This 10-day adventure begins in Hanoi and quickly leaves the familiar behind, drawing you deep into the raw, untamed north of Vietnam — a land shaped by stone, water, and resilient mountain cultures.

The journey opens in Ha Giang, where dramatic passes and remote valleys set the tone. Trek across high ridgelines and terraced landscapes, tackle the legendary Ma Pi Leng Pass, and step inside the historic H’Mong King’s Palace, a powerful reminder of the region’s complex past. Along the way, you’ll encounter the living cultures of the north — H’Mong, Tay, and Muong communities — whose villages cling to mountainsides and valleys carved by time.

Explore beneath the surface at Tham Phay Cave, one of the region’s wildest cave systems, before shifting to water in Ba Be National Park. Kayak across the still waters of Ba Be Lake, then paddle deep into the vast, cathedral-like Puong Cave, where a river disappears into darkness beneath limestone cliffs.

After days of physical challenge and immersion, the journey softens. The final chapter unfolds on Ha Long Bay, drifting between limestone towers on emerald water — a magical, unhurried farewell to an extraordinary ten days of exploration, connection, and contrast.

Welcome to Vietnam—and to the heart of it all, Hanoi! This vibrant, often poetic city has been the country’s capital for over 1,000 years, and every corner hums with echoes of the past.

From ancient temples and storied lakes to French-colonial architecture and buzzing modern cafés, Hanoi is a city of contrasts and deep-rooted traditions. You’re about to embark on an unforgettable journey through a place where myths, history, and daily life blend seamlessly.

Upon arrival, you’ll be met at the airport by your friendly driver and taken straight to your stylish city hotel—your home base as you dive into Hanoi’s many layers.

Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, the charm of the capital always feels fresh. Once settled in, enjoy a slow afternoon stroll around your hotel area. Maybe sip a cà phê sữa đá at a sidewalk café, or meander past leafy boulevards and lakeside pagodas. This is your first taste of Hanoi’s rhythm—unhurried yet full of life.

At 5PM, crossing the Chuong Duong Bridge—a historic steel icon designed by Gustave Eiffel—your journey to dinner already feels like an adventure, offering glimpses of Hanoi’s river life and bustling evening rhythm. On the other side awaits a beautifully preserved three-generation courtyard home, where time slows and stories come alive.

Meals: Dinner

Transport: Airport transfer from Noi Bai Airport to Hanoi hotel

Accommodation: The Q Hanoi or similar

Your guide will collect you from your hotel in Hanoi at 8:00 AM, beginning the journey north. After approximately 1.5 hours’ drive, you will arrive at Duong Lam Ancient Village, a site rich in history and culture, home to landmarks such as Mong Phu Temple and Mia Pagoda with its 287 statues and centuries-old houses.

Here, you will enjoy a taste of rural life with a home-cooked local lunch, before continuing on a scenic drive of around five hours to Ha Giang, during which the landscape gradually transforms from the Red River Delta into dramatic mountain scenery. Upon arrival in Ha Giang City in the late afternoon, you will check in to your local homestay and enjoy a home-cooked dinner.

Transport: Transfer from Hanoi to Ha Giang by private vehicle.

Accommodation: Ha Giang - local homestay

Meals: (B,L,D)

At around 7:30 AM, after obtaining the required permit from the immigration office, we begin the trek from Ha Giang towards Dong Van. Today’s journey is filled with spectacular scenery, featuring a series of dramatic mountain passes winding through the highlands.

Along the way, you will stop for lunch in the small yet charming mountain village of Tam Son, before continuing to the majestic H’mong King’s Palace. This historic fortress was built in the early 1900s by Vuong Chin Duc, a local H’mong leader who allied with the French during the colonial period. Designed in the style of ancient Chinese architecture from the Qing Dynasty, the palace was constructed using solid stone blocks, wood, and terracotta tiles.

In the late afternoon, we continue our drive and arrive in Dong Van at around 5:00 PM. After check-in at Hoa Cuong Hotel, you will enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and stay overnight in Dong Van.

Transport: Transfer from Ha Giang to Dong Van by private vehicle.

Accommodation: Dong Van town - Hoa Cuong hotel or similar

Meals: (B,L,D)

You’ll start the day with breakfast and a visit to the Dong Van Market, where locals from surrounding villages gather to trade for essentials they cannot produce themselves. You will then climb a mountain pass to the French Fortress of Pu Lo, built in 1890 and evacuated in 1945, offering spectacular panoramic views across the region.

From here, you will begin a 7 km trek to Thien Huong Village, a small hamlet nestled in a valley near the Chinese border. Home to the Tay ethnic people, the village offers an intimate glimpse into local life and culture.

After the trek, we return to Dong Van for lunch, travelling along the breathtaking Ma Pi Leng Pass, where the road climbs for nearly 10 kilometres through dramatic limestone peaks and deep valleys. As we descend into Meo Vac Valley, the journey continues with an approximately 2-hour drive to Bao Lac Village, where you will enjoy a local dinner and stay overnight.

Transport: Transfer from Dong Van to Meo Vac and continue to Bao Lac village by private vehicle.

Accommodation: Bao Lac - local homestay

Meals: (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we depart Bao Lac at around 7:30 AM, taking a scenic “secret route” along a beautiful small road that winds through quiet valleys and remote landscapes. The journey passes through dramatic terrain dotted with sharp limestone “cat-ear” cliffs before reaching the Tay village of Cho Ra, and eventually arriving at Ba Be National Park.

