VB036: HANOI – MAI CHAU – SON LA – SAPA (10 Days/ 9 Nights)

Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau, ~160 km 

Leaving Hanoi on dyke roads to avoid the heavy traffic and breaking out of the delta plains we pass through endless limestone karst scenery as we travel south through “Perfume Pagoda” country and extensive farming lands comprising a sea of paddy fields split by tree-lined roads. Striking northwest and over two passes, finally dropping down to the mountain valley settlement of Mai Chau. Here we stay overnight with friends of the White Thai minority in a traditional stilt house. In the evening, after feasting, we can enjoy a cultural show of Thai dancing and a range of special local liquors. *Overnight in Mai Chau.

Day 2: Mai Chau – Phu Yen. ~140 km (B)

We go from Mai Chau to the direction of Moc Chau and turn to the less travelled Road 43 leading to the Da River. After crossing the reservoir of Da river at Van Yen ferry, we ride on a beautiful winding secondary road until Phu Yen where we stay in a guest-house.
*Overnight in Phu Yen town

Day 3: Phu Yen – Son La, ~160 km (B)

Continuing on the almost empty Road 37 we enter mountains heavily populated with Black Thai people, who work on large terraced rice fields. The winding road passes through many Thai villages and fields and provides a great opportunity to watch country life passing by. We continue through rolling hills before rising up to the sugar cane growing areas on the cooler Son La plateau. *Overnight in Son La.

Day 4: Son La – Tuan Giao, ~140 km (B)

Heading out northwest from Son La, the road crosses a series of mountain passes and areas of busy Black Thai activity. Children walk to school, kids tend buffaloes, women plant rice seedlings and men pull the buffalo. Then we come to the beginning of the very long and steep Pha Din pass where at the top we have vast views of the surrounding mountains, then down the other side on very steep sealed road. *Overnight in Tuan Giao.

Day 5: Tuan Giao – Muong Lay (former Lai Chau) ~150 km (B)

Heading out northwest from Tuan Giao the road passes isolated communities of Hmong and Thai people, whose small villages settle on the banks of dark green rivers and on the steep slopes of the mountains. After lunch by a forest stream the road begins to climb up the high Sa Tong pass. At the top for sunset before dropping sharply into the deep Lai Chau valley. *Overnight in Muong Lay.

Day 6: Muong Lay – Lai Chau ~150 km (B)

Escape from former lai Chau, we cross a large suspension bridge over the Black river we head north along the eastern banks of the Nam Na river. Along this quiet road Hmong, Dao, Thai and Tay live in small villages backed up to the forest. Only a short distance from the Chinese frontier, the road climbs up to the Tam Duong plateau(new LaiChau), with expansive views back toward the border. Tam Duong town has a lively market and is surrounded by sharp outcrops of karst.*Overnight in Lai Chau(former Tam Duong)

Day 7:Lai Chau – Sapa 100km (B)

After breakfast we head straight toward the main Fansipan Mountain range. There is also the option for a very challenging back route which takes us through several river crossings. The massive mountain range dominates the road until finally we must make a splendid climb up from Binh Lu and up to the top of the highest road pass in Vietnam (Tram Ton Pass). Crossing into Lao Cai Province at over 2,000m the views looks out over the main range for miles and miles, before we descend to the mountainous Sa Pa valley. *Overnight in Sapa.

Day 8: Sapa (B)

Depending on the group’s mood, we can either take it easy in Sa Pa town, or make excursions back to the top of the highest pass in Vietnam, or down deep into the amazing Sapa valley to visit the Black H’mong and Giay minority villages .The entire region is populated by Hmong, Giay, Tay and Dao people. *Overnight in Sapa.

Day 9: Sapa – Luc Yen, ~180 km (B)

Ride down from Sapa,stop a while at the Chinese border gate for picture  then through palm forest all the way to Luc Yen and stay in a Dao family who live in the Tay territory. It’s a great home stay, very typical of Vietnam hill tribes in the beautiful valley of paddy field and the hosts are very welcoming.
*Overnight in traditional house on stilt

Day 10: Luc Yen – Hanoi,~240km (B)

After breakfast,say goodbye to the family then we follow the edge of the Red River along the dyke, almost to the point where it merges with the Black River after which they flow together to Hanoi. By now we are very much in the lowlands of the delta plains and the north’s main agricultural areas. Harvest time here is a very colourful picture of the Delta,we pass through Son Tay and then continue our drive along the Red River bank to return to Hanoi.*Over night in Hanoi

END YOUR TRIP!

 Tour including:

– Motobikes

– All fuel

– Tour Guide

– Acccomodation as indicated in programme (Standard hotel or homestay)

– Foods (B: Breakfast.L: Lunch.D: Dinner)

– All entrance fees, permits, tickets, boat trips, ferries etc;

– Driving helmet

Not including:

– Personal expenses, personal medical,travel insurance.

– Drinks other than tea and local rice wine.

– Motorbiking protective pants, jacket, gloves, rain gear …

– Tips and gratitude

– Train or flight tickets.

– Breakfast on the departure day and dinner on the return day.

– Accommodation in Hanoi.