“Our guide in Hà Giang changed the route when fog closed the pass, and we still made the Sunday market. Nothing felt rushed.”
Multi-day tour
Hà Giang and Cao Bằng Loop
- Best seller
- 8 days
- Private, 1 to 8 travellers
- Starts and ends in Hanoi
- 2 nights with a local partner
Overview
Eight days on the mountain roads of Vietnam's far north, with your own guide and driver. Cross the Mã Pí Lèng pass, stay two nights with a Hmong family and finish at the Bản Giốc waterfall on the Chinese border.
Five nights are in hand-picked hotels and two at Pà Vi Stone House, one of our local partners. Every night is listed below, so you know exactly where you sleep.
Highlights
- The Mã Pí Lèng pass and a boat on the Nho Quế River
- Two nights with a Hmong family at Pà Vi Stone House
- The Sunday market in Mèo Vạc
- Bản Giốc waterfall by bamboo raft
- Private car, driver and guide for 8 days
Itinerary
Local partnerHosted by a family or business we work with
Day 1Hanoi to Hà Giang city
Drive north through tea hills and Tày villages, about six hours with stops. Evening walk along the Lô River.
Overnight3-star hotel by the Lô River, Hà Giang cityHotel
Day 2Quản Bạ Heaven Gate and Yên Minh
Climb the pass to Quản Bạ, see the twin mountains and stop at the Lùng Tám linen village.
OvernightFamily-run guesthouse, Yên MinhGuesthouse
Day 3Đồng Văn and the Hmong King's Palace
Visit the Vương family palace and the old town of Đồng Văn, then drive to Mèo Vạc.
OvernightPà Vi Stone House, Mèo VạcLocal partner
Day 4Mã Pí Lèng pass and the Nho Quế River
Walk part of the pass, then take a boat through the Tu Sản canyon. Dinner with the family.
OvernightPà Vi Stone House, Mèo VạcLocal partner
Day 5Mèo Vạc to Bảo Lạc
The Sunday market in Mèo Vạc if your dates match, then east into Cao Bằng along the Gâm River.
OvernightRiverside hotel, Bảo LạcHotel
Day 6Bảo Lạc to Bản Giốc waterfall
A long drive through Tày and Nùng valleys to Trùng Khánh. Afternoon at the waterfall.
Overnight3-star hotel near Bản Giốc, Trùng KhánhHotel
Day 7Bản Giốc and Ngườm Ngao cave
Bamboo raft to the foot of the falls, a walk through the cave, then on to Cao Bằng city.
Overnight4-star hotel, Cao Bằng cityHotel
Day 8Cao Bằng to Hanoi
Return through Lạng Sơn province, arriving in Hanoi in the early evening.
OvernightEnd of tour, drop-off at your Hanoi hotel
Local partners on this tour
Homestay in Mèo Vạc, Hà Giang
Pà Vi Stone House
On this tour: Nights 3 and 4, with dinner
A Hmong family home of stone and rammed earth below the Mã Pí Lèng pass. Sleep in the loft and share dinner with the family.
Private rooms and a shared loftHome-cooked Hmong dinner
Meet our local partners What's included
Included
- Private car and driver for 8 days
- English-speaking local guide
- 7 nights: 5 hotels and 2 nights with a local partner
- Breakfasts and 6 dinners
- Boat on the Nho Quế River, raft at Bản Giốc
- All entrance fees
Not included
- International flights and visa
- Lunches and drinks
- Tips for guide and driver
- Travel insurance
Good to know
How fit do I need to be?
Most days are by car with short walks. The longest walk is about two hours on the Mã Pí Lèng pass, and you can skip it.
What are the homestay nights like?
Private rooms with mattresses and mosquito nets, or a shared loft. Shared bathroom with hot water. Dinner is with the family.
Can we add rest days or change hotels?
Yes. This is a private tour, so we can stretch it, shorten it or upgrade any hotel before you book.
Can I cancel?
Free cancellation up to 14 days before departure.
Reviews
“Two nights at Pà Vi Stone House were the heart of the trip. We knew in advance where we slept every night, which helped a lot.”
From US$890 per person
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