Summary
On this tour we explore one of the most fascinating motorcycle loops one can imagine – the Northern Ha Giang Loop. There is nothing ‘standard’ when venturing out on these roads and there is no ‘standard’ way how to put the roads together or what sights to explore more in depth. It all comes down to what one wish to put priority on, interest, seasons and driving skills.
On this tour there is the possibility to include some shorter ½ trekking if that is of interest.
For those interested in photography this tour progresses at a space where there is more
time for these opportunities both during the day of driving and with time when arriving for the afternoon final stop.
The tour will make sure to cover the common highlights of the loop such as Heaven’s Gate, the Highland of Stone, the Fairy Hills, Dong Van, the Ma Pi Leng mountain pass and the backroads of the spectacular inner Ha Giang mountains. The tour would also give opportunity to cherry-pick exploration of further sights without stress such as visits of the Lung Khuy Cave, Lung Tam female weaving cooperative
Possibility to self-drive or to ride pillion (behind guide/driver). If self-driving,
we recommend sound prior motorcycling experience
Accommodation will normally be a mix of ethnic minority homestay and hotel
(choice of doing all nights in homestay)
Itinerary
The tour may be done clockwise or anti-clockwise around the loop and will depend on driving skills, seasons and market-days. For the tour to include Dong Van or Meo Vac weekly Sunday market itneeds to start on a Thursday or Friday morning.
DAY 1: Ha Giang – Quan Ba – Du Gia, approx.
120 km drive
After some breakfast, we go out on ‘Road of Happiness’ and start driving north out of Ha
Giang City. We climb up the Quan Ba mountain pass and enter the Dong Van Geopark and reach the Heaven’s Gate and pass the Fairy Hills. In or around the small town of Tam Son we find our lunch. Thereafter we venture deep into Ha Giang mountains and reach the picturesque village of Du Gia. Here we will stay with an ethnic minority family at their homestay. We will have dinner and breakfast with the family. (Day includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 2: Du Gia – Meo Vac – (Ma Pi Leng) – Dong Van, approx.
110 km drive
We say thanks to the family of the homestay and head north, passing some of the most magnificent mountain passes you will ever have seen, pass the town of Meo Vac (where we take lunch) and move slowly up the majestic Ma Pi Leng mountain pass before reaching Dong Van, the most northern town in Vietnam. If one is up to it we can climb up to the ruins of the French fort and get a stunning view of the towns and its surroundings. Exploring the Old Quarter of Dong Van might be what others may enjoy after a long day on the bike. Stay in hotel or homestay as agreed for the tour. Maybe a Hot Pot for dinner?! (Day includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 3: Dong Van – Lung Cu – Sa Phin – Yen Minh – Nam Dam, approx.
120 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 go to the North pole. Anyway, that is what the most northern point of Vietnam is jokingly called – Lung Cu. We can climb the Lung Cu Flagpole and view China from the top, then we turn south and when we reach Sa Phin we visit 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 towards the village of Nam Dam where we check in with a lovely Dao ethnic minority family in their home and enjoy dinner and breakfast with them (Day includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 4: Nam Dam – Lung Khuy – Tam Son – Ha Giang City, approx.
70 km drive
hem We enjoy village life after breakfast, walk around the village and might go up to the local
waterfall. Then we go and explore the Lung Khuy cave. We take lunch in Tam Son after which we
will explore a stunningly beautiful side-loop that connect us back to Road of Happiness and back to
Ha Giang City where the tour ends. (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 & Inclusion
Price includes (All-inclusive tour)
✓ English Speaking Tour guide
✓ All meals, as indicated in the itinerary (local Vietnamese food)
✓ Welcome water
✓ 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
✓ Drinks, Alcoholic beverages if not served on behalf of third party like homestay
✓ Personal expenses
✓ Personal travel insurance
