The Great Northern Road Trip

  • icon-date7 DAYS
  • icon-date11 Meals

The Great Northern Road Trip will not only allow you to get off the beaten path and see the actual natural wonders and indigenous communities and also offers an opportunity to capture the best part of stunning Northwest autumn with a magical sea of clouds and golden rice terraces.

When fall comes, Sapa and Mu Cang Chai are painted with yellow from ripe rice terraces which is an agricultural feat of precision- rugged mountains blanketed with golden stairways that, seemingly, ascend to the heavens above while Ta Xua mountain is a coved by an unparalleled elegance of cloud.

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    Day 1: Hello Hanoi- Half-day city tour (L)

    Upon arriving at Hanoi airport, our guide and driver will be there to pick you up and then head to the center of Hanoi for dropping off luggage and some rest. After that, visit the Temple of Literature, Quoc Tu Giam which are the most iconic places in Hanoi. After lunch, we will make our way to Ho Chi Minh Complex to check out Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum where preserved Uncle Ho’s corpse for people all over the country and international visitors to visit their beloved old father, and Ba Dinh Square where President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945. Another signature place in the complex is One Pillar Pagoda- a unique architectural style pagoda built-in 1049. After that, we will visit the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh’s Residence which was used as his workplace and home back in the old time respectively and Ho Chi Minh Museum.

    Day 2: Hanoi- Long Coc- Ta Xua (D)

    Our day starts with a beautiful drive crossing the stunning Red River dams, passing Trung Ha bridge via the Black River, continuing on the well-known National Highway 32, and top the route to spectacularly rolling tea hills in Long Coc. Head further north to Phu Yen where we stop for lunch. When we get to Bac Yen, be ready for the real challenges with the windy 12-km vertical distance mountain road while still enjoying the breathtaking scenery outside of the windows. By mid-afternoon, we reach Ta Xua and start our motorbike riding experience and a short trek through the “dinosaur’s back” for an amazing view of the mountainous area. After a long day full of excitement, we will head back to the hotel for dinner with our local host and time for relaxation.

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    Day 3: Ta Xua- Tu Le- Khau Pha Pass- Rice Terraces- La Pan Tan- Mu Cang Chai (B, L, D)

    Wake up early as you with for the day starts with a beautiful view of sunrise and cloud rising from the bottom of the mountains. After breakfast, we will head to Mu Cang Chai by passing Tu Le, then drive through Khau Pha Pass which is one of the greatest passes in the Northern part of Vietnam to get to Mu Cang Chai. These scenic roads offer loads of viewpoints and places for pictures while passing through different villages such as Lim Mong, Lim Thai, and especially La Pan Tan which is well-known for large and high rice terraces that his hand built by H’Mong people over the past hundreds of years or the paragliding point on top of this pass.

    Day 4: Mu Cang Chai- Ba Nha- Rice Terrances- Than Uyen- Sapa (B)

    Once we make our way through the palace we will have plenty of free time to roam around the area and explore. Start with a short hike to “Horseshoe” or “Rasberry Hill” (Đồi Mâm Xôi In Vietnamese)- the most picturesque spot for rice terraces with round shapes of the rice fields. The land is 2,200 hectares and is shared by three villages- La Pan Tan, Che Cu Nha, and De Xu Phinh. The profound beauty of the land has been pictured by many famous photographers and published in many magazines. After that, we will be off the road for Sapa and another hike to Love waterfall which is a part of Hoang Lien National Park.

    Day 5: Sapa- Tribe’s village- Lao Chai- Ta Van- Fansipan Mountain (B, L)

    It is the day of knowing the culture and traditional lifestyles! Start with an easy trekking journey from Sapa to Lao Chai and Ta Van village the home of the Black H’Mong and Giay Ethnic minority. What a wonderful chance to keep yourself away from a hectic life, having one time to taste, live and experience the differences. After lunch, we will depart to Fansipan Peak – “Roof of Indochina”. There are 2 options to conquer the peak. Normally, it takes 2-4 days by hiking or through the modern three-rope cable system within 20 minutes. From the peak, we can enjoy a magnificent view of Sapa, Muong Hoa valley, and Hoang Lien National Park.

    Day 6: Sapa- Tribe’s village- Hanoi (B, L)

    Today we will have a wonderful time at Cat Cat village which is only 3 km away from the city center. A narrow rock trail will lead you through the whole village, from souvenir shops to memorial houses, and even exhibit houses showing the traditional handicraft such as weaving, and jewelry crafting. One of the highlights of the villages in the Muong Hoa stream and waterfall where we can rest, and enjoy nature while watching traditional dance performances by H’Mong artists. After spending a sufficient about of time in the village, we go back to the hotel, check out and make our way to Hanoi.

    Day 7: Farewell Hanoi (B)

    You will have some free time to wander on your own or get stuck into some souvenir shopping until we take you to the airport and fly home with wonderful memories (not including late check-out for the hotel).

    Location/Category3* hotel4* hotel5* hotel
    HanoiZephyrLa Siesta Premium Hang BeHanoi Apricot
    Ta XuaLocal homestay – Ta xua Hills
    Mu Cang ChaiLocal lodge – Mu Cang Chai Ecolodge
    SapaSapa Highland Resort & SpaPistachio SapaSilk Path Grand Resort & Spa Sapa
    INCLUSIVE:
    • Accommodation based on twin sharing occupancy
    • Meals as indicated in program, (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
    • Private A/C car or van with driver during on tour.
    • English or French speaking guide (any other requested language guide)
    • All entrance fees for sightseeing as indicated in the program
    • Service charges, rooms tax and handling fees
    EXCLUSIVE:
    • International air tickets and airport departure taxes
    • Visa stamping fee
    • Travel insurance
    • Tips and gratuities
    • Personal expenses and other services
    • Meals and drinks not mentioned in the program

    NOTES: Tour can be modified, hotels changed to suit your tastes and budget. Minor program changes are sometime necessary, depending on road conditions and weather.

    Reviewed by

    Diep Van

    Phone: +84901166884

    Email: diep.van@ftripvietnam.com

    Diep Van

    Founder & Photography Guide

    Specialties: Culture, landscape, portrait, hiking, active and adventurous tour

    Besides my unlimited passion for traveling, a professional tour guide for over a decade, I have been taking photographs since sitting at Hanoi of the University of Culture in the early 2000s. Photography started as a hobby but it was seriously taken due to my work relations and my significant passion for the beauty of our world, especially in Southeast Asian parts such as Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar.

    Within a few years of taking photographs, my works began to be recognized by many reliable international publications such as AFAR Travel, The Times, and The Daily Telegraph newspaper. In addition, I continuously add to my growing profile by winning numerous major awards: 3rd Position of The Independent Photographer 2018, 1st Position of Amateur Photographer of the year 2018, Grand Prize Winner of the AFAR Travel Photography 2019, and a Gold Award of San Francisco Bay International Photography 2020.

    I photograph a wide variety of subjects, from travel to landscapes to street scenes. I enjoy documenting the East’s rich cultural heritage and its land soaked in glorious sunrise or sunset light in remote and secluded spots. And, I am very happy to share my knowledge and experience with you. You can visit Luminousvietnamtour to explore tour!


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