Upon arrival, we’ll refuel with a local lunch, then continue with a boat journey along the Nang River to explore the impressive Puong Cave, followed by kayaking through the surrounding waterways. The afternoon is spent discovering the highlights of Ba Be Lake, including Widow Island and Cam Village, with time to swim in the lake if you wish.

Towards the evening, we head to Ba Be Jungle Houses, where you will settle in and enjoy a BBQ dinner, spending the night immersed in the peaceful jungle surroundings.

Transport: Transfer from Bao Lac to Ba Be by private car.

Accommodation: Ba Be Jungle Houses or similar

Meals: (B,L,D)

07:30 – Pick-up from your homestay, followed by a short briefing and gear check with your guide and safety team.

After a 30-minute drive, the hike to Tham Phay Cave begins with a steep ascent into dense forest. The trail turns rocky near the top, then drops into a hidden valley before fading entirely. From here, you’ll pick your way across a broad rock field, guided carefully to the cave’s narrow, exposed entrance at the forest’s edge. A quick snack, then straight underground.

Inside, Tham Phay reveals itself as a wild river cave, carved by two underground streams. Over the next five hours, you’ll cover roughly 5 km, navigating tight passages, jagged chambers, and deep, glassy pools. Headlamps illuminate walls layered with calcite, algae, and ancient stone, opening into vast chambers ideal for dramatic photos.

After a short break, push deeper into a second cave branch, where towering stalagmites, sinkholes, and rising heat flows hint at the cave’s raw power.

By late afternoon, emerge back into daylight and return to the original pick-up point — exhausted, exhilarated, and fully off the beaten path.

Accommodation: Ba Be Jungle Houses or similar

Meals: (B,L,D)

07:30 – Breakfast at the homestay before setting out on a full day trek.

Today’s route covers 12–15 km, trekking the Khau Qua trail from Bo Lu to Coc Toc village. The path crosses the Pe Lu Stream before climbing into rough, steep terrain that delivers a solid workout. As you gain elevation, the landscape opens up into sweeping views of rolling green hills and layered valleys — the reward for the effort.

Pushing into the highlands, you’ll break for a picnic lunch in a H’Mong village, with time to rest and, if the moment feels right, meet local residents through your guide.

The afternoon continues through remote mountains and quiet valleys, following narrow trails back toward Ba Be Lake. By late afternoon, the water comes back into view, marking the end of the day’s trek.

Dinner and overnight at Ba Be Jungle Houses, surrounded by forest and the sounds of the lake — a well-earned rest after a big day on the trail.

Accommodation: Ba Be Jungle Houses or similar

Meals: (B,L,D)

07:30 – Breakfast at your homestay before heading into Ba Be National Park.

The morning begins in Bo Lu Village, following jungle trails with your guide on an interpretive walk through the park’s rich ecosystem. Along the way, learn about native plants, wildlife, and the delicate balance that sustains Ba Be’s forests.

The trail leads along the Tham Khit pathways to an ancient cave, then opens out along the lakeshore. From the ranger station’s animal observation huts, pause for wide views across the water and surrounding limestone hills. Continue hiking another 2 km to An Ma Temple, a sacred Tay site honoring mountain spirits, lake gods, and feudal generals.

Around 13:00, stop for lunch and time to rest, swim, or simply soak in the stillness of the park.

In the early afternoon, depart Ba Be, carrying the quiet of the forest and lake with you. Be and begin the drive back to Hanoi, arriving at approximately 5:30–6:00 PM.

Accommodation: Hanoi - The Q Hotel or similar

Transport: Transfer from Ba Be to Hanoi

Meals: (B,L)

After days of demanding terrain and deep adventure, today offers a beautiful change of pace.

Following breakfast at your Hanoi hotel, depart at 08:00 toward the legendary seascapes of Ha Long Bay — but not the crowded version most people see. You’ll continue onward to the quieter, more remote waters of Lan Ha Bay, where the limestone drama is just as spectacular and the atmosphere far more serene.

Board your comfortable cruise and let the pace slow right down. Towering karsts rise from calm, jade-colored water, and as the boat slips between them, each turn reveals another cinematic view. By late afternoon, the bay glows in soft gold as the sun sinks behind the cliffs — one of those moments that simply asks you to stop and stare.

There’s still time to stretch your legs and paddle. Kayak through a hidden sea cave, gliding across still water beneath soaring rock walls, before returning to the boat.

Tonight, enjoy dinner and sleep on board, gently rocked by the bay. After the intensity of the journey so far, this is a perfect respite — quiet, restorative, and unforgettable.

Meals: B, L, D

Transportation:

Air-condition limousine shuttle bus from Hanoi Hotel to Ha Long Bay 

Accommodation: Sena cruise or similar

After breakfast on board, spend a final, unhurried morning drifting through the bay — last photos, last swims, last quiet moments between limestone cliffs. By noon, the boat docks and it’s time to say goodbye, not just to the landscape, but to a group of fellow travellers who now feel like friends.

The journey back to Hanoi brings you into the city by around 3:30 PM, marking the close of your shared adventure with us. Luggage may be lighter, but the stories will travel home with you.

If you’d like to linger a little longer — add an extra night in Hanoi, arrange an airport transfer, or continue on to another destination — just let us know. We’ll be happy to help shape whatever comes next.

Meals: B, L

Accommodations: None

Transport:

Drive back to Hanoi

Transfer to Hanoi Airport