Mountain Tribes & Jungle Rivers Expedition – 7 Days 6 Nights

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Ride deep into the hidden highlands of northern Vietnam on this immersive 7-day motorbike expedition. This rarely visited region reveals some of Vietnam’s most dramatic scenery — towering terraces, cloud-wrapped ridgelines, jungle river valleys, and villages of the Red Dao, La Chí, Nùng, Tày, and H’Mông people.

Designed for riders seeking authentic culture, winding mountain backroads, and off-the-map landscapes, this journey climbs through the terraced kingdom of Hoàng Su Phì, crosses narrow borderland trails, reaches the clouded summit of Chiêu Lầu Thi (2,402 m), and follows rural highland tracks toward Xín Mần.

The expedition finishes in the peaceful lake district of Ba Bể — a serene world of limestone cliffs, emerald waters, and Tày stilt-house hospitality.

A perfect cultural and scenic expedition into Vietnam’s untouched tribal heartlands.

Destination:

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Mountain Tribes & Jungle Rivers Expedition – 7 Days 6 Nights

Tour Code: MTB07E
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Route: Bắc Quang – Hoàng Su Phì – Bản Phùng – Nậm Ty – Chiêu Lầu Thi – Khuôn Lùng – Xín Mần – Ba Bể – Hanoi
Riding Style: Mountain backroads & light adventure, optional off-road
Difficulty: 🟠🟠🟢⚫⚫ Intermediate — suitable for confident riders

Tour Highlights

Ride into the remote highlands of Hoàng Su Phì, home to some of Vietnam’s most beautiful rice terraces.
Stay with Red Dao, La Chí, and Tày families in traditional stilt houses.
Conquer the breathtaking summit of Chiêu Lầu Thi (2,402 m) — one of the highest peaks accessible by motorbike.
Explore off-the-map valleys, jungle rivers, and ridge routes known mostly to local tribes.
Experience highland culture, herbal baths, local markets, and mountain life.
Finish at Ba Bể National Park with a peaceful boat trip on emerald waters.
A unique itinerary rarely offered by other operators.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Hanoi – Bắc Quang – Thông Nguyên ~250 km (B/L/D)
- We leave Hanoi early and follow quiet secondary roads north, passing farmland, rivers, and forested foothills. By midday we reach Bắc Quang and begin climbing into the mountains, where terraced valleys and Dao villages dominate the scenery.
  
  We settle into a family-run homestay in Thông Nguyên, surrounded by rice terraces and evening mountain mist.
Day 2: Thông Nguyên – Hoàng Su Phì – Bản Phùng ~90 km (B/L/D)
- Today we ride into the heart of Hoàng Su Phì, one of Vietnam’s most spectacular terraced regions. Narrow mountain roads guide us through Dao and La Chí settlements before reaching Bản Phùng, a ridge village with sweeping views over layered terraces.
  
  A peaceful homestay here offers sunset views and warm local hospitality.
Day 3: Bản Phùng – Nậm Ty ~80 km (B/L/D)
- We follow winding ridge roads through forested hills and small highland markets. The route descends into river valleys before climbing again toward Nậm Ty, a remote Red Dao area known for traditional herbal baths, indigo dyeing, and terraced fields.
  
  Dinner and homestay with a Red Dao family.
Day 4: Nậm Ty – Chiêu Lầu Thi – Khuôn Lùng ~80 km (B/L/D)
- A highlight of the trip. We climb toward the rugged summit of Chiêu Lầu Thi (2,402 m), riding through mist forests and steep switchbacks. The final stretch may include rocky or dirt sections depending on weather.
  
  After enjoying panoramic views on clear days, we descend into the quiet highland commune of Khuôn Lùng, where we spend the night.
Day 5: Khuôn Lùng – Xín Mần ~90 km (B/L/D)
- Today’s ride crosses through ethnic H’Mông and Nùng regions, passing stone-walled houses, corn valleys, and scenic river crossings. The road toward Xín Mần offers beautiful mountain curves and excellent photography points.
  
