GPS - Self Guided - Central and Northeast Loop / 11 Days

On this adventure, we will take you to ride on the amazing routes in the Northern of Vietnam. The Central North is well known as the area of high mountains and panoramic mountain views. There are many villages of different minority people in the area offering homestays. This is a great chance to experience yourself at first hand, the lifestyle of the local ethnic minorities and wonderful hospitable cozy atmosphere. Whilst, the North East mountainous areas of Ba Be Lake, Cao Bang and Ha Giang offer unique opportunities for rugged motorcycle rides with awesome routes. Compared with the Central North, this area has less tourist travelers, but strongly attracts hardy travelers who crave for going deeply through remote areas and just taking a glimpse of ethnic minority people. Overnight on the fantastic boat in Halong bay and explore Catba island area is both of amazing places in Vietnam has been resisted and recognized by famous Word Heritage Organization.

Take a night train from Hanoi around 22:00. Arrive at Lao Cai station @ about 5 – 6 AM

Day 1: Laocai – Sapa (120km, ~2.5 hours)

Today we start riding up to Sapa on the back road after collecting the motorbike at the train station. Head up North on the great route to Tavan village where we get lunch at an awesome view looking over the Muong Hoa valley. You enjoy traditional delicious food provided by best local chefs. We then ride to the hotel in the centre of Sapa town. After check in, we continue to ride up to the O Quy Ho Pass (over 2000 meter above the sea level) which offers charming landscapes on the both sides. You see the Silver waterfall, test your riding skills through up & down steep winding pass before go back to the town.

Over night in a 3*Hotel

Day 2: Sapa –Muong Khuong/Bacha – Ximan (200km, ~ 6 hours)

After breakfast, we ride down to Lao Cai town – center of Lao Cai province – next to the international border with China. Many important trading in the North take place in Lao Cai. Have a short break at border. We then continue head to Xin Man. If this day falls on Sunday, we stop at Bac Ha town to see the weekly Sunday market before getting to Xin Man. You can also take another route riding to Muong Khuong (from Lao Cai) and then keep riding along on the border line to Ximan.

Overnight in the hotel

Day 3: Ximan – Hagiang (180km, ~8 hours)

Well, another day riding to Ha giang with splendid stunning landscapes. This route takes you going through some tortuous mountain pass roads which gives you a great opportunity to test your riding skills. And of course if the weather permits we can take you to get off the beaten tracks which are dirt, bumpy, rocky. Go along single trails, we take you through a couples of km to explore lots of remote villages with rice fields surrounded. You must be astonished by how primitive it is and wonder why they still can live here seperated from our world. That’s amazing!

Overnight in the Hotel

Day 4: Hagiang – Dongvan (160km, ~7 hours)

After obtaining a visit permit at the Immigration office in Ha Giang, we then continue our trip exploring through the area of Quang Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van which are famous for picturesque nature, impressive and magnificent landscapes. The local people living here are dedicated to the work and cope with lots of difficulties in having to work on rocky farm land in a harsh environment. They are very friendly out going people and live a happy life without the modern necessities. We have a short break at a coffee shop, get a spectacular view point to see the panorama of Quang Ba. After lunch at Yen Minh town, we visit Pho Bang, which was built many centuries ago and features multi-storey houses made of clay bricks and tiled roofs. In the area, we visit the infamous Vuong Palace- H’mong family of high rank during French colonial rule, Vuong Chi Sinh, who was purported to be the H’mong King in Vietnam. This palace attracts keen interest from architecturally minded visitors due to its mixed style of European and Chinese architecture. Then we arrive in Dong Van.

Overnight in Hotel

Day 5: Dong Van – Meo vac -Bao Lac (120km, ~ 4 hours)

Ride up over the Ma Pi Leng Pass, from which we can see and enjoy beautiful scenery overlooking the Nho Que River before going down to Meo Vac. We cross the wild regions of the mythical province of Ha Giang. Stop for the night at Bao Lac, the ethnic crossroad of Northeast Vietnam. Many other ethnic groups on the two sides of the border meet at the market every Sunday that we might have a chance to visit if we have time.

