Golden rice terraces on a trek at Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang
  • Visited places: Hanoi, Ha Giang, Hoang Su Phi
  • Tour Activity/Theme: Adventure, Trekking, Sublime nature, Homestay, Off the beaten track

Hoang Su Phi District of Ha Giang Province possesses sublime natural beauty with imposing mountains and deep valleys. The area is home to a profusion of ethnic groups of which the majority is the Nung; the others are Dao, Tay, Hmong, Kinh, La Chi, Co Lao...

Trekking Tour in Hoang Su Phi (Ha Giang) Overview

Our trekking adventure brings you through the most incredible landscape of Hoang Su Phi for 4 days, 3 nights. Upon request the trip could be extended to Bac Ha of Lao Cai Province, or that you will climb the second highest mountain in Ha Giang (Mount Chieu Lau Chi) at the end of the journey. Accommodation on the trip is homestay at local ethnic families. All meals are provided on the trek. While trekking, we will have picnic lunches and dinners cooked by the family. We will surely have opportunities to taste local cuisine typical of each ethnic group who are our hosts.

Homestay at Thong Nguyen
Homestay at Thong Nguyen amid rice terraces overlooking a great valley

The level of difficulty of the trek is moderate. You will hike for about 6 hours each day on small trails with some steep gradients. The trails can be through forests, or tea plantations or rice terraces. Sometimes the views are blocked by trees and mountains and at other times we will be hiking on open-vista mountainsides with sweeping views of the surrounding nature. The scenery is extraordinary in September and October while the rice terraces are turning into golden colors.

Homestay at Thong Nguyen, a bedroom
Homestay at Thong Nguyen, the bedroom

Homestays are in wonderful conditions nowadays that you will get hot water for showers, Western toilets and beds with soft mattresses. There is no air-conditioning and there is no need for that either. On high altitudes it may be warm in day time in the summer, but at night time the temperatures are pleasant. It could be freezing cold during the winter months, but you will feel warm by the family fire or in your comfy bed with plenty of blankets.

 

The jaw-dropping landscape in front of the homestay
The jaw-dropping landscape in front of the homestay

Normally there is a licensed English speaking tour guide and a local guide with you on a tour. If you want to reduce the costs, then AdventureGreen can provide a local guide only. Local guides do not normally speak English though, and communications would be via body language then.

A trekking trail amid a bamboo forest
A trekking trail amid a bamboo forest

{Inclusions
English-speaking guide;
Homestay as per itinerary;
Transport with private car with air-conditioning as per itinerary;
All meals included as indicated in the program: B=Breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner;
2 bottles of water for a trekking day; 
All admission fees and permits as per the program;
}
{Exclusions
Insurance of any type;
Accommodation in Hanoi;
Drinks (except for drinking water as aforementioned) or personal expenses; 
All others not specified in inclusions;
}

Detailed itinerary

Day1 Hanoi – Thong Nguyen, Nam Hong Village (Hoang Su Phi) (300km) (L/D)

0800 A.M Depart Hanoi for Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang. The newly made highway allows our drive a pleasant experience from Hanoi to Vinh Phuc. Then we turn into a provincial road with rice paddies and mountains on both sides. In Tuyen Quang, we will be traveling by the Lo River with scenic riverside. The small road snaking its way in Hoang Su Phi offers mountainous scenery with plenty of photo opportunities. In late afternoon, we will arrive at Nam Hong Village, home to the long-tunic Dao (Dao Ao Dai).
Overnight at Nam Hong Village, Thong Nguyen Commune.

 

A nice trekking path through a forest at Nam Khoa
A nice trekking path through a forest at Nam Khoa

 

 

A trail on a hillside with sweeping views of the surroundings
A trail on a hillside with sweeping view of the surroundings

Day2 Nam Hong – Nam Son, Nam Ai Village (6 hours trekking) (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the homestay.
08:30 A.M Enjoy a moderate hike for about 6 hours. The terrain goes slightly up and down. We will be hiking through forests, tea plantations, rice terraces… The views of mountainscape and valleys on the trek are wonderful.
Lunch en route.
We arrive at Nam Ai Village (Nam Son Commune) in mid afternoon. Have free time to explore the local life of the Dao community. Dinner at the homestay.
Overnight at Nam Ai.

a trekking route in fog at Nam Khoa
a trekking route in fog at Nam Khoa

 

 

Golden rice terraces in mist at Hoang Su Phi
Golden rice terraces in mist on a trek at Hoang Su Phi

 

 

Mountain peaks in clouds on our trek at Hoang Su Phi
Mountain peaks in clouds on our trek at Hoang Su Phi

Day3 Nam Son – Ho Thau, Tan Phong Village (6 hours trekking) (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the homestay.
Harder trek than yesterday with more steep gradients for us to hike through. The scenery is wild as we venture into remote areas.
Lunch en route.
We arrive at Ho Thau in mid or late afternoon. Have free time to learn about local way of life or take photos of the great nature at Ho Thau. Our homestay tonight is at a Nung family with breathtaking view of a great valley in the front.
Overnight at Tan Phong Village, Ho Thau.

Note: Our homestay at Ho Thau is right at the base of Mount Chieu Lau Thi (over 2,400m above sea level). The trek to the summit is 9km. Near the summit there's a rudimentary guest house which could accommodate us for one night. The adventure can be extended accordingly upon your request.

Scenic nature on the trek at Hoang Su Phi
Scenic nature on the trek at Hoang Su Phi

 

 

Breathtaking landscape on the trek at Hoang Su Phi
Breathtaking landscape on the trek at Hoang Su Phi

 

 

A relaxing hiking trail at Hoang Su Phi
A relaxing hiking trail at Hoang Su Phi

 

 

Marvelous rice terraces on the hike at Hoang Su Phi
Marvelous rice terraces on the hike at Hoang Su Phi

Day4 Ho Thau – Hanoi (340km) (B/L)

Breakfast at the homestay.
09:00 A.M Our vehicle picks us up from the homestay for the return journey back to Hanoi. Lunch en route and we arrive back in the city in late afternoon.

a walking trail amid golden rice terraces at Hoang Su Phi
a walking trail amid golden rice terraces at Hoang Su Phi

 

 

A scenic trail at Nam Son, Hoang Su Phi
A scenic trail at Nam Son, Hoang Su Phi

 

 

Golden rice terraces on the trek through Nam Son
Golden rice terraces on the trek through Nam Son

 

 

Amazing mountains at Nam Son
Amazing mountains at Nam Son

 

 

Wondeful mountainscape at Ho Thau, Hoang Su Phi
Wondeful mountainscape at Ho Thau, Hoang Su Phi

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