Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau. ~160 km, ~6 h.
Today is the first day of this fantastic 7 days Northwest motorbike tour of Vietnam. Before starting to ride, we will have a short briefing to let you know about the rules. In addition, the guide will show you how to understand him by his body language. We start around 9.30am after the rush hour.
We leave Hanoi around 9am following the Red river road to Son Tay and then another Black river road to Hoa Binh. This is longer than taking the Highway 6 but saves you hours in crowded traffic.
The valley of Mai Chau lies between two rivers: the Da River and the Ma River. Therefore, Mai Chau is very fertile and rich in varied landscapes, medium mountains, forest, lake, rivers, and infinitude of small footpaths and offer many possibilities of a trek. In the valley of Mai Chau and its surroundings are Muong, White Thai, H’mong (in the height), and the Dao who we meet at the markets or in their villages during trekking, boating, or while riding.
Golden Trail Travel Motorbike Adventures - Fantastic 7 days Northwest motorbike tour via Son La.

Day 2: Mai Chau – Son La. ~200 km, ~8 h.
On good road looking high over distant mountains, we head up into a forested region populated by H’mong people before descending into a mountainous tea-growing region. Soon after we follow a long valley floor covered in a sea of rice surrounded by Black Thai villages all the way to Son La with its bargain-filled market. Sleep in a hotel.

Day 3: Son La – Muong Lay. ~200 km, ~8 h.
There are 15 passes in total. In general, this is a very nice ride with a stunning landscape. Probably the most beautiful journey of the whole trip even the road is in poor condition. Sleep in Lan Anh Hotel.

Day 4: Muong Lay – Sapa. ~220 km, ~7 h.
The most demanding and remote section of the ride takes us upstream along the left side of a Black River tributary through the forest on a bumpy dirt road past isolated pockets of Tay, Thai, H’mong and Man peoples before breaching a pass to enter the Tam Duong plain, which is covered in shark’s teeth-like limestone karst. Beautiful ride to Sapa where we stay O/N in Cat Cat Hotel.

Day 5: Sapa – Luc Yen. ~150 km, ~5 h.
Descending from Sapa to Lao Cai, then on one of the busiest highways in North Vietnam for about 100km. We will then ride through palm tree forest to Luc Yen, palm tree leaves are materials the local people use to create the roofs of their houses or make the traditional Vietnamese “non” – hats that Vietnamese women wear. We stay in a homestay of Mr Tam, a Tay person living in a Dao village.
Golden Trail Travel Motorbike Adventures - Fantastic 7 days Northwest motorbike tour via Sapa to Luc Yen, Water buffalos.

Day 6: Luc Yen – Vu Linh. ~80 km, ~3 h.
Easy ride to Vu Linh in about 3 hours around the lake on a small road lined with palm trees and scenic mountain views. Then we plan to take a boat and this is time for swimming. The welcome is exceptional at Dao village of Vu Linh. The host and his wife will prepare a special party for you.

Day 7: Vu Linh – Hanoi. ~180 km, ~6 h. End of Fantastic 7 Days Northwest Motorbike Tour.
Dao market in the morning. Then ride back to Hanoi by Son Tay. In general, this is a nice road but busy in some parts.
We arrive in Hanoi around 3 to 4pm, before rush hours.

Including
– Motorcycle(s);
– Fuel;
– Tour guide (also a translator, leader, and handy mechanic);
– Standard hotel (double, twins, or triple shared room) and/or homestay (sleeping bags, mosquito nets, sheets, pillows, etc. are provided);
– Third-party motorbike insurance in case you have a Vietnamese motorbike driving license;
– All food (Vietnamese food, Western food costs extra);
– All entrance fees, permits, tickets, boat trips, ferries, bamboo rafts, etc;
– Golden Trail Travel provides premium assistance (1). We are with you along the way;
– Vietnamese green tea.

Not including
– Personal expenses, personal medical insurance;
– Drinks other than tea and local rice wine;
– Single room supplement in case you request a single room;
– Motorbiking protective pants, jacket, gloves, helmet, rain gear, and other safety equipment at favourable rental rate;
– Bike shipping and tour guide’s travel back to Hanoi (for Ho Chi Minh trail/road trips or tours that don’t end in Hanoi);
– Train or flight tickets before and after your tour;
– Breakfast on the departure day and dinner on the return day;
– Accommodation and food in Hanoi;