Off-road Sapa Motorbike Tour via Mu Cang Chai – 4 days

We start our tour by meeting at BM Travel Adventure’s office. After an instructional speech by the director, we depart. We will exit the city through the northwestern passage. The route from Hanoi to Sapa is roughly 330 kilometers long and would take about 9 hours to traverse. The further we drive, the more we see mountain slopes and green terraced fields. After we arrive at Sapa in Lao Cai province, we have lunch.

After lunch, we head out northwards for 18 kilometers, towards the Hoang Lien Son range, and drive the 50 kilometers long Pass to get to Sapa’s Heaven’s Gate. At 2,000 meters above sea level, you can see the spacious valley dotted with terraced fields below and the range of mountains, including Fansipan peak, surrounding you.

Next, we will visit Ham Rong Peak (lit. Dragon’s Jaw), named for its shape is similar to a dragon’s head. While climbing its impressive height of 1,800 meters, you will feast your eyes on the numerous flower gardens on the mountain – from orchid to hydrangea to peony and even sakura. At Ham Rong’s foot, you can visit the old Stone Church built in 1895.

Summary:

Distance: 330 km

Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a night’s rest in Sapa, we continue westward on Highway 32 to Than Uyen district in Lai Chau province. This stretch is 140 kilometers long and takes about 4 hours. We have lunch in Than Uyen town. Afterward, we can visit Khau Co Hill Monument, which marks the battle against French colonialists on November 20, 1886, by Muong Lay and Muong Khoa people. The battle also marked the beginning of the revolutionary spirit of the people of Than Uyen. You can also observe the entirety of Muong Than Field, the third largest field in the Northwest region.

Next, we drive to Muong Kim commune to visit Na Khoang village, where a guerilla base was established to fight against the French. Nearby, in Muong Than commune, the Che Bo Cave Complex is cool in summer and warm during winter and possesses interesting and beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Ta Gia Scenic Complex in Ta Gia commune, whose beauty is akin to that of a painting, has magnificent caves and splendid mountains, with Nam Mu River lazing its way through the landscape.

Summary:

Distance: 140km

Accommodation: Hotel in Than Uyen

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, we will have an early breakfast and departure to prepare for a long driving day. We first take Highway 32 to Mu Cang Chai district in Yen Bai province. This stretch takes up 1 hour and 45 minutes for 62 kilometers. In Mu Cang Chai, you will encounter the longest and most dangerous Pass off Highway 32, Khau Pha Pass. Named after the Thai words meaning sky-high horn, the Pass is regularly engulfed in fog and sea clouds, with only the peak visible. Along with its many bends, lack of maintenance, and weak red basalt soil foundation, the Pass is incredibly difficult to traverse.

In return, views of terraced rice paddies and lush, pristine forest from atop the Pass are almost rivaled by none. From Khau Pha, you can visit Tu Le Valley, famed for its golden rice fields and sumptuous sticky rice dishes. Following the golden fields to Cao Pa commune, we will get to Lim Mong village, where we will have lunch. After lunch, we depart Mu Cang Chai to drive to Phu Yen district in Son La province. As the drive is long, resting upon our arrival is preferable.

Summary:

Distance: 372 km

Accommodation: Hotel in Phu Yen

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After experiencing sunrise and breakfast in Phu Yen, we’ll start our exploration. First, we drive out to Highway 37; at the border between Son La and Yen Bai provinces, there is the famed Lung Lo Pass. Having endured nearly 12,000 tons of bombs, Lung Lo Pass was part of the supply line for the fateful battle of Dien Bien Phu. Repeatedly destroyed and repaired, the Pass carried its duty to the fullest, and when the supply job was finished ten days earlier, even the French were surprised. Now, Lung Lo Pass stands as a relic of war from over 60 years ago.

Next, we visit the old forest named after the decorated General Vo Nguyen Giap. You can talk to the forest keeper to hear tales of when General Giap and his troops settled in the forest to rest. After that, you can climb up the mountains in Quang Huy commune for some cloud hunting or let loose at the peaceful lake that is part of the Black River. After lunch, we begin our journey back to Hanoi to avoid the nightmarish traffic during rush hour. We officially wrap up our 4-day off-road Sapa motorbike tour at BM Travel Adventure’s office and say goodbye.

Summary:

Distance: 160km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

END OF TOUR