Overview

- Opportunity to see Nghia Lo, the area is home to Thai, Nung, H'mong, La Ha and Ma ethnic minority peoples
- Drive to Mu Cang Chai, one of the most remote areas of the north Vietnam by Mountain Pass of Cao Xa.
- Stay in hill tribe family in Tava village, trek in the stunning valley sculpted with steep rice terraces in Sapa area.
- Visit Can Cau special market on Saturday and Bac Ha on Sunday
- Boat trip in Thac Ba lake and visit some Dzao and Tay villages

Day 1 : Arrival in Hanoi
Arrival in Hanoi airport, pick up and transfer to hotel. Time is scheduled to take some rest after your long flight. You have the opportunity to get some first impressions of the city by yourself. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi – Nghia Lo (B,L,D)

Meet your driver 7:30 am at the hotel, soon the bustling streets of Hanoi give way to verdant rice paddies and farmland along Hwy 32. By early afternoon you'll be moving away from the Red River Delta and into the mountains of Yen Bai province, on your way to your destination of Nghia Lo. Nghia Lo is situated along a beautiful mountain ridge separating the Red and Black River. With lush forests, tea plantations, rice terraces and gum trees, the picturesque valleys are stunning. The area is home to Thai, Nung, H'mong, La Ha and Ma ethnic minority peoples. Overnight at guesthouse in Nghia Lo.

Day 3 : Nghia Lo – Than Yen  (B,L,D)

This day starts with a visit to the local market in Nghia Lo Town, a chance to explore and shop for local handicrafts. Today's drive will take you along one of the most exciting stretches of road in Vietnam and offers some of the lushes and verdant scenery found anywhere. As you climb over the mountain pass to Mu Cang Chai you'll meet H'mong, La Ha and Dzao along the way. The road, which is not sealed and can be muddy and exiting at times, winds along the Nam Kim River which descends the valley over some cascading gorges. At the bottom of the valley you'll arrive in the town of Than Uyen, check in hotel. Overnight at the guesthouse in Than Uyen.

Day 4: Than Yen - Sapa (B,L,D)

Enjoy breakfast in a local restaurant, then its time to hit the road for Sapa. From Than Uyen the road rolls along the base of the Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range, home to Mt. Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest peak. Tea plantations and rice terraces hug the Nam Ma River that winds along this valley dotted with Tay, Dzao and H'mong villages. At Binh Lu junction you'll pick up the main road and start your climb up the highest mountain pass in Vietnam at 1900 Meters, then glide down into the town of Sapa. Enjoy lunch and relax before a 3 hr short trek down this stunning valley sculpted with steep rice terraces, to Ta Van village for a home stay. Your guide will cook you a savory dinner of traditional Vietnamese food that you'll be raving about, as you enjoy the hospitality of your Dzay hosts. Ovenight at the homestay in the Tavan village.

Day 5:  Tavan - Cat Cat village - Sapa (B,L)

Morning breakfast, get ready for short trek to the bridge where the vehicle waits and transfer back to Sapa. You first sneak through the market and leave the busy town behind. After a couple of minutes, you then embark on a lovely walk that will take us along buffalo paths and trails down hill to Cat Cat village. You will stop by a waterfall and a hydroelectric station build by the French people long time ago. Take a rest here before you trek downhill to get Sin Chai village. Enjoy beautiful scenery on the way back to Sapa town for lunch. Free time to discover Sapa in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel in Sapa

Day 6 : Sapa – Can Cau - Bac Ha (B,L)
Early morning, depart for the 3 hour drive to Can Cau.  Which is situated in the mountains in border area, 20 km from Bac Ha, Can Cau is a small, but very colorful market. Opening only on Saturdays, it always delivers a very photogenic display of Flower Hmong, Black Zao, Phu La ethnic costumes. Chinese people also come for trading. After spending the whole morning exploring the market, you will leave the market for Bac Ha town for lunch. In the afternoon, you will take a walk to Ban Pho village of Nung and Flower Hmong . The villagers grow vegetables and fruit trees. One of the most famous fruits of the area is plum. You will be able to visit a local house, meet and talk with the family. Overnight at the hotel in Bac Ha.

Day 7 : Bac Ha - Thac Ba Lake  (B,L,D)
Today we visit the lively Sunday market of Bac Ha, one of the most colorful markets in Asia! Again a wonderful opportunity to meet the locals. The Flower H’Mong predominantly  live in the area. The Sunday market is a social gathering for all groups living in the high remote villages, here they meet, drink alcohol and trade goods. We continue our trip to Thac Ba Lake. The night is spending in a beautifully constructed stilt house down by the lakeside. Overnight at homestay in Thac Ba

Day 8 : Thac Ba – Hanoi (B,L)Thac Ba is the biggest man-made lake in Vietnam and captivates travelers with its incredible authentic beauty and more than 300 islands under lush vegetation. We participate in a boat trip and visit some Dzao and Tay villages. After lunch in a local restaurant our expedition North West comes to an end. In the afternoon we arrive back in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi 

Day 9 : Hanoi – Departure (B)
There is a free time to relax or further exploration of Ha Noi until the departure transfer to airport for your flight home. End of our service