Friendly village children in Ha Giang, Vietnam
Friendly village children in Ha Giang, Vietnam
Hiking in remote Ha Giang, Vietnam
Lush landscapes of the Ha Giang Hike
Local women working hard in Ha Giang
Simple Vietnamese homestay meal
River crossing in the Ha Giang region, Vietnam

Hà Giang Hike & Homestays

Escape the crowds with this trek through remote northern Vietnam

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 8 reviews

6 Days from

$1260 USD

Trip Code: HAI
View dates to BookEssential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Hà Giang Hike & Homestays - Single Supplement
$100 USD
Hà Giang Hike & Homestays - Solo Traveller Supplement
$890 USD

Duration

  • 6 Days

Activities

  • 4 days hiking

Accommodation

  • 2 nights eco-lodge
  • 3 nights local homestay

Meals

  • 5 Dinners
  • 6 Lunches
  • 5 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading  

3 / 10

Introductory

Trip highlights

  • Escape the crowds of Sapa and enjoy a more remote, untouched location
  • Hike in a remote region between the Tay Con Linh and the Song Chay mountain ranges
  • Experience a Red Dao village homestay
  • Encounter locals while hiking among breathtaking landscapes
  • Discover local secluded villages
  • Enjoy tropical forests, rice terraces and stunning views

Overview

Escape the crowds of Sapa and Mai Chau with this hike taking us to the wild mountains of Tay Con Linh and Song Chay ranges, at the far North of Vietnam, close to the Chinese border. Hike through quiet farming villages with beautiful views, pine forests, towering granite mountains and lush valleys. Explore Vietnam's 'last frontier' with hikes along mountainsides in a remote region, passing through a kaleidoscope of ethnic minorities, a patchwork of farmed lands, terraced rice fields, tea plantations, and bamboo forests. This rugged adventure explores a beautiful part of largely untouched Vietnam offering rustic landscapes with stunning views. Embrace nature and the warm welcoming local people with memorable homestays along the way.

Itinerary

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This morning we depart Hanoi and head north into a remote corner of Northern Tonkin, nestled between the Tay Con Linh and Song Chay mountain ranges. It’s a region few travellers reach, with a strong sense of culture and nature that remains wonderfully intact. The journey takes us through ever-changing scenery, and we’ll stop along the way for comfort breaks and a local lunch. By afternoon, we arrive at Panhou Retreat, a peaceful eco-lodge tucked in the heart of the Song Chay mountains near the Yunnan border. After checking in, there’s time to stretch your legs and explore the surrounding gardens and nearby trails before regrouping for dinner. Drive: approx. 290km (180 mi) / 7 hrs 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: (±) 12km (7.5 mi) ~ (±) 5hrs Elevation: +696m / -282m (+2283ft / -925ft) 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: (±) 16km (10 mi)~ (±) 6-7hrs Elevation: +590m / -480m (+1936ft / -1575ft) Overnight: Homestay – Red Dao

Meals: B,L,D

This morning, you continue exploring the beautiful Nam Son Valley on foot. After a relaxed lunch at the home of a Tay family, you hike to the summit of Ho Pien. Along the way, you walk through rice fields and pockets of forest, with time to soak up the scenery and pass traditional stilt houses. In the late afternoon, you will arrive at your overnight stop, where you will be warmly welcomed by a Red Dao family. Hiking: (±) 17km (10.5 mi)~ (±) 6-7hrs Elevation: +533m / -535m (+1749ft / -1755ft) Overnight: Homestay – Red Dao

Meals: B,L,D

Today you begin your return journey to Panhou Retreat, following scenic trails through the Lang Giang Valley. As you contour along the mountainside, you’ll take in sweeping views of rice terraces and may cross paths with Red Dao locals tending their fields. After lunch, the trail leads you through a peaceful stretch of forest, completing a rewarding loop that brings you back to where your adventure began. Tonight, you can enjoy a few home comforts. It’s the perfect chance to relax and celebrate the end of your trek with a visit to the retreat’s traditional healing spa. Hiking: (±) 16km (10 mi) ~ +/- 6-7hrs Elevation: +199m / -658m (+653ft / -2159ft) Overnight: Panhou Retreat or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Enjoy a leisurely morning at the lodge before departing, with a stop en route for lunch. You’ll arrive in Hanoi by late afternoon (5–6 pm), where your trip concludes. To accommodate any unforeseen delays, we recommend booking your onward flights for the following day. If you’d like to extend your stay, your World Expeditions Adventure Travel Consultant can assist with arrangements. Drive: approx. 290km (180 mi) / 7 hrs

Meals: B,L

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Ready to start your adventure?

View dates to Book

What’s included?

Included

  • 5 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners
  • Services of a bilingual guide
  • 2 nights local homestay accommodation on twin share basis
  • 3 nights dormitory style/multishare basis accommodation at local home stay
  • Private vehicles
  • Medical kit
  • Activities as listed in itinerary

Not included

  • Meals and beverages not indicated in the itinerary
  • Pre or post tour accommodation in Hanoi
  • Personal expenses such as bar, telephone and laundry bills
  • Tips and gratuities
  • International airfares and departure taxes
  • Visa costs
  • Travel Insurance
  • Airport transfers in Hanoi

Reviews (8)

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