Middle Road to Nghia Lo – Mu Cang Chai(5 days and 5 nights)

Itinerary:

Day 1(LD): We drive from Ha Noi to Nghia Lo (about 260 km/7 hrs) Along the way, you will be hosted by different hill tribes wearing amazingly elaborate and colorful costumes, these are people who have been living on the hill for a thousand years; their way of life has remained unspoiled generation after generation. Overnight in hotel in Nghia Lo(the room has air-con).

Day 2 (B): A more challenging and remote alternative to North West loop (240km/7hrs),this breathtaking and non-touristy route takes you through primitive forests, lakes, rivers and amazing terraced paddy in Mu Cang Chai . You may communicate with hill tribe people on the way. Trek through beautiful tea plantations, rice terraces and farm land to local villages of Red H’mong,Black Dao and Lu minority. Overnight in Tam Duong(the room with air-con).

Day 3 (B): After breakfast in Tam Duong we start driving up over mountains, heading towards Sa Pa. On the way we may get off to explore the Tram Ton pass which is the highest mountain pass in Viet Nam at 2047m above the sea level. From there drive downhill to the town of Sa Pa, where you will check in to your hotel. Take some free time to explore the market, check out the market and enjoy lunch in restaurant. Trekking to Cat Cat waterfall to visit Black H’mong minority people. Overnight in Hotel in Sa Pa.

Day 4(BL): Depart from Sapa town by car to Lao Chai village, following the road down the hill. Views of the Muong Hoa valley and magnificent surroundings of mountains and rice terrace fields can be seen from this road. Along the road, people from many ethnic groups (H’mong, Zay, and Red Dao) are likely to be met, and there are stalls along the way that serve tea, fruits and sweets. Soon after turning off the main road and taking a local path, we will arrive in the Black H’mong village of Lao Chai, where you will experience the daily life of the villagers.After that, we walk from Lao Chai to Ta Van village, where the Zay hill tribes live. Here you take a rest and enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by your local guide in a local house. After lunch you trek up and downhill. Specially you will trek through bamboo forest then relax beside the waterfall. Explore the Red Dao village of Giang Ta Chai where you will also have the chance to see their daily activities. In the afternoon the car will pick you up for the return journey to Sa Pa.Over night in Hotel in Sa Pa.

Day 5(BL): From Sa Pa we drive to Bac Ha (2:30hrs). We will head down to Lao Cai accross to the east side of Red river and up to the Bac Ha region, sight seeing en route (If you arrive at Bac Ha on Sunday you will be able to see a hill tribe market). Trek (2hrs) to Ban Pho village to visit Flower H’Mong people. Lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch you will travel to Trung Do village, home of Tay minority people, and then take a boat trip on the Chay river. You will be picked up in Bao Nha to return to Lao Cai station. Have a refreshing shower, dinner and catch the night train back to Ha Noi.