On arrival at Ha Noi, we will be transferred to our hotel. Even though dinner will be served on the flight, you’re most welcome to get together for a light meal and drink.
HANOI – QUAN BA (B/L/D)
We arise early to go to Hoan Kiem Lake where we will be able to photograph early risers meditating, doing tai chi, exercising and playing badminton. After breakfast we commence our long journey to Quan Ba in Ha Giang Province. Today is mostly about driving to the mountainous regions of North Vietnam and there will be very few stops in the morning. Our aim is to arrive in Ha Giang Province mid-afternoon. About 50km’s out of Ha Giang, the road zigzags its way up the amazing Quan Ba Pass eventually providing a spectacular view over Quan Ba town and the surrounding countryside.
QUAN BA – DONG VAN (B/L/D)
We arise early to shoot sunrise over Quan Ba Town. Today we experience a spectacular day of driving through amazing mountainous landscapes nestled up against the border with China. Many stops will provided along the road to photograph the ever changing landscape. We will also enjoy stops to visit a White H’mong village and the H’Mong Kings Palace (Vuong’s Palace) with its mixture of European and Chinese architecture. We end our day’s journey at Dong Van, an isolated town atop a small hill. Dong Van is very beautiful with mountains, forests, hidden grottoes and multi-coloured orchid forests.
DONG VAN – MEO VAC – DONG VAN (B/L/D)
Today we are fortunate to visit and photograph two of Vietnams most colourful weekly markets. We arise early to visit and photograph Dong Van market. After breakfast we commence our journey down Ma Pi Leng pass, providing us with what is regarded as the most stunning scenery in North Vietnam. We eventually descend into a beautiful valley that encloses Meo Vac where we will visit the local market before having lunch. After lunch we commence our return journey back to Dong Van, again stopping at strategic places for photographs.
DONG VAN – HA GIANG (B/L/D)
Early this morning we commence our journey back to Ha Giang town, winding our way through more of the spectacular landscape of Ha Giang Province. In the morning we stop at Sung La Village where we enjoy a special photo shoot with local Lo Lo girls wearing their colourful traditional costumes. We then continue to wind our way back to Yen Minh for lunch. After lunch we continue our drive, with numerous stops to photograph the landscape and local culture. Our aim will be at Quan Ba Pass before sunset, affording us an opportunity to take photos of layers of rolling hills.
HA GIANG – SA PA (B/L/D)
We arise early to commence our long journey to Sa Pa, through stunning countryside with valleys and mountains opening up on all sides and then along the remote Chay River Valley. Numerous stops will be provided along the way for photography and we will stop to visit a Pa Then home, where we enjoy a special photo shoot of this rarely visited ethnic minority group. In the afternoon we visit a Flower H’mong village and school before commencing our climb up to Sa Pa.
SA PA (B/L/D)
For those who are really energetic, you may wish to rise early to climb Ham Rong Mountain (Botanical Gardens) to photograph Sa Pa in the early morning light. At the top of the mountain you can discover and photograph unique rock formations discovered in 1925.
Today we trek down the mountain to Ta Van village. Along the way we will photograph the magnificent terraced rice fields and local minority people going about their day-to-day activities. After an enjoyable lunch we will explore and photograph the village and do photo shoot with the local Black H’mong and Red Dao people. Late afternoon we commence our drive back to Sa Pa town, stopping at strategic places to photograph the sunset over the valley and terraces.
SA PA – MU CANG CHAI (B/L/D)
This morning we depart as early as possible, as we have a long day of travel. After breakfast we drive to Heaven’s gate and the highest mountain pass in Vietnam. This location will afford us amazing views over a deep valley with rice terraces. After slowly making our way down the pass, we visit local Black Dao and Lu ethnic minority villages before proceeding to Tam Đường town for lunch.
After lunch we travel to Mu Cang Chai where we will arrive in time to shoot the rice terraces in the late afternoon light. The heritage listed Mu Cang Chai has some of the most beautiful rice terraces in Vietnam.
MU CANG CHAI – TU LE – NGHIA LO (B/L/D)
We will rise early and drive back to the terraces in time for sunrise. After breakfast back in town, we commence our drive to Tu Le. About one hour out of Mu Cang Chai we commence our journey down the long and winding Khau Phạ Pass. This is a spectacular pass overlooking Tu Lé, one of the most beautiful valleys in Vietnam.
After lunch we continue driving along windy mountain roads, through remote villages surrounded by fields of gold coloured rice. There will be numerous stops to photograph the scenery and local ethnic minority people.
Tonight we enjoy the unique experience of staying in a homestay with local Black Thai people being our hosts.
NGHIA LO – HA NOI (B/L/D)
This morning we rise early to visit the local market, attracting a number of different ethnic minority people from surrounding villages. After breakfast we commence our drive to Ha Noi, stopping at Doung Lam Village for lunch. Duong Lam Village is famous for having approximately 300 houses build three to four centuries ago. After exploring and photographing the town we continue our journey to Ha Noi.
HANOI DEPARTURE (B/L), Optional Extension Trip (D)
We will rise early to walk the streets of the old quarter one last time and photograph the locals commencing their daily activities. After breakfast, those ending their journey will prepare for their flight. For those continuing on the optional extension tour, they will depart for Ha Long Bay.
