Ride The Ridges

(Two Day)

Ride the Ridges: A Two-Day Family Motorbike Loop in Northern Vietnam

“On a bike, no one ever asks, are we there yet?”
— Stacy Westfall

ROAD TRIP DETAILS:

  • Total Distance: 170 km (over two days)

  • Duration: Two days 

  • Route​: A mountainous figure of eight loop in to Lai Chau Province

  • Road Conditions: Sweeping provincial roads, paved back-roads, some gravel sections, light traffic.

  • Travel Style:  Family friendly (age 12+), cultural immersion and active adventure

  • Scenery: Mountains, rivers, rice terraces, minority villages, remote borderlands, caves and waterfalls.

    Maximum: 5 people.

Map of the Ride the Ridges 2 Day Loop motorbike route in northern Vietnam

Two Days of Family Adventure in Vietnam’s Highlands

Day One – Into the Highlands and Local Villages

Leaving Sapa behind, the journey climbs into the mountains, crossing the majestic O Quy Ho Pass, Vietnam’s highest road. Here, mist drifts between pine trees and the views are unforgettable. The morning is steady and scenic, with regular stops to stretch your legs, take photographs and absorb the landscape.

As the road winds into Lai Chau Province, the air warms and the scenery begins to shift. You’ll pass through hills draped in tea, forested valleys and quiet villages where life flows with the rhythm of the land. Around midday, you’ll be welcomed into a Lao family home for a freshly cooked lunch. The Lao are known for their fine weaving and deeply rooted spiritual traditions. Meals are prepared using local ingredients and shared alongside stories and conversation.

In the afternoon, the road leads through peaceful lowland trails and mountain passes before reaching a small Flower Hmong village tucked into the hillside. This is your home for the night: a traditional wooden house on stilts, where dinner is cooked over an open fire and the evening unfolds slowly. Your Hmong hosts may share music, herbal teas or invite children to learn how they forage wild plants and prepare materials for weaving.

Day Two – Valleys, Caves and Cultural Encounters

After breakfast, the route leads through valleys edged with bright green rice terraces and dense cardamom forest. A short walk takes you to a cave hidden in the hillside, offering a chance to stretch and explore before continuing the ride.

Lunch is shared with a Dao Tuyển family in a simple wooden house surrounded by fruit trees. The Dao Tuyển are known for their silver headdresses and beautiful embroidery, traditions passed carefully from one generation to the next. You’ll hear about their way of life and the cultural meaning behind their clothing and craft.

The journey ends with a gradual climb back to Sapa, ascending 2,000 metres over 24 kilometres. It’s a steady finish, and the sweeping views across the hills and terraces offer a perfect close to this memorable family adventure.

Who Is This Trip For?

A Family-Friendly Journey with Cultural Depth

This experience is well suited to families with children aged 12 and above, particularly those seeking a hands-on, culturally rich experience in Vietnam’s far north. The route follows paved backroads and mountain passes with no off-road riding. All travel is with experienced local guides, and the journey is punctuated with frequent stops, scenic moments and short walks.

Overview:

This two-day journey invites adventurous families to explore the quieter corners of Sapa’s stunning surroundings. You’ll travel along winding mountain roads, through lush valleys and into vibrant ethnic communities. With local guides, scenic routes and meaningful cultural encounters, this experience blends gentle adventure with immersive learning and relaxed time together as a family.

What’s Included in the Ride the Ridges Loop

• Motorbike rental and safety equipment

• English-speaking ethnic minority driver and guide

• All meals, drinking water and non-alcoholic refreshments

• Homestay accommodation in shared family-style rooms

• Cultural visits and hands-on activities

Excludes:

  • Personal Health / Travel Insurance 

  • Motorcycle Insurance

Prices - Ride the Ridges two day experience

$205 per person

Notes: Prior to on any of our motorbike trips, we require adult guests to sign a disclaimer agreement. This is standard practice for international organisations operating with the safety of guests in mind.

ETHOS- Spirit of the Community regard customer safety and your enjoyment as essential elements of any motorbike trip. All of our drivers are fully licensed and drive at speed we believe it is safe and allow for sightseeing and adventure.

