The Great North Adventure Loop
Experience Code: AdvLoop
“Travel not to escape life, but so life doesn’t escape you. There are a lot of adventures out there, waiting for us to live them!”
Duration: 7 days
Departure location: Sapa
Physical activity: Moderate to challenging
Location - Lao Cai, Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang Provinces. Small traditional villages. Remote forests
Travel Style: - Cultural immersion and active adventure
Connectivity: Wi-Fi - Available at homestays and hotels, Mobile coverage - mixed. (3 days off grid)
Departure location: Sapa
Physical activity: Moderate to challenging
Location - Lao Cai, Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang Provinces. Small traditional villages. Remote forests
Travel Style: - Cultural immersion and active adventure
Connectivity: Wi-Fi - Available at homestays and hotels, Mobile coverage - mixed. (3 days off grid)
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Background
This is a unique road trip experience and incorporates three very special northern provinces. As well as riding, there will be opportunities for kayaking, foraging, trekking and camping. What to expect: Fantastic driving roads, cultural experiences and wild adventure. Our ride will cover the rarely visited southern extent of Ha Giang Province and veer westwards towards Hoang Su Phi District. Hoàng Su Phì is famous for its stunning rice terraces, especially on the road between Hoàng Su Phì and Xín Mần, where those terraces are classified as a National Heritage. |
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Geographical Context
Tuyên Quang was once entirely settled by Thai people, but from the 13th century onwards were integrated into the Trần Dynasty, who named it Tuyên Quang. The province has widely varying topography covering high mountains deep valleys; the dominant elevation of the province is in the range 200–600 metres (660–1,970 ft). The province is in the foothills of the Northern Highlands, and the northern part, particularly Nà Hang district has steeper slopes are steep with hills taller than 1,400 metres (4,600 ft).
Tuyên Quang was once entirely settled by Thai people, but from the 13th century onwards were integrated into the Trần Dynasty, who named it Tuyên Quang. The province has widely varying topography covering high mountains deep valleys; the dominant elevation of the province is in the range 200–600 metres (660–1,970 ft). The province is in the foothills of the Northern Highlands, and the northern part, particularly Nà Hang district has steeper slopes are steep with hills taller than 1,400 metres (4,600 ft).
SEVEN DAY ITINERY
Day 1 - Lao Cai Province - Sapa to Bac Ha (Ride distance 101km)
Wind down Highway 4 towards the Chinese border on onward to the town of Bac Ha.
Day 2 - Bac Ha to Tuyên Quang Province (Ride Distance 175km)
After an early start, we’ll visit the nationally renowned Ba Ha Market. A cultural highlight in the heart of Flower Hmong country lies one of Vietnam’s most vibrant ethnic hubs. The market is a treat for the senses taking place once a week each Sunday morning. Women and men from Phu La, Nung, Tay and Flower Hmong communities, all dressed in elaborate costume - their Sunday best, if you will - have been gathering here to trade for over a century. It’s a chance to stock up on fresh food, purchase clothing, textiles, and livestock as well to socialise and network with other members of the community. Many people travel long distances by foot or motorbike to attend. Once we’re done with the market, we’ll get back on the road again and head west towards Ha Giang and our lunch stop with the Red Dao ethnic group. Afternoon will see us winding further west along some of the most picturesque and enjoyable driving roads in the country. We will stay in a traditional Tay ethnic minority homestay*.
Day 3 - Tuyên Quang Province
We will be based in a rural district, home to some of the most stunning scenery in all of Vietnam. One zone has 99 legendary stretched Karst outcrops described in poetry and legend. This zone is described justifiably as "Ha Long Bay on land amidst mountains and forests". The district is also home to many rare mammals, primates and birds. Day three is very active with an early start and a jungle trek to a Flower Dao tribal village. Morning starts with a steep climb through primal rainforest home to birds, rare primates and reptiles. Lunch will be shared with a local family before a walk down to the Gam River and pick up by long boat. The trek is approximately 12km with an elevation gain of 700 metres. The boat trip will follow the Gam River up to a beautiful waterfall with options to swim on a warm day. Dinner will be shared with some local families who live on a floating fishing village. We’ll pitch tents on the decks of our boat or sleep under the stars.
Day 4 - Tuyên Quang Province
Another early start will see us ascend up towards hidden caves and an abandoned village. Once the home of opium growing animal trappers, the area is now protection forest and homes were abandoned in 2016. The walk is 4.4km with an elevation gain of 900m. The steep climb offers a challenge, especially when laden with camping gear. Parts of the trek involve scrambling over rocks and shoes with good grip are essential (refer to attached kit list for further information). We should arrive in good time to explore the caves before setting up our overnight camp.
Day 5 - Tuyên Quang Province
After breakfast, we will make our way back downhill towards our boat pick up and then have lunch on the boat. The afternoon will be spent kayaking on a lake formed by the damming of the Gâm River. Described locally as the flowing hair of a sleeping, mountain girl, the Gam River is a treasure of stunning landscapes and wild ecosystems rich in flora and fauna.
Day 6 - Tuyên Quang Province to Ha Giang (Ride Distance 86km)
The day will start with us taking the bikes onto a long boat and heading 38km upstream back towards Ha Giang Province. Once in Ha Giang, we’ll wind up some older roads past some epic sweeping valleys on onward towards Ha Giang City.
Day 7 - Ha Giàng to Sapa (Ride Distance 270km)
By far the longest days ride and one offering challenge in the form of hundreds of hairpin turns. This is a day of wonderful mountain scenery inhabited by a variety of local hill tribes. Multiple viewpoints are scattered throughout for stunning panoramas. Hoang Su Phi is a border district of Ha Giang province populated by 12 ethnic groups, including the Tay, Nung, and Hmong. There’s minority groups have created what many consider to be the most beautiful terraced fields in Vietnam. It’s impossible to say which ethnic group created the first rice terraces, but the La Chi, one of the oldest groups in Ha Giang province, have ancient tales that mention terraced paddies stretching up to the heavens.