Overnight in Hotel.

Day 6: Bao Lac – Babe (140km, ~ 5 hours)

Absolutely a great ride this day as we will get off beaten tracks to the remote area of Hagiang where we visit a small ethnic group called the “Lolo”. We then back on the road and further ride on back road, which is broken road, and off road with cross bamboo bridges. Have short stop chatting with the local. Have lunch at Cho Ra before heading to Babe. Boat trip around the lake if the time permits – about 2,5 hours. That is too much highlights in one day, imagine what 11 days will bring to you. Not for the shy, but an experience you’ll never forget.

Overnight in Local Stilt house.

Day 7: Babe – Caobang – Bangioc watterfall (240km, ~ 7 hours)

Today is pretty long, but lovely ride. Great scenery with some back roads is available.On this day we’ll take a scenic insightful day trip north of Cao Bang to the beautiful Ban Gioc waterfall on the Chinese border. This picturesque, cascading waterfall is 53 meters high and has an impressive span of 300 meters. The drive there offers unique landscapes, limestone karst formations soar from the verdant rice paddies of the surrounding farms of local ethnic minorities. Along the way, we’ll stop at some villages to meet the local people such as Tay, Hmong and Dzao ethnic minority groups. Heading down south on a diffident road. You can have an option for a stop at the expansive 2,144 meter Nguom Ngao Cavern to discover its brilliant stalactites.

Overnight in Bangioc resort

Day 8: Bangioc waterfall – Langson ( 200km, ~ 6 hours)

After breakfast, we continue our journey riding along famous Highway 4. You also can follow some single tracks if weather permits. The road winds its way through steep mountain passes where much of the land remains untouched, the vista are truly spectacular. Lang Son is the capital of this mountainous area and is an important crossing and trading route with China. The area is the home of Dzao, Man, Tho and Nung ethnic minority groups.

Overnight in Hotel.

Day 9: Langson – Lanha bay (190km, ~ 5 hours)

An easy ride, as we wake up early in the morning. Having breakfast on the way to Binh Loc. Then heading south to the ocean where we embark at noon to explore the bay. Catching ferry to Catba island, Lunch and welcome drink will be severed on board. Then you visit the monkey island, swim and kayak around. These are awesome points in a day that you can see.

Overnight on the cruise

Day 10: Relax and explore in Catba island

After enjoying breakfast on board, you will cruise through get up close to the amazing array of islands and islets. You will then pay a visit to a fascinating floating fishing village before enjoying lunch on board. You will continue cruising across the bay towards Cat Ba Island where you will disembark and then take a short ride to hotel where you stay overnight. Walk to explore the town in the afternoon.

Overnight in Hotel/Resort

Day 11: Catba – Hanoi (180km, ~ 5 hours)

On this last day, we will ride on village roads where no tourists come, absolutely separated from crazy dangerous traffic on highways. There, you ride along small trails with nice scenery and rice terrace fields surrounded. Take a deep breath of fresh air as we will soon come back to busy Hanoi. Tour ends at about 5 PM

Tour Includes

• 01 motorbike per person
• 1 full tank of petrol/gasoline per person (First day)
• Pre-programmed GPS track (The best back roads and scenery)
• Rain gear, helmets
• Motorbike jacket
• 1 night in local stilt house & 7 nights in hotel in twin share room
• 1 night on the boat in Halong & 1 night at a resort in Cat Ba island
• 10 Breakfast (B), 10 Dinners (D)
• A join tour Halong bay trip 2 days 1nite
• Depending on availability 1 night stay at our Flamingo Homestay

Tour Excludes

• Visa to Vietnam
• Any other transportations are not mentioned in the itinerary
• Insurance
• Drinks
• Meals are not mentioned in the itinerary
• Tip for guide
• Other personal expenses

What to bring

• Passport
• Good sunglasses
• Good shoes for walking
• Other personal needs and some cash for drinks or souvenirs

Prices are quoted in US Dollar/ per person in group of: