Private Tour Nghia Lo Mu Cang Chai Sapa Bac Ha 5-day from Hanoi

7h30 - 8h00 AM: Pick-up at your hotel and depart to Duong Lam ancient village, a purely agricultural village of the Northern Red River Delta which still preserves many hundred-year-old houses. On arrival we take a walk on the village path to visit Mong Phu temple where is dedicated to national heroes, King Ngo Quyen temple and King Phung Hung temple. Continue on through the narrow alleys to see the old laterite houses which make up this charming village. Continue to visit Mia Pagoda - built in 15th century and admire 287 statues of all sizes. Enjoy Vietnamese special Vietnamese lunch in an ancient house. While you are in the house you can also join the local people in producing local specialties such as soft green-lentil cake and rice cake filled with brown onion and enjoy these products (Depends on the season of the year). Transfer to Nghia Lo via Thanh Son, we will make a stop to visit the green tea plantation hill then walk through the stilt-house villages. It belongs to the Muong ethnic group, considered as Authentic Viet. The Muong ethnic group is one of few communities in the north that is immune to Chinese influence. Arrive in Nghia Lo, check in at your home stay in the Thai village and enjoy their hospitality. Overnight in Nghia Lo.

After breakfast, Walk or bike around the Thai village to discover the beautiful rice field valley and hamlets that still preserve the authentic houses on stilts and meet the friendly locals. Visit a local market in Nghia Lo then transfer to Mu Cang Chai via Tu Le. Mu Cang Chai is well known for its marvelous rice terrace widely considered as the most beautiful in the world. In 2007, Che Cu Nha, De Su Phinh and La Pan Tan were recognized as outdoor masterpieces on the list of national heritage. At the exit of Nghia Lo, you will cross the hilly region populated by the Zao ethnic group on the hills and the Zay in the valley. Stop for a chance to take photos and meet the local people on the way. Arrive in Tu Le. It is possible to trek to the valley where Thai people live in houses on stilts and have some unusual encounters that allow you to immerse yourself into the authentic local life. In the afternoon, continue to Khau Pha pass which offers you a splendid panoramic view of the valley of rice terraces. Then the car will take you to La Pan Tan which is a legendary route for photographers. You will trek to admire the gorgeous rice terrace masterpieces created by the Hmong peasant artists from generation to generation, enjoy the majestic landscape and follow the route from La Pan Tan to Mam Xoi. Overnight in Mu Cang Chai.

After breakfast, transfer to Than Uyen, one of the Thai rice valleys. The splendid landscape of rice terraces in Mu Cang Chai will follow you along the way to Than Uyen. Before turning right to Sapa, we will make a stop to visit Na Tam Village where the Laotian and Lu people live. This is a beautiful, tranquil landscape. Traditionally, the local women are distinguished by black teeth and indigo colored clothing encrusted with silver pieces. Take a 2 hour hike through the river, villages, rice fields, and hills and meet the locals. Transfer to Sapa, crossing Hoang Lien Son pass (O Quy Ho pass). This is the longest and highest pass in Vietnam, 54km in length and 2047m in height. Stop to relax at the top of the pass and soak up the grandiose landscape. This is also a great place for photos. Arrive in Sapa, a town discovered by the French in 1903, in the afternoon. With a temperate climate, Sapa became an attraction for holidaymakers because of its beautiful rice valley, splendid mountain range and the diversity of minority tribes such as Black Hmong, Red Zao and the Zay ethnics. Overnight in Sapa.

Depart from your accommodation for the hike following the itinerary: Ma Tra – Ta Phin which is less touristic. The journey will lead you to the superb rice terrace valley, meeting the local people of the Black Hmong and Red Zao ethnic groups. They were originally from southern China. They settled in Vietnam in the 11th century. And still live at high altitude, far away from the modern world. This helps them to preserve their traditions, language and especially their ancestral way of life. Make a stop on the way to visit a Hmong family and school in Ma Tra Village. After a 3-hour trek, you will reach the Red Zao village to transfer to Sapa. In the afternoon, transfer in Bac Ha via Lao Cai City. Stop in the city for a visit to the Vietnam - China border gate. Arrive in Bac Ha in the late afternoon. Located at an altitude of 1000m, Bac Ha is home to several ethnic groups such as the colorful Hmong, Phu La and Tays. Bac Ha is well known for its weekly, colorful Sunday market surrounded by wild and beautiful scenery. Bac Ha market is not only for the exchange of goods but it has also been for the cultural exchange of the ethnic groups for centuries. Overnight in Bac Ha.

After breakfast, visit a colorful, ethnic market if it falls on these days: Bac Ha Market on Sunday, Can Cau Market on Saturday, Sin Cheng Market on Wednesday, Coc Ly Market on Tuesday. Enjoy the striking atmosphere with so many goods such as vegetables, poultry, horses and buffalos while capturing many minority groups in their best colorful clothing of the week. The next stop is Ban Pho Village, famous for its corn alcohol. Discover life in the village and the people who survive from the cultivation of corn and plums. Thanks to the village’s water source, they make and exceptional corn-flavored alcohol that is appreciated by both the locals and the guests from afar. Go trekking through some Hmong ethnic villages and end up at Na Kheo, a Tay ethnic village. Simply idyllic, it's a typical Bac Ha Landscape, mixed with corn fields, manioc hills and clay houses. Plum gardens decorated with Hmong women and their colorful skirts will accompany you along the trip. In the afternoon, transfer to Hanoi by highway.