Northwest Loop Adventures 11 days 10 nights

Northwest Loop Adventures 11 days 10 nights is a great chance to experience firsthand, the local ethnic minorities and there wonderful hospitable atmosphere. The central north is more remote with many weekly markets it offers a real chance to explore the culture and places all around this eye-catching area. It has stunning splendid natural scenery and cultural sights attraction, there's many colorfully dressed ethnic people and their different traditions.

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Tour code: MTB03E
Departure dates: Everyday
Destination: Hanoi - Mai Chau - Son La - Than Uyen - Sapa - Bac Ha - Ha Giang - Dong Van - Bao La - Ba Be Lake
Duration: 11 days

Day 1: Hanoi - Mai Chau (160Km/4 hours) (L/D)
- Once out of the Red River Delta, which brims with traditional farming activity, we pass through limestone monoliths and into foothills populated by Muong people. We head straight at the main range before breaching a high and beautiful forested pass, which descends into the hidden valley of Mai Chau where we spend the night with friends in a traditional Thai stilt house in Pom Coong village
Day 2: Mai Chau - Son La (180Km/6 hours) (B/L/D)
- On good road looking high over distant mountains we head up into a forested region populated by H'mong people before descending into a mountainous tea-growing region. Soon after we follow a long valley floor covered in a sea of rice surrounded by Black Thai villages all the way to Son La with its bargain-filled market.
Day 3: Son La - Than Uyen: (160Km/6 hours) (B/L/D)
- After breakfast, we keep riding on road #6 to Tuan Giao with beautiful and stunning landscape along the way include stop to visit Black Thai village on the off bitten track where we will ride through dark cave to get there. Lunch in Tuan Giao, we then turn to the road 279 to Than Uyen. We will have great experience of driving while ride up the steep winding passes through the forests and terraced rice fields along the road, short break on the Pa Uon Bridge to take in surrounding landscape.
Day 4: Than Uyen - Sapa ( 130km/4 hours) (B/L/D)
- The road follows the Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range and winds through tea plantations and rice terraces as it hugs the Nam Ma River. This stunning valley is dotted with Tay, Dzao and H'mong hill tribe villages. Over the 1,900 meter Tram Ton Pass to Sa Pa located in the breathtaking Hoang Lien Son Mountains. Arrive Sapa in the afternoon.
Day 5: Sapa - Bac Ha - Xi Man ( 160 km/5 hours ) (B/L/D)
- After breakfast, we ride down to Lao Cai - It is center of Lao Cai province which is next to the international border with China, where important trading in North happens - Have a short break at border, before we head to Bac Ha town - Bac Ha is well-know for the century-old colorful market, of real mountainous people including the Dzao and the Flower H'Mong. The market only opens on Sunday morning- . We then continue up north to Ximan via a small trail that has, a deep impressive scenery, while riding through forest, take a short break at Lao Chai village, on top of the mountain to have a look at the overview of Chay river which is high up and hidden in the clouds. There are particularly interesting tracks in this area and well none known is one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Vietnam.
Day 6: Xi Man - Ha Giang ( 150 km/6 hours) (B/L/D)
- Breakfast will be served at a local restaurant near by our hotel. We will visit a local market in the morning, where we have the chance, to meet minorities groups such as the Dzao, Nung, Flower H'mong...and also not forgetting to take some memorable pictures and buy some souvenirs. The roads go through some mountain passes but there are lots of tortuous roads, which gives a great opportunity, to test your riding skills. After lunch in Tan Quang. the last 50 km to Ha Giang becomes of ease on road No 2. If the time permits, we can visit Thanh Ha to relax and enjoy the hot springs.
Day 7: Ha Giang - Dong Van ( 150 km/6 hours) (B/ L/ D)
- After obtaining a visit permit at immigration office in Ha Giang. We then continue our trip exploring through the area of Quang Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van which is famous for pictures opportunities of the natural, impressive and magnificent landscape. The local people living here dedicated to working long hard hours but overcome all difficulties, on rocky farm land in a harsh environment. They are very friendly out going people and live a happy life without the modern day necessities. We will have a short break at an information coffee shop where we can climb up a set of stairs to take in a spectacular view point of Quang Ba. After lunch at Yen Minh town, we will visit Pho Bang, which was built many centuries ago and features multi-storey houses made of clay bricks and tiled roofs. In the area visit the infamous Vuong Palace- H'mong family of high rank during French colonial rule, Vuong Chi Sinh, who was purported to be the H'mong King in Vietnam. This palace attracts keen interest from architecturally minded visitors due to its mixed style of Europ ean and Chinese architecture. Then we arrive in Dong Van.
Day 8: Dong Van - Meo vac - Bao Lac ( 120 km/4 hours) (B/L/D)
- Climb over the Ma Pi Leng Pass, from which we can see and enjoy beautiful scenery overlooking the Nho Que River before going down to Meo Vac. We cross the wild regions of the mythical province of Ha Giang. Stop for the night at Bao Lac, the ethnic crossroad of Northeast Vietnam. Many other ethnic groups on the two sides of the border meet at the market every Sunday.
Day 9: Bao Lac - Ba Be ( 120 km/4 hours) (B/L/D)
- Few passes from where you can dominate the area. The road is easy but many curves. We can stop a lot. All together, stop for drinks and food it should be an 8-hour journey. We spend the night in the traditional stilt house of Tay minority people.
Day 10: Ba Be Lake ( Visit and relax ) (B/L/D)
- Easy boating on the lake and river. Go to market (if it is the day you arrive). Stop at waterfall, beautiful swimming pirate, the chef of Dau Dang waterfall where we enjoy dinner. Down the waterfall, we could visit the village and a small school. We propose to stay in the stilt house of forest guards.
Day 11: Ba Be Lake - Hanoi ( 220 km/7 hours) (B/L)
- The last day, an easy ride 220kms through Thai Nguyen, Bac Kan, and Vinh Yen provinces on a small road with little traffic. We arrival Hanoi around 5 Pm. Tour the end.

HOTELS LIST

Please note that the hotels mentioned in this list are for reference only. Depending on availability and your preference, they can be changed. If we are unable to book any hotel, it will be replaced by another hotel at least of equivalent standard and value.

DESTINATION	ACCOMMODATION	STARS	NIGHT (S)
Mai Chau	Homestay		1
Son La	Homestay		1
Than Uyen	Minh Hang Hotel		1
Sa Pa	Holiday Sapa Hotel		1
Xin Man	Huyen An Hotel		1
Ha Giang	Homestay		1
Dong Van	Tung Lam Hotel		1
Bao Lac	Song Gam Hotel		1
Ba Be	Homestay		1

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES
+ Motorbikes : 1 bike per person - Honda XR150
+ All petrol (gasoline),
+ Rain gear, helmets,
+ Motorbike jacket
+ Boat trip
+ Meals
+ Accommodation
+ Local English Speaking guide
+ All entrance fees and permits to visit frontier area.

TOUR PRICE EXCLUDES
+ Visa to Vietnam.
+ Any other transportation are not mentioned in the itinerary.
+ Insurance.
+ Drinks.
+ Meals are not mentioned in the itinerary.
+ Tip for guide.
+ Other personal expenses.

WHAT TO TAKE:
• Pack essentials, including light comfortable clothes suitable for outdoor activities, comfortable walking shoes. Take a small day pack for hiking, trekking and motorbiking.
• It is essential to bring your passport on this trip. We also recommend packing: insect repellent, sun cream, raincoat and sun hat...

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