Hua Ma Cave and North-East Vietnam Private Tour 8 Days

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Hanoi - Ha Giang (scenic driving route, walking through peaceful villages)
2 stops
1
8:00 AM: Depart from your hotel in Hanoi to Ha Giang via the highway to Phu Tho. Stop to visit the Dao village in Ham Yen, Tuyen Quang. First, explore the stilt houses, a typical style of architecture among the ethnic groups in this mountainous region.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
2
Arrive in Ha Giang in the middle of the afternoon and begin a trek to the Me, Lup, and Tha villages. Featuring serene beauty, these villages are made up of hundreds of houses on wooden stilts covered with palm leaves. In front of the houses, there are small ponds for raising fish and water hyacinth cultivations for pigs. You will be welcomed by big smiles from the villagers, a testament to their legendary hospitality. Visit a typical house and discover the local daily life. Arrive in Tha Village, a village on the palm-covered hills with rice fields, where you can rest in the tranquility. Later this day, check into your accommodation and feel free to stroll around to catch the rhythm of daily life in the mountains before sunset. Note: Overnight in a homestay for an authentic experience with basic amenities: clean mattress, pillow, mosquito net, blankets, outdoor WC, and hot water shower.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Ha Giang - Dong Van (visit Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, Twin Fairy mountain, ethnic minority, H'mong King’s Palace)
3 stops
3
Quan Ba Heaven Gate
8:00 AM: Travel to Dong Van, with the magical landscapes of this region visible along the route. Before arriving at the Quan Ba Pass, we will stop to visit a village of the Bo Y people in the Quyet Tien Commune. They originate from China. The Bo Y is a small community of 2,000 people who live in the mountainous parts of the north. Stop at the Quan Ba Pass and take a short break to admire Quan Ba town, with the famous Twin Fairy Mountain (Nui Co Tien).
3 hours • Admission ticket free
4
Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark
Continue driving to the Limestone Rock Plateau, often referred to as the mountainous Halong Bay. This majestic natural treasure has been listed in the World Geological Park book. On the way, you will discover the "Nha Trinh Tuong" (a special type of house) by walking to Lung Hoa Village. This is a typical house of the Hmong people in the village, built on sticky ground.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
5
Next, visit the Palace of the H'mong King (Dinh Vua Meo). Dating back 100 years, the regions of Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, and Meo Vac formed an autonomous zone with their own king. They cultivated poppies, and their economy was based on the opium trade with China. Arrive in Dong Van, check into your accommodation, and relax.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 3
Dong Van - Ma Pi Leng Pass - Bao Lac (visit the villages of Lo Lo & H’mong people)
3 stops
6
Ma Pi Leng Pass
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll set off from Dong Van toward Meo Vac, crossing the stunning Ma Pi Leng Pass. Here, you’ll be captivated by the breathtaking views of limestone mountains, the winding Nho Que River, and traditional H'mong villages nestled along the slopes.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
7
From there, we’ll continue to Bao Lac, a region renowned for the Black Lo Lo ethnic community. The area gained prominence through the French documentary The Journey into Unknown Land, filmed in Khuoi Khon village—just 9 km from Bao Lac town—by rugby player Frédéric Michalak.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
8
We’ll enjoy lunch in Bao Lac town before heading to Coc Xa village in Na Van commune. This Lo Lo village retains a more authentic charm compared to Khuoi Khon, which has become a popular tourist spot since the documentary’s release. Here, you’ll stroll through rice fields and scenic trails, visit local homes, and have meaningful exchanges with the residents, gaining a deeper understanding of their way of life and traditions. Later, we’ll return to town, where you’ll stay overnight in a local hotel.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Bao Lac - Cao Bang (visit the hill village of San Chi ethnic people & transfer)
4 stops
9
We’ll set off for Cao Bang, traveling along National Road 4A. Along the way, you’ll be treated to stunning landscapes featuring limestone mountains, crystal-clear rivers, and beautiful rice fields stretching across picturesque valleys. Our journey will take us through the Khau Coc Cha Pass. Though it spans just 2.5 kilometers, this pass boasts a remarkably steep slope with 15 levels and 14 sharp bends.
