Grading
Adventurous
Traveller rating
Activities
- Adventures
- Culture
- People
- Landscapes
Accommodation
- 11 nights at Deluxe and Superior hotels
Meals
- Daily buffet breakfast at hotel
- 11 dinners and 10 luncheons at local restaurants
Duration
12 Days
Double
from
USD
Single
from
USD
Tour highlights:
- Graceful Hanoi and the colorful Old Quarter.
- Stunning Mu Cang Chai terraced rice fields
- Breathtaking views of northern mountains and valleys
- Adventurous passes
- Connecting with colorful ethnic tribes
- Harmonize with pure nature and unveil the region
The North Unveiled is designed for adventurers who want to explore the remote northern mountains in-depth and are willing to undertake some long distance travel to see some of Vietnam’s most magnificent scenery and fascinating ethnic minority tribes.
Itinerary:
Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport. Meet our guide and transfer to our hotel.
You will have time to relax at your hotel and adjust to the pace of Hanoi Capital – one of Asia’s most enchanting cities, full of culture, history and the engaging contrast of a rapidly developing and deeply traditional society.
Departing in the morning, we spend a day travelling to the Muong region of Hoa Binh and start the climb up into the mountains for our arrival at the beautifully located village of Mai Chau. The journey takes us through Yen Chau and Moc Chau – famous for mango, banana and longan orchards. We also travel through Vietnam’s largest tea growing regions around Moc Chau. Dinner and overnight in Moc Chau.
Flowers seasons:
- Brassica napus Oct & Nov;
- Wild Sunflowers in Dec;
- Plums, Peach from Jan to Mar
- Bauhinia variegate: Mar
Our journey today takes us through spectacular scenery and numerous hill tribe villages, including Black Tay, Muong and Meo villages. You will have the chance to take photos and have a panoromic view from Khau Pha Pass, elevation 2100m. Heading to Mu Cang Chai to see the enthnic H’mong’s astonishing terraced fice fields. Best time recommended is from September to November for ripe rice and March – April during water filling.
Today leave Mu Cang Chai for Si Thau Chai in Lai Chau. At an elevation of 1400m above sea level is home to 60 ethnic Dzao households surrounded by breathtaking landscape, pure nature and unique traditional customs. Drive to Sapa and check into hotel.
This morning we take a cable car to see Mount Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest peak at 3,143 metres before returning to Sapa, exploring both the town and its surrounds. We walk through the bustling market, as traders from the Hmong and Dzao minorities sell their wares. In the afternoon, walk through terraced rice fields to one of the surrounding Hmong villages and enjoy their traditional hospitality. The Hmong people number over 1 million in Vietnam and are famous for their colorful clothing and beautiful embroidery. The rest of the day you will have free time to explore this old French hill station on your own.
Again we drive through spectacular beautiful mountain scenery. En route, pass ethnic villages, meet the locals and enjoy hair-raising views of the mountainous north Vietnam.
Flowers seasons:
- Buckwheat flowers: May and June
Today spend most of the time on road over stunning passes we are headed to the border to China. This is the northernmost part of Vietnam and land of buckwheat flowers. We have the opportunity to visit Vuong’s mansion with impressive architecture.
We travel to Cao Bang to see the nicest waterfall in Vietnam – the Ban Gioc. Water falling from the height of 53m over 3 layers makes Ban Gioc among the top 4 biggest waterfalls in the world. Overnight at Saigon Ban Gioc hotel.
Proceed to Ba Be Lake. We take a boat ride on this serene Ba Be Lake to see ethnic Tay villages and get yourself lost in the heart-stopping mountain – lake scenery.
Harmonizing yourself with nature landscape on the fanciful scenery of Ba Be Lake before heading to Hanoi for a back-to-the chaos return. Overnight in Hanoi.
Free at leisure before transferring to airport for you onward destination.
Map:
Inclusions:
Daily breakfast at hotels; 11 diners and 10 luncheons at local restaurants
11 nights at Deluxe and Superior hotels on a twinshare basis
All transfers and transportation in private vehicle
Sightseeing and admission fees
English speaking guide
Two drinking water bottles per day
- International airfares
- Travel Insurance (compulsory)
- Visa fees
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls, alcohol etc
- Tips and gratuities
Accommodation:
Deluxe hotels in Hanoi and Sapa. Superior in other towns/cities.
Hanoi: Hanoi Pearl or similar
Moc Chau: Muong Thanh or similar
Mu Cang Chai: Mu Cang Chai Ecolodge or similar
Sapa: Cao Nguyen or similar
Hoang Su Phi: Hoang Su Phi Lodge or similar
Meo Vac: Auberge Mèo Vạc or similar
Ban Gioc Cao Bang: Saigon Ban Gioc Hotel or similar
Be Be Lake: Saigon Tourist Ba Be or similar
Essential Information:
Yes, this tour can run 365 days a year, spring, summer, autumn and winter.
The North Unveiled journey can be enjoyed at any time of the year. North Vietnam is considered to have two seasons – summer and winter. The summer months run from April to November, with July and August the hottest months. The winter months, particularly December to February, can be cold with temperatures falling to 0 degrees. It can sometimes be misty in this period. The region is not affected by snow and can be travelled all year.
It’s an adventurous journey to almost off-the-beaten-path in the mountainous parts of Vietnam. Most of the daytime is en route enjoying the scenery and interaction with locals.
Temperatures vary depending on the seasons, so we recommend that you wear light clothing and pack a jacket in case of falling temperatures in the summer and jacket in winter. We trust you can make your own judgement in season. For footwear, we recommend comfortable walking shoes.
Comfortable shoes for walking
Extra spending money for snacks, souvenirs etc
Camera
Warm clothes and a waterproof jacket (during the winter months)
Hat and sunscreen (during the summer months)
VISA EXEMPT:
Visitors from the following countries may enter visa free, and stay for the indicated number of days.
ASIA:
Brunei, Myanmar – 14 days.
Japan, South Korea (ROK) – 15 days.
The Philippines – 21 days.
Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand – 30 days.
EUROPE:
Belarus, Denmark, Italy, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, The United Kingdom – 15 days.
To stay beyond this number of days, you may apply for a visa extension upon your arrival in Vietnam.
Others not in the above lists must require a visa before coming to Vietnam.
Before traveling to Vietnam, be sure to purchase insurance for your trip. Two months before you leave, you should also consult your doctor or local travel clinic for the latest information on health risks in Vietnam and to receive any vaccinations you may need.
Pregnant women should consult their doctors for specialized advice. Anti-malarial drugs and many diarrhea treatments are not completely safe during pregnancy.
If you have a medical condition or allergy of which requires particular attention, carry a doctor’s letter with you that describes the nature of the condition and treatment needed. We also recommend you pack a medical kit with:
• DEET-based insect repellent
• Paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain relief
• Anti-itch ointment, such as hydrocortisone
• Sunscreen
• Antihistamine for allergy treatment, such as zyrtec, Benadryl
• Bacitracin for wound care, such as Neosporin
• Diarrhea treatment, such as Imodium
Some medications may be difficult to find in Vietnam: be sure you travel with a full supply of any prescribed medicine you need.
If you forget your medications, don’t panic! Somewhere somehow you can find an alternative for your treatment in Vietnam.
