The North West
This tour takes you to the north west of Vietnam and the famous hill station of Sa Pa which is within sight of the highest mountain of south east Asia's mainland - mount Phang Xi Pang. Here you will have the opportunity of visiting local ethnic minority people in their own villages as well as walking in this beautiful mountain country - indeed if you are experienced and have four days extra to spare you can climb Phang Xi Pang itself with expert guides.
September 2011
- Core tour six nights/seven days
- Visit the famous hill station of Sa Pa
- Explore parts of Vietnam where life changes little
- Tour the mountain ranges at the end of the Himalayas
- See the highest peak on mainland south east Asia
Vietnam take you to parts of the country where life has changed little in recent history. Here you will be travelling amongst ethnic communities such as: the Dzao, Thai, Hmong and Loa. The passes and valleys of the area are among hills which are part of the very end of the Himalaya range as it descends to the China Sea in the east. 
We will take you first to the village of Mai Chau where you can stay in a traditional stilt house of this White Thai community.
Then on to Son La through some of Vietnam's finest tea country. Here you can bathe in the hot springs and visit the museum of the French occupation. The next day takes you through Lai Chau Province the most sparsely populated in Vietnam with large forests still inhabited by many endangered species. The following morning brings views of Phang Xi Pang, south east Asia's highest mountain, before we arrive at Sa Pa with its fine climate due to its height - 1,500 metres up among the hills. The return to Ha Noi is by the delightful Nam Kim valley, with a last night spent in Nghia Lo and time to visit the lacquer producing areas of Son Tay before arriving back in Ha Noi.
- Open Jeep for two or three passengers
- Jeep fully covered in bad weather
- English speaking driver
- Available either as 'Jeep & Driver' or as package including hotels and food
- Suggested route includes Mai Chau, Son La, Muong Lay, Lai Chau, Phan Xi Pang, Sa Pa, Than Uyen, Nghia Lo
- Add extra nights calling at Dien Bien Phu, and staying longer in Sa Pa.
Below the map shows a route you might take in red. The brown line indicates an extension that can be made from the basic route, it needs an additional day.
