North-West Explore Tour / 6 Days

OVERVIEW:

If you only have a short time to explore but want to experience the best spots in the Northwest region of Vietnam, look no further than the Flamingo Travel 6-Day Explorer Tour. This short and sweet trip will take you through some of the most famous, panoramic places in Vietnam outside of the HA GIANG LOOP (Which we offer on the 12-day Northern loop). From the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage sites in Ninh Binh, to the lush wilderness and sweeping waterfalls of PU LUONG Nature Reserve, the sea of rolling green tea hills of MOC CHAU, the awe-inspiring mountain ranges of TA XUA, to the sheer epicness of THAC BA Lake, this trip is sure to impress upon you memories that you will never forget, and will whet your appetite for this wonderful wild land that is Vietnam. What are you waiting for?  LET’S GO!

 DAY 1: To NINH BINH 130km

Today we will leave Hanoi in the side mirrors and head south to Ninh Binh City, one of the famous places in Vietnam and not to be missed. Ninh Binh was the ancient capital of Vietnam more than 1000 years ago, and is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country, a feature that has earned Ninh Bihn a spot in UNESCO as a world heritage site, in particular places like Tam Coc and Trang An, which are likened to Ha Long Bay on land.

Riding along the Red River Bank on our way to Ninh Binh, we will take in the beauty of the peaceful countryside of the North. We’ll make a quick stop by a local bamboo and rattan production facility to understand how artisans make their products. Located right next to the village we will visit an extremely beautiful Bonsai garden in which there are trees up to 500 years old! Lunch will be a local delicacy near NINH BINH.  After lunch we embark on a boat trip on the NGO DONG River which flows in-between mountains and through stunning Paleolithic cave before merging into the large NGO VAC River. We’ll have time to relax and enjoy an enchanting view during the trip, a chance to admire the expansive rice fields and exotic rock formations on both sides.

Our hotel in Tam Coc awaits us in the evening for a delicious meal and a restful night.

 Day 2: To PU LUONG 150km

After breakfast at the hotel, we continue to head South through small villages and fertile pineapple fields to visit another UNESCO World Heritage site, NHA HO Citadel.

Built in the early 14th century, the HO CITADEL served as the political, economic and cultural centre of North Central Viet Nam from 1398 to 1407. This Citadel bears testimony to a critical period in Vietnamese and South-east Asian history when traditional kingship and Buddhist values were giving way to new trends in technology, commerce and centralized administration.

A short ride away from the Citadel is the legendary HO CHI MINH ROAD. Built in the early 1960s, the HO CHI MINH ROAD played a pivotal role in during the Vietnam-US war,  serving as a lifeline for transporting food and ammunition to the southern battlefields. We will stop for lunch and admire the beautiful surroundings.

After lunch, we will head Northwest towards the high mountains of the PU LUONG National Nature Reserve, a lush, green landscape with spell-binding views. Our homestay is located nearby the gorgeous PU LUONG waterfall where we will have a cool dip in its clear, fresh waters and swim to our content before heading to the

Homestay for a warm meal and local spirits (optional).

 Day 3: To Moc Chau 180km

Today is sure to be a great day of riding as we cruise the winding road through PU LUONG Nature Reserve. We will ride to a beautiful viewpoint at the top of the mountain where where a panoramic view of the surrounding mountain range can be seen. The next note-worthy attraction will be to see GUONG NUOC (water wheels) in action. Water wheels in this area are utilized by the locals to transfer water from the stream to their rice fields. If there is a chance, we will chat with a farmer to understand more about life in this area. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. The afternoon is also the highlight of the trip when passing through XUAN NHA special-use forest on the trail that will lead us to the famous BACH MA glass bridge. The bridge has set a world record as the longest glass bridge in the world. We will walk its length while staring at the river below through the glass floor and take plenty of photos before retreating for the night at a popular Moc Chau resort.

 DAY 4:  TRAM TAU 200km

After breakfast at the resort, we will depart early for TA XUA. The highlight this morning as we leave MOC CHAU will be visiting the tea farms. MOC CHAU is home to the largest tea plantations in all Vietnam, a truly mesmerizing view. Continuing on, we will follow the small trial leading away from the farm then head East to join the road running along the DA RIVER, where the ferry will be waiting to take us to the other side. We will continue riding along the opposite side of the bank until we reach BAC YEN, where we stop for lunch. After lunch we will commence the climb towards TA XUA. TA XUA is known as “The town in the clouds” with an altitude of 1,700m above sea level, where the famous DINOSAUR SPINE mountain resides. It is a favorite place of tourists who love to explore and stop every time they visit. We will trek a short distance along the DINOSAUR SPINE, which offers some of the most stunning, panoramic views you will ever see. Following this amazing experience, we will continue heading north until reaching TRAM TAU, where our homestay for the evening awaits, with a hot spring nearby for your enjoyment.

 DAY 5: YEN BINH 140km

Today we head Northeast through the fertile land of the vast NGHIA LO Valley, which is one of the largest rice fields in the Northwest region. From there, we ride along on the trail near NA HAU primeval forest to reach the stunning VAN YEN district. We’ll have plenty of time to stop to take photos, take a break, enjoy a delicious lunch or simply soak in the awe-inspiring scenery. From the VAN YEN junction, we will join the crowded National Highway No.70, but no worries because in just a few more kilometers we will arrive at a beautiful resort located right next to epic, absolutely stunning THAC BA Lake where we will spend the night.

Dinner will be prepared for us, including a specialty fish from this lake.

DAY 6: BACK TO HANOI 180km.

On our final morning together, join us with a cup of coffee to enjoy the fresh morning and catch a beautiful sunrise over THAC BA Lake before we start our journey back to Hanoi. Swimming is encouraged. The road today is easy and deserted except for the last few kilometers near crowded Hanoi. We will ride on the back roads following along the peaceful RED RIVER. After a final pass through beautiful villages with rustic scenery in the Northern countryside, we return to the big city. We will drop off our motorbikes at Flamingo Garage and have time to get cleaned up at the hotel before our dinner and celebration tonight.

We are sure that this trip will leave an indelible mark on all of you, with an incredible story to bring back home and sights you will want to experience again and again! See you again soon!

Tour Includes

• 01 Motorcycle per person
• All petrol (gasoline)
• Rain gear, helmets
• Motorbike jacket
• 02 night in local stilt house
• 03 nights in hotel in twin share room
• Local English Speaking guide
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary: 5 Breakfasts (B), 6 Lunches (L), 6 Dinners (D)

Tour Excludes

• Visa to Vietnam
• Any other transportations are not mentioned in the itinerary
• Insurance
• Drinks
• Meals are not mentioned in the itinerary
• Tip for guide
• Other personal expenses

What to bring

• Passport
• Good sunglasses
• Good shoes for walking
• Other personal needs and some cash for drinks or souvenirs.

Prices are quoted in US Dollar/ per person in group of: