TPT-0072 - World at the Border 7 days/ 6 nights

Friday, 15 October 2010 09:12

Last Updated on Friday, 15 October 2010 09:29

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Muong Khuong, Si Ma Cai, Bac Ha, Chay river

This exciting trek offers a true experience of unspoiled remote villages in the border province of Lao Cai. The dramatic scenery, picturesque villages nestled into the sides of Thang Phin Mountain, and colourful ethnic minority groups can captivate any adventure lover’s heart. Begin at Lao Cai and trek along the Chinese border to Muong Khuong Valley through remote H’Mong, Tay and Nung ethnic minority villages. Ascend to Can Cau and Bac Ha to observe colourful Saturday and Sunday markets, the most vibrant in the province, where hundreds of hill tribe people from different groups gather to exchange their wares. End a challenging trek with a boat trip on the scenic Chay River.

Day 1: Hanoi – Lao Cai 8pm transfer pick up you at your hotel in Hanoi to railway station for night train up to Lao Cai

Day 2: Lao cai Lung Khau Nhin Khau Vang (, L, D)

Arrive Lao Cai early morning; guide and team welcome you at the station; transfer to a good local restaurant for breakfast; drive to Muong Khuong; local villages, verdant and rugged mountains along the Nam Thi River. After a couple hours, arrive Thanh Binh village; presentation about the region and the expedition. Head southeast for Lung Khau Nhin via Na Phin, Na Nam va Chung Chai Village, friendly H’Mong and Nung people. Lunch in the shade; continue to Khau vanng village, stilthouse overnight.

Approx: 5 hours walking/ 1hour lunch

Day 3: Khau vang Na Cap Ban me (B, L, D)

Gentle descent on single track and dirt roads through forest and remote villages; guide will point out rare points of interest, traditional customs. After three hours hiking we crossing the Chay River, stop for lunch; rest of the day on the rugged terrain to Me Village (Nung). Sleep in the tents or at the local school.

Approx: 7/5 hours walking/ 1hour lunch

Day 4: Ban me Quan Than San (B, L, D)

Following breakfast, trekking through the rugged terrain past rice paddies, local villages. Be prepared to get wet some streams; picnic lunch; quiet trails to our final point. After three hours on the trail, the tiny village of Quan Than San, H’Mong people. Dinner and overnight in the village.

Approx: 6/5 hours walking/ 1hour lunch

Day 5: Quan Than San La Kheo (B, L, D)

Mixture of ups and downs throughout the day, challenging climbs, exceptional views of the Thang Sin Mountains, distant H’Mong villages; trek to Ngai Cho Village for about 8km through remote villages; spectacular terrain to Thai Giang Pho Village, lunch in the shade; downhill to La Kheo homestay.

Approx: 6 hours walking/ 1hour lunch

Day 6: La Kheo Bac Ha Market Sunday market (B, L, D)

After breakfast you start trekking two hours to Bac ha, Bac ha small town is the largest one in the area. Every Sunday, the different and colorful ethnic minority come all here to sell their homemade products or buy something for the family. They are Hmong, Phu La, Back Dzao, Tay or Nung minorities. Some of these ethnic minorities can’t be met in any other areas. Your lunch will be provided in a local restaurant. In the afternoon take a short walk to Thai Giang Pho village inhabited by Nung people. Nung villages are always set up at the foot of a mountain or along a stream and are named after a mountain. Stop by a traditional Nung house for a cup of tea before come back to Bac ha. Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Approx: 3 hours walking/ 1hour lunch

Day 7: Nam Mon Trung Do - Lao Cai - Hanoi(B, L, )

We drive downhill towards Lao Cai for about half an hour. We stop on the way (before reaching Lao Cai) to take a short walk to Trung Do village inhabited by Tay people. Tay villages are always set up at the foot of a mountain or along a stream and are named after a mountain, a field, or a river. Each village contains about 1520 households. A large village is divided into many small hamlets. The houses are built on stilts or level with the ground. Stop by a traditional Tay house for a cup of tea. After lunch taking a boat cruise upstream the Chay River. The scenery is very beautiful on both sides of the river. The boat trip will end at Coc Ly where your vehicle will be waiting for you for the journey back to Lao Cai. Our Shuttle Bus Service who transfer us then to Laocai station for our journey back to Hanoi. End Service.

Approx: 2 hours driving/ 1.5 hours boat cruise/ 1hour walking/ 1hour lunch

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