  Overnight at a comfortable local homestay.
Day 6: Xín Mần – Bắc Hà – Ba Bể National Park ~180 km (B/L/D)
- We descend from the mountains toward Bắc Hà, famous for its vibrant highland market (best on Sundays). After lunch we ride south toward Ba Bể, following quiet forested roads and rural valleys.
  
  By late afternoon we arrive at Ba Bể National Park, staying in a peaceful Tày stilt house.
Day 7: Ba Bể – Boat Trip – Hanoi ~220 km (B/L)
- A relaxing start to the day with a boat journey on Ba Bể Lake, gliding between limestone cliffs and jungle-covered riverbanks. After lunch, we ride south along small provincial roads toward Hanoi, arriving in the late afternoon.
  
  Tour ends back in the capital.

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.

Review

5 average based on 2 reviews.

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Nathan G

Wrote a review 6 - 2024

6 Days Hanoi, Ba Be Lake, and Ha Long Bay Guided Motorcycle Tour in Vietnam

Review of: Hanoi - Ba Be Lake - Halong Bay 6 days 5 nights

Guide - Hue
Mechanic - Ý (sounds like E)

Motocycles - Yamaha WR155R Dual Sports (perfect for everything Vietnam)

This was the most amazing & challenging motorcycling trip my friend and I have ever done!

Most trips just take you straight on the lame hot, boring, high traffic highways to the spots, but Hue and Ý led us through such diverse towns and countryside, with every type of road, trail, and terrain you can imagine!

From crazy cities, towns, and villages with their busy streets, tight alleyways, random animals everywhere; to high speed twisties up and down the mountains, country roads seeing the local life, being welcomed and awed by everyone we saw with the dual sports; to jungle forest trails with random muds pits, jumps, rock climbing; to chill straights out in the open taking in all the memorizing beauty of Vietnam.

They made sure we had the best time, 24/7 for 6 days straight. They'd watch what we are already knew a out riding, what we could learn, and throw it all at us, everyday! They made sure we enjoyed what we were already good at, and also throw us some challenges everyday! I loved the diversity and we saw and experienced it all.

They are some of the most passionate and hard working guys I've ever met! They were our coaches, guides, mechanic, and friends, teaching us about their country and riding. Some days we got to points we didn't know how the we'd make it though, but we all helped eachother and made it. We spent our evenings with them having drinks, laughing about the rides, and taking just talking about life and our passions.

OMG what an adventure! Thank you Hue and Ý!

Date of experience: 6 2024

leigh c

Wrote a review 4 - 2023

North East Vietnam

Review of: Hanoi - Ba Be Lake - Halong Bay 6 days 5 nights

A great holiday in north east Vietnam with Mr linhs advertures. We had a party of 4 and a private tour with Vui Tri Nha as our personal guide and driver was Mr luang.
I did a lot of research and put together the places we wanted to vist and was well rewarded with a reasonable price and an excellent tour.

North east Vietnam runs a lot of the time along the Chinese border and we really felt like we saw some fantastic places with very authentic villagers. We only saw about 6 other travellers in the entire 6 days till we got to Halong Bay. So if you want to get away from the tourist hoards this is the area to get to that still retains some traditional ways of living along with entirely different scenery
Scenery was beautiful, stunning and very photogenic. Villages very friendly and lovely to see their way of life

I highly recommend this tour with our guide and the driver, so full of amazing facts and very very helpful, nothing went wrong and we thoroughly recommend the tour.

Date of experience: 4 2023

Mr Linh's Adventure

Hi Leigh. Thank you so much for your kind and positive feedback! We’re glad you enjoyed your time with Nha and Mr. Long, as they’re two of our best guys. We’re also happy to hear that you experienced the true off-the-beaten-track nature of Northeastern Vietnam, as that is what we pride ourselves in delivering. We here at Mr. Linh’s Adventures sincerely hope that if you ever return to Vietnam (or elsewhere in South East Asia), that you’ll consider booking a t...Read Morerip with us again. Sincere Regards, Read Less

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