Admission ticket free
10
After navigating the pass, we’ll arrive in the Xuan Truong Valley, a breathtaking area filled with expansive rice fields and charming stilt houses. Here, we’ll pause to visit a local family, offering you a unique opportunity to learn about their way of life and rich culture.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
11
Continuing our adventure, we’ll follow the road through the Na Tenh Pass, which offers stunning vistas of the lush green mountains and the surrounding valleys.
Admission ticket free
12
Our final destination for the day will be Pac Bo Cave, a significant historical site set in a captivating location. This is where President Ho Chi Minh lived for seven weeks in February and March of 1941 after returning to Vietnam following 30 years of exile. Finally, we’ll arrive in Cao Bang city and check into a cozy local hotel.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Cao Bang (full day discovery of Ban Gioc waterfall, Nguom Ngao cave, blacksmith village, Nung ethnic group)
3 stops
13
Depart from your hotel for Ban Gioc Waterfall, located on the border between Vietnam and China. Standing 30 meters tall and 208 meters wide, it is the most beautiful waterfall in Vietnam. After a 2-hour drive through the stunning limestone region, you will arrive at Ban Gioc Waterfall and be amazed by this natural masterpiece.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
14
In the afternoon, transfer to Nguom Ngao Cave, which is reached by walking up a hundred steps. The cave is located in the Maize Valley and stretches 2 kilometers in length. It is filled with incredible stalactites and stalagmites and served as a shelter for thousands of local people during the Vietnam-China border war.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
15
On the way to Cao Bang, we will visit Phuc Sen, a blacksmith village, where you will have the opportunity to engrave your name onto a souvenir knife. You will be among just a few travelers who spend the night in the village. While comfort is limited, you will enjoy the warm atmosphere and legendary hospitality of the Nung ethnic group, along with their authentic lifestyle. Enjoy dinner and stay overnight in a homestay.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 6
Cao Bang - Ba Be (journey with stunning views, trekking to Nung village)
2 stops
16
In the morning, depart from your homestay for a 2-hour trek to Nung village. You will explore craft villages specializing in the production of paper and incense sticks. The landscape, with its rice paddies, limestone peaks, and the warm hospitality of the Nung ethnic group, will astonish you. According to our clients, this is one of the most awe-inspiring itineraries they have experienced.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
17
In Canh Phung Tren village, meet our driver for a transfer to Ba Be. Along the way, you will enjoy the magnificent landscape of villages nestled on the mountainside. Make stops to meet the locals and take photos whenever possible. Arrive in Ba Be in the afternoon and visit Pac Ngoi village, a typical settlement of the Tay people.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Ba Be - Hanoi (explore Puong Cave, Dau Dang Waterfall)
3 stops
18
In the morning, transfer from the village to Buoc Lom Pier for a boat trip along the Nang River, where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of forests lining the river. The boat will pass through Puong Cave, home to thousands of bats, before heading toward Dau Dang Waterfall.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
19
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant by the waterfall.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
20
In the afternoon, get back to the Ba Be lake, stopping at the Fairy Pond, located in the heart of the primitive forest. Here, you can gently cruise around the lake, and if the weather permits, it's possible to swim. Disembark at around 4:00 PM. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and enjoy the sunset over the mountain ranges.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 8
Ba Be - Hanoi (cycling in Ba Be National Park, visiting Hua Ma cave)
1 stop
21
In the morning, cycle through several ethnic Tay villages, following the river to Hua Ma Cave, located 5 km from the village within the national park. This cave is known for its stunning formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Return to Pac Ngoi village by 11:00 AM and meet our driver for a transfer to Hanoi. Optional: If time permits and you’re feeling adventurous, extend your trip to Silver Waterfall, an additional 4 km from Hua Ma Cave. Arrive in Hanoi in the late afternoon, check in at your hotel, and enjoy some free time after your mountain getaway.
4 hours • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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