Day 1: Ha Noi - Nghia Lo (210km/7hrs). 7.30am
Depart from Your hotel or Kim tours office - 137 Hang Bac Str - Hanoi through the Red River Delta into the mountains of Yen Bai province and on to Nghia Lo. The area is home to Thai, Nung, H'mong, La Ha and Ma ethnic minority peoples. Overnight in a hotel or guest house.
Day 2: Nghia Lo - Than Uyen (150km/5hrs)
Exploring the local market in Nghia Lo is a good chance to shop for local handicrafts. Today's drive is along an exciting stretch of road which climbs over the mountain pass to Mu Cang Chai past H'mong, La Ha and Dzao hill tribe communities. At the bottom of the valley is the town of Than Uyen . Overnight in a hotel or guest house.
Day 3 (D): Than Uyen - Sa Pa (100km/3hrs).
The road follows the Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range and winds through tea plantations and rice terraces as it hugs the Nam Ma River. This stunning valley is dotted with Tay , Dzao and H'mong hill tribe villages. Over the 1900 meter Tram Ton Pass to Sa Pa located in the breathtaking Hoang Lien Son Mountains . After lunch, a 3-hour trek to Ta Van village for a home stay and savoury food with your Dzay hosts.
Day 4 (B,L,D):
Trek along rice terraces through a lush bamboo forest and past local villages. Stop to enjoy a picnic lunch. After lunch, trek to Ban Ho for an insightful night with your Tay hosts, where you'll sleep in the cozy loft complete with comfy mattress and a mosquito net.
Day 5 (B):
Short trek to the dirt road for the jeep ride back to Sa Pa. Explore the town or go shopping in the market for local produce. 5 pm - Bus to Lao Cai (6pm).
7.30pm - Night train (soft sleeper with air conditioning) back to Ha Noi
5am - Tour ends at Ha Noi Railway Station.
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A more challenging and remote alternative to the North West loop, this incredible route takes you through verdant vistas and mountain ranges, along lakes and rivers, and through jungle and tiered paddy fields rising and falling as far as the eye can see. Along the way, Youll be hosted by different hill tribes wearing amazingly elaborate and colourful costumes. These are people who have been living in the hills for a centuries, and their ways of life have little changed from generation to generation.
