Your Travel Experience with ARRIVAL
Day 1
Hanoi to Ba Be Lake.
The guide and support vehicle collects the group from central Hanoi at 8am for the ride north into the mountains of Bac Kan province. The route combines paved mountain roads with scenic off-road trails through forests, valleys and rural villages, covering approximately 180 kilometres before arriving at Ba Be Lake. Traditional ethnic communities line the route north, giving the first morning a cultural grounding before the terrain steepens. Arrive at the lakeside homestay in the late afternoon for a local dinner served by the host family. All meals included today. Overnight at Ba Be Lake.
Red River Valley Ride and Rural Village Crossing
The opening ride north from Hanoi passes through the Red River Valley and rural communities before the terrain steepens into mountain roads and forest trails.
Ba Be Lake Arrival and Lakeside Homestay
Ba Be Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in Vietnam, surrounded by limestone mountains and primary forest. The lakeside homestay and local dinner on the first night is one of the strongest cultural moments of the trip.
Day 1 - 2
Ba Be Lake Homestay (or similar)
A lakeside homestay run by a local family on the shores of Ba Be Lake inside the national park. The first night of the trip and one of the most atmospheric. Simple, warm and well-fed, with dinner prepared by the host family using locally sourced ingredients. The lake at night, with the forest around it and no bright lights for kilometres, is the perfect introduction to what the north of Vietnam actually sounds and smells like.
Day 2
Ba Be Lake to Meo Vac.
Breakfast at the homestay before departing deeper into Northern Vietnam through remote mountain roads and spectacular limestone landscapes. The route today covers approximately 174 kilometres through the Bao Lac area and several remote ethnic minority villages before climbing toward the Dong Van Karst Plateau and arriving in Meo Vac. The limestone formations here are among the most dramatic on the entire route and the riding requires concentration and steady pace through the switchbacks. All meals included today. Overnight in Meo Vac.
Remote Mountain Roads and Limestone Landscapes
The route through the Bao Lac area and Dong Van Karst Plateau region introduces the group to the limestone mountain country that defines the northern border region of Vietnam.
Day 2 - 3
Guesthouse, Meo Vac (or similar)
A comfortable guesthouse in Meo Vac town at the edge of the Dong Van Karst Plateau, well-positioned for the Ma Pi Leng Pass ride the following morning.
Day 3
Meo Vac to Ha Giang via Ma Pi Leng Pass.
One of the most significant riding days of the trip. The route today covers approximately 150 kilometres and passes through the legendary Ma Pi Leng Pass, with dramatic views over the Nho Que River and the surrounding limestone mountains. The pass requires full attention and appropriate pace. The route continues through the Dong Van Plateau and remote H'Mong villages before descending toward Ha Giang. The guide will set pace through the most technical sections. All meals included today. Overnight in Ha Giang.
Ma Pi Leng Pass
The most dramatic road in Vietnam. Approximately 20 kilometres of cliff-edge riding above the Nho Que River with views that require the guide to remind the group to keep their eyes on the road. A UNESCO Global Geopark and one of the genuine bucket-list motorcycle experiences in Southeast Asia.
Day 3 - 4
Guesthouse, Ha Giang (or similar)
A solid base in Ha Giang city for one night between the Dong Van Plateau and the Hoang Su Phi rice terrace region. Ha Giang is the gateway to the karst country and the last decently sized town before the route heads deeper into the mountains.
Day 4
Ha Giang to Sa Pa via Hoang Su Phi.
An exciting full-day mountain ride covering approximately 215 kilometres, the longest day on the route. An early departure is strongly recommended. The route follows scenic mountain roads and remote trails through the Hoang Su Phi region, famous for its spectacular terraced rice fields and traditional villages. The terrain shifts considerably on this day, moving from the limestone plateau country of Ha Giang into the forested mountain valleys approaching Sa Pa. All meals included today. Overnight in Sa Pa.
Hoang Su Phi Rice Terraces
The terraced rice fields of Hoang Su Phi are among the most extraordinary agricultural landscapes in Asia, covering the hillsides of Ha Giang province in a geometry built over centuries. The riding through this section is as visually significant as any cultural stop on the route.
Day 4 - 5
Guesthouse, Sa Pa (or similar)
Sa Pa sits in the Hoang Lien Son mountains at 1,500 metres above sea level and is the highest overnight stop on the route. The guesthouse here provides a comfortable base after the longest riding day of the trip and the cooler mountain air makes for some of the better sleeping of the ten days.
Day 5
Sa Pa to Than Uyen via O Quy Ho Pass.
A shorter but scenically concentrated day covering approximately 100 kilometres. Departing Sa Pa via the O Quy Ho Pass, one of the highest mountain passes in Vietnam at over 2,000 metres, with views toward Fansipan and the surrounding valleys on a clear morning. The route continues through remote villages and mountain trails toward Than Uyen, giving the group time to move at a more relaxed pace and spend longer at viewpoints and village stops without the pressure of a long day ahead. All meals included today. Overnight in Than Uyen.
