Northwest 4 days

You will meet our local guide at your hotel in Hanoi, after which we will drive along scenic dyke roads towards Mai Chau to avoid heavy traffic. Often called The "hidden sister" of SaPa, Mai Chau has similar qualities but is so much closer to Hanoi. Our guide will take you on another ride to get deeper into other remote villages to learn more about their culture, traditions as well as lifestyles of the people, passing endless paddy fields punctuated by limestone karst scenery.
After lunch in Hoa Binh Province, we conquer Thung Khe, one of North Vietnam's most stunning mountain passes, before descending to the mountain valley village of Mai Chau. Your dinner will be served with traditional cuisine. You are welcomed to a traditional music performance where you can dance and taste special liquors (rice wine) with the locals. You will spend the night in a Thai-style stilt house.

Summary:
Accommodation: 3-4 stars hotel or best homestay in area
Distance: 136km
Meal: Lunch, Dinner

Today’s ride will leave you enough time to get a chilling start. A brief stroll around the village will reveal the unique sight of local life as you will see women weaving on looms under or inside the houses. As we bid farewell to Mai Chau, our journey takes us toward Moc Chau, where we have lunch. This Highland town produces some of Vietnam’s best tea and also a pioneering dairy industry that started in the late 1970s with Australian assistance.
From Moc Chau, you take the QL43 for about 10km and then head north to the Van Yen ferry, where you cross the Da River. You’ll then continue northwards until you hit the QL37 and take it westwards to Ta Xua Nature Reserve. Standing at Ta Xua Peak, which is located at a height of 2600m above sea level, is like walking on a cloud. It’s time to be relieved from the ride's intensity and shoot some unforgettable pictures. This whole ride is quiet and winding, from the hills down to the river. It is a lovely ride and one of the highlights of the motorbike Ta Xua tour.

Summary:
Accommodation: 3-4 stars hotel or best homestay in area
Distance: 180km
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Next up on today's agenda is riding to the Heart of Natural Beauty. The iconic rice terraces of Mu Cang Chai Vietnam rice field represent one of the fantastic works done by the ancient engineering skills of ethnic minority groups inhabiting the area for a long period. These rice plantations are nestled on the Hoang Lien Son mountain slopes, which form part of the eastern Himalayan chain.
The winding roads to Tu Le navigating through the mountains of the Northwest offers picturesque views at every turn. From there, we ascend to the majestic Khau Pha Pass, one of Vietnam's four legendary passes, famously dubbed the "horn of the sky." From Khau Pha, you'll witness the cascading fields and terraced landscapes stretching from the mountaintop down to the creek along the road to Mu Cang Chai town. Its sweetness and aroma entice you to rediscover Mu Cang Chai through the lens of a motorbike. Engage with a Thai family through a local supper and cozy accommodations for the night.

Summary:
Accommodation: 3-4 stars hotel or best homestay in area
Distance: 210km
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today's ride is the tour's highlight, as we are riding to one of the highest and longest passes in Northern Vietnam. This morning, we'll motorbike straight toward the main Fansipan Mountain range via Than Uyen town of Lai Chau. For those seeking an extra thrill, there's a challenging back route that includes several river crossings. The impressive mountain range will be our backdrop as we tackle the thrilling ascent from Binh Lu to Vietnam's highest road pass, O Quy Ho Pass. At over 2,000m, the panoramic views from this pass stretch over the main range for miles. We'll then descend to the foggy Sa Pa valley, which is close to the border with China. The French considered Sapa to be the summer capital of Northern Vietnam in the early decades of the 20th century.
Toasting the finish of a 4-day motorbike tour with cold beers and saying goodbye to the Indochina Adventure team. We hope to reunite further on the road in the next coming trip.

Summary:
Accommodation: 3-4 stars hotel or best homestay in area
Distance: 140km
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner