan Muong Hoa Valley Lao Chai Village Ta Van Village Giang Ta Chai Village - Day 2
Giang Ta Chai to Sapa
After breakfast with your Dzay family, you'll trek from Giang Ta Chai toward Su Pan, taking in mountain views and the mountain air along the way. Once in Su Pan, you'll meet local Red Dao and Black Hmong people and walk through their village. The trek back to Sapa town gives you final views of the mountain ranges and rice paddies below. Dinner is on your own this evening, and you'll sleep in Sapa town. Total distance for the day is about 15-17km.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast with hosts at Dzay family house)
Included Activities
- Breakfast with hosts
- Trek from Giang Ta Chai to Su Pan
- Meet Red Dao and Black Hmong ethnic groups
- Explore Su Pan village
- Trek back to Sapa
Optional Activities
- Dinner in Sapa town
Landmarks/POIs Su Pan Village - Day 3
Sapa to Coc Dong
This is the most difficult trekking day, but it's worth the effort. You'll start with 2 hours of flat walking before climbing steeply through thick primary rainforest, which can be tough if wet conditions make the path slippery. This is the only route local villagers use to reach Muong Khuong. Around 2000m altitude you'll find incredible views of rice paddies carved into rolling mountainsides. Lunch comes at a waterfall stop where you might see wild giant butterflies in various colors. After lunch, continuing to Coc Dong Village where the Nung hill tribe lives, arriving in mid-afternoon. You'll stay overnight in a local family's stilt house.
- Meals
- Lunch (Picnic lunch by waterfall)
Included Activities
- Trek through primary rainforest
- Climb mountain with panoramic views
- Picnic lunch by waterfall
- Visit Coc Dong Village (Nung hill tribe)
Landmarks/POIs Coc Dong Village 
- Day 4
Coc Dong to Bac Ha
This morning brings a 2-hour drive to Muong Khuong weekend market, which draws various minority groups including H'mong, Dao, Thu Lao, Pa Di, Tu Di and Phu La. If the market isn't running that day, you'll drive about 30 minutes to Coc Ly boat station instead, heading downstream to Bac Ha. Early afternoon takes you to Bac Ha town for the night, with time to walk the trails behind the H'mong King's Palace. Dinner and overnight are at a lodge in Bac Ha.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Muong Khuong weekend market (if market day)
- Walk on trails behind H'mong King's Palace
Optional Activities
- Alternative boat trip from Coc Ly station if not market day
Landmarks/POIs Muong Khuong Market H'mong King's Palace Bac Ha - Day 5
Bac Ha to Hoang Su Phi
A half-day drive from Bac Ha takes you through Sin Man and toward Hoang Su Phi. The route follows rough but scenic winding roads through dense jungle over a pass with many uphill and downhill sections that challenge the driver. Along the way you'll see various hill tribe groups including Nung Ing, Tay, Red Dao, Dao Ao Dai, La Chi and Co Lao. Lunch happens at a local restaurant in the Sin Man area. After that, a 4-hour trek off the main paths explores villages at high altitudes around Thong Nguyen, starting with about half an hour uphill before reaching lush forest, tea plantations, rice fields and mountain slopes. Dinner and overnight are at Hoang Su Phi Lodge.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant), Dinner
Included Activities
- Lunch at local restaurant
- Trek exploring villages around Thong Nguyen
- Visit tea plantations and terraced rice fields
Landmarks/POIs Sin Man Hoang Su Phi Thong Nguyen villages 
- Day 6
Hoang Su Phi to Nam Dam
From Hoang Su Phi, you'll travel to Ha Giang through landscapes of terraced fields, lush green mountains and winding rivers. The valleys here have rice terraces carved into the hillsides. Lunch is in Ha Giang town. Then you'll head toward Ha Thanh village for a 4-hour hike up to Tay Con Linh mountain. After the hike, a driver picks up the group to travel to Yen Minh. Dinner and overnight are in Nam Dam village.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in Ha Giang), Dinner
Included Activities
- Lunch in Ha Giang
- Hike to Tay Con Linh mountain
- Visit Nam Dam village
Landmarks/POIs Ha Giang Ha Thanh village Tay Con Linh mountain Yen Minh Nam Dam village - Day 7
Yen Minh to Meo Vac
Heading north-west from Yen Minh, you'll reach the remote northernmost area of Vietnam in the Dong Van and Meo Vac region. You'll see the former H'mong royal house at Sa Phin, where hill tribe people wear colorful traditional costumes against a backdrop of majestic mountains. After trekking behind Lung Cam village trails, lunch comes in Dong Van town. Then an off-the-beaten-path trek up to 8km takes you to Ma Pi Leng Pass's top, passing through a gigantic maze of limestone peaks, stone forests and canyons before descending into Meo Vac valley. Dinner and overnight are at a hotel in Meo Vac.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in Dong Van town), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Sa Phin (former H'mong royal house)
- Trek behind Lung Cam village trails
- Trek to Ma Pi Leng Pass top
- Lunch in Dong Van town
Landmarks/POIs Sa Phin Lung Cam village Dong Van Ma Pi Leng Pass Meo Vac - Day 8
Meo Vac to Ba Be National Park
An early morning drive through rolling hills and scenic areas gets you to Ba Be National Park. The roads are very bumpy and winding. This region has Hmong, Dao, Tay and Nung ethnic minorities as the main population, and very few outside visitors come here. At Boc Lom pier, you'll learn to paddle kayaks with dry bags, sports equipment and life jackets all provided. You'll travel down Nang River exploring Puong cave by boat and kayaking, crossing through steep terrain with many limestone cat ear cliffs. Then motorboat takes you to Ba Be Lake where swimming is available. Dinner comes with a Tay family at their homestay in Coc Toc village.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner with Tay family at their homestay in Coc Toc village)
