Summary
The whole of northern Vietnam offers so much to discover. While all mountainous it also presents a lot of variations in landscape and sights to take in. On our ‘Big Loop’ we ensure to cover three of the most famous sights and areas – the Ba Be Lake (entrancing fresh-water lake surrounded by the high limestone mountains and primeval jungle and retains its beauty year-round), the Ban Gioc waterfall (this 30 m high and 200 m wide fall on the boarder of Vietnam/China will stun any visitor) and the Ma Pi Leng mountain pass (without doubt the most astonishing mountain road in Vietnam. 20 km of winding road that formally hangs on the mountain side with jaw dropping views at every bend)
This tour presents some longer days on the bike so both stamina and experience (especially if self-driving) is a requirement.
Possibility to self-drive or to ride pillion (behind guide/driver). If self-driving, we recommend extensive prior motorcycling experience accommodation will be in a mix of ethnic minority homestay and hotels
Itinerary
The tour may be done clockwise or anti-clockwise around the loop and will depend on driving skills, seasons and market-days.
DAY 1: Day 1: Ha Giang – Bac Quang – Na Hang – Ba Be Lake, approx.
245 km drive
After some breakfast, we on a ‘marathon loop’, but even if there are many kms to cover it is for a large part on easy roads where we make up distance at quite a speed. We go south out on highway QL 2 till we reach Viet Quang where we turn into road TL 279 and we will reach the small town of Na Hang where we stop for lunch. After lunch we ‘finally’ meet beautiful mountains roads taking us over a spectacular mountain pass before reaching the town of Cho Ra in late afternoon where we branch of and go down Ba Be Lake. Here we check into a nice Homestay by the lake and which will provide us a wonderful dinner, bed and breakfast. (Day includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 2: Ba Be Lake
We will spend the full day on and around the lake. After breakfast we will enjoy a boat ride and explore the lake and its surroundings. The lakes have a lot to offer, including waterfalls, rivers, valleys and caves all set amidst picturesque landscapes. Lunch and dinner at the Homestay. (Day includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 3: Ha Giang – Cao Bang – Ban Gioc Waterfalls, approx.
205 km drive
After breakfast we travel north up and down the ‘snake pass’ and stop for our lunch in Cao
Bang City. We continue towards the Chinese boarder where at the end of the day meet the
breath-taking Ban Gioc Waterfall which spans over 300 meters, split half and half between Vietnam and China. We spend the night in a Nung ethnic homestay and enjoy some traditional home-cooked dinner. (Day includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 4: Ban Gioc – Cao Bang – Bao Lac, approx.
210 km drive
After breakfast we start the morning to discover the Nguom Ngao Cave, an impressive natural wonder with a cave that stretches for 2,144 meters underground and is brimming with incredible stalactites and stalagmites. Then it is time for a ride through beautiful landscape and nice roads until we reach the small town of Ba Lac where we take into a hotel for the night. (Day includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 5: Ban Lac – Meo Vac – Ma Pi Leng mountain pass – Dong Van – Lung
Cu – Dong Van, approx. 145 km
From Bao Lac town we continue north and connect to QL 4C or ‘Road of Happiness’ and start driving north towards Meo Vac where we take lunch. After that we will climb up the majestic Ma Pi Leng mountain pass. 22 km of stunning beauty and a road that just hangs off the mountainside. We will reach the most norther town of Vietnam, Dong Van, but we continue on to reach the North pole.
Anyway, that is what the most northern point of Vietnam is jokingly called – Lung Cu and its famous flagpole tower which we climb and view China from the top. We return towards Dong Van where we stay in a hotel or homestay as what has been agreed. (Day includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 6: Dong Van – Sa Phin – Yen Minh – Tam Son – Ha Giang City, approx
150 km drive
If we are waking up on a Sunday in Dong Van the weekly big local market meets you before or after a breakfast. More ethnic minority groups than you can count have travelled on Saturday or extremely early on Sunday to reach here. Really colourful and people from near and far to do their weekly shopping and gossiping. Thereafter, we start our journey south. Soon we reach Sa Phin where we find the one-hundred-year-old palace of Vuong Chinh Duc – the King of H’mong people. We go down the Highland of Stone and reach Yen Minh where we take lunch and then climb a mountain pass covered in pine forest and sweeping rice terraces along our drive. Down to the Song La river valley until the road takes us up to Tam Son, over the Quan Ba mountain pass and back to Ha Giang. (Day includes Breakfast, Lunch)
Disclaimer: While above itinerary outline the broad and most likely inclusions. we are no firm believers in absolute programs. There are many reasons why things might have to be modified to situations and facts that may be both within the control and beyond when we embark on a tour.
Price includes (All-inclusive tour)
✓ English Speaking Tour guide
✓ All meals, as indicated in the itinerary (local Vietnamese food)
✓ Welcome drinks
✓ Accommodation (mix of ethnic minority homestay and hotel (shar by two – single room for extra fee possible)
✓ Quality Motorcycles
✓ All fuel cost
✓ All entrance tickets & permits
✓ Full or half-helmet, protective knee and elbow gear, basic rain clothes
✓ Bungee cords & plastic cover for your bags
✓ Free storage of excess luggage
✓ Free dorm bed, when arriving on a night bus (03.00-08.00)
Price excludes
✓ Gratuities & tips
✓ Alcoholic beverages if not served on behalf of third party like homestay
✓ Personal expenses
✓ Personal travel insurance
