Atypical and authentic, this tour will take you to the North of Vietnam to discover sumptuous landscapes, preserved places, rich cultures from ethnic minorities… To discover another Vietnam!
You will admire the mountains of Sapa by venturing into the heart of the villages and perhaps sleep at the inhabitant’s house, discover the superb rice fields of Ha Giang, Dong Van and Meo Vac, reach the waterfall of Ban Gioc to admire the splendid sights on each side, sail on the lake Ba Be, to finally appreciate the authentic old district of Hanoi and all its wealth.
Whether you land at the airport, enter the city by train or bus, you will be picked up at any time and accompanied to our hotel by private vehicle or cab.
We individually adapt your program to your mode and time of arrival in Hanoi.
Thus, we can, in consultation with you, shift the beginning of your program according to your arrival time, to give you time to acclimatize!
During this Nature and Culture of North Vietnam tour, you will enjoy
Contemplate various landscapes
- Air routes in Ha Giang region
- Dong Van Geological Park
- Ba Be Lake, nicknamed Halong Bay in the mountains
- The impressive Ban Gioc waterfall in Cao Bang
The immersion in the daily life of the mountain ethnic groups
- The Tay around Ba Be lake and in the rice valleys of Ha Giang
- The Black Hmong, people of the highest peaks
- The Red Dao with red scarves
The PLUS of the Pilgrim
- A small group during the excursions
- A permanent link with the hotel if necessary
- Nights in the homes of local people in comfort mode
- Accompaniment by experienced guides
Make the experience last
- A longer stay in one or more villages mentioned in the program
- An extension to the North East of Vietnam
- An extension to the region of Bac Ha and Sapa
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Tour idea to personalize
A journey according to your desires
This trip proposal is 100% customizable according to your desires.
You will be able to modify your trip (duration, accommodations, activities and services) during our exchanges.
Day 1 Welcome to Hanoi!
Our guide and driver will pick you up around 7:30 am for a 6 to 7 hours drive to Sapa. Let us drive you and enjoy the change of scenery from a bustling metropolis to endless hills and rice fields.
Around noon, you will arrive in Sapa, at which time you will enjoy a local lunch.
Then, for your first trek, we will head through the rice terraces of Lao Chai to Ta Van village, inhabited by a H’mong community. Here you will have the chance to meet the local people and share their history and culture before driving back to Sapa for an overnight stay in a hotel.
Travel by bus : 7h.
Free meals.
Steps :
Hanoi,
Sapa
Accommodation :
At the hotel (Sapa)
Day 2 Trekking in the Sapa mountains
After having your breakfast, we start our trek by heading to the red Dzao village of Ma Tra, followed by the village of Ta Phin.
On the way, beautiful landscapes of rice fields and authentic villages around. We will end the day by staying with a local host family in Ta Phin, allowing you to discover their culture and traditions.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Steps :
Sapa
Accommodation :
In a homestay (Sapa)
Day 3 Discovering the Thai ethnic tribe
Today we leave Sapa for the border town of Vietnam, Ha Giang. On the way, we will stop at Hoang A Tuong (or the “house of the cat king”) in Bac Ha town and have lunch in Chang village, both inhabited by Tay communities.
After lunch, we continue our drive deeper into Ha Giang, enjoying spectacular scenery, before finally reaching the Tay village around 6pm, just in time for a home-cooked dinner. You will spend the night in this traditional Tay stilt house.
Travel by mini-bus : 6-8h.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Steps :
Sapa,
Ha Giang
Accommodation :
In a traditional house (Ha Giang)
Day 4 High mountain panoramas
After obtaining the mandatory permit at the immigration office, we begin the journey to Dong Van following a spectacular series of passes winding through mountains and valleys. On the way, you will enjoy an exceptional view of the hilly landscape and the diversity of flora and fauna.
We will have lunch in the small mountain town of Tam Son while visiting the villages of H’mong, Pho Bang, Pho Cao. You will have the chance to see the ancient palace of the H’mong king, Vuong Chinh Duc. You will arrive in Dong Van around 6:00 pm where you will have dinner in a local restaurant and spend the night in a hotel.
