Ha Giang

Your guide will collect you from your hotel in Hanoi at 8am, beginning your journey to the stunning mountains of Ha Giang where you will slowly see the scenery around you change from bustling metropolis to rolling countryside. Not far out of Hanoi, you will stop in Duong Lam Ancient Village, a site rich in history and culture, containing such sites as Mong Phu Temple and Mia Pagoda with its 287 statues and centuries old houses. Here we will enjoy a taste of rural life as we are served a home-cooked local meal for lunch, before continuing to Ha Giang, marvelling at the spectacular views along the way. Once in Ha Giang City, we will check in to our local homestay and enjoy a home-cooked dinner. Accommodation: Homestay in Ha Giang Meal: Lunch, Dinner at local restaurant.

Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark

As we set out from Ha Giang after getting our permit from the immigration office, your journey to Dong Van will be filled with spectacular landscapes in the form of a series of long passes. En route you will stop for lunch at the small and beautiful mountain village of Tam Son, then move for hike to secret Lung Cam B village of black Hmong before heading to the majestic “King of the H’mong Palace”, a fortress built by a local chief, Vuong Chin Duc, who allied himself with French forces against the Viet Minh. Built in the 1900’s, this palace was designed in the style of ancient Chinese architecture dating to the Qing era, and it was made from materials such as solid stone blocks, wood and terracotta tiles. Once you’ve finished at the palace, we continue on our journey until we reach Dong Van at around 5pm, where we’ll have dinner at a local restaurant and stay for the night.

Ma Pi Leng Pass

You’ll start the day off with breakfast and a visit to the Dong Van Market (if it is Sunday), where locals come from all the surrounding villages to purchase and trade for essentials they cannot produce themselves. Then you will be making the trek up to Pu Lo fortress which was built in 1890 and evacuated in 1945. From here you can enjoy spectacular views of the entire region, before climbing 8 km to the top of Ma Pi Leng Pass, through a gigantic maze of limestone peaks, stone forests, and canyons before descending into the valley of Meo Vac. You will then descend into the valley of Meo Vac, visiting Meo Vac Market before continuing on the snaking road through the mountains, crossing the river, and arriving in Cao Bang. You will have dinner and spend the night in Cao Bang.

Ban Gioc Waterfall - Detian Falls

This day is likely to be your highlight of the tour, as we take you to one of the most incredible natural wonders in Northern Vietnam; Ban Gioc Waterfall. The drive here from Cao Bang is roughly two hours, and this breath-taking 300-metre wide cascade sits right on the border between China and Vietnam, amidst a beautiful mountainous landscape. After enjoying the waterfall, you will venture deep underground into the magical Nguom Ngao Cave to discover the rock formations which have been carved by erosion over millennia. After visiting the waterfall and cave, you will travel down a beautiful road which is unknown to many, which winds through the mountains before reaching the Nung village of Quang Uyen. You will be welcomed by Mr. Hung Dao, an amazingly friendly blacksmith, before having dinner at his house and settling in for the night in this cosy traditional Nung house.

Nguom Ngao Cave

After enjoying the waterfall, you will venture deep underground into the magical Nguom Ngao Cave to discover the rock formations which have been carved by erosion over millennia. After visiting the waterfall and cave, you will travel down a beautiful road which is unknown to many, which winds through the mountains before reaching the village of Quang Uyen - Phia Thap.

Ba Be National Park

Your day will start with breakfast at the Nung’s house followed by a three-hour drive to Cho Ra before finally reaching Ba Be National Park. Once we arrive we’ll first re-fuel by having a local lunch, then travel down the Nang River to explore the huge Puong cave by boat and kayaking. pass through some steep terrain with many cat ears cliffs and visit the unmissable spots on Ba Be Lake such as Widow island, Cam village. We can swim in Ba Be lake and getting to Ba Be Jungle Houses to enjoy your night with BBQ dinner.

Ba Be National Park

7:30 - Breakfast at our homestay. Begin a beautiful journey in Ba Be National Park from Bo Lu village. A guided conversation on local wildlife and flowers will expand your awareness of the unique Ba Be ecosystem as you walk through the beautiful jungle. Reach Tham Khit pathways to an ancient cave - wandering around the lake to the panoramic views of the ranger station's animal observation huts. Continue your hike for another 2 kilometers to An Ma temple, a sacred Tay temple dedicated to mountain gods, lake gods, and feudal generals. Have lunch and enjoy your time in Ba Be National Park. Return to Hanoi. Tour ends.