Offroad Cao Bang Loop – 6 Days

Day 1 trail details:

• 40% paved roads
• 40% local roads
• 20% dirt trails

Kick off your Cao Bang Loop Tour by enjoying breakfast in our hotel prior to departure! Our guide will do a detailed briefing and prepare you will all of the necessary gear.

Day 1 hits all of the iconic Ha Giang Loop stops, but with a twist – we take the back roads and local buffalo trails to get there!

Your first climb is the winding Bac Sum Pass, followed by a stop at Heaven’s Gate (Quan Ba Pass) for sweeping views of the Twin Mountains and Tam Son Valley.

Next, visit Nam Dam Village, home to the Dao ethnic minority. Explore the peaceful village and its traditional clay houses before continuing to Lung Tam Village, where H’mong artisans produce handwoven hemp textiles dyed in natural indigo.

Enjoy a local lunch in Yen Minh, then continue your journey through the picturesque Can Ty Pass. Tackle the sharp bends of Tham Ma Pass, a favorite viewpoint for photos and sweeping valley views.

In the late afternoon, explore the striking Sang Tung Stone Desert, a unique limestone landscape unlike anywhere else on the loop.

Arrive in Dong Van by evening, where you’ll settle in to the homestay for the night. Enjoy a family style local dinner and choose to partake in karaoke, or relax and prepare for another day of unforgettable adventure.

Day 2 trail details:

• 70% dirt trails
• 30% paved roads

Day 2 is where the offroad adventure really earns it’s name!

Begin with breakfast at the homestay prior to embarking on a rugged journey to the Northern most part of Vietnam.

Our trail riding begins in Deo Gio and connects through to Ta Lang Pass. Be prepared to get muddy!

We will stop at the iconic Ma Pi Leng Pass and take in the vast beauty of one of Vietnam’s most famous mountain ranges.

Next, we will stop for lunch in Meo Vac, a local town, before fueling up and heading back on our adventure.

We will trail ride through Khau Vai before embarking on a bamboo raft in Bao Lac region.

Navigate through Coc Pang and Thuong Ha (a map that exists only in your guide’s mind) before making our way to Bao Lac for the evening.

At the end of the day, endulge in a hot shower and local dinner with a relaxing view of the mountains.

Day 3 trail details:

• 70% local roads
• 30% rocky trails

Kick off Day 3 in Bao Lac with a local breakfast.

Next, tackle the 14-turn pass of Khau Coc Cha – carved directly into the rock face.

Exit off the main road and ride through local village paths that are only wide enough for motorbikes and the occasional buffalo. These paths will take you through Xuan Troung and Ngoc Dong; two local villages where farmers can be seen tending to their rice fields and farm animals.

Continue through Thong Nong and Tra Linh before making your way to Ban Gioc for the evening.

We will end our adventure-packed day at Khuoi Ky Stone Village, a small local village set back into the mountain side. This homestay was built into the side of a cave and passed down through the local family for generations.

Day 4 trail details:

• 70% local roads
• 10% dirt trails

On Day 4 we make our way from Ban Gioc to Cao Bang, meandering through the local villages as we go.

Our first stop is Ban Gioc Waterfall, Asia’s largest waterfall! This waterfall is shared between China and Vietnam – wave to our neighboring country’s tourists across the lake!

The adventure continues with a stop at a second waterfall – Co La Waterfall. Walk across the bridge and observe the fresh water cascading down the many levels.

Visit Phong Nam Valley and Quang Uyen to take photos of the expansive farm land bordered by towering cliffsides.

Stop at Dragon’s Eye Mountain and Ma Phuc Pass for photos and a rest. This distinctly unique mountain rises out of the valley and features a giant, dragon-head sized hole in the center. It is surrounded by a large green lake for half of the year, and home to grazing horses, cows, and buffalo for the remainder of the year.

We will finish the day in Cao Bang, a vibrant city with market nightlife and streetfood.

Day 5 trail details:

• 100% National Park trails

Enjoy breakfast before riding from Cao Bang City to Ba Be National Park, the jewel of Bac Kan province. It is the largest fresh water lake in Vietnam. Embark on a boat trip on the famous Ba Be Lake – known for its spectacular blue, green water.

Ride for the remainder of the day, exploring the expansive beauty of this National park.

Spend your last night in Ba Be National Park and enjoy a local Northern-style meal.

Day 6 trail details:

• 100% local roads

On Day 6, swap your offroad motorbike for a bicycle and cycle to Ho Ma Cave. It’s known for its impressive stalactites and stalagmites, as well as its mysterious legends.

Enjoy a final, local lunch before making our way back to Cao Bang City, where you will bid farewell to your guide. Board the bus and reflect on the fabulous five days of adventure as you make your way back to Hanoi.