Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Hanoi - Ha Giang (300km). Before we kick off, we will spend about 30 minutes to check over the bikes and insure that we have all necessary tools and equipment to guarantee maximum fun. Today, there is not much to see en route, although this will be a great opportunity for you to test your biking abilities and get a feel for your bike (Russian Minsk). We will drive through Thai Nguyen city, and break at the Museum of Ethnology. This is an important stop as we will be visiting many of Vietnam's ethnic minorities and hill tribe people. Take some extra time to learn about the Dao, Hmong, Muong, Thai, and Bo Y minorities. Well prepared and fully briefed we will head North to Tuyen Quang province, visit the historic Tan Trao area then on to Ha Giang. We should arrive in Ha Giang at about 5:00 pm. Dinner and sleep in town.
Day 2: Ha Giang - Quan Ba (50km). Today will be a short drive but one that will set the tone for the next eight days. The adventure begins as soon as we leave town and enter a land of colorful mountain hill tribes and seemingly impossible landscapes. All around you limestone rock faces will rise straight up perpendicular to the valley bellow and hill tribe people will be smiling and waving you onward. We will pass Heaven's Gate pass, then on to Quan Ba town for lunch. Afternoon will include more riding and some stops to walk through some nearby ethnic villages. We will return to Quan Ba town for dinner and to retire for the night.
Day 3: Quan Ba - Yen Minh - Meo Vac (100km). Have breakfast then hit the road, camera ready! All of our guides will have to agree that this is one of the most beautiful places in Vietnam. The "mother nature will never get enough credit" scenery and the "I cannot believe that that is actually the road" routes will absolutely and positively astound you! There will be ample opportunity to see the ethnic minorities and even visit their traditional homes. We will stop in Yen Minh town for lunch and then continue on our journey climbing to a nearby pass and then descending into the Meo Vac valley, very close to the Chinese border, for dinner and an overnight.
Day 4: Meo Vac - Dong Van (50km). After breakfast, we will first take some time to climb over the Ma Pi Leng Pass. Here is yet another amazing place, with incredible mountain ranges and the Nho Que river winding off in the distance. We will continue to zig-zag our way to Dong Van, visiting remote areas and the hard working local people here. It is inspiring to see how they survive as they manage their environment. When we reach town we will have some extra time to wonder the ancient streets lined with Hmong homes of clay bricks and tiles roofs built centuries ago. Dinner and sleep here.
Day 5: Dong Van - Yen Minh - Quan Ba (100km). At a leisurely pace we will ride on from Dong Van to Quan Ba. Today we will visit the infamous Vuong Palace, where a Hmong family of high rank lived during French colonial rule. This palace attracts keen interest from architecturally minded visitors due to it's mixed style of European and Chinese architecture. We then hop back on the bikes and back to Quan Ba for our overnight. Note: Quan Ba Sunday market is worth an arrangement!
Day 6: Quan Ba - Ha Giang - Hoang Sun Phi (120km). Today we will double back to Ha Giang then depart for Bac Quang. The ride is a pleasant one with countless meandering turns and winding sections on our way to Hoang Sun Phi. This is your trip and we encourage you to stop as many times as you wish to meet local people or to take those once in a lifetime photographs. We will arrive in the town of Hoang Sun Phi at about 4:00 pm for dinner and sleep.
Day 7: Xin Man - Bac Ha (160km). Today's dive is longer than yesterday's via Xin Man and the area's tortuous roadways. More picturesque Vietnam countryside and landscapes, as well as meeting and talking with local ethnic families. The second half of this drive is much easier but one will have to be careful not to get lost in the dense woods. Arrive in the town of Bac Ha (Lao Cai) at about 5:00 pm, dinner and sleep in town.
Day 8: Bac Ha, your free day. The morning will provide free time for you to explore Bac Ha. This is a small town built on a desolated highland plain NorthWest of Lao Cai. It is well-known for it's century-old colorful hill tribe market of the Flower Hmong (on Sunday only). All meals served in town and sleep at the same hotel. Trekking to some remote villages is optional or a visit and overnight in Sapa is a possible recommendation. Riding to this famous mountain town (3 hours) can be arranged before your departure from Hanoi.
Day 9: Bac Ha - Lao Cai (70km), night train to Hanoi. Your last day of motorbiking will include more exploration in Bac Ha and drive downwards to Lao Cai town. Visit this small town, situated on the Chinese border, before we take our night train back to Hanoi. Departure is at 8:50 pm putting us back in Hanoi at 5:00 am the next day. Say goodbye at you hotel, a little tired, but fully satisfied.
Notes:
- Accommodation: Hotels: Standard
- What to bring: Passport, Rain gear (even rain coat for your bags), sunglasses, hat, gloves, sun screen, Good shoes for rough riding terrain, Knee pads (provided by Footprint), Helmet (Provided by Footprint), Radios (provided by Footprint), Camera with lots of films and extra batteries, Other personal needs and monies for drinks/food.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Experienced tour guide
- Russian Minks
- Fuel, hotels/guest houses
- All meals as mentioned
- Permits
- Entrance fees
- Purified water
Price Excludes:
- Insurance
- Drinks
- Other personal expenses
- Tips are welcome!
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Vietnam
Motorcycle Tours
Cultural Journey
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