Day 1 - Lao Cai Province - Sapa to Bac Ha (Ride distance 101km)
Wind down Highway 4 towards the Chinese border on onward to the town of Bac Ha.
Day 2 - Bac Ha to Tuyên Quang Province (Ride Distance 175km)
After an early start, we’ll visit the nationally renowned Ba Ha Market. A cultural highlight in the heart of Flower Hmong country lies one of Vietnam’s most vibrant ethnic hubs. The market is a treat for the senses taking place once a week each Sunday morning. Women and men from Phu La, Nung, Tay and Flower Hmong communities, all dressed in elaborate costume - their Sunday best, if you will - have been gathering here to trade for over a century. It’s a chance to stock up on fresh food, purchase clothing, textiles, and livestock as well to socialise and network with other members of the community. Many people travel long distances by foot or motorbike to attend. Once we’re done with the market, we’ll get back on the road again and head west towards Ha Giang and our lunch stop with the Red Dao ethnic group. Afternoon will see us winding further west along some of the most picturesque and enjoyable driving roads in the country. We will stay in a traditional Tay ethnic minority homestay*.
Day 3 - Tuyên Quang Province
We will be based in a rural district, home to some of the most stunning scenery in all of Vietnam. One zone has 99 legendary stretched Karst outcrops described in poetry and legend. This zone is described justifiably as "Ha Long Bay on land amidst mountains and forests". The district is also home to many rare mammals, primates and birds. Day three is very active with an early start and a jungle trek to a Flower Dao tribal village. Morning starts with a steep climb through primal rainforest home to birds, rare primates and reptiles. Lunch will be shared with a local family before a walk down to the Gam River and pick up by long boat. The trek is approximately 12km with an elevation gain of 700 metres. The boat trip will follow the Gam River up to a beautiful waterfall with options to swim on a warm day. Dinner will be shared with some local families who live on a floating fishing village. We’ll pitch tents on the decks of our boat or sleep under the stars.
Day 4 - Tuyên Quang Province
Another early start will see us ascend up towards hidden caves and an abandoned village. Once the home of opium growing animal trappers, the area is now protection forest and homes were abandoned in 2016. The walk is 4.4km with an elevation gain of 900m. The steep climb offers a challenge, especially when laden with camping gear. Parts of the trek involve scrambling over rocks and shoes with good grip are essential (refer to attached kit list for further information). We should arrive in good time to explore the caves before setting up our overnight camp.
Day 5 - Tuyên Quang Province
After breakfast, we will make our way back downhill towards our boat pick up and then have lunch on the boat. The afternoon will be spent kayaking on a lake formed by the damming of the Gâm River. Described locally as the flowing hair of a sleeping, mountain girl, the Gam River is a treasure of stunning landscapes and wild ecosystems rich in flora and fauna.
Day 6 - Tuyên Quang Province to Ha Giang (Ride Distance 86km)
The day will start with us taking the bikes onto a long boat and heading 38km upstream back towards Ha Giang Province. Once in Ha Giang, we’ll wind up some older roads past some epic sweeping valleys on onward towards Ha Giang City.
Day 7 - Ha Giàng to Sapa (Ride Distance 270km)
By far the longest days ride and one offering challenge in the form of hundreds of hairpin turns. This is a day of wonderful mountain scenery inhabited by a variety of local hill tribes. Multiple viewpoints are scattered throughout for stunning panoramas. Hoang Su Phi is a border district of Ha Giang province populated by 12 ethnic groups, including the Tay, Nung, and Hmong. There’s minority groups have created what many consider to be the most beautiful terraced fields in Vietnam. It’s impossible to say which ethnic group created the first rice terraces, but the La Chi, one of the oldest groups in Ha Giang province, have ancient tales that mention terraced paddies stretching up to the heavens.
Notes:
Both homestays and the hotel come with hot showers. The homestays have fans and the hotel has air conditioning. It may be possible to do laundry while at homestay 2*.
Climate:
The tropical climatic seasons are the monsoon and dry season. Rainfall occurs generally during the monsoon months of May to October, which is also the summer season. However, it is unevenly distributed due to varying topography. The northern region of the Vietnam experiences a long winter with low temperatures, mist and rare frosts.
Flora and Fauna:
Tuyen Quang has a rich range of flora and fauna. The six mammal species particularly identified in the area are the Asian black bear, the clouded leopard, the Indian muntjac (a small cervine), black gibbon, the apricot panther, the sambar (another small cervine) and the Sumatran serow (a small caprine). The primates identified are the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey, François' langur and Phayre's leaf monkey.
Both homestays and the hotel come with hot showers. The homestays have fans and the hotel has air conditioning. It may be possible to do laundry while at homestay 2*.
Climate:
The tropical climatic seasons are the monsoon and dry season. Rainfall occurs generally during the monsoon months of May to October, which is also the summer season. However, it is unevenly distributed due to varying topography. The northern region of the Vietnam experiences a long winter with low temperatures, mist and rare frosts.
Flora and Fauna:
Tuyen Quang has a rich range of flora and fauna. The six mammal species particularly identified in the area are the Asian black bear, the clouded leopard, the Indian muntjac (a small cervine), black gibbon, the apricot panther, the sambar (another small cervine) and the Sumatran serow (a small caprine). The primates identified are the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey, François' langur and Phayre's leaf monkey.
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