THE BIG LOOP – BA BE LAKE – CAO BANG THE NORTHERN HA GIANG LOOP 6 DAYS 5 NIGHTS
The Ha Giang Loop Tour is the best of what Vietnam has to offer. When is the best time to visit Ha Giang? It is quickly being overrun by tourism and the time to experience it is now. Many agree that this is the Vietnamese ‘Mecca’ for touring and with good reason. Stunning roads, beautiful passes and a rich cultural heritage all make this the premier destination in Vietnam. It takes a day to get up and one to get back. Add this to you needing 3-4 days in Ha Giang and you have your 5 – 6 day minimum requirement for the tour.
For most days, the idea is to not spend too much time on the bike unless you have to.The roads here are mountainous,thin and winding so you cannot drive fast or get far (safely). There are lots of places to stop whether they are small villages or historical sites.This means the mindset of mixing pleasurable driving with photo stops should be adopted.
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Summary
The whole of northern Vietnam offers so much to discover. While all mountainous it also presents a lot of variations in landscape and sights to take in. On our ‘Ha Giang Loop Tour’ we ensure to cover three of the most famous sights and areas the Ba Be Lake (entrancing fresh-water lake surrounded by the high limestone mountains and primeval jungle and retains its beauty year-round), the Ban Gioc waterfall (this 30 m high and 200m wide fall on the boarder of Vietnam/China will stun any visitor) and the Ma Pi Leng mountain pass (without doubt the most astonishing mountain road in Vietnam. 20 km of winding road that formally hangs on the mountain side with jaw dropping views at every bend) This tour presents some longer days on the bike so both stamina and experience (especially if self-driving) is a requirement.
Possibility to self-drive or to ride pillion (behind guide/driver). If self-driving, we recommend extensive prior motorcycling experience
Accommodation will be in a mix of ethnic minority homestay and hotels
Itinerary
The tour may be done clockwise or anti-clockwise around the Ha Giang Loop Tour and will depend on driving skills, seasons and market-days.
Day 1: Ha Giang – Bac Quang – Na Hang – Ba Be Lake, approx. 245 km drive
After some breakfast, we on a ‘marathon loop’, but even if there are many kms to cover it is for a large part on easy roads where we make up distance at quite a speed. We go south out on highway QL 2 till we reach Viet Quang where we turn into road TL 279 and we will reach the small town of Na Hang where we stop for lunch. After lunch we ‘finally’ meet beautiful mountains roads taking us over a spectacular mountain pass before reaching the town of Cho Ra in late afternoon where we branch of and go down Ba Be Lake. Here we check into a nice Homestay by the lake and which will provide us a wonderful dinner, bed and breakfast. (Day ncludes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 2: Ba Be Lake
We will spend the full day on and around the lake. After breakfast we will enjoy a boat ride and explore the lake and its surroundings. The lakes have a lot to offer, including waterfalls, rivers, valleys and caves all set amidst picturesque landscapes. Lunch and dinner at the Homestay. (Day includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Ha Giang – Cao Bang – Ban Gioc Waterfalls, approx. 205 km
After breakfast we travel north up and down the ‘snake pass’ and stop for our lunch in Cao Bang City. We continue towards the Chinese boarder where at the end of the day meet the breath-taking Ban Gioc Waterfall which spans over 300 meters, split half and half between Vietnam and China. We spend the night in a Nung ethnic homestay and enjoy some traditional home-cooked dinner. (Day includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Ban Gioc – Cao Bang – Bao Lac, approx. 210 km
After breakfast we start the morning to discover the Nguom Ngao Cave, an impressive natural wonder with a cave that stretches for 2,144 meters underground and is brimming with incredible stalactites and stalagmites. Then it is time for a ride through beautiful landscape and nice roads until we reach the small town of Ba Lac where we take into a hotel for the night. (Day includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Ban Lac – Meo Vac – Ma Pi Leng mountain pass – Dong Van – Lung Cu – Dong Van, approx. 145 km
From Bao Lac town we continue north and connect to QL 4C or ‘Road of Happiness’ and start driving north towards Meo Vac where we take lunch. After that we will climb up the majestic Ma Pi Leng mountain pass. 22km of stunning beauty and a road that just hangs off the mountainside. We will reach the most norther town of Vietnam, Dong Van, but we continue on to reach the North pole. Anyway, that is what the most northern point of Vietnam is jokingly called Lung Cu and its famous flagpole tower which we climb and view China from the top. We return towards Dong Van where we stay in a hotel or homestay as what has been agreed. (Day includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Dong Van – Sa Phin – Yen Minh – Tam Son – Ha Giang City, approx. 150 km drive
If we are waking up on a Sunday in Dong Van the weekly big local market meets you before or after a breakfast. More ethnic minority groups than you can count have travelled on Saturday or extremely early on Sunday to reach here. Really colourful and people from near and far to do their weekly shopping and gossiping. Thereafter, we start our journey south. Soon we reach Sa Phin where we find the one-hundred-year-old palace of Vuong Chinh Duc – the King of H’mong people. We go down the Highland of Stone and reach Yen Minh where we take lunch and then climb a mountain pass covered in pine forest and sweeping rice terraces along our drive. Down to the Song La river valley until the road takes us up to Tam Son, over the Quan Ba mountain pass and back to Ha Giang. (Day includes Breakfast, Lunch)
Disclaimer: While above itinerary outline the broad and most likely inclusions. At Ha Giang Loop Tour we are no firm believers in absolute programs.
There are many reasons why things might have to be modified to situations and facts that may be both within the control and beyond when we embark on a tour.
Price & Inclusion
At Ha Giang Loop Tour Motorbikes the tour prices differs due to several factors; the model you choose to drive, the number of riders, if you self-drive or decide to ride behind guide/driver. To give the most correct price please click ‘Book Now’ and we’ll get back with correct price.
Our aim is to give you a quality tour and memory for life. To do so our tours might not be the cheapest you find in Ha Giang, but as the saying goes ‘you pay for what you get’
Price includes (All-inclusive tour)
–English Speaking Tour guide
-All meals, as indicated in the itinerary (local Vietnamese food)
-Drinking water, water or soft drinks during lunch, coffee and a smoothie where they can be found
-Accommodation (mix of ethnic minority homestay and hotel (shar by two – single room for extra fee possible)
-Quality genuine Japanese Motorcycles
-Full cover bike damage insurance
-All fuel cost
-All entrance tickets & permits
-Full or half-helmet, protective knee and elbow gear, basic rain clothes
-Bungee cords & plastic cover for your bags
-Free storage of excess luggage
-Free dorm bed, when arriving on a night bus, at Ha Giang Loop Tour Online (03.00-08.00)
Price excludes
–Gratuities & tips
-Alcoholic beverages if not served on behalf of third party like homestay
-Personal expenses
-Personal travel insurance
