North Vietnam Adventure Tour 8 Days

Product Description

North Vietnam Adventure Tour 8 Day Itinerary is arranged in Lao Cai province, Sapa, Bac Ha, northern Vietnam. This is another multi-activity at challenging level. Visit remote hilltribe villages, trekking around Bac Ha, visit a ethnic highland market and cycling in Sapa.

Map of North Vietnam Adventure

Day-To-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Lao Cai – Bac Ha.

On the first day of this North Vietnam Adventure Tour you will be greeted by Lotussia Travel team at Lao Cai train station. Enjoy a short walk to a restaurant nearby for freshen up and then breakfast. Group meeting for regional information and tour briefing as well as clearing formality for traveling through the border region before leaving Lao Cai at about 08.30 for a 38 km road transfer to Thanh Binh Commune. Start trekking from Ban Khuong Bridge(594m) along a large path uphill for 1,5 hours to Ta Thien A Village(734m) of the Flower Hmong. Paying visit to some local homes and a village school here. Continue hiking uphill for another hour to Thai Giang Chai Village(941m) of the Zao Tien peoples. Explore the village and then lunch break. Ascending after lunch for half an hour to the hill top (1042m) and gradually downhill over an hour to the center of Lung Khau Nhin Commune (887m). Then follow the village path for 2 hours to Na Cap village of the Nung(740m). Walking to explore this village which over looking down to the Chay River for the rest of the afternoon.

Day 2: Bac Ha Trekking.

Leaving Na Cap(740m) at about 08.30 to 9.00 am. Trekking along a single dirt trail downhill for 2 hours via Na Vang Village of the Nung(563m), then through burnt over land and terraced paddies to Chay River(270m). Cross the river by boat to the other bank and enjoy a long break before ascending along a narrow dirt trail up steep hill for 1,5 hour(slope: 15% to 35%) to Coc Re Village of the Flower Hmong(600m). Explore the village and then lunch break. The trek in the afternoon is easier as the trail winds its way on high hill sides for over 1 hour offering great view of the magnificent valley along the Chay River, passing Khuan Pung village(710m) of the Zao and Nung. Reaching to the top at 761m in mid afternoon and then easy walk for 2 hours descending to Sin Chai Village, Ban Me Commune(565m). Arrival to home stay at about 5.00 pm. Relax and free walk to explore this charming village.

Day 3: Bac Ha Trekking.

Breakfast and departure at 08.30. Trek(565m) uphill for the whole morning. The trail is narrow and steep, some parts are really tough. But the surrounding nature and landscapes is perfect. Passing several hamlets of the Flower Hmong, enjoy contacting with local peoples who probably have ever met western visitors before. Lunch break near a hill-top (1541m). Afternoon trek makes a cut through the Man Than Commune southeastwards up and down hill for 1,5 hour until arriving to narrow valley. From here trekking along a trail running on hill side along the valley(1490m) for another 1,5 passing some small villages of the Nung and Flower Hmong and then slightly uphill to the home stay at the southern edge of Quan Than San Commune. Arriving at the home stay(1565m) in a hamlet of the Flower Hmong at about 05.00 pm. Dinner and then relax.

Day 4: Bac Ha Trekking.

Breakfast and then leaving Quan Than San at 09.00 am. The first portion of the trek(1565m) is easy for about 2 hours along the large and rocky path, mostly downhill to the center of the neighboring commune: Ta Van Chu(1275m). In a dry day, the group may leave the main path at some sections to make short cut through thick rain forest. Then the trail goes uphill the Thang Sin mountain range(1464m), passing some isolated hamlets of the Flower H’mong. Arrival to the top at noon and enjoy lunch break for an hour. Afternoon trek is easier as the path gradually descend to the large valley of Lau Thi Ngai commune(1059m) and later along a narrow stream through this stunning valley towards Bac Ha(917m) passing several hamlets of the Flower Hmong and later of the Tay villages which look prosperous thanks to plump gardens. Arriving in Bac Ha in late afternoon, check in hotel. Dinner and free walk to explore Bac Ha town let.

Day 5: Can Cau Market.

