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Code: |
VMT 16 |
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Routes: |
Hanoi - Mai Chau - Phu
yen - Tuan Giao - lai Chau - Ttam Duong
- Muong Hum - Sapa - Bac Ha - Xi Man -
Luc Yen - Vu Linh |
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Duration: |
10 Days |
Itinerary in brief
Day 1: Hanoi - Mai Chau
Day 2: Mai Chau - Phu Yen
Day 3: Phu Yen - Tuan Giao
Day 4: Tuan Giao - Lai Chau
Day 5: Lai Chau - Tam Duong
Day 6: Tam Duong - Sapa - Muong Hum
Day 7: Muong Hum - Bac Ha - Xin Man
Day 8: Xin Man - Luc Yen
Day 9: Luc Yen - Vu Linh
Day 10: Vu Linh - Hanoi
Detail Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi - Mai Chau. ~160 km, ~6 h.
Once out of the Red River Delta, which brims
with traditional farming activity, we pass
through limestone monoliths and into foothills
populated by Muong people. We head straight at
the main range before breaching a high and
beautiful forested pass, which descends into the
hidden valley of Mai Chau where we spend the
night with friends in a traditional Thai stilt
house.
The valley of Mai Chau lies between two rivers:
the Da River and the Ma River both make it very
fertile and rich in varied landscapes, medium
mountains, forest, lake, rivers, and infinitude
of small footpaths and offer many possibilities
of trek. In the valley of Mai Chau and its
surroundings are Muong, White Thai, H'mong (in
the height), and the Dao who we meet at the
markets or in their villages during trekking,
boating or while driving.
Day 2: Mai Chau - Phu Yen. ~150 km, ~6 h.
We go from Mai Chau to Moc Chau and then to the
Da River. After crossing the reservoir of Da
river, we ride on secondary road until Phu Yen
where we stay in a guesthouse.
Day 3: Phu Yen - Tuan Giao. ~200 km, ~8 h.
Long stage. We cross the Da river to Tuan Giao.
Landscape of Pha Din pass, mountain road, Dao
territory. Night in guesthouse (showers).
Day 4: Tuan Giao - Lai Chau. ~100 km, ~4 h.
13 passes. Very nice road and stunning
landscape. Probably the most beautiful journey
of the whole trip even the road is in poor
condition. Sleep in Lan Anh Hotel.
Day 5: Lai Chau - Tam Duong. ~120 km, ~6 h.
We go toward the Chinese border following the
Nam Na river. Stop at Pa Tan village to have a
lunch with our friends. Then, direction Tam
Duong, going through areas populated by a lot of
different hill tribes like H'mong, Red Dzao,
Black Dzao, Mang or Ha Nhi.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 6: Tam Duong - Sapa - Muong Hum. ~120 km,
~6 h.
Easy road until Sapa. We cross Tram Ton pass,
the highest of Vietnam (1,900 m). Lunch in Sapa.
Then, dirt track for 30 kilometers. Amazing
sceneries.
Overnight in Muong Hum, village of Giay people.
Day 7: Muong Hum - Bac Ha - Xin Man. ~170 km,
~7 h.
The ride from Muong Hum to Bac Ha takes ~4
hours, down to Lao Cai and then up to Bac Ha,
taking us from Hoang Lien Son mountain range to
the Chay River Massif.
We continue then, following Secondary road and
tracks until Xin Man. Quiet cruising next to the
Chinese border. This area is mainly populated by
Flower H'mong.
Reward: A superb hotel of nowhere awaits us in
Xin Man. Well deserved rest.
Day 8: Xin Man - Luc Yen. ~150 km, ~6 h.
Long stage but on easy road. We leave the
Chinese border and go toward south until the
Thac Ba lake. Good asphalted road.
Day 9: Luc Yen - Vu Linh. ~80 km, ~3 h.
We go round the lake following small tracks. We
arrive at Vu Linh, a traditional village of Dzao
people where we sleep in the family of our
friends.
The welcome is exceptional.
Day 10: Vu Linh - Hanoi. ~180 km, ~6 h.
Dao market in the morning. Come back to Hanoi by
Son Tay. Very nice road.
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