LOST TRAILS OF UPPER TONKIN - 14 DAYS

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Hanoi – Arrival

  Welcome by the guide and the driver, direct transfer to a massage salon in the city center. The oil massage (upon your arrival), performed according to the oriental technique, allows you to recover and get rid of fatigue after a long flight. In the afternoon, a walking tour in the old quarter of the 36 guilds. Visit of the White Horse Temple and the lively Dong Xuan market. Return to your hotel. Dinner at your leisure and overnight at the hotel in Hanoi. Note: In general, check-in time is at 2pm.

• day 2

  Hanoi – Visit of the capital

  Let's start with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (visiting the interior on Mondays and Fridays is not possible) – father of the nation, founder of the Communist Party. Visit the exterior of the Presidential Palace, its garden, and especially the two houses where he lived until his death in 1969. Then, discover the One Pillar Pagoda – a pagoda with unique architecture in the world, dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy. Continue and transfer by vehicle to the Defense Pagoda, on the edge of West Lake, the largest lake in Hanoi, then visit the Temple of Literature – a sacred place dedicated to Confucius, which was the first university in Vietnam. Lunch and dinner are free in a small local restaurant (according to your guide's suggestion). At the beginning of the afternoon, discover the Museum of Ethnology – the most comprehensive museum on the culture, costumes, and traditions of the 54 ethnic minorities of Vietnam. Overnight at the hotel in the city center. Note: The visits indicated in the program may be modified or removed according to your physical condition and your wishes.

• day 3

  Hanoi – Thong Nguyen – Panhou Ecolodge

  Let's take national road 2 towards Ha Giang, through the province of Tuyen Quang, a mid-altitude region. Following part of the Clear River (Song Chay in Vietnamese), upon arrival at the Tan Quang crossroads, we change direction by taking a small zigzagging road along the mountainside, heading towards Hoang Su Phi then Thong Nguyen. We pass the two "Gates of Heaven," where clouds and mist are present all year round. Just before arriving at the Lodge, a beautiful sight awaits us: a valley filled with terraced rice fields, considered one of the most beautiful places for terraced rice fields in Vietnam. Arrival at the end of the day at a charming ecolodge, lost in the heart of the high Song Chay massif, bordered by a lovely stream. Dinner and overnight at Panhou Ecolodge.

• day 4

  Panhou Ecolodge – Ha Giang – Ha Thanh

  You retrace your steps back towards Ha Giang, following the Lo River (the clear river). But before getting there, you head west, in the surrounding area, to visit a Tay village, Tien Thang, located a few kilometers away in a basin surrounded by hills. You take a lovely walk among the rice fields and houses, always on stilts, unlike the houses of the Daos. There is a rather intense agricultural activity, between plowing, transporting food for the animals, etc. Stay with a Tay family in the village of Ha Thanh, in another valley, also on the edge of a basin occupied by rice fields. After a free lunch with them, you set off again for another 1.5-hour walk. Return to the homestay and you will help the family prepare dinner. Dinner and overnight stay with a Tay family in Ha Thanh.

• day 5

  Ha Giang – Dong Van

  We start the day with an ascent of a high pass up to the "Gate of Heaven", the first entrance gate to the Dong Van geological park, which offers an exceptional panorama of karstic reliefs, all forming a "park" of worldwide renown. At the pass, a stairway climb provides a panoramic view of the Nui Doi (Fairy Breasts) at Tam Son and its karst rock landscapes. We then follow the Mien river, sometimes passing at altitude and from one valley to another. After two small passes, we descend into the small town of Yen Minh where we have lunch in a local restaurant. About twenty kilometers from the town of Dong Van, we stop in the small village of Sung La, inhabited by two minority ethnic groups: the colorful H’Mong and Lo Lo. Visit of a typical old house, made of wood and clay. Walk on foot in the H’Mong village, crossing fields of buckwheat and vegetables up to the hamlet of the colorful Lo Lo. An exceptional site on our route: we will visit the Palace of the H’Mong King Vuong Chi Sinh, a unique palace by its size and architecture, built from plateau stones, hidden at the bottom of the Sa Phin valley. Not far from the town of Dong Van, several stops along the way to see magnificent karst rocks in the shape of sugar loaves. Night at the Hoa Cuong hotel.

