Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Hanoi - Mai Chau. 170 km, ~4-5 hrs
Heading out of Hanoi on road number 6 to Mai Chau, and idyllic valley populated by mainly White Thai ethnic people. Visiting Mai Chau, you have a chance to enjoy folk songs and traditional colorful culture of White Thai in Mai Chau. The scenery of the arrival to Mai Chau is characterized with beautiful limestone mountains and colourful hill tribes who can be seen and visited on the way. We also have an opportunity en route to learn about the culture of the rice-cultivating inhabitants in the Red River valley and Da River down stream.
After lunch, we have the whole afternoon free to climb up to the top of Thung Nhuoi pass. From the top of the pass there is a beautiful view of Mai Chau valley, often engulfed by clouds but still a sight to be enjoyed. After visiting this wonderful site, we drop down to explore more of the area of White Thai people.
Day 2: Mai Chau - Thung Man. 100 km, ~4 hrs
Today we continue venturing onto Northern Vietnam by following the old National Highway No 6 which has been neglected for 20 years. The rough narrow road, cutting through many hill-tops makes the terrain difficult to manoeuvre, so the road transport is very limited.
Sometimes, if lucky you might catch sight of a horse-drawn carriage or buffalo cart but, apart from that, this road is quite deserted. Along the way, we have excellent opportunities to learn about the people of different cultures, such as the Red Dao, Dao Tien, Muong and Thai ethnic groups. The people living here are very friendly and live a simple lifestyle. Typically they live by cultivating dry rice, vegetables and fruit at high altitudes and hunting in the wild forest.
Day 3: Thung Man - Phu Yen. 130 km, ~4 hrs
To reach Thung Man, it takes about one and half hours to the top of the mountain. Upon arrival, you will see a pretty village with about 20 houses built from "stone" surrounding a small, fairy pond at the mountain top. The village seems isolated from the mainstream world. There is no motorbike or karaoke here! The owners of this mountain still retain their age-old culture and traditions. Moreover, visitors to this remote area will have opportunity to discover these people's unique customs and simple lifestyle and even share the wisdom of the elders who enjoy the happiness of living under the same roof with 5-6 generations. You also have a chance to listen to the legends about the "toward South" process.
Day 4: Phu Yen - Tuan Giao. 210 km, ~6 hrs
The journey north continues onto Son La, following the 113 Highway. Along the way, there are superb landscapes with green valley and terraced rice fields. Passing the Bac Yen Mountain top, through Chen Pass to the largest "maize" and "manioc" forest, we arrive at Son La plateau.
After lunch in Son La town, we will visit the former French Prison and provincial museum. We have more mountain passes to challenge us, such as Son La, Chieng Pac, and Pha Din. You will enjoy the beautiful landscape on your way from Son La to Lai Chau town. The afternoon will provide free time to climb over the top of the Pha Din Pass - known as the interface between Heaven and Earth. Pha Din forms a natural border between Son La and Dien Bien Phu, the site of the decisive battle in Vietnam’s struggle for independence in 1954. Then we take time to travel to Tuan Giao to view the sunset.
Day 5: Tuan Giao - Sin Ho. 150 km, ~5 hrs
Today we continue venturing in to northern Vietnam with the 98ksm remainder of the historical Highway 6. The road is rough, but the scenery is unbelievably beautiful and magnificent with the 7 tall passes cutting though steep mountain along the Da River flowing around the foot of the passes, which can be found nowhere else in the Northwest route. Moreover, part of the pleasure of travelling by motorbike in this region is the simple joy of the friendly smiles and greetings of the local people, which make the hardship all worthwhile. Along the way, we stop to visit the Black Thai, Kho Mu, Lu, Black H'mong, Green H'mong and White H'mong, just some of the many hill tribe groups and discover their simple lifestyles and colourful cultures.
Day 6. Sin Ho - Tam Duong. 110-170 km, ~4-5 hrs
Due to the environment and a height of 1,700m, getting there is very hard journey, so the people living here mostly retain their long-lasting lifestyle. The reason Sin Ho is regarded as the richest mountain market in the northwest province, is because anybody who is courageous enough to visit the area is rewarded with the fortune of visiting. This does nothing to limit the bright motley colours of traditional clothes of various ethics such as the Green H'mong, the Black H'mong, the White H'mong, the Dzao Dau Bang, and the Lu.
Day 7: Tam Duong - Sapa. 70 km, ~2 hrs
This morning finds us on the road for the 50km ride to the village of Lu ethnic minority whose origin comes from Lao. We’ll have a chance to see beautiful stilt houses and girls who blacken the teeth and have a seductive smile. After that we have to cross the Muong Kim River back to National Highway 4D to travel to Sapa.
Day 8: Sapa - Muong Hum - Lao Cai, night train to Hanoi. 100 km, ~4-6 hrs
While Sapa is characterized with the beauty of European architecture, the path to Muong Hum is absolutely different from the scenic beauty of Sapa. This road passes through many neglected villages and tracks. During the rainy season, no one dares to ride the muddy and slippery road off the highway. Despite its close link to Sapa, this road receives very few visitors. Over night in night train to transfer to Hanoi.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Included:
- Motorbike Minsk, all fuel
- Tour guide / Translator
- Motorbiking protective pants, jacket, gloves, helmet, rain gear, and other safety equipments
- Sleeping bags, mosquito nets, sheets, pillows and accommodations
- Third party motorbike insurance
- All food
- All entrance fees, permits, tickets, boat trips, ferries, bamboo rafts, etc
- Train tickets Laocai- Hanoi
- Voyage Vietnam assistance throughout your trip
- We also love to celebrate our guests' birthday... well any excuse for a celebration on the open road
Not Included:
- Personal expense (such as souvenirs), personal insurance, drinks, flight tickets, food and accommodation in Hanoi and tips
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Vietnam
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