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About this tour

Hanoi - Mai Chau - Son La - Dien Bien Phu - Sapa - Hanoi
7-day trip with 5-day motorcycling
Motorcycling grade: Moderate to Challenging
From US$ 736 per person

Discover Vietnam’s rugged and scenic northwest and its people first hand. By taking to the roads and riding from the capital Hanoi to the remote area of the northwest we can see life as it truly is for the Vietnamese. The perfect itinerary and the support crew ensure you get the most out of the trip in terms of comfort, enjoyment and adventure. Along the way we encounter dramatic landscapes and sweeping panoramas as the rural population goes about its business. Highlights include the terraced valleys of Sapa, challenging roads, stunning scenery and many different colorful minority groups.

Highlights

* Stunning scenery
* Challenging roads
* Stunning Pha Din Pass and Tram Ton Pass
* Terraced valley of Sapa
* Colorful ethnic minorities

ITINEARY AT A GLANCE

Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau
Day 2: Mai Chau – Son La
Day 3: Son La – Dien Bien Phu
Day 4: Dien Bien Phu – Tam Duong
Day 5: Tam Duong – Sapa
Day 6: Night train to Hanoi
Day 7: Arrive in Hanoi. Tour finishes.

Inclusion:

* Support vehicle
* One-way train ticket Laocai - Hanoi (AC, soft sleeper)
* Minsk motorbike 125CC
* Helmet
* Gasoline on tour
* English or French speaking guide
* Mechanic
* Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary (based on twin shared)
* Homestay permission
* Meals as indicated in the itinerary
* Water & Snacks
* First-aid kit
* Entrance fees & Sightseeing fees

Exclusion:

* Travel insurance
* Visa
* Air-ticket
* Tips
* Personal expenses

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Ride to Mai Chau

Leave Hanoi around 8.30am, we ride our motorcycles west to Mai Chau, an area of beautiful landscape and home to the Thai ethnic minority. We will ride on road No6 passing expansive rice paddies and scenic villages. We will have a stop for refreshment before tackling 70km of undulating road with great view of mountains and valley. We will reach Mai Chau at noontime. We ride straight to Pom Coong, a peaceful village of White Thai ethnic minority where we have lunch, dinner and spend our night in a traditional stilt-house of a Thai family. After lunch we will have a short rest and then take a leisure ride toward Ma River. We will take a short boat ride upstream Ma Rive to reach a remote Thai Village. Relax and have interesting conversations with the villagers before we walk back to the dock. Return to Pom Coong Village for dinner and overnight.

Summary
Riding: 170km
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Home-stay

Day 2: Ride up to Son La

Breakfast at the home-stay before we embark on a beautiful ride up north to Son La. The road is in good condition and the scenery is stunning. We may take frequent stops to visit minority villages of H’mong, Black Thai,… or to take photos. Lunch will be in local restaurant en route. The highlight of our ride today could be the tea plantations in Moc Chau Plateau, where you find the best green tea in Vietnam grown along the roads on hillsides. We reach Son La in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Son La.

Summary
Riding: 187km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 3: Descend valley of Dien Bien Phu

It is true to say “the further you go up north the faster you heart rate”. Today the ride is greater with more winding road, longer passes, more colorful minority groups and more stunning scenery. Like yesterday, we may have interesting stops to visit villages and take photos. Lunch en route in local restaurant. The highlight of today ride could be the impressive pass of Pha Din.

Pha Pin means Heaven-Earth, and according to local legend, it was the frontier between Heaven and Earth. Pha Din is some 1,000m above sea-level. Climbing and descending the slopes with their many bends and deep gorges is a really an unforgettable experience. We reach Dien Bien Phu in the afternoon around 4pm. Upon arrival we cound ride around to explore the town. Dinner and overnight in Dien Bien Phu.

Summary
Riding: 170km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 4: Riding along Nam Na River to Tam Duong

After breakfast we will start our 225 km ride along stunning gorges and Nam Na River. On the way we will have interesting stops to visit H’mong and Dzao villages. Lunch in Lai Chau. We would reach Tam Duong around 4.30 pm. Dinner and overnight in hotel in Tam Duong Town.

Summary
Riding: 225km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 5: Ascend Sapa

The ride today is the highlight of the whole trip. Climbing the highest pass in Vietnam, the Tram Ton Pass. Lunch in local restaurant en route. We will reach Sapa in the noon time. Sapa is the former hill station for the French colonists hundred years ago. Today Sapa is the paradise for trekking lovers thank to its beautiful trekking routes, stunning terraces, colorful minority groups and the highest mountain in Indochina, the Mt. Fansipang. Dinner and overnight in Sapa.

Note: The weekend market (Sunday market) in Tam Duong is very interesting with lots of colorful ethnic minorities. If this day is Sunday the market will be included in the program and we would reach Sapa around 3pm.

Summary
Riding: 180km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 6: Trekking in Sapa – Night train to Hanoi

Breakfast in the hotel. We will take a jeep ride downhill to Muong Hoa valley. Today we enjoy the most beautiful trek route in Vietnam. We will trek on dirt path through pine forest, terraces and H’mong villages. En route we stop to visit minority villages, schools and have picnic lunch by river. In the afternoon we walk to the pick-up point to take a jeep transfer back to Sapa. Ride to Lao Cai for the night train back to Hanoi.

Summary
Trekking: 4hrs, downhill
Riding to Lao Cai: 37km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Night train (AC, soft sleeper cabin)

Day 7: Arrive in Hanoi

Arrival in Hanoi early in the morning (5am). Tour finishes.

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About Activetravel Asia

ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA (ATA) offers a wide selection of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar adventure tours, including hiking and trekking, biking, motorcycling, overland touring and family travel packages. Our packages and custom itineraries will take you through exotic destinations to really experience the culture, history and nature of Asia. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy an unforgettable active vacation. We run the most adventure tours available in the area. Our active trips are designed for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts, real people seeking real fun and adventure.

* Prices do not include taxes and fees, may not include airfare and are based on double occupancy. Tour information including pricing may not be up to date.

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