Travel by mini-bus : 5-6h.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Steps :
Ha Giang,
Dong Van
Accommodation :
At the hotel (Dong Van)
Day 5 Labyrinth of limestone peaks, stone forests and canyons
You will start the day with breakfast and a visit to Dong Van market, where people come from all the surrounding villages to buy and exchange essential products that they cannot produce themselves.
Then, you will hike 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 to the top of Ma Pi Leng Pass, through a giant labyrinth of limestone peaks, stone forests and canyons before descending into Meo Vac Valley.
Winding through the valley, we will finally reach the village of Bao Lac, where we will rest and have lunch before being driven to Cao Bang where you will spend the night in a hotel.
Traavel by mini-bus : 6h.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Steps :
Dong Van,
Meo Vac,
Cao Bang
Accommodation :
At the hotel (Cao Bang)
Day 6 The majestic waterfall of Ban Gioc
This day will probably be your highlight of the tour, as we will take you to one of the most incredible natural wonders in northern Vietnam; Ban Gioc Waterfall. The drive from Cao Bang takes about two hours and this breathtaking 300 meter wide waterfall is right on the border between China and Vietnam, amidst a beautiful mountainous landscape.
You can spend time relaxing in the glow of natural beauty, take amazing photos, and board a bamboo boat that will take you so close to the falls that you will feel the spray on your face, practically sitting down. Right on the 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 that have been carved by erosion over the millennia. After visiting the waterfall and the cave, you will take a beautiful road unknown to many, which winds through the mountains before reaching the Nung village of Quang Uyen.
You will be welcomed by the villagers and have dinner with them before settling down for the night in this comfortable traditional Nung house.
Travel by mini-bus : 4h.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Steps :
Cao Bang,
Ban Gioc,
Cao Bang
Accommodation :
In a traditional house (Cao Bang)
Day 7 Ba Be Lake also called Halong Bay in the mountains
Today, we leave Cao Bang and cross the Ma Phuc Pass to Ba Be National Park.
Once in the park, you will have time to explore the many wonders of the park, such as the lake itself, the Puong Grotto caves, the rapids of the Dau Dang waterfall and finally the small widow’s island located on the lake.
We will spend the night in a traditional Tay stilt house with a local host family.
Travel by mini-bus : 3,5h.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Steps :
Cao Bang,
Ba Be lake
Accommodation:
In a traditional house (Ba Be)
Day 8 Walk along the river and return to Hanoi
After breakfast, we will take you for a walk along the river to visit some of the surrounding villages, followed by a hike to one of the highest points around the lake, offering you impressive views surrounded by limestone formations and mountain peaks.
Then, head to Hua Ma cave, famous for its thousands of stalactites and stalagmites, also known as the largest dry cave in northeast Vietnam.
After lunch at a local restaurant, it is time to return to Hanoi and say goodbye. Arrival at your hotel around 5pm.
Travel by mini-bus : 4-5h.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Etapes :
Lac de Ba Be,
Hanoï
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Price estimate
A journey according to your desires
Our trips are tailor-made (with private guides and drivers), so the price is never fixed for each Pilgrim traveler.
The price varies according to the number of travelers, the level of services, the seasonality, and the booking delays.
Count on this trip starting at $790 per person*. The only exact price will be the one that appears on your personalized and finalized quote.
* International flights are not included in this estimate.
This price includes :
- All travel on site
- Lodging at the hotel, at the inhabitant’s house
- Breakfasts and meals during the excursions
- Bilingual English-speaking guides
- Entrance fees to the sites to visit and activities
- Application fees and taxes
- All logistic services necessary for the organization of the program
This price does not include :
- Domestic and international flights and airport taxes to/from Hanoi
- Entry visa fees
- Drinks and other meals not mentioned in the program
- Water bottle (can be purchased on site)
- Telephone, personal expenses
- Any other service not mentioned in the “Price includes” section.
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