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Explore the most splendid area of limestone mountain ranges and wonderful
terraced paddy fields. This is a great tour for those who love green Eco tours,
prefer untouched areas and are interested to explore customs of the hill tribes.
Perfect for photographers.
Day 1: Hanoi - Ba Be Lake (L,D)
In the morning we start our motorbike tour by leaving Hanoi on dyke roads to Mai Chau valley to avoid the heavy traffic around 9 am , we
ride our motorcycles west to Mai Chau, an area of beautiful landscape and home
to the Thai ethnic minority. We will ride on Highway 6 passing extensive farming
lands comprising a sea of paddy fields split by tree-lined roads punctuated by
limestone karst scenery.
After a light lunch in Hoa Binh Province, we cross Thung Khe, one of the most
beautiful mountain passes in North Vietnam then descent to the mountain valley
settlement of Mai Chau. After dinner we join performance, where you can dance
and share a range of special liquors (rice wine) with the locals. Overnight in a
house-on-stilts of the Thai people.
Day 2: Ba Be Lake - Cao Bang (B,L,D)
The best way to see Ba Be is by boat on Ba Be Lake, so the boat man will take
you through the entire length of the 3 connected lakes (Ba Be - "3 bays") The
boat then goes up river to the small village of Hua Tang. A short walk (20 m)
through the jungle takes you to the very scenic Thac Dau Dang Waterfalls, a
series of spectacular cascades between sheer rock walls, and then continue up
the Nang River, to an astonishing site: Dong Puong, an enormous tunnel (300m
long by 30m high) that the river has cut through the limestone mountain. After
lunch at Cho Ra town, we continue to drive towards Cao Bang. Here the ethnic
people of H’Mong, Dzao, Tho and Nung live together in harmony. We will arrive in
Cao Bang town at about 17h00. Check in your hotel, take a stroll around the
town. Overnight at hotel in Cao Bang town.
Day 3: Cao Bang - Ban Gioc - Bao Lac (B,L,D)
Breakfast at hotel, and go by car north of Cao Bang to the beautiful Ban Gioc
waterfall on the Chinese border. This picturesque, cascading waterfall is 53
metres high and has an impressive span of 300 metres. The drive there offers
unique landscapes, limestone karst formations that soar above the verdant rice
paddies of the surrounding farms of local ethnic minorities. Along the way, you
will see Tay, Hmong and Dzao ethnic minority groups. Lunch in restaurant nearby
Ban Gioc waterfall, heading back to Cao Bang. On the way, we come to visit the
expansive 2,144 meter Nguom Ngao Cave to discover its brilliant stalactites.
Return to Cao Bang then transfer to Bao Lac town and overnight in Song Gam river
hotel.
Day 4: Bao Lac - Meo Vac - Dong Van (B,L,D)
HAfter breakfast, we leave Bao Lac for Dong Van. Remember to prepare your camera
with spare batteries today since we will be almost reaching Heaven – the most
beautiful area. the scenery is really spectacular and you have the chances to
see and even visit the traditional houses of the hill tribes here. The scenic
route climbs over a pass, and then we descend down to Meo Vac valley, a
beautiful valley situated very close to Chinese border. Have lunch in local
restaurant then we climb over the Ma Pi Leng Pass where we can enjoy beautiful
mountain ranges and the the Nho Que river – just an amazing place to be! We
zigzag through the hairpin bends to Dong Van. Visiting these remote areas, we
will witness how hard the locals struggle in this harsh environment for survival
and development. We will stay in town to get the chance to visit the ancient
streets with old houses of the H’mong made of clay bricks and tile roofs, built
centuries ago. Overnight in Hotel in Dong Van town.
Day 5: Dong Van - Yen Minh - Quan Ba - Ha Giang (B,L,D)
Before we leave Dong Van today we visit Dong Van old quarter, Dong Van day
market (only on Sunday morning). We climb a pass up to the French Fortress of Pu
Lo, built in 1890 and evacuated in 1945, from which we enjoy a spectacular view
of the entire region. then a leisurely drive from Dong Van to Yen Minh & Quan
Ba.You should find today a leisurely pace, not too rushed. We will visit the
famous Vuong Palace, a H'mong family of high rank during French colonial rule -
this palace attracts keen interest from architecturally minded visitors due to
its mixed style of European and Chinese architecture. We then hit the road back
to Quan Ba and downhill to Ha Giang for the night. Overnight in Thai ethnic
village.
Day 6: Ha Giang - Hanoi (B,L)
Today the trip finishes, we will check out our of accommodation and say goodbye
our host. We head back to Hanoi via Tuyen Quang where we will have lunch and
some stops to take photos of still more beautiful landscapes and you off in
Hanoi in late afternoon.
TRIP ENDS |
