Itinerary
- Day 1
Hanoi to Mai Chau
You'll leave Hanoi and head south through limestone karst formations and rice paddies. After a picnic lunch around Chi Ne, stop at the hot springs in Kim Boi to relax. Then drive northwest over two mountain passes to reach Mai Chau village. You'll stay in a traditional White Thai stilt house, have dinner, and watch Thai dancing that evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (Picnic lunch near Chi Ne), Dinner (Feast with White Thai family)
Included Activities
- Visit hot springs at Kim Boi
- Picnic lunch near Chi Ne
- Cultural show of Thai dancing
- Sample special local liquors
Landmarks Kim Boi Hot Springs Perfume Pagoda - Day 2
Mai Chau to Moc Chau
Start with a leisurely breakfast, then walk through the village to see local life in the morning. You'll travel on old French colonial roads through areas where Thai, Dao, and H'Mong communities live at higher elevations, with great mountain views the whole way. Later you'll rejoin the main highway and arrive in Moc Chau, which is known for its dairy products, tea plantations, caves, and waterfalls.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore local life on foot
- Travel through French colonial road route
- Visit Moc Chau area
Landmarks Hoa Binh Dam Black River (Song Da) - Day 3
Moc Chau to Son La
This is a tough day on gravel and mud roads with dramatic mountain scenery throughout. You'll navigate around Moc Chau highland and take offroad routes through Ta So, Ta Phinh, and Muong Lum where steep cliffs and deep valleys surround you. Along the way you'll see water buffalo in the mud, and you'll need solid riding skills for 100% offroad terrain. By evening you'll reach Son La city and have time to recover from the demanding riding.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- 100% offroad riding experience through Moc Chau highlands
- Ride through Ta So, Ta Phinh, Muong Lum villages
Landmarks Moc Chau Highland - Day 4
Son La to Ngoc Chien
Ride on mountain roads to Muong La to see Vietnam's largest hydroelectric power plant. After lunch you'll spend time exploring the power plant area briefly before continuing upward toward Ngoc Chien. You'll tackle the challenging Sam Sit mountain pass, which means '30 mountainous slopes' in Thai language. End the day relaxing in a local hot spring.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Son La hydroelectric power plant
- Ride Sam Sit mountain pass
- Relax in hot spring at end of day
Landmarks Son La Hydroelectric Power Plant Sam Sit Mountain Pass - Day 5
Ngoc Chien to Than Uyen
Start from Ngoc Chien and head to Nam Khat on a narrow mountain road with minimal vehicle tracks. It takes roughly 2 hours to reach halfway up Khau Co mountain pass, then another hour to get to Mu Cang Chai town. Stop here to see the terraced fields that were recognized as national heritage in 2007. The final 40 kilometers to Than Uyen is easier riding before you settle in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- View Mu Cang Chai terraced fields (national heritage site)
Landmarks Khau Co Mountain Pass Mu Cang Chai Terraced Fields - Day 6
Than Uyen to Sapa
You'll ride through Than Uyen where Flower H'Mong and Dzao people live. Travel 100 kilometers on easy track followed by 40 kilometers on asphalted mountain road to reach Sapa. This popular tourist destination has plenty to explore, and you'll see why it draws so many visitors to Vietnam's northern regions.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Fansipan Mountain - Day 7
Sapa
Today's flexible depending on what the group wants to do. You can take it easy in Sapa town itself or ride out to the highest mountain pass in Vietnam, or head deep into Sapa valley. Fansipan mountain rises overhead at over 2,000 metres/6,560 feet. The whole region is home to Hmong, Giay, Tay, and Dao communities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Sapa town or surrounding valley and mountain passes
Optional Activities
- Excursion to the highest pass in Vietnam
- Deep valley exploration in Sapa valley
Landmarks Fansipan Mountain Sapa Valley - Day 8
Sapa to Luc Yen
Ride down from Sapa through palm forest all the way to Luc Yen. You'll stay with a Dao family living in Tay territory. This hill tribe homestay gives you a real experience with hospitable hosts and their way of life.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Stay with Dao family homestay
- Day 9
Luc Yen to Vu Linh
Spend the morning exploring the Luc Yen area and visiting local family friends. Then ride to the Dao village of Vu Linh. The hosts here are known as 'drinkers of Vietnam' and love to celebrate, so prepare yourself for a warm welcome and an energetic evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Luc Yen area
- Visit local families
- Stay with Dao family in Vu Linh village
- Day 10
Vu Linh to Hanoi
After breakfast, cruise southeast on Highway 2 before turning off toward the quiet town of Phu Tho. Follow the Red River dyke to where it meets the Black River. Then descend into the delta lowlands and Vietnam's main agricultural areas, where harvest season brings lots of activity. Cross the Black River by bridge, go through Son Tay, and return to Hanoi by highway.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Red River Black River
