This wonderful itinerary takes you over the Tram Tom ("Heaven's Gate") Pass to explore the other side of Mt. Fansipan and the Hoang Lien Mountain Range. Often when Sa Pa is shrouded in cloud and fog, this side is clear and blue. Descend through one of ’s most picturesque and inspiring valleys. The partially rocky road meanders along the base of the mountain range past old growth forest and through the villages of Thai, H’Mong and Lu ethnic minority people. This area sees few tourists, so expect plenty of curious faces and smiling children shouting “Hello!".

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (Meals : D)

Arrival at Noi Bai Airport. Meeting with guide and transfer to the hotel. Welcome dinner featuring Vietnamese specialties. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour - Lao Cai (Meals : B/L)

Today we enjoy a half day city tour, seeing the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh’s House. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda. We also visit the Temple of Literature and the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem with its sacred temple before continuing on to the impressive Ethnologic Museum, dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minorities, some of which we will see on our forthcoming days. The reminder of the day is free for your own exploration of Ha Noi until transferring to the rail way station for a night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on the train in first class carbin.

Day 3: Lao Cai - Sapa - Tram Ton pass - Binh Lu (Meals : B/L/D)

5.30am or 6am - Arrive in Lao Cai. The bus ride uphill to Sa Pa takes a little over an hour, giving you a glimpse of the stunning vistas and impressive rice terraces. After breakfast, gear up for your exciting ride. 8am - It’s a tough climb out of Sa Pa to Heaven's Gate, so your support vehicle will transfer you to the starting point at the Silver Waterfall. A 3km climb (30-60 mins) over the stunning Tram Ton Pass (the highest in Indochina ) provides great views of the Hoang Lien Valley before a free-wheeling 26km (1.5hrs) glide to Binh Lu Junction. Heading off the main road, ride 20km of occasionally rocky road to Than Thuoc, a charming little tea town where you'll spend the night in a local guesthouse.

Day 4: Than Uyen (Meals : B/L/D)

Your support vehicle will transfer you up a steep mountain pass to the starting point to glide 20kms down to Than Uyen through valleys of old growth forest, tea plantations and rice paddies. After lunch in Than Uyen, spend a wonderful afternoon exploring single track trails and visiting villages of local ethnic minority communities, including the interesting Lu with their distinctively black teeth. Arrive back in Than Uyen for dinner and overnight in the local guesthouse.
N.B. If you arrive in Lao Cai on a Sunday morning, you can choose to save some time by taking the van to the top of the Pass, before gliding down to catch the Binh Lu Market.

Day 5: Than Uyen - Van Ban - Lao Cai - Hanoi (Meals: B/L/D)

A 40km ride around the other side of the spectacular Muong Kim Valley provides plenty of time to stop and take pictures of the local sights. Arrive in Van Ban for a late lunch before taking the support vehicle back to Lao Cai. Freshen up with a shower in Lao Cai before eating dinner. 9.20pm - Night train back to Ha Noi.

Day 6: Hanoi - Ha Long bay (Meals: B/L/D)

On arrival in Hanoi early in the morning, we travel by road to Ha Long City. A 5-hour boat trip to visit Ha Long Bay, listed as a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. During the boat trip, visit a grotto and enjoy the seafood lunch. Overnight on the Junk Cruise

Day 7: Ha Long bay - Hanoi (Meals: B, L)

Drive back to Ha Noi with a stopover at Dong Trieu pottery village. Free afternoon at Ha Noi for own activities with guide at disposal. Hotel: Overnight in Hanoi

Day8: Hanoi departure (Meals: B)

On arrival in Hanoi. Take a taxi to the hotel. Check in to have a rest. Free at leisure until transfer to Noi Bai Airport for departure flight (check out hotel before 12h00).