VB022: NORTH WEST ADVENTURE LOOP (7 Days/ 6 Nights)

Day 1: Ha Noi – Mai Chau (160 km) –  Mai Chau – Moc Chau – Son La (160 km) (B)

In our jeep, we start from your hotel and hit the road through the infamous traffic of Hanoi. As soon we get out of town (a mere 10 km), we will quickly find ourselves in the country life of Vietnam. Heading towards Hoa Binh province, we pass through a region of spectacular limestone mountains, passes, and valleys, then wind our way downhill to Mai Chau valley of the Thai people.We will spend the afternoon to walk around the two connecting villages, learn more about the ethnic Thai people, and  we will drive about the same distance as we made in our trip to Mai Chau  to Son La, the road is lined with orchards, tea plantations, towering mountains and chances to meet and talk to the ethnic black Thai, white Thai, Hmong and Muong hill tribe people. Many will be on their way to work or heading to one of the many local markets. In the afternoon, we visit the Prison Museum in Son La, which remains as a poignant reminder of the inequities of the former French colonial rule. Dinner and sleep at Hotel.

Day 2: Son La – Lai Chau (B)

The further we drive the more impressive the mountain scenery becomes, so we will wake up in anticipation for another great day on the road. We will visit small villages and meet more tribal people along our journey to Lai Chau valley is both breathtaking and dramatic, hugging rice terraced mountainsides and fording turbulent rivers. On this day you’ll have a chance to see the most beautiful hill tribes in Northern Vietnam such as Hmong, Black Thai, Black Dao, and Pazi. Dinner and overnight in the colorful town of Tam Duong.

Day 3: Lai Chau – Sapa (90km) (B)

A morning walk around this peaceful town and take some time to explore the market before hitting the road. Its all uphill, as we wind upwards and through Tram Ton pass, the highest mountain pass in Viet Nam. We are rewarded with magnificent views of these Northern mountain ranges, the highest in Southeast Asia.

We will then experience a dramatic change in climate as we approach the town of Sapa – an old French hill station and busy market town for the regional minority groups. The town is bordered by towering peaks, often shrouded in cloud. The air is cool, crisp and refreshing. Check in at a then free to explore joining in the spirit of this famous little town hotel

Day 4: Sapa – Y Linh Ho – Lao Chai – Ta Van (B) (Trek and homestay)

After having breakfast .Visit Y Linh ho, Lao Chai and Ta Van villages of the H’mong and the Dzay minorities. After lunch at a local family in Ta Van, we keep on hiking around the village of the Dzay & H’mong where we stay overnight in a local family for you to get to know their daily life of the local people: work, custom, embroideries, clothes.. Dinner at local family. Overnight at home stay in Ta Van

Day 5:  Ta Van – Giang Ta Chai – Su Pan – Ban Ho (B) (Trek and homestay)

After having breakfast  in home stay , we continue to discover Giang Ta Chai village, then Su Pan villages of the red Dzao minority. After picnic lunch, we keep on hiking to Ban Ho, the village lies within a beautiful valley, home to the Tay minority people who have their traditional house on stilts. Dinner at local family and Overnight at home stay

 Day 6: Ban Ho – Nam Toong – Sapa( B) (Trekking) 

Breakfast at homestay. 2km walking to a very nice waterfall discovered and named “the Lavie” by the French during the colonial time in Vietnam. Enjoy swimming then go up to the mountain to visit a small hamlet of the Red Dzao people called Nam Toong, then get back to Ban Ho before get to Sapa by jeep. Get yourself fresh with a shower in the hotel’s day room before transfer down to Lao Cai Station for the night train back to Hanoi. Overnight on  train