The Northern Rice and Market Trail

Our tour guide will pick you up at your hotel for the transfer to Nghia Lo district. After 2 hours on the highway, the road turns very scenic with the mountain scenery and small towns. 
Upon arrival, settle your stay and enjoy your home-cooked lunch. 
In the afternoon, take a leisure bike ride to soak up the atmosphere of Nghia Lo, seeing the valley`s treasure. 

Accommodation: homestay in Nghia Lo.
Meals: lunch, dinner.

Mu Cang Chai, the destination of this day is featured in almost any travel magazine about Vietnam with its iconic rice terraces. 
After breakfast, depart from Nghia Lo to Tu Le, a picturesque town that is home to the friendly Thai hill tribe. Stop for photos !
The afternoon road trip takes you over the Khau Pha pass, rewarded by a stunning panorama. Once we arrive at your homestay point, embark a walk to experience the life of Thai people in the area. 
The highlight for this evening is the cooking demonstration and tasting the real Thai food.

Accommodation: homestay/hotel in Mu Cang Chai.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

After breakfast, depart to your trekking point. As you reach La Pan Tan commune which houses the best part of Mu Cang Chai rice terraces, take time to challenge your photography skills. The whole area is titled National Heritage boasting endless rice paddies crafted in different mountains.  
The trek also involves some friendly visits to the villages of the Hmong people. 
Back to Mu Cang Chai in the afternoon.

Accommodation: homestay/ hotel in Mu Cang Chai.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

After breakfast, a scenic drive to Sapa will reveal to you the higher mountains of Hoang Lien Son National Park. There are breaks to understand about Tea`s plantations at Than Thuoc before you travel to Tram Ton, one of the highest passes in Vietnam. 
The last stop today is Muong Hoa valley where rice is planted under the foot of Fansipan Mountain. 

Accommodation: hotel/ homestay in Muong Hoa Valley.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. 

After breakfast with mountain views, commence your trek with a transfer to Sin Chai village, a fascinating village of Hong people. The trek from Sin Chai to Nam Nhiu passes through high mountains, waterfalls and picture-perfect valleys. On the way, you`ll meet the Red Dao people who are famous for their embroidery works.
The most impressive part of the adventure is probably Nam Cang village with stunning rice terraces by the side of a pretty river. You are invited to join the local villagers to pick up the herbal medicine if time allows. 
Return to your hotel by car.

Accommodation: hotel/ homestay in Muong Hoa valley.
Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Today, we start early on the other east side of Lao Cai province, traversing the Red River. Our driver will make a stop to see the Vietnam-China border before you head to the market. Depending on your travel date, you`ll join one of these weekly markets : Coc Ly ( Tuesday), Cao Son ( Wednesday), Lung Khau Nhin ( Thursday) or Bac Ha market ( Sunday).
The market is a very attractive event for different ethnic groups who expect to come to buy and sell their farm product, sipping the corn wine or simply enjoying the social atmosphere. It turns very colorful as the Flower Hmong, Tay, and Nung people come with their colorful, traditional customs.
Keep driving to the tranquil town of Bac Ha.

Accommodation: hotel in Bac Ha.
Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Spend the morning soaking up the best rice terraces of Bac Ha in Ban Lien commune. As the car stops by the hilltop, you`ll be rewarded with a dramatic view of rice fields, cinnamon plantations, and lush forests. 
A leisure walk is offered to see the life of the Tay people before you take a scenic drive to Hoang Su Phi in the afternoon. 

Accommodation: hotel in Hoang Su Phi.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. 

After breakfast, prepare your shoes for a trek through a snaking path that leads to Ban Luoc, known as the pride of Ha Giang for its photographic rice terraces. The further you trek, the more photos you want to take. 
In the afternoon, the driver will pick you up again for a trip to Thong Nguyen commune where you`ll spend the evening with a local family. Free to join your local host for a cooking class.

Accommodation: homestay in Thong Nguyen.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. 

The highlights of this day are the encounters of different ethnic hill tribes at their home places as you descend from Thong Nguyen to Pan Hou.
Upon arrival, check-in your eco-lodge and set out for a deeper exploration of the Dao people in Pan Hou commune. 

Accommodation: Pan Hou Ecolodge.
Meals: breakfast, lunch. 

Free at leisure until our driver takes you back to Hanoi. 
Drop at your hotel in Hanoi. Tour Ends.

Accommodation: not available.
Meal: breakfast.