Off the Beaten Path North Vietnam 6 days 5 nights

This tour takes you to the most stupendous region of Vietnam, visiting the markets of ethnic people, the mountains of the Black H'mong of Dong Van and Ma Pi Leng Pass, as well as the magical Ba Be Lake, all while travelling along spectacular mountain roads.

Destination:

Ba Be National Park - A wild treasure home to one of the biggest natural freshwater lakes in Asia
Ban Gioc Waterfall - Fourth largest waterfall in the world offering a breathtaking sight
Ha Giang Province - Vietnam's final frontier rich of a multitude of ethnic cultures and stunning landscapes

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Tour code: NA20E
Duration: 6 days 5 nights

Day 1: Hanoi - Ha Giang (L, D)
- Your guide will collect you from your hotel in Hanoi at 8am, beginning your journey to the stunning mountains of Ha Giang where you will slowly see the scenery around you change from bustling metropolis to rolling countryside. Not far out of Hanoi, you will stop in Duong Lam Ancient Village, a site rich in history and culture, containing such sites as Mong Phu Temple and Mia Pagoda with its 287 statues and centuries old houses. Here we will enjoy a taste of rural life as we are served a home-cooked local meal for lunch, before continuing to Ha Giang, marvelling at the spectacular views along the way. Once in Ha Giang City, we will check in to our local homestay and enjoy a home-cooked dinner.
  
  Highlights and activities: Duong Lam Ancient Village, Ha Giang.
  Accommodation: Mr Doan's Homestay
  Meals: Lunch, Dinner at local restaurant.
Day 2: Ha Giang - Dong Van (B, L, D)
- As we set out from Ha Giang after getting our permit from the immigration office, your journey to Dong Van will be filled with spectacular landscapes in the form of a series of long passes. En route you will stop for lunch at the small and beautiful mountain village of Tam Son, then move for hike to secret Lung Cam B village of black Hmong before heading to the majestic “King of the H’mong Palace”, a fortress built by a local chief, Vuong Chin Duc, who allied himself with French forces against the Viet Minh. Built in the 1900’s, this palace was designed in the style of ancient Chinese architecture dating to the Qing era, and it was made from materials such as solid stone blocks, wood and terracotta tiles. Once you’ve finished at the palace, we continue on our journey until we reach Dong Van at around 5pm, where we’ll have dinner at a local restaurant and stay for the night.
  
  Highlights and activities: Tam Son, Lung Cam B, King of the H'mong Palace. ~ 5-7km hike.
  Accommodation : Hoa Cuong Hotel
  Meals: Breakfast at homestay. Lunch, Dinner at local restaurant.
Day 3: Dong Van - Meo Vac - Cao Bang (B/L/D)
- You’ll start the day off with breakfast and a visit to the Dong Van Market (if it is Sunday), where locals come from all the surrounding villages to purchase and trade for essentials they cannot produce themselves. Then you will be making the trek up to Pu Lo fortress which was built in 1890 and evacuated in 1945. From here you can enjoy spectacular views of the entire region, before climbing 8 km to the top of Ma Pi Leng Pass, through a gigantic maze of limestone peaks, stone forests, and canyons before descending into the valley of Meo Vac. You will then descend into the valley of Meo Vac, visiting Meo Vac Market before continuing on the snaking road through the mountains, crossing the river, and arriving in Cao Bang. You will have dinner and spend the night in Cao Bang.
  
  Highlights and activities: Dong Van, Ma Pi Leng Pass, a 8-km trek
  Accommodation: Thanh Loan Hotel
  Meals: Breakfast at hotel. Lunch, Dinner at local restaurant.
Day 4: Cao Bang- Ban Gioc Waterfall (B/L/D)
- This day is likely to be your highlight of the tour, as we take you to one of the most incredible natural wonders in Northern Vietnam; Ban Gioc Waterfall. The drive here from Cao Bang is roughly two hours, and this breath-taking 300-metre wide cascade sits right on the border between China and Vietnam, amidst a beautiful mountainous landscape. While you’re here you can spend your time relaxing in the glow of the natural beauty, take some amazing photos, and board a bamboo boat that will take you so close to the falls you’ll feel the spray on your face, practically sitting at the very edge of Vietnam, so close to China that you can actually touch it. After enjoying the waterfall, you will venture deep underground into the magical Nguom Ngao Cave to discover the rock formations which have been carved by erosion over millennia. After visiting the waterfall and cave, you will travel down a beautiful road which is unknown to many, which winds through the mountains before reaching the Nung village of Quang Uyen. You will be welcomed by Mr. Hung Dao, an amazingly friendly blacksmith, before having dinner at his house and settling in for the night in this cosy traditional Nung house.
  
