13 Days - Explore Black Lo Lo in Vietnam

HIGHLIGHTS
* Hike through landscapes of the grandest mountains of Vietnam
* Discover local life and meetings with different ethnic groups in the Northest of Vietnam: Black H’mong, Flower H’mong, Green Hmong, Phu La, Tay, Black Lo Lo ...
* Homestay of the black Lo Lo, in their beautiful village hidden in a valley
* Cruise in the legendary Ha Long Bay and overnight onboard an beautiful wooden junk.

Day by day Itinerary:
Day 01:  Hanoi – Arrival
Arrive at Hanoi airport where an English-speaking tour guide will welcome you and take you to a hotel in the center of the city.
The afternoon will be devoted to an orientation tour of Hanoi by rickshaw. Discover a city of poetry and markets, a city enchantingly balanced between tradition and modernity.
In the evening, enjoy a Water Puppet show, a unique art of the people in Red River Delta.
Spend the night at hotel in Hanoi
Meals: No

Day 02:  Hanoi Visit – Lao Cai
Begin exploring Hanoi with a walk around the exquisite grounds of the old Indochinese governor’s palace (now a Presidential Palace).
Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, Vietnam’s pagoda for defense. Located on an island in the West Lake, the pagoda surrounded by water is a marvelous sight. After, whet your appetite for discovering Vietnam’s unique cultures at the Museum of Ethnology.
In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature. In the evening, go to the railway station for overnight train to Lao Cai.
Meal: Breakfast

