North Vietnam adventure holidays: Travel Hanoi Mai Chau Yen Bai Lai Chau Sapa Lao Cai Halong bay (13 days)
The 13-day tour, provided by Lotussia Travel includes such outdoor activities as day trekking, hiking tour, boat junk cruise, sea canoeing tour. You travel through both remote and popular travel places in the north of Vietnam including Mai Chau village, Suoi Lon, Bac Yen, Thu Cuc, Nghia Lo, Tu Le, Mu Cang Chai, Yen Bai, Than Uyen, Binh Lu, Lai Chau, Sapa, Hanoi and Halong Bay. The accommodation is simple as you spend most of the nights at local homes (homestay) and budget hostels. The multi-day trek is completed with a three-day tour to Halong bay where sea canoening, scuba diving are available.
Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau. Mai Chau valley trek.
Transfer to Mai Chau. Mai Chau is in a valley just over the biggest hump, about 10km from the Song Da river and only 150 metres above sea level. The village, nestled between two towering cliffs and surrounded by emerald green paddies, is an enchanting sight as you wind down the cliff side. On the way, trek some kilometers through ethnic villages (Muong and Thai). Lunch will be providd in Mai Chau. Dinner and overnight in Lac village.
Day 2: Continue trekking Mai Chau. Travel to Suoi Lon.
After breakfast, transfer 17 kilometers then we start trekking in an area of inhabitants of ethnic minority Thai, Muong the villages of Cun Pheo and Hang Kia. On arriving at Bai Sang wharf, we will take a boat to cruise on the Black river. Arrive at Suoi Lon for overnight in Muong’ Village.
Day 3: Thai and Muong villages trek. Travel to Thu Cuc.
Transfer to Ta Sua plateau, you can contemplate the highland scenery of it. Visit some villages of ethnic Black H’mong and discover the daily life and custom of local inhabitants here, especially you can enjoy the local specialties: Ta Sua Tea and agriculture products then come back the mountain town for lunch. After having lunch, visit the local market, the handicraft and farming products made by many ethnics are available here. Then continue to trek over 5 Kilometers through villages of Thai and Muong village. During the trekking you can take a rest and enjoy the local wine distillated by ethnics. Transfer to Thu cuc. Overnight in Muong Village.
Day 4: Trekking hilltribe villages. Travel to Nghia Lo.
Trek through Thai, Dao, Mong visit the water wheel. It is used to scoop the water for the rice fields near the streams. Lunch will be provided en route. Continue going to Nghia Lo through the direction of Lung Lo pass. Arrive at Nghia Lo, check in hotel then take a visit the local market at the moment of decline of day.
Day 5: Continue hiking. Travel to Tu Le.
Leave Nghia Lo for the itinerary, trek and visit some villages of ethnic’s minorities along the road: black Dzao, H’mong, white Thai, etc. They are very kind, honest and plain. Arrive at Tu Le village, dinner and overnight in house on stilt of inhabitants here. You can discover the daily life activities of this village in particular and the Thai ethnic in general in Vietnam. Overnight in Thai Village.
Day 6: Hiking Yen Bai. Travel to Than Uyen, Lai Chau.
Take leave of inhabitants of Tu Le, it takes 2 Km to village center, you can visit lots of activity on the early market day and it is typical colorful ethnics of this high mountain regions. Transfer to the the footing of Kau Pha pass for us to start trekking about 9 Km through the forest and ethnic villages. This trail runs parallel with the famous and beautiful Kau Pha pass. We finish the trail at the peak of the pass (1800m above sea level). Transfer to Mu Cang Chai for lunch. Visit the local market and go on to Than Uyen. Arrive at Than Uyen, check in local guest house.
Day 7: Than Uyen – Binh Lu – Sapa. Sapa village trek.
