North West loop 8 days self

Day 1

To Mu Waterfall 170km.

After you have had the first day to explore Hanoi – surely it was a great time and also had a good night’s sleep to be ready to start our journey this morning. You will get transferred to Flamingo Travel’s workshop to pick up your motorbikes and depart immediately.
We’ll head South and West which is easy get out of city, then ride through villages down to Hochiminh roads. We stop to visit a wood furniture village where skilled craftsmen skillfully mold chairs and tables into works of art with high aesthetics that can be exported or sold domestically. After lunch on the legendary Hochiminh trail, we will go up the higher mountain roads to get close to the Pu Luang forest area, following the winding slopes of Freedom Mountain. Our descent into Mu Water Fall is spectacular,  And we will enjoy the first night at an eco-resort right next to the waterfall.

Day 2

To MAI CHAU Valley 180km

After breakfast by our host, we continue riding along a beaten path through the natural spectacle that is PU LUONG Nature Reserve, an expansive mountain range with lush green scenery that captivates with its untouched beauty and abundant biodiversity. Here, high mountains beckon at every turn, like a beautiful picture that nature has given us to admire and ride. We will stop mid-morning for a short coffee break at a local stilt-house right next to a very beautiful natural waterfall where we can dip our feet and cool off.
Our plan is to continue riding on small back roads along the MA RIVER heading west, where we will stop for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we will ride back up into the mountains on one of our favorite roads, with stunning wilderness views on both sides.
We’ll stop at a popular viewpoint to get an epic panoramic view of the mountain range and valley below.
Tonight we will enjoy a stay in MAI CHAU: A beautiful valley surrounded by tall, verdant mountains. We will interact with local in the village and perhaps enjoy countryside dances performed by young boys and girls in our traditional homestay, along with a feast for the ages.

Day 3

To SON LA 210km

This morning we wake up early and walk the village to breathe the fresh air and enjoy the peaceful beauty of Na Phon while breakfast is being prepared.
After breakfast we depart for SON LA. On the way we will visit the MOC CHAU tea plantations, a beautiful scene of wavy tea hills like a sea of green leaves, not to be missed and very fun to ride through. Next visit, we will experience the World’s longest glass bridge, recognized by the Guinness World Record organization in 2022 right after it was completed. It is a novel sensation walking on the bridge while staring through its glass floor at the ground several hundred feet (492ft/149m) below.
We’ll catch lunch at a local restaurant before exploring an awesome trail running along the Laos border, a remote area of unspoiled highland scenery.
Our overnight stay in SON LA city will be the most luxurious hotel and dinner organized at a restaurant downtown.

Day 4

To NGOC CHIEN 180km

After having a hearty buffet-style breakfast at the hotel, we hit the road to MUONG LA. Today’s riding distance is not far, but we have some highlights prepared that’ll have you saying tonight: “WHAT A DAY!”
Our first adventure will have us zigzagging through a huge cave with no electricity, with only our headlights to illuminate the path, just as the locals do it. You’ll hear the mystical history of this cave from our local tour guide. After that, we will stop for coffee at MUONG LA Hydroelectric Dam and take in the scenery: this is the largest hydroelectric power station in all of Southeast Asia. Quite a sight to behold and a marvel of engineering that provides electricity to thousands of households throughout the region. Next, if the weather and time permit (Optional), we will ride a fun dirt road along the DA RIVER where a boat is waiting to take us across the river.
After lunch in MUONG LA, we continue onto the poetic NGOC CHIEN Valley, a fairy-tale land of indescribable beauty unlike anything you have ever seen before. Have your GoPROs ready. Our accommodation for the night will be at a local, traditional homestay right next to a natural hot spring.

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 5

TO QUYNH NHAI 180km

This morning we will enjoy a filling breakfast, perhaps a dip in the hot mineral pool, then saddle up for another day of adventure as we head to QUYNH NHAI. We will start by traveling East where the road connects to the spectacular KHAU PA Pass, one of the 4 most beautiful passes in the North, a mesmerizing ribbon of road that winds its way through the stunning MU CANG CHAI region. This pass is known for its cascading rice gardens and the rural charm of the countryside folks toiling within them. It is a haven for photographers and paragliders. Turning North, we arrive at the MU CANG CHAI commune, a testament to nature’s artistry intertwined with human creativity, where the landscape unfolds in a breathtaking display of terraced rice fields meticulously sculpted onto the mountainside. We’ll grab lunch at a restaurant in town. Following lunch, we head West along a dirt path where we can ride off-road (optional) through remote villages in the high mountains. Tonight we will ẹnjoy a stay at an eco-lodge located right next to the DA RIVER

Day 6

To DIEN BIEN PHU 170km

In the morning, you may savor a cup of coffee by river’s edge. Out here, it feels as if time has slowed down. Enjoy it. Then make sure to eat well at breakfast: This will be another memorable day.
Today we are heading West to DIEN BIEN PHU. This historical city held a significant role in the Vietnam War as it was the site of a decisive battle between the Viet Minh and French forces. History aside, we will explore this beautiful region on our own.
To get there, we will follow the eastern side of the mountain range, which leads to a trail that connects to the PHA DIN Pass and all its untamed splendor, a winding road that unveils breathtaking vistas at every turn. After this spectacle, we will stop at TUAN GIAO town for lunch.
After lunch, you will be treated to a ride through PU NHI, a commune which captivates the eyes with its tranquil charm and green landscapes, a perfect example of the timeless beauty of the Vietnamese countryside.
Tonight’s host will be a lovely lake side eco-lodge (Ecotourism destinations Him Lam) with a pool to refresh ourselves after a long day, and of course, a meal worthy of royalty.

Day 7

To PHONG THO 230km

Today will be the longest ride on the tour, but no less exciting. Traveling from DIEN BIEN PHU to PHONG THO will be an exciting adventure through breathtaking landscapes. Along the way, we’ll encounter magnificent mountains like the Hoang Lien Son range, and rivers that flow alongside the winding roads. These natural landmarks add a sense of wonder and make the journey even more memorable.
After breakfast at the hotel we head North. The first hour will be quite easy and smooth until it’s time to ride up Muong Tung mountain. Here we will venture into a very remote area where locals have probably never seen a foreigner before! Although they appear timid and shy, they are very open and friendly if you wish stop by and interact with them.
We will have lunch in a small town opposite the CHAN NUA River. We will then continue North, deep into the high mountains, where the unspoiled landscape offers spectacular, panoramic views in every direction.
We will spend the night at a cozy hotel in PHONG THO.

Day 8

To LAO CAI 140km

We’ve got some exciting things planned for you in this final day! We will check out some of the best views in the North.
We begin by traversing the exhilarating winding road known as TRAM TON PASS, with lush green mountains embracing you on either side. You will enjoy this one. Along the way we will witness the highest peak in the Indochinese Peninsula (SouthEast Asia), PHAN XI PAN (FANSIPAN), standing at an impressive elevation of 3,143 meters (10,312 feet). The breathtaking scenery found here has been a tourist attraction in SA PA for decades.
After TRAM TOM PASS, we will ride into the lovely city of SA PA for lunch. After our meal, we have about 1 hour to walk and explore freely this romantic town, perhaps pick up a souvenir or two to always remind you of this journey.
The final stop in our exciting trip will be LAO CAI city. Nestled at the border with China, LAO CAI is a place where traditional charm seamlessly blends with modern architecture. We will check in to our room at the hotel so you can rest and change, then we will have our final dinner together and share our favorite experiences from the trip, before catching the evening train for Hanoi.

Day 9

Arrive in Hanoi at 6:00AM.