Hà Giang Hike & Homestays

In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel in Hanoi and you will drive north to a remote area nestled between the Tay Con Linh and Song Chay mountain ranges. A region where few venture, preserving its natural and social environments in an almost untouched state. The drive to Northern Tonkin is long, but the scenery and experience make it worthwhile. During the journey, there will be stops for toilet breaks and lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we arrive at Panhou Retreat, a charming eco-lodge located in the heart of the Song Chay mountains near the Yunnan border. After settling in, you will have time to explore the surroundings before we enjoy dinner together. Drive: 290km / +/- 7hrs Overnight: Panhou Retreat or similar

Meals:  L,D

Begin your day with a delicious home-made breakfast, either in the lodge's restaurant or on the terrace, which offers stunning views of the exceptional gardens. You will depart from Panhou Retreat in the morning, embarking on a journey into the nearby mountains, passing through lush tropical forests and scenic rice terraces. Your three-hour hike leads you to a Red Dao village, where you'll pause for a well-deserved lunch. The villagers have, by necessity, sculpted the mountainside and harnessed its watercourses to cultivate rice, allowing them to live in these higher parts of the mountains. This ingenious adaptation provides you with unique and breathtaking views of the landscape. In the afternoon, you will continue your adventure with a two-hour hike to another Red Dao village. The cooler climate and abundant fresh water in these areas are ideal for the growth of tea trees, which you will observe along the way. Upon arrival, you will meet your homestay hosts and have time to relax before enjoying a delicious dinner together. Hiking: 10 - 12 km ~ +/- 5hrs Elevation: +400/-200m Overnight: Homestay – Red Dao

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast, your trek continues with a walk along the Suoi Nam Valley, passing by farms on stilts built on the mountainside, always close to water. You'll be surrounded by terraced rice fields in this region, where the Ti Ki Liu mountain rises high above the others. The area is shared by Hmong Hoa, Man Ta Pan, Tay, Dao, and Nung Inh communities. You will arrive for lunch at the Red Dao village of Khoa Trung. After a well-deserved break, you'll resume hiking, eventually reaching the secluded hamlet of Nam Ai, located in the heights of the mountain range and inhabited by Dao and Tay communities. Hiking: 10 - 12 km~ +/- 6hrs Elevation: +500/-200m Overnight: Homestay – Yao long tunic

Meals:  B,L,D

In the morning, your trek continues deeper into Nam Son Valley, crossing over the summit a mountain to reach a Dao village, where you will be hosted for lunch. After lunch, you will begin your ascent to the summit of Ho Pien Mountain. The trails wind through tea plantations and bamboo forests, offering picturesque views along the way. In the late afternoon, you will arrive at your overnight stop, where you will be warmly welcomed by a H’mong family. Hiking: 10 - 12 km ~ +/- 5hrs Elevation: +500/-200m Overnight: Homestay – Red Dao

Meals:  B,L,D

Today, you will begin your descent back to the lodge where your adventure started. Your journey takes you through the trails of Lang Giang Valley. Continuing along the mountainside, you will enjoy breathtaking views over the rice terraces and may encounter some Red Dao "montagnards" going about their daily agricultural routines. After lunch, you will hike through a stretch of forest, completing a loop that brings you back to Panhou Retreat. Tonight, you can indulge in a bit of comfort after several nights with basic facilities. Celebrate the conclusion of your trek by unwinding at the traditional spa in the healing centre. Hiking: 10 - 12 km~ +/- 5hrs Elevation: +200/-600m Overnight: Panhou Retreat or similar

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning, you can enjoy a leisurely start to the day. We depart from the lodge in the mid-morning and stop en route for lunch. We arrive in Hanoi in the late afternoon, where the trip concludes. If you wish to extend your stay in Hanoi, please discuss arrangements with your World Expeditions' Adventure Travel Consultant. Drive: 290km / ~7hrs

Meals:  B,L