Overview
Our 6 Day Far North Frontier adventure is for those who really want to get off the beaten path and experience Vietnam on a more natural and authentic level. In 6 days and 5 nights we venture into the most remote provinces of Vietnam’s northern frontier, where traditional village life has been preserved and the country’s most dramatic landscapes remain hidden from casual tourists.
This is our guides’ favorite region of Vietnam, and for good reason. Thousands of steep limestone mountains know as karsts create mythical landscapes of stunning beauty. Enormous tracts of terraced rice fields will leave you speechless and you’ll experience the warm hospitality of numerous indigenous mountain tribes. Discover hidden forest waterfalls and cool off in their pools. Other activities include trekking, river and lake exploration by boat
Itinerary
Day 1-1: Hà Nội - Hà Giang And Thon Tha Village (L/D)
Bicycle
Car
Depart Hà Nội and travel to Thon Tha village in Hà Giang Province. Explore this picturesque ethnic village where palm-thatched bamboo stilt houses sit surrounded by lush rice fields, with the pointed peaks of limestone mountains rising in the distance. Chat with the local villagers to learn about their daily life or, better yet and if the timing is right, work alongside them in the fields cutting rice and tending to the day’s farmwork.
TOTAL DRIVING TIME: Approx. 6-7 hours | TREKKING AROUND VILLAGE: 1-2 hours | SLEEP: homestay in Thon Tha village or hotel in Hà Giang.
Day 2: Hà Giang - Đồng Văn (B/L/D)
Bicycle
Car
This morning start the ascent further up into the mountains towards the Chinese border and the town of Đồng Văn, which stands 1,300 meters above sea level. Stop along the route to view the unique limestone formations of Đồng Văn Karst Plateau Geopark and visit the colorful ethnic villages of Green H’mong people. Upon arrival in Đồng Văn, see the ancient houses of the old quarter before a dinner of local hot pot and, for those who please, local rice wine.
If in Đồng Văn on a Sunday, you’ll have a chance to experience the colorful local market where thousands of people gather from the surrounding villages to exchange agricultural goods, handicrafts and livestock.
TOTAL DRIVING TIME: Approx. 6 hours including frequent stops and lunch | TREKKING: Approx. 5 km/3 miles | SLEEP: Hotel in Đồng Văn
Day 3: Đồng Văn - Bảo Lạc (B/L/D)
Bicycle
Car
Today it's all about the journey. As you traverse the 21-km Mã Pí Lèng Pass you’ll see why this is declared the most spectacular stretch of road in all of Vietnam. Giant cone-shaped limestone mountains tower, with brilliant green-clad cliffs cascading into the steep river valleys below. Places like this are what travel dreams are made of.
Pass by H’mong people going about their daily work as you trek out to viewpoints to get the best panoramas.
TOTAL DRIVING DISTANCE: Approx. 110 km | TREKKING DISTANCE: Approx. 7 km/4.5 miles | SLEEP: Hotel in Bảo Lạc
Day 4: Bảo Lạc - Ba Bể Lake (B/L/D)
Car
This morning visit a village of Lo Lo people, a small ethnic group living high up on the mountain who have preserved their original culture, including their colorful, intricate traditional clothing and wooden stilt houses. Next, travel onto to Ba Bể Lake where you can walk around the village after checking into the homestay.
TOTAL DRIVING TIME: Approx. 4.5-5 hours | WALKING DISTANCE: Approx. 1-2 km/1 mile | SLEEP: homestay at Ba Bể Lake
Day 5: Ba Bể Lake (B/L/D)
Car
Spend today exploring and relaxing among the peaceful, natural beauty of Ba Bể Lake. Here, limestone cliffs covered in primary forest reflect off the mirror-like surface of Vietnam’s largest natural lake to create a picture-perfect setting.
You can start the morning with a 10 km trek up the mountains and through the jungle where you’ll see more ethnic groups such as Green H’mong and Dao people. Return to the homestay for lunch before an afternoon spent cruising the lake by boat. Alternatively, for groups who want more trekking, you can instead hike 15 km out to Dau Dang waterfall where you’ll be picked up by boat to cruise around the lake, stopping for lunch and swimming as you like before the boat takes you back at the homestay.
TREKKING DISTANCE: Approx. 10 km/6 miles (moderate difficulty) or 15 km/9.3 miles (difficult terrain), depending on group itinerary | SLEEP: homestay at Ba Bể Lake
Day 6: Ba Bể Lake - Hà Nội (B/L)
Car
After waking up lakeside, stretch your legs on a cycling excursion to Hua Ma Cave where you’ll see a variety of stalactites and stalagmites. Then travel back to Hà Nội, returning around 4:30 or 5 p.m.
TOTAL DRIVING TIME: Approx. 5-6 hours | CYCLING DISTANCE: Approx. 14 km/9 miles round trip | ARRIVE IN Hà Nội: Approx. 4:30 or 5 p.m.
Additional details
Included
- Air-conditioned minivan or minibus with driver
- Local English-speaking tour guide
- 6 lunches, 5 dinners, 5 breakfasts
- 5 night’s accommodations in a homestay or hotel (hotel rooms are double occupancy)
- Guided trekking and cycling activities including bike rentals
- Boat ride in Ba Bể Lake
- National park entry fees/tickets
- Permit to frontier area
Not Included
- Beverages
- Insurance
- Vietnam Visa
- Other personal expenses such as souvenirs, etc.
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