NORTHERN VIETNAM DIRT MOTORCYCLE TOUR TO MAI CHAU, SON LA AND SAPA

Leave Hanoi and break out of the delta plains we pass through endless limestone karst scenery as we travel south through “Perfume Pagoda” country and extensive farming lands comprising a sea of paddy fields split by tree-lined roads. After a picnic lunch near Chi Ne, we visit the hot springs at Kim Boi, before striking northwest and over two passes, finally dropping down to the mountain valley settlement of Mai Chau. Here we stay overnight with friends of the White Thai minority in a traditional stilt house. In the evening, after feasting, we can enjoy a cultural show of Thai dancing and a range of special local liquors.
Overnight in Mai Chau.

Distance: 150km
Duration: 5 hours
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Homestay

It’s not necessary to wake up early this day, but why we don’t save time to discover local life in the morning by foot. After breakfast we head out on the highway before forking off the main road on to an old French colonial road which has become abandoned. This old road used to serve the northwest in the days of little motorised transport but became disused from 1994 when Hoa Binh Dam was opened and the Black River (Song Da) valley was subsequently flooded, eradicating the road to Hanoi.

We pass steadily upwards through areas inhabited by Thai peoples, followed by the Dao and H’Mong ethnicities at higher altitudes. The road surface is by no means smooth but the winding route offers magnificent views out over 6 ranges of mountains. In mid-afternoon we rejoin the main highway and travel on good winding sealed road to Moc Chau – famous for dairy products, tea, a massive cave, and a waterfall.
Overnight in Moc Chau.

Distance: 120km
Duration: 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Standard hotel

It’s a hard day waiting for you ahead. We’ll travel around Moc chau highland to wallow in its beautiful nature. Then get out the main road we will turn off the path, which will make you extremely exited with gravel stone, mud, sheer cliffs, deep abyss, spring buffalos wallow in mires along the path. we ride through Ta So, Ta Phinh, Muong Lum and reach to Son La city. This day will be the time for you to do exercise and show your riding skill with 100% offroad. In the evening, we will have relax in Son La city after tired day.

Distance: 150km
Duration: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Standard hotel

On the fourth day we will travel on snake roada to Muong La where Son La hydro power plant, a biggest hydro power of Vietnam is located. After lunch time, do not forget to take some minutes around this hydro power plant before continuing up toward to Ngoc Chien. Sam Sit mountain pass is waiting for us with mud, dust, rock and deep ditch. In hill tribe Thai language, Sam Sit means 30 mountainous slopes, thus we should keep our spirits up to pass over this trip. Sinking with local people in hot spring just for relaxation as finishing time.

Distance: 80km
Duration: 3 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Standard hotel

The route from Ngoc Chien to Nam Khat is fearful with small road around mouth of valley where no track of car or four wheel vehicle is printed. That’s why it is very dangerous for any rider. It take two hours from Ngoc Chien to halfway up the pick of Khau Co mountain pass, and more one hours for Mu Cang Chai town. Don’t be surprised when you hit the view of Mu Cang Chai terraced fields which is were recognized as a national heritage in 2007 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Fourty kilometers from Mu Cang Chai to Than Uyen is easy to pass before nighfall. Sleeping in hotel.

Distance: 110km
Duration: 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Standard hotel

The area of Than Uyen is mainly populated by Flower H’mong and Dzao people. Then direction Sapa. Easy track for 100 km and asphalted mountainous road for the last 40 km. Stay in Sapa and you will find out the reason Sapa is one of the most popular places for tourists in Vietnam.

Distance: 120km
Duration: 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Homestay

Depending on the group’s mood, we can either take it easy in Sapa town, or make excursions back to the top of the highest pass in Vietnam, or down deep into the amazing Sapa valley. All options are dominated by the crest of the enormous Fansipan mountain range that looms over 2,000 metres above us. The entire region is populated by Hmong, Giay, Tay and Dao people. Stay in Sapa.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Homestay

Ride down from Sapa and then through palm forest all the way to Luc Yen and stay in a Dao family who live in the Tay territory. It’s a great home stay, very typical of Vietnam hill tribes and the hosts are very hospitable.

Distance: 180km
Duration: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Standard hotel

Explore the Luc Yen area and visit our friends’ families before riding to our Dao friends’ village of Vu Linh. The hosts are “drinkers of Vietnam” and they like to party. The welcome is exceptional and we hope you will not be too much tired.

Distance: 80km
Duration: 3 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Standard hotel

After breakfast we cruise southeast on Highway 2 and then branch off to the sleepy town of Phu Tho. We follow the edge of the Red River along the dyke, almost to the point where it merges with the Black River after which they flow together to Hanoi. By now we are very much in the lowlands of the delta plains and the north’s main agricultural areas. Harvest time
here is a sea of activity. Crossing the Black River by bridge, we pass through Son Tay and then return to Hanoi on the highway.

Distance: 180km
Duration: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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