Motorcycle trip - Discovery of the sublime rice fields on the terrace

Motorcycle trip - Discovery of the sublime rice fields on the terrace

The rice terraces of northern Vietnam that have appeared over hundreds of years are built by skilled hands of the Dao, Hmong, Ha Nhi, Tay and Xa Pho people. Due to the steep terrain and fertile soil created by weathered granite rocks and mountain cliffs often filled with water, from generation to generation, ethnic minorities establish rice terraces to grow rice. These people are still proud of their rice fields, which are a precious basket of natural foods that provide rice and other agricultural products for their lives. The curved terraces seem to be in perfect harmony with the landscape, creating a hypnotic pattern across the hills and valleys. They make spectacular places for hiking and photography. Discover the incredible landscapes of rice terraces for a motorcycle trip to Vietnam with Vietnam Exploration!

Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi, Nghia Lo

Stop At: Nghia Lo, Nghia Lo, Yen Bai Province
This motorcycle trip to Vietnam begins with a beautiful day's drive to the mountains of the North West. We cross Son Tay on the right bank of the Red River. The valleys and hills follow one another with tea plantations, forests of lacquer trees.

After crossing the Khé pass (an important strategic location during the Sino-Vietnamese conflict), we arrive at Nghia Lo located in a basin. Here, the rice fields turn from green to yellow in autumn and this magic makes it one of the regions renowned for its beauty.

Small detour in the villages a few kms from the end of our stage to discover endless expanses of tea plants and daily Thai activities. The sunset over the mountains can be there!

The black Thai family welcomes us this evening for the gîte and a hearty dinner where "local specialties" will be made. Guaranteed surprise!
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Night with the locals.

Day 2: Nghia Lo, Mu Cang Chai

Stop At: Mu Cang Chai, Mu Cang Chai, Yen Bai Province
After a morning stroll which makes us discover a few small villages in the valley, in particular that of the Thai ethnic group with its customs and daily lifestyle, then we take the direction for Mu Cang Chaï.

We cross passes in the mountain, some over 1500 m above sea level, where free flight enthusiasts do not hesitate to face the void (Khau Pha pass). The panorama offered to our eyes is incredible over our successive ascents and descents. The photos will be mandatory to immortalize this show which is offered to us.

Depending on your speed, a detour proposed to the village La Pa Tan which is well known for its sublime rice terraces.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Night with the locals.

Day 3: Mu Cang Chai, Sapa

Stop At: Sapa, Sapa, Lao Cai Province
Today, we take the road due north. The valleys and villages follow one another with as much activity linked to the daily work of the Hmong and Thai, the majority in the region. Note that the installation of hydroelectric dams has resulted in the displacement of populations. Several passes are crossed and we can admire the mountains of the Hoang Lien range.

We arrive at Sapa and have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we take a walk to Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, Ta Van and its small hamlets of the black Hmong ethnic group. Isolated location, and in fact less crowded, through rice terraces so special to Tonkin, this walk offers us a real vision of the daily life of peasants.

Finally, we return to Sapa for dinner and overnight.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Night at the hotel.

Day 4: Sapa, Bac Ha

Stop At: Bac Ha, Bac Ha, Lao Cai Province
After early breakfast, we take the motorcycles to get to Bac Ha to visit the weekly market. Bac Ha, whose Sunday market is one of the main attractions, is indeed the largest ethnic market in the region: the flower Hmong, black Dao, Phu La, Tay, Nung, Giay rub shoulders with it! A market colored by these very special traditional outfits, but also a market so "perfumed" with those unique scents that characterize Asia well! The market creates the social bond between all these minorities, around a soup or a glass of rice alcohol. We have lunch at a local restaurant or homestay. In the afternoon, we ride our motorbikes or on foot to soak up the real life of the locals.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Night at the hotel.

Day 5: Bac Ha, Phuc An

Stop At: Thac Ba Lake, Yen Binh District, Yen Bai 320000 Vietnam
After breakfast, we greet our host family. We leave Bac Ha for Vu Linh, the end of our stage today. Ban Lien, Quang Binh are crossed, with sublime landscapes. It’s at Yen The that we have lunch

After the discovery of a marble sculpture workshop, one of the specialties of the region which abounds in numerous quarries, the road takes us along the Thac Ba lake. We notice the roofs of the houses made from latanier leaves.

We arrive in a family of Dao in white pants, who welcomes us for lodging and meals.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Night with the locals.

Day 6: Phuc An, Hanoi

Stop At: Thac Ba Lake, Yen Binh District, Yen Bai 320000 Vietnam
Wake up smoothly this morning. Quiet breakfast. Then, we reach the village pier to discover on board the boat one of the largest freshwater reservoirs in the North, an artificial lake supplying a hydroelectric dam. The summits of the old hills emerge from the body of water and form 1300 islets giving it a labyrinth appearance. By docking at one of these islets, swimming is appreciated in summer by amateurs.

Return to our hosts where we check our package before returning to Hanoi.
Duration: 8 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.