Lake Loop

Day 1: Ha Noi – Xuan Son National Park

We take the easy route along the Red River to get out of Hanoi and then Past Ba Vi Mountain on the QL32. This gets us out of town with minimal fuss and onto relatively quiet roads. We take the smaller back roads to get into the park, which is a quiet haven shielded from the surrounding mayhem of modern Vietnam. Our homestay is the best of the bunch but the area can get noisy with local tourist. If there is time we can visit the local cave and swim hole for a refreshing dip.  

Day 2: Xuan Son National Park – Thac Ba Lake

Even though we take the quieter roads up to Thac Ba it isn’t until the last part of the journey that we experience peaceful riding. Once at the lake it is quiet and relaxed and we can hang out in the homestay or go for a swim or boat on the lake. 

Day 3: Thac Ba Lake – Ba Be Lake 

Today, we can wind our way through the smaller roads and hopefully get off track on some small dirt tracks. We can get to see some of the people that live far off the main roads and experience their way of life a little. 

Day 4: Ba Be Lake (rest day)

This is a day to hang out at the lake and you can choose from swimming, kayaking taking a boat trip, exploring by bike or sleeping off any hangover. This is a time to relax after a few days hard riding and in preparation for the route ahead. 

Day 5: Ba Be Lake – Cao Bang / Ban Gioc

This is a great day as we pass Phia Oac National Park, which is one of the few places in Vietnam to experience snowfall, on the Cao Bang GeoPark. If there is time we can pass by Tin Tuc Mine by taking some smaller roads. We climb over the mountain and then head down to Cao Bang city, where we can choose to set up our HQ or on to visit Ban Gioc Falls. 

Day 6: Cao Bang / Ban Gioc (rest day/ Day trip)

Aonther rest day here because there is so much to see and do. We caxn choose from visiting the Ban Gioc Falls, sneaking a foot or two into China past the border posts, viewing Pac Bo or Nguom Ngao Cave, climbing up to Truc Lam Pagoda or trekking with a local guide.  

Day 7: Cao Bang – That Khe 

It is now time to start the trip back to Hanoi and we take some alternative routes to get us off the main road and down to That Khe. All the way we pass through the spectacular limestone karst scenery and past small hamlets of ethnic villagers. 

Day 8: That Khe – Bac Son 

We have plenty of time and not too far to go on this day so we can take a few detours depending on news from the locals. There are plenty of small tracks through this area that we can take that make this day a fun adventure. 

Day 9: Bac Son – Hanoi

This is the final push back to Hanoi. The first half of the ride is spent in the hills but then we hit the Red River Delta and we are forced to take the main roads for speed. The best is behind us now and we need to focus on a safe return and look forward to our farewell dinner in the evening.