Highlands to Heritage – A Trekking Journey Across Northern Vietnam
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12 people
Group tour
Difficulty: normal
Distance:
Embark on a breathtaking adventure through Northern Vietnam, where rugged mountains, rich ethnic cultures, and UNESCO-listed natural wonders come together in a one-of-a-kind trekking experience.
This journey takes you from the misty peaks of Sapa and the vibrant markets of Bac Ha, through the dramatic limestone landscapes of Ha Giang and tranquil lakes of Ba Be, to the historic passes of Lang Son and the majestic waters of Halong Bay.
Along the way, you’ll trek through remote ethnic villages, terraced rice fields, hidden valleys, and jungle trails — meeting local communities, discovering ancient customs, and witnessing landscapes few travelers get to see.
"Highlands to Heritage" is more than just a trek — it's a deep dive into the soul of Northern Vietnam, from its mountain heartlands to its coastal treasures.
Highlands to Heritage Trekking Tour Schedule – Across Northern Vietnam
Arrive early in Lao Cai, then drive to Sapa through scenic mountain roads. After breakfast at 8 am, begin a trek to Lao Chai village with views of Muong Hoa Valley. After a picnic lunch, continue to Ta Van Village, home to the friendly Dzay people, and visit Giang Ta Chai, a Red Dzao village. Stay overnight in a Dzay family house.- 10-12km trek.
After breakfast, trek from Giang Ta Chai to Su Pan, enjoying stunning views of nature. In Su Pan, meet the Red Dao and Black Hmong people. After exploring, begin the trek back to Sapa for one last view of the mountains and rice paddies. Enjoy dinner on your own and stay overnight in Sapa town.
- 15-17 km trek.
Today is the most challenging yet rewarding trek. After 2 hours on flat terrain, begin a steep climb through a primary rainforest, which can be tricky if it's rainy. Spot vibrant butterflies along the way. At 2000m, you'll be greeted by stunning terraced paddies. Stop for a picnic near a waterfall before continuing to Coc Dong Village, home of the Nung hill tribe. Arrive in the afternoon and stay overnight in a local stilt house.
- 5-7 km trek.
We visit the Muong Khuong weekend market, where you’ll see various ethnic groups. If it's not market day, we’ll head to Coc Ly for a boat ride to Bac Ha. After a 2-hour drive, we’ll explore the trails behind the H’mong Kings Palace before dinner and overnight at a lodge.
After leaving Bac Ha, we travel for half a day to Sin Man and Hoang Su Phi. The scenic yet challenging journey crosses dense jungle and winding roads, passing through villages of various hill tribes like Nung Ing, Tay, Red Dao, and La Chi. After lunch, enjoy a 4-hour trek through lush forests, tea plantations, terraced rice fields, and mountain slopes around Thong Nguyen. Dinner and overnight at Hoang Su Phi Lodge.
- Trek: 7-10 km
The journey from Hoang Su Phi to Ha Giang offers stunning views of lush mountains, winding rivers, and cascading rice terraces. After lunch in Ha Giang, head to Ha Thanh village for a 4-hour hike to Tay Con Linh mountain. Afterward, the driver will take you to Yen Minh for dinner and an overnight stay in Nam Dam village.
- Trek: 7-10 km
Today, travel from Yen Minh to Dong Van and Meo Vac, visiting the H'mong royal house in Sa Phin. After a trek through Lung Cam village, enjoy lunch in Dong Van. Then, hike 8 km up Ma Pi Leng Pass, through stunning limestone peaks and canyons, before descending to Meo Vac. Dinner and overnight in Meo Vac.
- Trek: 8 km
Start your day with a scenic, bumpy drive to Ba Be National Park, where you'll encounter Hmong, Dao, Tay, and Nung ethnic minorities. Upon arrival at Boc Lom pier, you'll learn to paddle a kayak before exploring Puong Cave by boat and kayaking. After crossing the Nang River and passing through steep terrain, you'll reach Ba Be Lake for a swim. Enjoy dinner and stay with a Tay family in Coc Toc village.
- River & lake: 13 km
After a 30-minute drive, you'll begin a steep hike leading to Tham Phay Cave. The trail takes you through the forest and over rocky terrain before reaching the cave entrance. Inside, explore a 5km river cave with underground rivers, narrow passages, stunning calcite formations, and deep pools. You'll spend about five hours discovering unusual features like ceiling domes and striking rock layers. Afterward, continue to the second cave path, filled with ancient stalagmites and sinkholes. Return to the starting point after the expedition.
- Trek & cave expedition: 12-15 km
After breakfast, head towards Cao Bang Town, passing stunning mountainous landscapes, terraced rice fields, and hill villages. Stop for photos along the way. After lunch in Phia Thap, explore traditional craft villages: Phia Thap (incense-making), tile-making village (yin and yang tiles), Phuc Sen (knife forging), and a Nung knitting village. Dinner and overnight in a Nung ethnic house.
- Trek: 5-7 km
Visit Ban Gioc Waterfall, located on the Chinese-Vietnamese border. Take a bamboo boat ride close to the falls, explore a local market, and hike to Phat Tich Temple for great views. Pass through hill tribe villages before heading to Lang Son for dinner and an overnight stay.
Depart from Lang Son to Halong, passing through mountainous areas and stopping to visit the Tay, Nung, and San Diu hill tribes. Upon arrival in Halong, embark on a cruise, enjoying lunch while admiring the stunning karst islands. Visit Light and Dark Water Cave, with options for kayaking or a bamboo boat ride. Dinner on your own, then overnight on the cruise.
Embark on a 5-hour cruise to Cat Ba Island, exploring Lanha Bay's stunning limestone islands, hidden beaches, and caves. Enjoy a visit to Viet Hai village, located within Cat Ba National Park, and take a bike ride through the area. Stop for a swim in a secluded cove and explore a hidden grotto. After a seafood lunch on board, return to Hanoi.
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