Northwest Frontier Peaks Motorbike Expedition 11 Days 10 Nights

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Embark on the ultimate Northwest Vietnam mountain adventure—a spectacular 11-day motorbike expedition through some of the country’s most breathtaking landscapes. Ride from the lush rice valleys of Mai Châu to the tea-covered highlands of Sơn La, cross towering mountain passes into Sapa, and dive deep into the dramatic karst world of Hà Giang, Đồng Văn, and Mèo Vạc.

This journey takes you through remote ethnic communities, vibrant highland markets, cloud-covered ridges, and winding cliff-side roads overlooking the Nho Quế River. Every day offers a new highlight—Sapa’s terraced slopes, Bắc Hà’s colorful market, the rugged backroads of Xín Mần, the ancient clay-walled town of Phó Bảng, and the legendary Mã Pí Lèng Pass.

The expedition ends with a peaceful stay in Ba Bể National Park, surrounded by emerald lakes and forested cliffs. Perfect for riders seeking a long, scenic, culturally rich loop through Vietnam’s grandest mountain landscapes.

Destination:

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Northwest Frontier Peaks Motorbike Expedition 11 Days 10 Nights

Tour Code: MTB03E
Duration: 11 days / 10 nights
Route: Hanoi – Mai Châu – Sơn La – Thuận Châu – Tủa Chùa – Than Uyên – Sapa – Bắc Hà – Xín Mần – Hà Giang – Đồng Văn – Mèo Vạc – Bảo Lạc – Ba Bể – Hanoi
Riding Style: 30–40% mountain backroads, 60–70% scenic paved roads
Difficulty: 🟠🟠⚫⚫⚫ Moderate — suitable for riders confident with mountain roads
Best Time: September–November & March–May

Tour Highlights:

Ride the grand Northwest loop through Vietnam’s most dramatic highland landscapes.
Explore sweeping valleys, tea plantations, Black Thai villages, and forested passes.
Conquer the mighty Hoàng Liên Sơn range and the 1,900-meter Trạm Tôn Pass into Sapa.
Visit the iconic Bắc Hà market, home to the Flower H’mông people.
Navigate rugged backroads to Xín Mần, overlooking cloud-covered river valleys.
Explore the ancient clay-wall towns of Phó Bảng, the H’mông King's Palace, and Đồng Văn.
Ride over the legendary Mã Pí Lèng Pass with views of the Nho Quế River canyon.
Finish at Ba Bể National Park, with boat trips, waterfalls, and serene lakeside stays.
Overnight in a mix of traditional homestays and comfortable mountain hotels.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau ~160 km (L/D)
- Leaving Hanoi, we skip the busy highways and ride west toward the rising limestone formations of Hòa Bình. The Red River Delta gives way to rolling foothills where Mường communities farm terraced rice paddies beneath karst outcrops.
  
  The road climbs steadily into a forested pass, revealing sweeping views before dropping into the quiet valley of Mai Châu. We arrive in Pom Coọng village—home of the White Thai—and settle into a traditional stilt house for dinner and a warm village welcome.
Day 2: Mai Chau – Son La ~180 km (B/L/D)
- Today’s ride takes us deep into the uplands. We pass through H’mông areas perched high above the valley before crossing into a vast tea-growing region. The landscape opens into a long, fertile basin lined with Black Thai villages and endless rice fields.
  
  The approach to Sơn La offers expansive views across mountain chains, with time to explore the lively local market before settling in for the night.
Day 3: Son La – Tua Chua – Than Uyen ~160 km (B/L/D)
- We follow Road 6 toward Tủa Chùa, riding between limestone walls and forested passes. A highlight is the detour to visit a remote Black Thai village—accessible only through an atmospheric cave tunnel.
  After lunch in Thuận Châu or Tuần Giáo, we turn onto Road 279 toward Than Uyên. Here, the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic: terraced rice fields, steep ridge climbs, and spectacular viewpoints such as the Pa Uôn Bridge.
Day 4: Than Uyen – Sapa ~130 km (B/L/D)
- The route follows the majestic Hoàng Liên Sơn range, weaving through tea plantations, stilt villages, and layers of rice terraces. As we ascend, the cool air and dramatic peaks of the region unfold around us.
  
