Ethnic riches – Great adventure of Tonkin – 23 DAYS

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Hanoi - Xa Linh - Hang Kia

  Transfer in the morning towards the northwest, to Xa Linh. As soon as you leave the city, the landscape changes quickly. Discover the life of the peasants in the rice fields. From Hoa Binh, the road crosses valleys cultivated by the Muongs, close cousins of the Vietnamese from the Mekong delta. Meeting with the White Thais, who live in large numbers at the bottom of the Mai Chau valley. Arrival at Xa Linh, a village inhabited by the H’Mongs. Start of the first 2-hour walk towards the village of Hang Kia, located in a high valley (the H’Mongs cultivate corn, plum trees, etc.). Dinner and overnight stay with a local family.

• day 2

  Hang Kia - Cun Pheo - Xam Khoe

  Hiking in the jungle, frequented only by hunters and mountaineers in search of dry wood. You descend fairly steep slopes, cultivated by the H’Mongs, then cross the rice fields where you meet the White Thais in a stilt house. 5 to 6 h of walking Dinner and overnight stay with locals.

• day 3

  Xam Khoe - Van Mai

  Early morning wake-up with the locals heading to work in the fields. Start of the hike: you cross the White Thai villages located along the path. The houses are all backed against the mountains and face the fields; in front are the orchards, stables, and ponds used for fish farming (the Thais are very hospitable and often offer fish-based dishes to their guests). The walk is on flat and easy paths. 5 to 6 h of walking Meal and overnight stay with a local family.

• day 4

  Van Mai - Pom Koong – Moc Chau

  In the morning, after a short walk of about 3 hours, you finish your hike at Pom Koong, a very beautiful White Thai village located in the heart of the Mai Chau valley, in the middle of a lush green rice field. Lunch. Then, head to Moc Chau, where you arrive at the end of the afternoon. Moc Chau is the high plateau of tea hills. The landscapes there are magnificent. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel. 3 h walk

• day 5

  Moc Chau – Phu Yen – Nghia Lo

  Departure towards Nghia Lo. Visit of Thai and Muong villages along the way. Several photo stops are possible throughout the journey. Arrival in Nghia Lo. Overnight stay with a local family.

• day 6

  Nghia Lo – Tu Le

  The day begins with a hike or bike ride in the Nghia Lo valley. Meeting with the Thais in the valley. Then, heading to Tu Le. Hike in the Tu Le valley. Meetings with the Thais in the valley. Night in a small hotel in Tu Le.

• day 7

  Tu Le – La Pan Tan – Mu Cang Chai

  Journey towards Mu Cang Chai, a place known for its splendid terraced rice fields. Hike on the "photographers' road" in the La Pan Tan area. The fantastic terraced rice fields accompany you throughout the journey. Meeting with the Hmong people of the region. Overnight stay with locals in Mu Cang Chai.

• day 8

  Mu Cang Chai – Binh Lu – Sapa

  Route towards Sapa. Stops to visit ethnic villages along the way (Na Tam village of the Lu and the Laos). In the afternoon, continue the road to Sapa via the Hoang Lien Son pass. It is the highest in Vietnam at 2047 m altitude. Magical landscapes accompany the entire journey. Possibility to admire the highest point in Vietnam, FANSIPAN, at 3143 m high. Arrival in Sapa at the end of the afternoon. Check-in at the hotel.

• day 9

  Sapa – Hiking

  Hiking day on the Cat Cat – Y Linh Ho – Ta Van – Lao Chai route. Lunch along the way. The terraced rice fields are magnificent and omnipresent. Meeting with the Black Hmong and the Giay. Return to the city around 4 p.m. Free time to explore the city at your own pace: city market, the church.

• day 10

  Sapa – Ma Tra – Ta Phin – Bac Ha

  Morning: hike in the Ma Tra – Ta Phin area. Meeting with the Red Dao and Black Hmong. Return to Sapa around 12:00. Free lunch. Then departure towards Bac Ha. Stop to visit the Sino-Vietnamese border gate at Lao Cai. Arrival in Bac Ha at the end of the afternoon. Overnight stay with a local family.

• day 11

  Bac Ha – Visit to the market and hikes – Bac Ha

  The morning is dedicated to discovering the weekly Bac Ha market, which takes place only on Sundays in the town of Bac Ha. The ethnic groups of the region (Flower Hmong, Tay, Nung, Dao...) gather there to exchange goods (agricultural products, animals) and to meet after a hard week of work in the fields. Afternoon: hikes in the surroundings, villages of Ngai Thau and Phec Bay. Meeting with the Flower Hmong. Night in Bac Ha.

• day 12

  Bac Ha – Ha Giang

  Day of travel towards Ha Giang. Visit of ethnic villages along the way. Meeting with the ethnic groups: Tay, Nung. Arrival at the end of the afternoon. Installation at the local's home. Night at the local's home.