Day 03:  Lao Cai – Bac Ha
At 5 a.m, arrive at Lao Cai. Take a shower to refresh yourself at a mini hotel before travelling to Bac Ha, a small charming town characterized by its mild climate.
Depending on the date of arrival, visit Bac Ha market on Sunday, Can Cau market on Saturday or Sin Cheng market on Wednesday.
The markets feature local scenes that have been going on every week for generations, where cattle, buffalos, pigs, chickens, horses, goats and dogs as well as a variety of traditional goods like saddles and plowshares, along with elaborate textiles, handbags and other trinkets are bought and sold by the Flower Hmong.
Drop at Mr Phu’s house set against the hill in a wide open space with panoramic valley view. Have dinner and spend the night in the homestay of Mr Pa. In the afternoon, enjoy a trek through Ban Pho villages, located a few kilometers from the hotel. These villages are nestled into a cozy valley with a fascinating landscape.
Spend the night in the homestay of Mr Phu.
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Day 04:  Bac Ha – Ha Giang
After breakfast, transfer to Ha Giang via Pho Rang, Viet Quang town. 20 km before Viet Quang, take 2 hour walk to a village of Pa Then people, a very rare ethnic minority in Vietnam.
The Pa Then, also called Pa Ma Teng, migrated to Vietnam from China in the late 18th century. Their population in Vietnam is about 4,000 people, living only in the extreme north. Their village, composed between 30 and 40 homes, settled near rivers, at the foot of high mountains.
Arrive late afternoon in Ha Giang, check in hotel and relax at your leisure.
Spend the night at hotel in Ha Giang.
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Day 05: Ha Giang
After breakfast, hike one hour along a path that descents to the road connecting the Middle Song Mien valley to the Du Gia mountain range.
Walk on the trail along Nam Pa river to reach a Tay hamlet, little eden surrounded by rice fields and jungle. Take a visit around the village.
Move to another Tay village which is located in the shade of groves of palmetto, dominated by limestone ridges covered with jungle. Enjoy a picnic lunch in a traditional Tay house.
In the afternoon, visit the village and a cave, then short walk along the Nam Pa River via some rice paddies and hamlets. Then you will be picked up by car at Nan Ria village and drive back to Ha Giang town.
Spend the night at hotel in Ha Giang
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Day 06. Ha Giang – Dong Van
After breakfast, travel along a beautiful mountain road to Dong Van, a small town located in Dong Van Highlands. Tourists can choose to stop midway to visit villages or markets of ethnic minorities.
Explore Pho Bang, a tranquil village of thatched – roof houses. Then, keep driving to discover the enchanting former palace of King Hmong, namely Mr Vuong Chi Sinh.
Spend the night in Dong Van Town.
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Day 07. Dong Van – Bao Lac
Drive 1 hour from Dong Van through the sumptuous countryside of Dong Van Geopark. From here, begin a trek on Pa Vi Mountain.   
Pa Vi Mountain is a limestone mountain rising to 1,500m. The north face of the mountain roughly resembles a triangular tower with spectacular views overlooking the gorge of the Nho Que River, Tu San Canyon, the famous Ma Pi Leng Pass, and the misty peaks of the Chinese border. The mountain’s unusual shape is unique among Vietnam’s mountains and makes it a sight to behold.   
Hike along the slopes of Pa Vi. Cross at Ma Pi Len and begin the day’s trek (30 minute trip). Climb the west side of the mountain on a path past several Hmong hamlets clinging to the steep slopes of the mountain. Revel in the alpine environment and the amazing bird-eye views of the terraced rice fields below, as well as Tu San Canyon, Ma Pi Leng Pass, and the No Que River gorge. Gaze at the awe-inspiring mountains all around.  
Arrive at the Hmong Der village of Ti Cu Si, where around 100 families live in a completely self-sufficient community. The village is hidden in a small valley surrounded by a plethora of limestone peaks. Tour the village and its traditional houses and learn about local hemp weaving techniques. Continue trekking along a high trail towards the east side of Pa Vi, where the minibus awaits.
Continue the trip to Bao Lac, a region covered with magnificent rocks in Cao Bang Province.
Spend the night in Bao Lac.
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Day 08. Bao Lac – Khuoi Khon
Early morning visit to Bao Lac market where you can meet the Hmong, the Lo Lo, the Tay and The San Chi. Transfer to Khuoi Khon village, inhabited by members of the Black Lo Lo ethnic group
Arrive at the village and check in the host family.
Spend the morning immersed in the daily life of the Black Lo Lo villagers. Participate in tasks such as feeding the pigs and the buffalos, fetching water from a spring, and lighting the fire. Depending on the season, enjoy the educational experience of helping the Lo Lo with agricultural work such as hoeing, weeding, transplanting, and harvesting.
In the afternoon, take a lovely hike along the ridge to the summit overlooking the village.
Prepare dinner with the host family. Spend the night in homestay.
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Day 09.  Khuoi Khon – Ba Be
After breakfast, drive to Ba Be Lake, passing through Ban Na and Na Phac villages. On the way stop to visit an ancient house, one of the remaining vestiges of the colonial era.
In the afternoon, arrive in Ba Be Lake, a region often referred to as "Ha Long Bay on the mountains". The lake is decorated by green mountains under the clouds, giving tourists the impression of having been transported to heaven.
Board a boat along the beautiful lake to Coc Toc, a Tay hamlet nestled at the foot of a wooded mountain on the southern arm of the lake. Tour the village, and then help prepare a traditional dinner with the host family. Learn about the night fishing techniques if the weather permits.
Spend the night in homestay.
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Day 10. Ba Be
In the morning, head out of the village for a fascinating hike through the stunning landscape along a flat trail, passing through rice paddies, corn fields and vegetable gardens. After an hour, arrive at Ban Mo, a Tay hamlet situated at the bottom of the verdant valley. Tour the village and then continue along a trail that offers breathtaking lake views. Explore the Hmong village of Na Ban and the Dao village of Na Sen. After passing through an ancient and magical forest at the summit of the mountain, slowly descend towards Dau Dang cascades. From here, enjoy a delicious lunch.
Visit Dau Dang cascade, a picturesque natural wonder. Re-embark to Coc Toc village along a tranquil lake. Dine and spend a second night with the Tay family.
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Day 11. Ba Be – Hanoi
After breakfast, leave the Tay family and drive back to Hanoi on a stunning mountain road.
Spend the night at hotel in Hanoi.
Meal: Breakfast

Day 12. Hanoi – Ha Long Bay
Take a journey to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The bay, filled with thousands of limestone karsts and verdant, monolithic isles, is truly a magical locale.
Embark on a luxury wooden junk boat for an enchanting 2 day and 1 night Ha Long Bay cruise.
Spend the night in a private cabin on board.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 13. Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Departure
Enjoy a buffet breakfast at 8 a.m as the boat begins its journey back to the pier.
Disembark at around 11:30 a.m and begin the journey back to the airport in Hanoi for departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch

What is a private tour?
A private tour is run exclusively for you, your own families or friends with no other strangers.  You may choose an ideal pre-made private tour on our website.  Alternatively, we can customize an itinerary in line with your specific wishes. In particular, you will benefit from the following advantages:
+ Start the tour on any date at your convenience.

+ Choose the tour length as long as your schedule and budget allow.

+ Plan the tour with hotels and sightseeing spots that you are specifically interested in.

+ You may order the dishes you want .

+ Experienced guides and skillful drivers in each city offer services are provided for your exclusive use.

+ Travel at your own pace that flexibly fits your travel style.

+ Ideal for those who need special assistance, such as the elderly, people with disabilities or families with small children.