O Quy Ho Pass
One of the four great passes of Northern Vietnam and the highest, crossing the Hoang Lien Son mountain range at over 2,000 metres. Views toward Fansipan on a clear morning and a descent into the valley below that rewards the altitude with perspective.
Day 5 - 6
Guesthouse, Than Uyen (or similar)
A simple and comfortable guesthouse in Than Uyen after the O Quy Ho Pass descent. Than Uyen sits in a valley between mountain ranges and the quieter pace of the town provides a welcome contrast to the elevation of Sa Pa the night before.
Day 6
Than Uyen to Muong Lo.
Approximately 140 kilometres through spectacular mountain scenery, remote villages, forests and rice-growing valleys. The route includes scenic mountain roads and off-road sections before reaching the Muong Lo Valley, one of the largest valleys in the northwest of Vietnam and home to Thai ethnic minority communities whose weaving traditions and cultural practices have remained largely intact. The valley arrival in the late afternoon provides a strong contrast to the mountain riding that precedes it. All meals included today. Overnight in Muong Lo.
Muong Lo Valley and Thai Ethnic Culture
The Muong Lo Valley is home to Thai ethnic minority communities whose weaving traditions, architecture and cultural practices remain largely intact. The riding through the valley is a significant shift from the mountain terrain of the previous days.
Day 6 - 7
Guesthouse, Muong Lo (or similar)
A guesthouse in the Muong Lo Valley, one of the most culturally rich overnight stops on the route. The valley is home to Thai ethnic minority communities and the surrounding landscape of rice paddies and low hills is a significant shift from the high mountain terrain of the previous days.
Day 7
Muong Lo to Phu Yen.
Approximately 130 kilometres south through peaceful rural landscapes, mountain roads, forests and traditional villages. The route provides a combination of paved roads and less-travelled off-road trails, giving the group the opportunity to experience the authentic northern countryside well away from the main tourist routes. Tea plantations and local farming communities feature along this section of the route. The pace today is intentionally easier than the previous mountain days. All meals included today. Overnight in Phu Yen.
Tea Plantations and Remote Village Riding
The route through Phu Yen passes through tea plantations and local farming communities on roads that see very little tourist traffic. One of the more genuinely off-piste sections of the entire route.
Day 7 - 8
Guesthouse, Phu Yen (or similar)
A comfortable local guesthouse in Phu Yen for the penultimate riding night. Simple and well-located for the final push back toward Hanoi the following morning.
Day 8
Phu Yen to Hanoi. Farewell Dinner.
The final motorcycle day, covering approximately 170 kilometres through the countryside and mountain foothills back toward the capital. The route uses scenic backroads and selected off-road sections before gradually returning to Hanoi. Arrive back at the Chi's Wheels garage in the afternoon for bike handover before heading to the farewell dinner in Hanoi, the last group meal before the cruise begins tomorrow. All meals included today. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 8 - 9
Guesthouse, Hanoi (or similar)
A centrally located guesthouse in Hanoi for one night between the final riding day and the Ha Long Bay cruise transfer. Close to the Old Quarter for the farewell dinner and easy access to the private car pickup the following morning.
Day 9
Hanoi to Ha Long Bay. Overnight Cruise.
The motorcycles stay behind today. A private car transfer from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay takes approximately 3.5 hours, arriving in time to board the cruise and begin exploring the bay in the afternoon. Kayaking through limestone caves, swimming in sheltered lagoons and a spring roll cooking class on deck are all available during the cruise. Dinner is served on board as the boat anchors for the night in the bay. All meals included today. Overnight on the Ha Long Bay cruise.
Ha Long Bay Cruise, Kayaking and Cooking Class
The overnight cruise covers kayaking through cave systems, swimming in sheltered lagoons, a spring roll cooking class on deck and a night sleeping on the water with two thousand limestone karsts around the boat.
Day 9 - 10
Ha Long Bay Overnight Cruise (or similar)
The overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay is the final accommodation of the trip and a deliberate contrast to the eight riding nights that precede it. Cabin style varies by cruise operator but all include meals, kayaking access, cave visits and a night anchored in the bay with the karsts visible in every direction. This is the decompression you’ll need before flying home.
Day 10
Sung Sot Cave, Ha Long Bay
Sung Sot Cave, also known as Surprise Cave, is Ha Long Bay's largest cave system at approximately 10,000 square metres of formations and chambers. The final excursion before disembarkation and the return transfer to Hanoi.
Ha Long Bay to Hanoi. Departure.
A final morning on the cruise with breakfast and views of the bay before a cave visit or optional kayaking session depending on the cruise itinerary. Brunch on board before disembarkation and a private car transfer back to Hanoi, arriving in the mid-afternoon. The tour concludes in Hanoi. Breakfast and brunch included today.