On the 5th day of this North Vietnam Adventure Tour, you will start your drive to Can Cau market. Situated 20 km from Bac Ha, Can Cau is a small, but very colorful market. Opening only on Saturdays, it always delivers a very photogenic display of Flower Hmong, Black Zao, Phu La ethnic costumes. After spending the whole morning exploring the market, you will leave the market for Bac Ha town for lunch. In the afternoon, you will take a walk to Ban Pho, a small village of Nung and Flower H’mong. The villagers grow vegetables and fruit trees. One of the most famous fruit of the area is plum. Visit a local house and taste a cup of corn wine, another famous product of the village. Then go back to hotel late in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Bac Ha at hotel.

Day 6: Bac Ha – Sapa.

After breakfast, you will spend the whole morning joining the local tribal peoples including Flower H’mong, Black Zao, Phu La and Tay for the market activities and festive atmosphere. All peoples in their best traditional costume gather every Sunday for shopping, but socializing is of great importance. The cattle and clothing sections are the most interesting until 11.00 and then comes the food section where peoples meet, talk, enjoy food and especially drink a kind of locally made corn-wine. Lunch will be provided in a local restaurant in Bac Ha town. In the afternoon, travel to Sapa.

Day 7: Sapa Trekking.

Start the trip from Sapa, 10 minutes road ride southwards of Sapa town let. Turn left and follow a large dirt and rocky track 1 hour uphill to Hang Da Village of the Hmong neat the top of Den Thang Mountain. Enjoy great view of Muong Hoa Valley and a short walk to explore this isolated village. Continue riding for 15 minutes on high elevation of the mountain side and then the track become narrow and tough for 1 hour downhill. Some part of the trail are really tough with loosed rocks. Passing several hamlets of the Black Hmong of Hau Thao Commune with some short stops for meeting peoples. Continue to Hoa Su Pan Village. Cycle along the zigzag motor way another 1 hour to Thanh Phu Village of the Tay. Lunch break. Ride for the whole morning along a single dirt track through the lush area to Nam Cum Village, paying visiting to some Red Zao home here before continue to Sin Chai B. Arriving to home stay at about 4.30 pm, enjoy a leisure walk to explore this charming village of the Red Zao. Dinner and home stay.

Day 8: Sapa Cycling.

Today’s ride will be a little softer. Biking track is a combination of single dirt trail and large path. Leaving Sin Chai B at 09.00 am, riding along a large rocky path 20 minutes and then turn to dirt path for 1 hour to Nam Nhiu. Continue from Nam Nhiu to Nam Sai Valley. Walk around this beautiful valley, paying visit to the Tay who live in stilt houses. Lunch break. Biking after lunch for 3 km along a large path then turn to dirt path to My Son, walk to explore this village of the Xa Pho. Ride uphill along a single dirt track to Nam Toong village of the Red Zao and then downhill to Thanh Phu Bridge. You will be picked up by your vehicle again and transferred back to Sapa. North Vietnam Adventure Tour is completed.

Vietnam private tours

Lotussia Travel is a Hanoi tour operator offering a wide selection of multi-activity holidays in Vietnam. Options include countryside cycle, mountain biking, road cycling, jungle trek, trekking homestay, mountain hiking, peaks climbs, motorbike, scouter touring, camping, caving expeditions, kayaking, boat trips, cruise, sightseeing, culture tours. Most of our trips are private customized, and specially designed for small group tours, family vacations. The itinerary above – North Vietnam Adventure Tour is only a sample that can be further customized to better fit your requirements. Just follow it or contact us for designing your perfect adventure.

Additional Information

Primary activity	Multisport
Trip duration	8 days
Depart from	Lao Cai
Travel destination	Bac Ha, Can Cau, Sapa
End at	Sapa
Adventure level	Challenging

Itinerary disclaimer

Occasionally our tour itineraries are updated during the year to incorporate improvements stemming from past travelers’ comments and our own research. The information given in this itinerary may be slightly different to that in the service proposal. It’s very important that you print and review a final copy of your itinerary a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans. If you have any queries, please contact us. We are here to help you!

