ADVENTURE NORTHEST OF VIET NAM 6 DAYS - 5 NIGHTS TOUR

Day 1: Hanoi - Thai Nguyen - Ba Be (L, D)

Day 2: Ba Be Lake Grotto - Waterfall (B, L, D) 

Day 3: Ba Be - Cao Bang - Quang Yuen  (B, L, D)

Day 4: Ban Gioc Waterfall - Nguom Ngao Cave (B, L, D)

Day 5: Cao Bang - Lang Son (B, L, D)

Day 1: Hanoi - Thai Nguyen - Ba Be (L, D)

Departure from your hotel at 7:30. Stop in Thai Nguyen to visit the marvelous Museum of the Culture of the Ethnic Minorities of Vietnam, followed by lunch in a street restaurant. We then leave the main road to take a smaller one snaking through the mountains and tea plantations, and arrive to Tay village of Bo Lu, where you are welcomed by Mr. Tuan Linh amazingly friendly Tay family in their traditional house. If it's hot, do like the local kids, just jump in the lake! Superb diner (Mrs Duyen is a true Cordon Bleu) and if you would like to do something crazy ask Mr Linh for tobacco cigarette one meter long. Overnight on their house.  

Day 2: Ba Be Lake Grotto - Waterfall (B, L, D) 

A treat! Breakfast on the terrace, then short drive to the house owner's boat, who takes you through the entire length of the 3 connected lakes (Ba Be - "3 bays") and up the Nang River, to an astonishing site: Dong Phuong, an enormous tunnel (300m long by 30m high) that the river has dug through a lime mountain. The boat then goes up river to the small village of Hua Tang. As simple and authentic as you have been dreaming of! Lunch in a local house alongside the river. 
After lunch, a short walk (20 mn) through the jungle takes you to the very scenic Thac Dau Dang Waterfalls, a series of spectacular cascades between sheer rock walls. You may continue the trail to arrive in a large river bend full of colorful local life, with a small "harbor" where the local unloads goods to then bypass the falls by motorbike and then reload them on boats to go through the lake. Return by boat for another delightful evening at your Tay house.

Day 3: Ba Be - Cao Bang - Quang Yuen  (B, L, D)

Morning departure to take a road snaking through the mountains up to the border town of Cao Bang, nestled between mountains and the Red Dao River. Visit of the War Memorial to admire the sweeping view of the valley, and of the Central Market. Lunch and continuation on the Ma Phuc Pass to the small town of Quang Uyen, where we spend the night in a Tay homestay.

Day 4: Ban Gioc Waterfall - Nguom Ngao Cave (B, L, D)

One of the most scenic roads in Vietnam arrives at the magnificent Ban Gioc Waterfalls, the closest you can come from the Chinese border: it passes through the middle of the falls and the river.
Before arriving to the waterfalls, we visit one of the most spectacular grotto in Vietnam, Nguom Ngao, which counts several kilometers of superbly-lit galleries and an huge 100-m room. We then arrive in the extraordinary site of the waterfalls, where we have lunch. Return to Cao Bang for diner and one night.         

Day 5: Cao Bang - Lang Son (B, L, D)

Departure on a very beautiful road alongside the Chinese border. We arrive in the village of Dong Khé, siege of a terrible battle between the French and the Vietminh in October 1950. Visit of the ruins of the French fort, followed by a beautiful ride among the lime peaks to arrive to the village of Duc Long, location of General Giap's headquarters during the battle. Stroll in the village and visit of the local museum. Lunch in Dong Khé and we then take the road to reach Langson.Registration in a hotel on the small lake and diner at the New Century, famous in the entire region for its extensive menu, followed by the visit of the Night Market.

Day 6: Lang Son - Hanoi (B, L)

In the morning, we visit a site unknown to tourists, the formidable Langson French Fort. In addition to the magnificent view of the entire region, it impresses by the power of its huge remains (it was blown to pieces by the Chinese in 1979).
We then go back to town and visit Tam Thanh Grotto and the ruins of the Citadel of the Mac Dynasty, a deserted site offering of beautiful view of the countryside. Lunch and return to Hanoi.

RATE: This rate is quoted in USD per person, based on Double/Twin occupancy. Applied for the – Private Tour

Tour price includes:
+ Private door-to-door pick-up & -off services.
+ All private transfer and transportation
+ Home stay with daily breakfast
+ Experienced English or French speaking guide.
+ Private boat trip
+ Meals as stated in the itinerary (B: Breakfast ; L: Lunch ; D: Dinner)
+ All sightseeing tickets.
+ No extra charge after confirmation

Tour price excludes:
+ Personal expenses, Vat , tips and gratuities
+ Travel insurance
+ Beverage
+ Other services not mentioned above.

What to Bring:
Passport, towels, toiletries, change of clothes (loose & lightweight), walking boots, sun block, sunglasses & hat with shade, insect repellent, flash lights, raincoat in wet season.