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

Roundtrip bus transfer from Hanoi to Hagiang

1. Pickup:

   We will pick you up at 19:30 pm at the hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter the day before

2. Board the Night Bus:

   • Head to the bus on the scheduled day, and board the night bus to Ha Giang. Night buses often come equipped with sleeper seats, allowing you to rest during the journey.

3. Arrival in Ha Giang:

   • The journey from Hanoi to Ha Giang takes around 7-8 hours. You’ll arrive in Ha Giang early in the morning. Take a short break before starting the tour 

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: Ha Giang motorbike tour to Ba Be Lake via Bac Quang and  Na Hang 

, 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 motorcycle tour to Cao Bang – Ban Gioc Waterfalls, approx. 205 km

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 Motorbike tour to Cao Bang – Bao Lac, approx. 210 km

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 motorbike tour to 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 motorbike tour to 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)

After having a shower and a dinner (your own account),  you will board the night bus where you take a sleep on and arrive in Hanoi early morning the next day.

End of the trip

Price includes (All-inclusive tour)

• English Speaking Tour guide
• All meals, as indicated in the itinerary (local Vietnamese food)
• Drinking water, water or soft drinks during lunch, coffee and a smoothie where they can be found
• Accommodation (mix of ethnic minority homestay and hotel (shar by two – single room for extra fee possible)
• Quality genuine Japanese Motorcycles
• Full cover bike damage insurance
• 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, at QT Guest House (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