Please note that while we operate successful trips in Vietnam throughout the year, some changes may occur in our itineraries due to inclement weather and common seasonal changes to timetables and transport routes. This can happen with little notice so please be prepared for modifications to the route. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary from time to time.

Inclusions

Depending on the proposed option (semi-guide tour or all-inclusive package tour), the price may include the following services. Please bear in mind Lotussia Travel is specialized in tailor-made trips. Trip cost vary depending on group size and other details.

Car transfers.
Local tour guide. The English-Speaking guide is provided by default. Other language may be available upon request (with extra charge).
Meals.
Entrance fees.

Exclusions

Unless required most of the following services are usually not included in our tour price.

Visa
Flight/Train tickets.
Accommodation.
Tour leader.
Local porter(s).
International travel insurance.
Drinks.
Tips.
Personal expenses.

Tour guide

Our tour guides speak English or French. They hold a university degree in tourism and national license as a guide. If you wish to send a tour leader along with any group, he or she can fully rely on the knowledge and experience of our local guides.

Remote treks are always accompanied by a local representative to deal with permits and authorities and manage the porter team. They speak the local dialects, know the cultural traditions and give tips on suggested behavior in fragile ecological areas and tribal communities. For some itineraries, the role of tour leader and representative is combined.

Driver

Our drivers don’t speak English. It’s possible that a few of them might know some basic words, such as telling time, stop, and lunch. If you’re looking for effective communication throughout the journey, we highly recommend booking a tour guide.

Trip routes

Principally, Lotussia Travel requires all the trip associates to know the destinations well by any means of traveling or enquiry to the local suppliers to figure out all the relative details of any trip. For adventure tours such as jungle trekking, mountain hiking, sea kayaking, river rafting or biking, cycling tours, Lotussia Travel will never add any new routes into available schedule until survey or pre-view it.

Accommodation

Lotussia Travel carefully choose all the hotels, guest-houses or home-stays based on service quality, location, and characteristics, doing best to make the accommodations in the remote small places as comfortable as possible. Please bear in mind that hotels in Vietnam might not be in the same standard in other country. Generally hotels in major cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh city, Hoian, Hue…are much better than hotels and guest-houses in mountainous areas.

Meals

Lotussia Travel take dinning as an indispensable experience to clients since it is an important part in Vietnamese culture. Therefore, Lotussia Travel will not intend take clients to the most expensive restaurants but non-touristy local ones which offer delicious, local food, with nice or interesting atmosphere. The restaurants might be simple in the country but LOTUSSIA Travel guarantee is sanitary and cleanliness. Or even on our trek, we encourage our cook offer client food with new tastes from day to day. During adventure itineraries to mountainous or remote areas, there is sometimes no choice for hotel and restaurants. We will try our best to bring you the best taste of local food.

Drinks

As the tap water in Vietnam is undrinkable, Lotussia Travel recommend clients to drink bottled water throughout your trip, or boiled water on treks. Lotussia Travel offers bottle water all the day, and soft drinks like Cola, Sprite or Vietnamese Tea or if possible juice in restaurants (if mentionned in itinerary). This is not automatically included in the packages. In simple restaurant or on camping, Lotussia Travel offers boiled water, instant coffee or juice, wrapped milk (Details are confirmed in bottom of your itinerary).

Transportation

In most destinations of Vietnam, all the roads are well paved though the traffic is quite messed up like in Hanoi, Hai Phong… We use proper vehicles, car, minibus or coach in good condition based on the size of the groups. We use 4WD only on the rough road where the other vehicles could not pass through or based on clients requirement on overland journeys or treks. For cycling itineraries, we usually use our support minibus or minibus with support truck. For sea kayaking, river rafting trips, diving packages we use standard boat as support. Detailed information is provided on our service proposal.

We use drivers who are native or local of each travel destination and maintain good safety records for all trips. Most of our drivers can speak English but a little bit. This is just enough to understand basic words such as “time of departure”, “stop”, “restaurants”, “hotels”…If you want to learn more about Vietnamese culture and information about sightseeing sites, booking a tour guide is highly recommended.

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