• day 13

  Ha Giang – hiking in the surroundings

  Day of walking in the surroundings of Ha Giang through authentic villages that still preserve stilt houses covered with palm leaves. These dwellings are very traditional. Meeting with welcoming inhabitants: Tay and Dao... Meals and overnight stay with local people.

• day 14

  Ha Giang – Yen Minh – Dong Van

  Morning: one-hour walk in the Tha village area to admire very beautiful stilt houses and rice fields. Departure for Meo Vac. The enchanting landscape of the region is present all along the road. Encounter with ethnic groups along the way (Hmong, Bo Y, Dao). Visit to the palace of the Hmong King in Dong Van, then a walk in the old town of Dong Van. Night at the hotel. Note: This day marks the entry into the Dong Van limestone plateau, listed among the world’s geological parks. This area benefits from a landscape of majestic mountains. They are inhabited by Hmong who plant corn in holes on the rocks. This geological park is nicknamed "the celestial Halong Bay" by Authentik Vietnam.

• day 15

  Dong Van – Lung Cu – Dong Van

  Full day dedicated to the Dong Van region: departure for the far north area – the Lung Cu flagpole. Climb to the summit, which offers you a panoramic view of the surroundings and of China. Meeting with the colorful Lolo people of Lung Cu. Day dedicated to discovering the splendid landscapes of the limestone mountains. Night at the hotel in Dong Van.

• day 16

  Dong Van - Meo Vac – Bao Lac

  Departure in the morning to Meo Vac, crossing the Ma Pi Leng pass, which offers a paradisiacal landscape. The view encompasses the limestone mountains, the Nho Que river, and Hmong villages nestled on the mountainside. Lunch in Meo Vac. The journey continues towards Bao Lac. This region became known in France thanks to the episode of "Voyage en terre inconnue" with the rugby player Michalak. This documentary was filmed in the village of Lolo Noir, 9 km from the town of Bao Lac. Visit of ethnic villages and photo stops along the way. Night at Thuy Duong Hotel – Bao Lac.

• day 17

  Bao Lac – Ba Be

  Departure towards Ba Be via Tinh Tuc. Visit of ethnic villages (Tay, Dao, San Chi, LoLo) and numerous photo stops along the way. A splendid landscape accompanies the traveler throughout the journey. Arrival at Ba Be, then a 2-hour walk in the park along the lake to the village of Pac Ngoi. Overnight homestay at Mr. Tho's.

• day 18

  Ba Be - Cruise

  Transfer to the Buoc Lom pier. Discover the banks of the Nang River by boat. Magnificent forest landscapes all along the cruise. Stop to visit the Puong cave, where thousands of bats live. Then, head to the Dau Dang waterfall. Lunch in a restaurant by the river. Resume the cruise on the lake. Stop to visit the Fairy Pond, located in the middle of the primeval forest. Possibility to swim in the lake if the weather permits. Disembark around 4 p.m. Walk along the lake to the village. Dinner and overnight stay with a local family.

• day 19

  Ba Be - Cao Bang – Phuc Sen Blacksmith Village

  Morning: bike ride to the HUA MA cave (5 km). It is one of the most beautiful caves in Vietnam thanks to its stalactite and stalagmite formations. Then, return to the village of Pac Ngoi around 11 a.m. Route towards Cao Bang. Overnight in the village of Phuc Sen, with the NUNG. This village is known for its blacksmithing craft. Overnight with a local family.

• day 20

  Phuc Sen – Ban Gioc Waterfall – Nguom Ngao Cave

  Transfer towards the Ban Gioc waterfall, located on the Sino-Vietnamese border. This waterfall, on a river shared by China and Vietnam, is considered the most beautiful in Vietnam. Then, visit to the Nguom Ngao cave, over 3 km long, featuring magnificent stalactites and stalagmites. Return to the village, with the possibility to participate in the work of the village blacksmiths. Overnight stay with a local family.

• day 21

  Hiking in the Phuc Sen – Cao Bang area

  Morning: hike in the Quang Uyen area. Crossing the Nung villages, rice fields, and valleys. Meeting friendly and welcoming locals along the way. Then, drive to Cao Bang. Check-in at the hotel. Free time to discover the city at your leisure.

• day 22

  Cao Bang – Lang Son

  Road towards Lang Son, the city benefits from trade with China. Stops to take photos and visit villages along the way. Arrival in Lang Son. Visit to the Tam Thanh pilgrimage center with the cave that houses a magnificent pagoda. Possibility to admire the statue of Widow To Thi, symbol of Vietnamese female fidelity. Night at the hotel.

• day 23

  Lang Son - Hanoi

  Route to Hanoi via Bac Giang. Stop to visit the Chi Lang gate, known as an ancient battle site between the Vietnamese and the Chinese. Arrival in Hanoi at the end of the day. End of our services.