Day 1 Mai Chau homestay
Climb up mountain passes with beautiful scenery of rice fields and valleys before descending into Mai Chau, a village of White Thai minority. Sit together around a fire drinking "Ruou Can", a local rice wine and join in a traditional music show before ending the day in stilt house of a family.

Day 2 Son La
Drive onto Moc Chau plateau, we pass dairy cow and tea plantations on our way to Son La. This town is historically important for its involvement in the Vietnamese struggle for independence from France. The provincial museum and the nearby old prison are some of this hill town's major sights.

Day 3 Dien Bien Phu
It's a long day driving as we cross over the Pha Din Pass before reaching Dien Bien Phu, the site of the decisive battle in Vietnam's struggle for independence in 1954. At times the roads are steep but the stunning panoramas afford us more than compensate for any hardship.

Day 4 Lai Chau
Lai Chau town lies on the floor of a very steep valley near the convergence of three river systems. Crossing a large suspension bridge we head along the eastern banks of the Nam Na river and view the spectacular gorges with precipitous cliffs towering over the river sides and hill-tribe villages scattered on sandy bank.

Days 5-6 Sa Pa
Soak up the fresh climate by spending our time wandering around this charming town and some legacies of the French period, visit the bustling Sa Pa Market where the Red Dao, Black Hmong, Tay and Xa Pho ethnic minorities converge from the nearby mountainsides and valleys to trade their goods and buy provisions.

Day 7 Bac Ha
Bac Ha is situated in the highlands and is mostly populated by the beautifully dressed Flower H'mong minority. On Sunday mornings, thousands of people from every corner of the area flock out to market for their most important weekly activity. In spring you will be overwhelmed by the beauty of the white plum blossom.

Days 8-10 Ha Giang
The final frontier in northern Vietnam, a lunar landscape of limestone pinnacles and granite outcrops, this remote area is a land of rugged mountains and beautiful hill villages which are unchanged for centuries. The former H'mong royal house at Sa Phin is a primary attraction.

Days 11-12 Ba Be lakes
A day to explore Vietnam's largest natural lake. Take in some river markets, relax on a boat cruise, go fishing, explore caves, dine with friends at the edge of a waterfall, enjoy the hospitality of the minority peoples who inhabit this area.

Days 13-14 Cao Bang - Ban Gioc Waterfalls 
A venture out into the most northern region of Cao Bang Province - the spectacular Ban Gioc Waterfall, which boasts the largest waterfall in Vietnam, and the enormous Nguom Ngao Caves which has two main entrances and one branch reaching almost all the way to the waterfalls where there is a "secret” entrance 

Days 15-16 Lang Son, return to Ha Noi
As a trading post, Lang Son is where you can find Chinese products flooding the town. Just spend a couple of hours walking around town, stopping at the bustling market of Ky Lua and the beautiful Ki Kung River, which is Vietnam’s unique river flowing to China.

travel style: Independent
If you're looking for something different (perhaps group travel isn't for you) or you want an extension to your trip, an Independent adventure could be just the thing. These private itineraries will take you to a new level of personal experience and self discovery. Transport and accommodation are provided and to give you maximum flexibility, sightseeing and entrance fees are not included except those specified in the itinerary.
group size
N/A as this trip is on a private basis.
accommodation & meal inclusions
13 nights in standard class hotels or guesthouses, 2 nights homestay
Mai Chau: Thai village homestay
Meals included: breakfast
Son La: Cong Doan Hotel
Meals included: breakfast
Dien Bien Phu: Muong Thanh Hotel
Meals included: breakfast
Lai Chau: Lan Anh Hotel
Meals included: breakfast
Sapa: Royal Hotel
Meals included: breakfast
Bac Ha: Sao Mai Hotel
Meals included: breakfast
Ha Giang: Phuong Dong Hotel
Meals included: breakfasts
Dong Van: Dong Van Guesthouse
Meals included: breakfast
Ba Be: Thuy Dung Hotel
Meals included: breakfast
Tay village homestay
Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Cao Bang: Huong Thom Hotel
Meals included: breakfasts
Lang Son: Huy Hung Hotel
Meals included: breakfast
*This trip operates on a twin share basis (two single beds in one room) except when we are in a home-stay where we are one big happy family. Single supplements are only applicable to single travellers who wish to have their own room and are not applicable in a home-stay where we are one big happy family 
transport
private air-conditioned vehicles
physical rating * easy
You are required to carry your pack on and off trains and buses, up hotel steps, etc. Your itinerary includes an easy paced trekking of several hours in on hilly terrain, in conditions that are likely to be hot and muggy.

Tour includes:
* Local English speaking guide the whole trip 
*Accommodation with daily breakfast, entrance fees, meals, transportation, and sightseeing excursions as itinerary. 
* Permits
Tour excludes:
* Visa costs 
* Pre/post trip arrangements
* Drinks, tips, laundry and other items of a personal nature. 
* International flights 
* Arrival and Departure transfers 
* Meals other than those listed 
* Travel insurance 

Tour cost: US $600 per person in the party of 2

Extra accommodation 
Start and end of tour: Ha Noi 
Single room:
Double\Twin room:
Arrival\Departure transfer
Ha Noi: 20 US$ for 1-2 passengers, 30 US$ for 3 or more 
Escort guide: US$ 15