Join us for a 4-night adventure to explore the stunning rice terraces in Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang. Starting from Hanoi with a private car transfer, this fully guided trip includes 2 nights at Panhou Retreat and 2 nights at local homestays, offering a perfect blend of comfort and authentic experiences. Each day, you'll hike 15-18 km, spending about 5-6 hours walking through beautiful landscapes and immersing yourself in the rich culture of the Red Dao, the “long dress” Dao, in the remote hill tribe villages of Phin Ho and Nam Son. The trip starts and ends in Hanoi, but you can extend your journey with a road trip to Ha Giang or Sapa.
8:30 AM: Our driver will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi. We will then head to Thong Nguyen, one of the 23 communes in the Hoang Su Phi district, Ha Giang province. It's approximately a 6-7 hour journey from Hanoi. Upon reaching Thong Nguyen around 3:00 PM, you will check in at your accommodation and take some time to familiarize yourself with the surroundings.
9:00 AM: You will leave your accommodation with your local guide to explore the nearby mountains, passing through tropical forests and rice terraces.
After a three-hour walk, you will take a break for lunch in a village of the Red Dao people. Out of necessity, they have sculpted the mountainside and harnessed its water courses to grow rice. These laborious adjustments enable them to live at higher altitudes, offering you unique landscapes to admire. The cooler climate and abundant fresh water also contribute to the growth of lush tea trees.
After another two-hour walk, you will reach another Red Dao village, where you can discover the local vegetation, meet the villagers, and observe their daily activities.
After breakfast, bid farewell to your host and begin your descent into the valley. You'll pass through picturesque tea plantations, rice terraces, and a bamboo forest. The trail meanders past a few isolated Man Ta Pan houses before reaching the Tay houses on stilts.
A warm welcome awaits you at the home of a Red Dao family, where you'll enjoy a delightful lunch.
The journey to Nam Ai takes approximately 3 hours, guiding you through the enchanting "Door of Heaven." In the evening, immerse yourself in the hospitality of a Yao family adorned in long tunics, providing a wonderful opportunity to delve deeper into their lifestyle.
Your trek concludes today with a walk through the bamboo forest and terraced rice fields to Khoa Trung village, where you'll enjoy lunch in a local Red Dao house. In the afternoon, the trek continues through Khoa Ha village, arriving at your accommodation in Thong Nguyen by mid-afternoon.
The rest of the day is free for you to relax and soak in the peaceful atmosphere before heading back to Hanoi or your next destination the following day.
Our driver will pick you up from your accommodation in Thong Nguyen and bring you back to Hanoi. The journey takes approximately 6-7 hours, and you are expected to arrive in Hanoi in the late afternoon.