Motorbike rider with full protective gear ready for the Ride the Ridges loop in northern Vietnam
Full motorbike protective gear including helmet, gloves, pads, and first aid kit for Vietnam motorbike tours
Motorbike rider in full protective clothing on a Vietnam adventure motorbike tour

Community based tourism (CBT) is a form of tourism where local communities are directly involved in developing, managing, and benefiting from tourism activities within their area. It emphasises community ownership, cultural preservation, and sustainable practices, offering visitors authentic experiences and fostering economic opportunities for residents.

“You don’t need a map when the guide carries generation in their footsteps.”
— Unknown
Icons representing values: liking, investing locally, saving energy and water, protecting wildlife, respecting culture, and community spirit. Each icon has a label.
Green terraced rice fields in a mountainous landscape with cloudy sky.

Please travel with respect. Dress modestly, support local crafts, protect nature, be patient, and stay safe. Connect, learn, and contribute positively during your ETHOS journey. Please refer to our terms for booking conditions for all ETHOS experiences.

Tourist riding a motorcycle legally in Vietnam through scenic mountain roads with helmet and safety gear
This collection of images captures the Ride the Ridges experience, a two day loop through dramatic mountain ridgelines, valleys and rural communities. The photos highlight motorbike rides along breathtaking roads, shared meals with local families, an
This collection of images captures the Ride the Ridges experience, a two day loop through dramatic mountain ridgelines, valleys and rural communities. The photos highlight motorbike rides along breathtaking roads, shared meals with local families, an
This collection of images captures the Ride the Ridges experience, a two day loop through dramatic mountain ridgelines, valleys and rural communities. The photos highlight motorbike rides along breathtaking roads, shared meals with local families, an
This collection of images captures the Ride the Ridges experience, a two day loop through dramatic mountain ridgelines, valleys and rural communities. The photos highlight motorbike rides along breathtaking roads, shared meals with local families, an
This collection of images captures the Ride the Ridges experience, a two day loop through dramatic mountain ridgelines, valleys and rural communities. The photos highlight motorbike rides along breathtaking roads, shared meals with local families, an
This collection of images captures the Ride the Ridges experience, a two day loop through dramatic mountain ridgelines, valleys and rural communities. The photos highlight motorbike rides along breathtaking roads, shared meals with local families, an
This collection of images captures the Ride the Ridges experience, a two day loop through dramatic mountain ridgelines, valleys and rural communities. The photos highlight motorbike rides along breathtaking roads, shared meals with local families, an
This collection of images captures the Ride the Ridges experience, a two day loop through dramatic mountain ridgelines, valleys and rural communities. The photos highlight motorbike rides along breathtaking roads, shared meals with local families, an
This collection of images captures the Ride the Ridges experience, a two day loop through dramatic mountain ridgelines, valleys and rural communities. The photos highlight motorbike rides along breathtaking roads, shared meals with local families, an
This collection of images captures the Ride the Ridges experience, a two day loop through dramatic mountain ridgelines, valleys and rural communities. The photos highlight motorbike rides along breathtaking roads, shared meals with local families, an
This collection of images captures the Ride the Ridges experience, a two day loop through dramatic mountain ridgelines, valleys and rural communities. The photos highlight motorbike rides along breathtaking roads, shared meals with local families, an
This collection of images captures the Ride the Ridges experience, a two day loop through dramatic mountain ridgelines, valleys and rural communities. The photos highlight motorbike rides along breathtaking roads, shared meals with local families, an
This collection of images captures the Ride the Ridges experience, a two day loop through dramatic mountain ridgelines, valleys and rural communities. The photos highlight motorbike rides along breathtaking roads, shared meals with local families, an
This collection of images captures the Ride the Ridges experience, a two day loop through dramatic mountain ridgelines, valleys and rural communities. The photos highlight motorbike rides along breathtaking roads, shared meals with local families, an
This collection of images captures the Ride the Ridges experience, a two day loop through dramatic mountain ridgelines, valleys and rural communities. The photos highlight motorbike rides along breathtaking roads, shared meals with local families, an