Included Activities
- Kayak paddle lessons at Boc Lom pier
- Travel down Nang River
- Explore Puong cave by boat and kayak
- Cross Nang River
- Motorboat ride to Ba Be Lake
- Swimming at Ba Be Lake
- Dinner with Tay family
Landmarks/POIs Ba Be National Park Puong Cave Nang River Ba Be Lake Coc Toc village 
- Day 9
Ba Be to Tham Phay Cave
After a 30-minute drive, you'll reach Tham Phay Cave. The hike starts steep uphill through forest, then navigates rock terrain at the top before another similar slope. The trail fades into a valley as you turn west toward a large rock patch, finding your way with guide and safety team help. The cave entrance is precarious at the forest edge. Before exploring, you'll have snacks. Then spend about 5 hours in a 5km-deep river cave with two underground river tributaries, navigating narrow passages, craggy formations and deep pools with good photo spots. Plants and algae cover calcite formations, and you'll see unusual features like ceiling domes and layered rock walls. Helmets and powerful headlights are provided. The second cave path has ancient stalagmites, dangerous sinkholes and heat flows at the bottom. Total distance for trekking and cave exploration is 12-15km.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tham Phay Cave exploration (approximately 5 hours)
- Explore first path with underground tributaries and formations
- Explore second path with stalagmites and geological features
- Snacks before cave exploration
Landmarks/POIs Tham Phay Cave Ba Be National Park - Day 10
Cao Bang Region Craft Villages
After breakfast, a half-day journey takes you past spectacular mountainous landscapes with steep rice terraces and hill villages. You'll make stops to stretch and photograph. Following lunch in Phia Thap, you'll explore traditional craft villages starting with Phia Thap village where the Nung community has made incense for over 100 years. Moving through fields, you'll see a tile-making village known for yin-yang tile style, then Phuc Sen forging village where knife-forging stages are on display. Next comes the knitting village of the Nung ethnic group. Dinner and overnight are at a Nung family's house.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in Phia Thap), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Phia Thap incense-making village
- Visit tile-making village
- Visit Phuc Sen knife-forging village
- Visit Nung knitting village
- Lunch in Phia Thap
Landmarks/POIs Phia Thap village Tile-making village (yin-yang style) Phuc Sen forging village Nung knitting village 
- Day 11
Ban Gioc Waterfall to Lang Son
You'll travel to Ban Gioc Waterfall, one of Northern Vietnam's most incredible natural wonders. This 300-meter wide cascade forms part of the Chinese-Vietnamese border. After relaxing and photographing the waterfall, you'll board a bamboo boat to get close to the raging cascade. A local market visit lets you experience the area's diverse cultures. Hiking to Phat Tich Temple offers a good cultural experience and the best views of Ban Gioc with China in the background. You'll pass through several hill tribe villages before reaching the tranquil towns of Dong Khe and That Khe. Arriving in Lang Son by late afternoon, this border town was rebuilt after the Sino-Vietnamese war into a thriving trade hub. Dinner and overnight are at a hotel in Lang Son.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Ban Gioc Waterfall
- Bamboo boat ride near waterfall
- Visit local market
- Hike to Phat Tich Temple
- Pass through hill tribe villages
Landmarks/POIs Ban Gioc Waterfall Local market Phat Tich Temple Dong Khe That Khe Lang Son 
- Day 12
Lang Son to Halong Bay
Departing from Lang Son's lively central market, you'll drive to Halong through many mountainous areas, which can be difficult at times. The scenery here ranks among the best in Asia. Along the way, there's opportunity to meet Tay, Nung and San Diu hill tribe people. On arrival in Halong, you'll board a cruise ship leaving the harbor. Lunch is served as you see hundreds of karst islands passing through Halong Bay into Lanha Bay. You'll visit Light and Dark Water Cave with options for kayaking or bamboo boat rides rowed by local people. Dinner is on your own, and overnight is on the cruise ship.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch on cruise)
Included Activities
- Cruise through Halong Bay
- Lunch on cruise
- Visit Light and Dark Water Cave
- Kayaking or bamboo boat ride options
Optional Activities
- Dinner on own account
Landmarks/POIs Halong Bay Lanha Bay Light and Dark Water Cave - Day 13
Lanha Bay to Cat Ba Island to Hanoi
A 5-hour sailing boat cruise explores Lanha Bay to Cat Ba Island, offering fantastic views of the bay dotted with approximately 3,000 limestone islands rising from clear emerald water. These limestone karst formations feature beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. Small boat cruising through islands and islets reveals hidden beaches. A short bicycle visit goes to Viet Hai village, an isolated village within Cat Ba National Park. You'll anchor in a secluded cove for leisurely swimming and visit one of many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. Seafood lunch is served on board the cruise. Then it's time to return to Hanoi.
- Meals
- Lunch (Seafood lunch on board cruise)
Included Activities
- 5-hour sailing cruise
- Bicycle visit to Viet Hai village
- Swimming in secluded cove
- Grotto visit
- Seafood lunch on board
Landmarks/POIs Lanha Bay Cat Ba Island Cat Ba National Park Viet Hai village