• day 6

  Dong Van – Hiking – Meo Vac – Bao Lac

  The morning is devoted to discovering one of the four highest and most impressive passes in Vietnam: the Ma Pi Leng pass (mountain shaped like a horse's nose ridge). This 25 km long road connects two districts: Dong Van and Meo Vac. It is perched atop a mountain range, above the Nho Que river, and on the other side lies the border with China. It was named the "Happiness Road" by the Vietnamese who built it, after 11 months of work in 1965 by several minority ethnic groups. Several stops are possible according to your wishes and the guide's suggestions, to take photos of the karst peaks and the monument on this "photographers' road". At Pavi, meet with an escort, then we start our walk (3 to 4 hours) along a trail on the side of Ho Chua mountain. This walk allows us to enjoy magnificent views of the canyons and the Nho Que river. After a steep climb, we arrive at the village of Ti Cu Si, a Mong ethnic village with about twenty families. After a short visit to this village, we descend along a wider, rocky road to the village of Nia Do, hanging below a cliff, then to De Lung, located at the bottom of the valley of the same name. After a few small passes, we meet our vehicle waiting for us at the entrance to the village of Giang Thai Phin. Lunch on your own in Meo Vac, then continue by vehicle towards Bao Lac. Arrival in Bao Lac at the end of the day. Overnight at Duc Tai hotel in Bao Lac. Journey: 110 km – about 3 hours by road.

• day 7

  Bao Lac – Ba Be Lake

  In the morning, visit to the village of Khuoi Khon, inhabited by the Black Lo Lo (village featured in the France 2 show "Rendez-vous en terre inconnue" in 2010, with guest Michalak, the French rugby player). Discovery of this village to better understand their way of life. Meeting with the villagers before the detour by vehicle to join the main road. Continuation of the journey. In Tinh Tuc, new exceptional karst landscapes of "sugar loaves" will appear before the eyes of photographers! Meeting with Tay and Dao people along the way. Upon arrival in Pac Ngoi, accommodation with a local resident. Dinner and overnight stay with the local resident. Journey: 145 km – about 4 hours by road.

• day 8

  Ba Be – Boat excursion

  Excursion day on a motorboat for a detailed discovery of the lake. Crossing the entire lake, admiring beautiful reflections mixed with karst mountains, tree roots, fishermen pulling their nets... At the exit of the lake, descent to Cam hamlet, of the Tay ethnic group. Visit of the village and its school on foot. Then, retrieve the boat at the pier for an ascent of the Nang river up to the Puong cave. Lunch at your leisure according to your guide's suggestion. A short walk on a small path in the park allows you to reach the Dau Dang waterfall. Return by boat to the lake, disembark and walk back to the guesthouse. Ba Be Lake (three bays) is located in Ba Be National Park, Bac Can province. It is one of the largest natural freshwater lakes in the world. 8 km long and 1 km wide, it covers an area of 650 ha, with an average depth of 20-25 m. The lake is surrounded by a primitive forest and limestone mountain ranges with lush vegetation. The roots of the trees are reflected up to the edge of the water. The boatmen move gently, pulling fishing nets. Overnight with a local family.

• day 9

  Ba Be – Hanoi – Yen Nghia Village

  In the morning, a bike ride to go to the Hua Ma cave – in the commune of Quang Khe, which is ranked among the most beautiful and interesting caves of the national park due to its magnificent stalactites and the legends told over generations. Return to Pac Ngoi village for check-out. The road back to Hanoi, after a few days in the northern mountains, will allow you a gradual return from the countryside to the big city! Several stops along the way to meet locals or take photographs, according to your wishes. Arrival in Hanoi in the middle of the afternoon and direct transfer to Yen Nghia village, located in the suburbs of Hanoi. Upon arrival at the village, meet the family and settle into the room. We then set off (by bike or on foot) with your guide for a detailed discovery of the village through its many monuments: pagodas, temples, communal house... and also its gardens (orchids). Participation in the preparation of the meal with the family. Dinner with the family and overnight stay with locals. With the aim of developing responsible tourism, our agency Vactours has developed an exclusive product by setting up a guesthouse in the suburbs of Hanoi. This new house is located in a village 18 km from the city center (Yen Nghia village). It belongs to the family of Phuong, a French-speaking guide with a deep knowledge of Vietnamese culture, his wife and their two children (Lam Anh, 12 years old, and Ha, 9 years old). The house is brand new and the rooms (2 rooms) are well equipped and comfortable. Here is the link to the house and some walks in the surroundings: http://vac-tours.com/nos-produits-exclusifs