  Crossing the 1,900-meter Trạm Tôn Pass, the highest road pass in Vietnam, we enter Sapa in the afternoon. The rest of the day is free to explore the mountain town’s cafés, markets, or quiet viewpoints.
Day 5: Sapa – Bac Ha – Xin Man ~160 km (B/L/D)
- We descend from Sapa toward the border city of Lào Cai, where Vietnam meets China. After a short break at the frontier area, we ride east toward Bắc Hà, famous for its vibrant Sunday market where Flower H’mông, Dao, Phù Lá, and Tay communities gather.
  
  Beyond Bắc Hà, we climb into remote highlands on a small, twisting trail toward Xín Mần. The route offers deep valleys, misty forests, and dramatic views over the Chảy River from Lao Chải village.
  This is one of the most scenic riding days of the entire loop.
Day 6: Xin Man – Ha Giang ~150 km (B/L/D)
- After breakfast, we explore a local market where various ethnic groups—Nùng, Dao, Flower H’mông—trade farm goods, livestock, textiles, and handmade tools.
  
  The route to Hà Giang contains winding mountain passes, tight curves, and narrow sections that test your cornering skills. After lunch in Tân Quang, the final 50 km into Hà Giang is smoother and more relaxed.
  
  If time allows, we visit Thanh Hà hot springs for a rejuvenating soak.
Day 7: Ha Giang – Dong Van ~150 km (B/L/D)
- After securing our border permits, we enter Vietnam’s iconic karst plateau geopark. The road climbs through Quản Bạ’s Heaven Gate, the pine forests of Yên Minh, and the spectacular rock fields near Đồng Văn.
  
  Along the way, we visit Phó Bảng, a centuries-old H’mông town built with clay-brick houses and ancient architecture, and the former H’mông King’s Palace, a unique blend of French, Chinese, and local styles.
  
  We reach Đồng Văn by late afternoon and stay near its atmospheric old quarter.
Day 8: Dong Van – Meo Vac – Bao Lac ~120 km (B/L/D)
- One of the most iconic riding days: we conquer the legendary Mã Pí Lèng Pass, offering vertical cliffs, blue river canyons, and unrivaled panoramas of the Nho Quế valley.
  
  Descending to Mèo Vạc, we continue through remote areas of Hà Giang before reaching Bảo Lạc—an ethnic crossroads where markets draw diverse groups from both sides of the border.
  
  ►Explore the stunning Ha Giang Province
Day 9: Bao Lac – Ba Be ~120 km (B/L/D)
- A day of gentle riding on curving mountain roads. A few elevated passes provide commanding views over green valleys and scattered hamlets. We take our time with breaks for photos, coffee, and local snacks.
  
  In the afternoon, we descend toward Ba Bể National Park and settle into a Tay family stilt house near the water.
Day 10: Ba Be National Park – Boat Trip & Relaxation (B/L/D)
- Today we trade motorbikes for a serene exploration of Ba Bể’s emerald lakes and slow-moving rivers. We cruise between towering cliffs, visit local markets (if open), stop at waterfalls, and swim in secluded areas near Đầu Đẳng.
  
  We spend the evening in a peaceful lakeside homestay surrounded by nature.
Day 11: Ba Be – Hanoi ~220 km (B/L)
- Our final ride is a comfortable journey along quiet secondary roads through Thái Nguyên and Bắc Kạn. We return to Hanoi around 5 PM, concluding a spectacular 11-day expedition across Vietnam’s grand highlands.

Includes:

Motorbike jacket, rain gear, helmets
All petrol (gasoline)
Motorbikes: 1 bike per person - Honda XR150
Accommodation at ecolodges, hotels, homestays as mentioned
Experienced English-speaking guide
Meals as stated in the itinerary (B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner)
(Optional) Vegetarian and vegan food is available
Bottled water
All sightseeing tickets and travel permits on frontier
All Taxes and Fees
No extra charge after confirmation
24/7 hotline support guaranteed

Excludes:

Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
Travel insurance
International flights and taxes
Beverage
Other personal expenses: drinks, souvenir, etc.

What To Take:

Pack essentials, including light comfortable clothes suitable for outdoor activities, comfortable walking shoes. Take a small day pack for hiking and trekking
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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Accommodation 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.