2024 Vietnam Hiking Adventure

10 Days/ 9 Nights

3rd January – 12th January 2024

£1,550 (flights not included)

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An exclusive tour created by Zanna, for 16 like-minded adventurers who want to explore off the beaten track in Vietnam.

Tour Highlights

• Perfect for the active adventurer, we will be exploring some of the lesser-known parts of Vietnam including the Mu Cang Chai District, Pu Luong Nature Reserve, Ninh Binh Province and Cat Ba Island.
• Discover the UNESCO heritage site and unique karst ecosystems of Trang An and Lan Ha Bay.
• Immerse yourself in Vietnamese culture whilst supporting local projects and staying in traditional homestays and ecolodges.
• Explore the lush green landscapes, rice paddies and off the beaten track hill-tribe villages that surround the Kahu Pha Pass and the iconic town of Sapa.
• Sample the tastes of South-East Asia and the fresh, fragrant and aromatic dishes of Vietnam.

It’s been a while since I travelled to South East Asia but it blew me away back in 2016 and I loved it so much that I’ve always wanted to go back and see more of it, particularly Vietnam. So I have curated a 10-day trip that takes you off the beaten track, away from the gap year students and into the heart of a stunning biodiverse country that is going to bring us plenty of opportunity for some great hiking, sight-seeing and of course some delicious food too.

We’ll touch down in Hanoi and get transported into the capital city to get to know fellow adventurers and enjoy a welcome dinner at  KOTO restaurant, an organization dedicated to developing the hospitality careers of disadvantaged youth. Then back to our hotel for an early night before we venture westwards to Khau Pha the next morning.

After breakfast we board a private minibus (approximately 5 hours) to the small village of Khau Pha, a community-based tourism project designed to empower and bring positive impact for Vietnam’s ethnic minorities. Located just below the spectacular Khau Phạ Pass in an area of inspiring natural beauty, the village is surrounded by emerald green terraced rice paddies, clear streams and towering hills. We lunch in the village and meet the locals before taking a walk and immersing ourselves in the daily lives of the community. We’ll stop to see a traditional cloth making demonstration before settling in to a local homestay – a specially designed stilted house – a truly unique way to spend the night!

We start the next day with a private transfer to the iconic town of Sapa, the start point for today’s 10km trek. We’ll enjoy lunch along the way before arriving at Lao Chai where we hike into the heart of the Vườn Quốc gia Hoàng Liên State park, trekking through the dramatic landscapes and panoramic views of rural Vietnam. We arrive in another small village, Ta Van in time for a well-earned dinner and sleep in a local family homestay.

The next morning we head back into the mountains for an awe-inspiring 8km trek to Su Pan before heading back to Hanoi in the afternoon. Take some time to explore the historic parts of the city where both Chinese and French architecture exist in abundance.

After breakfast, we will depart to Pu Luong Nature Reserve by road via a breathtaking mountain pass with panoramic views of this incredibly biodiverse area. We arrive at our accommodation in time for a delicious lunch, followed by some free time to relax in this tranquil setting. In the afternoon, you will have the chance to get close to village life and interact with locals living in the hills. We’ll hike through working farmland and rice fields before heading back for dinner at the homestay. 

The next day we venture further into the Nature Reserve, through tumbling rice terraces and lush green environments where we discover the unique tribal village of Uoi at the base of a towering mountain. It’s exceptionally picturesque. Onwards to Lan village to explore more scenic landscapes including the traditional Thai stilt houses that are made entirely from natural materials such as bamboo and brocade motifs that create a unique atmosphere. We end the hike at Hieu waterfalls which is a collection of falls about 800 metres long and form part of an incredible karst ecosystem that includes limestone pools that we will take a dip in. We will have definitely worked up a good appetite before heading back to the homestay for dinner.

We say farewell to Pu Loung and onwards to the Ninh Binh province where we will stop at a local home for a traditional Vietnamese lunch. After, we head to Mua Cave and the highest viewpoint from the mountains. Walking up 486 stone steps to the top we will see stalactites and stalagmites inside the cave and enjoy panoramic views of the countryside and Ngo Dong river.

The next day we visit Trang An – a world heritage UNESCO site where we go by rowing boat through caves and rice fields before heading to Hai Phong where we will jump on a ferry to Cat Ba Island. At the southeastern edge of Halong Bay, Cat Ba offers stunning white-sand beaches. Here we’ll check into a peaceful, hilltop eco-lodge and enjoy a free afternoon to explore or relax.

On our final full day, we will explore the waters and limestone karsts of Lan Ha Bay on a full-day private boat trip that includes lunch onboard. Take in the tree-clad outcrops, and more of this World Heritage site with turquoise waters and junk boats that make it quintessential Vietnam. We’ll enjoy a final group dinner here and our last night on Cat Ba Island.

The next morning we will head back to Hanoi before saying our farewells.

The full 10-day itinerary for the Vietnam adventure is available to download. It includes essential day by day trip information as well as packing lists, medical notes and other helpful guidance.

Booking

For more information and to book your place please email with your contact details. You can also call the Intrepid team should you prefer to speak to a consultant. The number is 0203 308 9763.

About Intrepid Travel

I have researched long and hard to partner with a travel company who is recognised as a force for good. Intrepid Travel is part of the B-Corp movement, going through a rigorous process for certification and recognition for their positive impact on the planet and the local communities that they work within. It’s an independently owned travel company that focus on sustainable, experience-rich travel, whilst operating a business with a purpose beyond profit. Read more about their Foundation here.