21 Days - MOTOR-BIKING IN THE NORTH-WEST LOOP

Day 01: Arrive Hanoi
Arrival Hanoi and welcome at the airport. Transfer and check in to your hotel for an orientation tour of Hanoi. Pay particular attention to the expert at the Ethnology Museum who will give us a briefing, we'll be meeting many minority groups along the way.
After a cyclo tour of Hanoi's charming Old Quarter and "the 36 streets of 36 wares", it's time for a welcome dinner where you meet your fearless motorbike leader.


Day 02: Hanoi – Mai Chau
The beginning of the freat Northern loop! We will go directly to Mai Chau on small roads through a valley that offer a good opportunity to practice your motorbike skills. After lunch at home of a Thai family upon on arrival, settle into the White Thai stilt house where we'll be spending the night. Afternoon free for strolling around this relaxing village and surrounding area. In the evening, enjoy your dinner and overnight in a Thai traditional house on stilt.


Day 03: Mai Chau – Son La
Departure at 8h00 AM from Mai Chau. Much of the pristine landscape you pass through today has forest preserves on both sides of the road and we'll have plenty of chances to stop en route. After a stop in Moc Chau for lunch, arrive in Son la around 5h00 PM. Relax after check-in before dinner and overnight at the hotel.


Day 04: Son La – Lai Chau
Today is sure to be one of the highlights of your trip. Get ready for one of the most beautiful roads in Vietnam crossing 13 mountain passes. You will also have a chance for a refreshing swim in the Black River and a stroll through the meadows of Kh'Mu village. Arrive in Lai Chau at the end of the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.


Day 05: Lai Chau
After four days in the saddle, it's time to give the motorbikes (and our weary body) a break. Kick back on a small boat that will take us on a river cruise through this verdant valley. Around lunchtime, stop for a picnic in a riverside village and overnight at the hotel.


Day 06: Lai Chau – Tam Duong
Depart Lai Chau in the morning ad follow a remote road along the river to the Chinese frontier. After lunch at the home of a local family in Pa Tan village, we will continue on to Black H'mong and Ha Nhi villages. Overnight at the hotel in the market town of Tam Duong after a good dinner.


Day 07: Tam Duong – Sapa
Strolling through the colourful market at Tam Duong early in the morning where you will meet many different ethnic minority communities. After the market, you will head out on another one of Northern Vietnam's most spectacular roads on the way to Sapa. Arriver in the old French colonial hill station of Sapa late in the afternoon. Free time after check-in until dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.


Day 08: Sapa – Bat Xat – Lao Cai
Cruise down the beautiful Sapa valley on motorbike, with stops to trek in to visit peaceful villages. For many travellers this is another trip highlight. Arriver in Lao Cai at the end of the day for dinner and overnight at the hotel.


Day 09: Lao Cai – Muong Khuong – Bac Ha
Departure early in the morning from Lao Cai to Muong Khuong, a markettwon perched on the border of Vietnam and China. This region is relatively wealthy thanks to markets that take place according to the lunar calendar. If we have lucky, we'll run across one of these gatherings before arriving in Bac ha for dinner and overnight at the hotel.


Day 10: Bac Ha – Hoang Su Phi – Ha Giang
Have your camera at the ready, because the road between Bac Ha and Xin Man features a unique between Bac ha and Xin Man features a unique and beautiful landscape. Plus evey Saturday morning there is a fantastic market in Can Cau located right in the heart of mountains. After Can Cau, we proceed along the Chinese border to the remote and seldom-visited province of Ha Giang. Arrive in Ha Giang town is always a great moment - plus, the town has an excellent massage center. Overnight in a state-owned hotel.


Day 11: Ha Giang – Meo Vac
Another day spectacular day on the motorbike, cruising up and down through lovely mountain passes in the original homeland of the H'mong people. THese enchanting valleys are so quiet an beautiful that you may feel like this is a day suspended in time. Arrive in Meo Vac for dinner then overnight at a state-owned hotel.


Day 12: Meo Vac – Bac Me
Today we cross the last pass and descend back down near our mountain stage's starting point on the other side of the range. This area is so remote that if you can spot another tourist, we'll stand you a drink! Spend the night at the home of local poet in Bac Me, a poor and rustic village.


Day 13: Bac Me – Ba Be
This is our most challenging day on the motorbike as we pass through more mountains on the way to one of the North's most beautiful lakes, roads here are difficult, slippery and require technical driving. After a full day in one of the wildest region left in Vietnam, we'll be happy to pull up at a small restaurant near Ba Be Lake, overnight at local home.


Day 14: Ba Be
Park the motorbike, today we're taking it easy with a stroll to nearby waterfalls and in a tranquil village downriver. Head Ong pirate's restaurant for lunch before loading the motorbikes onto the boat that will take us down the river to gorgeous Babe lake. Once we reach the lake, we will stop for a refreshing dip at a favorite swimming spot. Dinner and overnight at our boatmen's home village.


Day 15: Ba Be – Quang Hoa
We start the day driving up the road toward to Cao Bang. After 50 km of bumpy track, we'll split off on the beautiful road to Quang Hoa and overnight at the home of a local family in the Tay and Nung village of Quang Hoa.


Day 16: Quang Hoa
Quang Hoa is lovely in the mornng when you wake up in the middle of circle of green mountains. We'll be using this family's home as a base for excursions into the forest by motorbike and on foot. Venture out into the valley for short treks and swims under the region's numerous waterfalls. Dinner and overnight at our friend's house


Day 17: Ban Hoa – Ban Gioc – Quang Hoa
Early departure for Ban Gioc waterfalls, the highest and most spectacular in the area. Another day of motor-biking, trekking and swimming along the Chinese border.


Day 18: Quang Hoa – Lang Son
This is a day of fabulous driving through dense jungle. We take the famous Colonial Road No.4 the site of intense battles and first great Vietnamese military victories against the French during Indochina War. Continue on through beautiful countryside through Dong Khe and That Khe until reaching the provincial town of Lang Son. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.


Day 19: Lang Son – Ha Noi
Easy cruising day as we return to Hanoi. Back to the hotel for dinner and a toast to the completion of one of Vietnam's most spectacular motorbike loops.


Day 20: Ha Noi city tour
Full day tour of the highlights of this charming colonial city, including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the one One-Pillar Pagoda, Quan Thanh and Tran Quoc Pagodas and the thousand-year-old Temple of Literature. Overnight in Hanoi


Day 21: Hanoi
Free time until transfer to the airport for your flight home or to your next destination