  Highlights and activities: Ban Gioc waterfall, Nguom Ngao Cave, a 2 - 3 km trek
  Accomodation : Mr Kim's Homestay
  Meals: Breakfast at hotel. Lunch in local restaurant, dinner in homestay
Day 5: Cao Bang - Ba Be Lake (B/L/D)
- Your day will start with breakfast at the Nung’s house followed by a three-hour drive to Cho Ra before finally reaching Ba Be National Park. Once we arrive we’ll first re-fuel by having a local lunch, then travel down the Nang River to explore the huge Puong cave by boat and kayaking. pass through some steep terrain with many cat ears cliffs and visit the unmissable spots on Ba Be Lake such as Widow island, Cam village. We can swim in Ba Be lake and getting to Ba Be Jungle Houses to enjoy your night with BBQ dinner.
  
  Highlights and activities: Ba Be Lake, Boat trip, Puong Cave, a 2 - 3 km trek
  Accommodation: Mr Linh's Homestay
  Meals: Breakfast in homestay. Lunch, Dinner at a homestay
Day 6: Ba Be Lake - Hanoi (B/L/D)
- 7:30 - Breakfast at our homestay. Begin a beautiful journey in Ba Be National Park from Bo Lu village. A guided conversation on local wildlife and flowers will expand your awareness of the unique Ba Be ecosystem as you walk through the beautiful jungle. Reach Tham Khit pathways to an ancient cave - wandering around the lake to the panoramic views of the ranger station's animal observation huts. Continue your hike for another 2 kilometers to An Ma temple, a sacred Tay temple dedicated to mountain gods, lake gods, and feudal generals. Have lunch and enjoy your time in Ba Be National Park. Return to Hanoi. Tour ends.
  
  Highlights and activities: Tham Khit pathways, An Ma Temple, a 5 - 7 km trek
  Accommodation: Not included
  Meals: Breakfast at homestay. Lunch at a local restaurant

Tour Includes:

Professional vehicle transportations and commercial vehicle insurance. Professional driver
(Optional) 4×4 car with material insurance
All private transfer and transportation
Private door to door pick-up drop-off services
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
Motor-boat with floating jackets in Ba Be (Extra Trek)
Bamboo raft tour on Ban Gioc waterfall
Motor-boat with floating jackets in Ba Be
Trekking tour in Ha Giang and in Ba Be National Park
Nguom Ngao Cave walking tour
All Taxes and Fees
No extra charge after confirmation
24/7 hotline support guaranteed
(Optional) Child seats are required

Tour Excludes:

Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
Travel insurance
International & domestic 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...

Chat with a Guide

Hoa Cuong Hotel Dong Van

Address: Dong Van Town, Ha Giang Province

Hoa Cuong Hotel is located in the center of the ancient town of Dong Van district - Ha Giang, where the center of the Highland area of stone was recognized by UNESCO. The hotel opened in early 2015 is the most modern hotel in Ha Giang province

Mr Doan's Homestay

Address: Ha Thanh village, Phuong Do, Ha Giang City, Ha Giang Province

Visit Mr Doan, his wife and his two sons in a traditional stilts house of Tay ethnic minority group in North of Vietnam. He is a good chef and kind owner

Mr Kim's Homestay

Address: Phia Thap Village, Quoc Dan, Quang Uyen, Cao Bang province

Mr Kim’s Homestay stands out in green rice paddy fields of Phia Thắp Village, home to 50 families from the Nùng ethnic minority in Cao Bằng Province.
The traditional structure of Kim’s stilt house is still preserved. The house’s first floor, which used to be a cattle holding area, has been extended to make a cozy living room with wooden tables and chairs. The well-organised second floor is where tourists can sleep, providing more than 20 mattresses and eco-friendly decoration. Each mattress is well prepared with a pillow, a mosquito net, a lamp and an electricity socket.

Ba Be Jungle Houses

Address: Coc Toc village, Nam Mau commune, Ba Be district, Bac Kan province

A step up in amenities to Ba Be's homestays, this lakeside place in Coc Toc village takes the form of six small, spic-and-span, wood-panelled private rooms, and a dorm. Visitors are well looked after by friendly English-speaking staff.

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