• day 10

  Hanoi – Mai Chau – Mai Hich

  You first head southwest to Mai Chau, 140 km from Hanoi, which you reach around noon, after a photo stop in the mountains as you descend into the valley where the small town of Mai Chau is located. It is this valley that is spectacular, as it is shaped like a bowl surrounded by a circle of mountains, and the town is situated on the edge of this bowl. Lunch is planned at a local's home in the village of Nhot (according to your guide's suggestion). You spend the afternoon walking in the surrounding countryside, at the bottom of the bowl, which is mainly occupied by rice fields. It is inhabited mainly by the White Thai ethnic minority, who build their houses on stilts, gathered in small villages. You go from village to village, which are surrounded by rice fields shimmering in the sun. You first arrive at the village of Pom Coong, and after making a loop, you finish at Ban Lac. In many houses, local handicrafts are displayed, especially fabrics with ethnic patterns, made on site, as you see several women weaving cotton on traditional looms. Transfer to Mai Hich. Possibility to visit the village of Cum before entering Mai Hich. Accommodation with a Thai family in the village of Mai Hich.

• day 11

  Mai Hich - Pu Luong Nature Reserve

  Day dedicated to discovering the preserved nature of the Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Departure around 8 am. Just at the entrance to the village of Mai Hich, we will take a walk of about 1h30 to discover all the natural beauty of the valley, alternating between chains of karst peaks and meanders of the Xia stream. You will meet your vehicle at the Khoe bridge. We will continue our adventure towards the Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Lunch is free according to your guide's suggestion. Stop to visit a bamboo chopstick factory along the way. After a road transfer of about half an hour, we start our 2-hour hike on a small path that descends slightly. We will pass through some Muong hamlets, who live in the heart of the valley. We will visit an authentic Muong village that has practiced flooded rice cultivation for centuries. Superb terraced rice fields on the sides of karst peaks covered with primitive forest. The path will lead us into lush nature up to the village of Eo Khen, where the driver will be waiting for us. Short visit of the village if time permits. Transfer to the village of Ban Don for the night. Overnight homestay in Ban Don.

• day 12

  Pu Luong - Tam Coc

  Direction towards Ba Thuoc by taking national road 15C which winds around the mountain. At the Ba Thuoc town, we cross the Ma river, where we have a view worthy of ancient prints. At Cam Thuy, you will take the Ho Chi Minh trail to Ninh Binh, where you will start to see chains of karst rocks. Around noon, free lunch according to your guide's suggestion at Kenh Ga, in a family restaurant. Transfer to the Van Long Nature Reserve, a former marshy area. Board a small bamboo boat to discover this nature reserve. The boat will take you into a large valley of reeds, surrounded by mountain ranges and flocks of egrets. Stop in a limestone cave with iridescent stalagmites and stalactites. Return by another path for a deeper discovery of the site's nature. Then, road to Tam Coc, bike ride to visit Bich Dong (Jade Pagoda), in the Hoa Lu district (Ninh Binh province). Some scenes of the French film "Indochine" were shot in this pagoda. On a path of postcard-like karst landscapes, we will go to the Thai Vi Temple, dedicated to the Tran kings in the 13th century: a magnificent isolated temple at the end of a long alley lined with rice fields. Welcome by the temple guardian, a venerable bearded man (Ong Tu) who plays the Đàn bầu (monochord musical instrument). Dinner according to your guide's suggestion. Night at the hotel in Tam Coc. Journey: 120 km - 2h30 by road, 1h30 by bamboo boat.

• day 13

  Tam Coc – Cat Ba Island – Lan Ha Bay – night on the junk

  Departure for Hai Phong, a port city known as the city of red flamboyant trees. Then direct transfer to Cat Ba Island. You will board a beautiful wooden junk around noon for an exceptional discovery of Lan Ha Bay. You will first cross the floating village of Cai Beo, one of the oldest floating villages in Vietnam, and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in Lan Ha Bay, inhabited by about 300 fishing families. You will sail among thousands of rocky peaks that form a multitude of islands and islets, each more beautiful than the last. After a Vietnamese seafood fondue lunch, it will be the perfect time to discover the secrets of the bay by kayak or to relax on a small beach. You will continue to cross isolated places before dropping anchor in a quiet area to spend the night. Distance: 150 km, 3 h by road.

• day 14

  Cat Ba – Hanoi – Return flight

  The morning is a pleasant time for a morning swim in the bay or to enjoy the exceptional scenery of the unique limestone rocks in the bay. After breakfast, the junk will pass between "sugar loaves" and other corners of the bay. Several choices are available to you: a bike ride (12 km round trip) to discover the village of Viet Hai, which is enclosed in a beautiful cirque, backed by the primeval forest of Cat Ba National Park, or simply relax on the junk or enjoy another swim at the beach. Lunch before disembarking around noon. Welcome by the Vactours guide and driver, then direct transfer to the airport for your return flight. End of our services.