Transfer to Sapa, on the way, we can take trek to visit lots of beautiful villages of ethnic. Especially, you can meet the most typical ethics as: Lao, Lu (Xa Pho). They wear the long traditional and colorful costumes with jeweler hand made. Moreover, you can discover the kind face in black dyed teeth of ethnics here. Arrive at Sa Pa. Check in and rest of the day at leisure or visit Sa Pa famous tourist town in Northern Vietnam . You can visit and go shopping, market for buying souvenirs such as handicraft made by ethics, ethics’ traditional costumes, etc before ending the days in North West Vietnam.
Day 8: Trekking Sapa (Sapa – Tavan – Seomity).
After breakfast, you will go South by car toward Muong Hoa valley. Your trek will begin from Tavan village of Giay minority. The first day trek will be mostly uphill. Whenever you stop for a rest, you will be able to enjoy valley view. Before noon, you stop again at a nice spot for lunch. The trek will be softer in the afternoon. But the scenery becomes even more beautiful. You pass by Seomity village of Black Hmong minority before you arrive in a campsite, which locates nearby a river outside the village. While porters put up tents and cook dinner, you can take a walk to stretch the legs.
Day 9: Continue trekking Sapa (Seomity – Den Thang – Ta Trung Ho).
The trek today takes you through beautiful rice paddies and over old suspension bridges. You will trek on small trail sneaking through rainforest. You arrive in Den Thang village of Black Hmong by noon. Here you stop for lunch either nearby a river or in a local school according to the weather. After lunch, the trek wills becomes tough on tinny footpath going up and down, which requires some concentration. You will reach to Ta Trung Ho village of Red Dao minority where you spend the night in local house. Both the valley and the village have just received foreign visitors. The night will be even more interesting when you are in the wonderful hospitable atmosphere of the Red Dao.
Day 10: Trek & return Sapa town. Travel to Lao Cai. Overnight train back to Hanoi.
You are now at the fringe of the rain forest by the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina with its 3143 m, is located in this mountain range. You will start the trek today by ascending to Nam Toong village of Red Dao minority. Here your lunch will be prepared in a local school.
In the afternoon, before descending to Ban Ho, you can make a stop by a waterfall to refresh. On the last hours you can enjoy the valley one final time whilst trekking up to Su Pan, where your car takes you on the journey back to Sapa befor transfer to Lao Cai for the night train back to Hanoi.
Day 11: Arrival Hanoi. Travel to Halong Bay. Cruise and kayaking tour.
Upon your arrival at Hanoi Railways Station, you will be greeted by Lotussia Travel local guide and driver then transferred to a small hotel in town for breakfast and quick shower. Depart to Halong Bay.
Enjoy the journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life. Arrive in Halong and board the Bai Tho traditional sailing junk. Whilst cruising the exquisite waters sample the regions fresh seafood. Visit the recently discovered Surprise Grotto with its great views, and on the next island see the yawning mouth of Bo Nau Cave. Take a kayaking trip to explore the Bay or enjoy a swim in the emerald waters of Halong Bay at any spot that you wish to visit. Watch the sunset over the bay whilst enjoying a delicious dinner.
Day 12: Continue cruising and canoeing Halong bay.
Breakfast on board. Then we continue kayaking zigzagging through many small islets of different shapes. We will kayak to the Black Grottoe and The lake of Three Grottoe. The journey is really wonderfull and adventurous! Back to the support boat for our lunch which will be provided on board.
In the afternoon, we cruise towards the Islands of Rocks and visit the Fishermen floating village. We will kayak in Ba Men temple area which is also a important highlight of our journey. Swimming at the sandy Three Peach beach if weather permits and enjoy the great view of Halong bay sunset. Dinner and Overnight on board.
Day 13: Halong Bay – Hanoi.
Breakfast on board. Then we continue our cruise in Halong bay before going back to shore. Arrive at Ha long wharf about 11h00 and take our car for journey back to Hanoi.
Arrive in Hanoi at around 15h00. Enjoy a short cyclo excursion through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sales at these places.
Need more information? Contact us