Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau ~ 140 km (L, D)
Getting started from hotel in Hanoi at 07.00, Driving up to Hoa Binh City is pretty flat and fast. Along the way, notice the different styles in cultural relics, the churches, pagodas and villages.
Driving pass Hoa Binh Hydro Electric City Plant – The biggest one in Southeast Asia. Stop at the village of Muong People along the way, and then We will spend the afternoon to walk around the two connecting villages, learn more about the ethnic Thai people, and finally experience their hospitality with a stay in their home on stilts. Enjoy dinner followed by traditional dances and a taste of the local rice wine, an experience in itself - Homestay in Mai Chau valley
Day 2 : Mai Chau - Son La ~170 km ( B, L)
After breakfast, saying thanks for nice homestay with Thai People, then we take the way to the west of Mai Chau to Son La. Stop at the small township of Moc Chau for a short tea break, we then have a brief look around this little hill town. Arriving in Son La in the afternoon we will check into our local guesthouse where we spend the night. Son La is located in a scenic valley, inhabited by Thai, Muong and H'mong minority people. This area was famous for its involvement in the Vietnamese struggle for independence from France during the first half the 20th century - Hotel in Son La town
Day 3 : Son La – Dien Bien ~180 km ( B, L)
Following breakfast we will visit Son La prison, which is the remains of a former French prison. We then board our vehicle for the drive to Dien Bien Phu. Stop for lunch at Tuan Giao town. Continue for another hour before stop for visiting General Giap Bunker -
Hotel in Dien Bien town
Day 4 : Dien Bien – Baso ~ 200km ( B, L)
Morning, we visit General Decarte Bunker, and Dien Bien museum. Continue our journey, our destination for today will be Baso. A long journey on rough roads (5 – 6 hours), but it is worthwhile as the scenery is dramatic. Along the way we will encounter members of While Thai, Black Thai, H’mong. Stop for some chit chats with the locals. Lunch will be at Muong Lay town - Hotel in Ba So
Day 5 : Baso – Sapa ~ 86 km ( B, L)
Morning, we enjoy a buffalo cart ride to a hot-spring, have a good dip before heading back to Baso for lunch.
After lunch, we set out for our drive to Lai Chau. A scenic drive with few people along the way. Once we reach Lai Chau we will visit the local market. We then continue to Tam Duong and then proceed to Sapa. We arrive at the beautiful hill station of Sapa late in the afternoon - Hotel in Sapa town
Day 6 : Sapa (B, L)
Today we start by getting some exercise with a five to six hour trek to the hill tribe villages of Lao Chai, Ta Van, Giang Ta Chai,... situated in idyllic Muong Hoa valleys, which are covered with rice terraces. Get picked up back to Sapa. Free to explore the town - Hotel in Sapa town
Day 7 : Sapa – Hanoi ~ 380 km (B, L)
We bid farewell to Sapa and its friendly people for a long journey back to Hanoi. It is a 10-hour journey back to the nation's capital along some of Vietnam's most scenic roads.
Option: Overnight rain trip back to Hanoi in the evening. (Own expense)
