A FIVE-DAY JOURNEY ACROSS HA GIANG AND CAO BANG
Experience the best of northern Vietnam on this 5-day, 4-night Ha Giang – Cao Bang Loop Tour. From the breathtaking mountain roads of Ha Giang to the magnificent Ban Gioc Waterfall, every day brings new adventures, spectacular landscapes and authentic cultural experiences.
Ride through iconic destinations including Quan Ba Heaven Gate, Tham Ma Pass, Dong Van, Ma Pi Leng Pass, Nho Que River, the 14-level Me Pia Pass, Pac Bo Historical Site, Ban Gioc Waterfall, Nguom Ngao Cave and God’s Eye Mountain. Along the way, meet local ethnic communities, stay in welcoming homestays and enjoy traditional Vietnamese meals.
Travel with an experienced local guide and Easy Rider, with the main accommodation, daily meals, motorbike, fuel, protective equipment, entrance tickets and required border-area permit arranged for the journey. New to the region? Read our Ha Giang Loop Guide for practical advice on weather, packing, safety and transport.
Duration: 5 days, 4 nights
Travel style: Local guide and Easy Rider
Route: Ha Giang City to Cao Bang City
Accommodation: Four homestay nights
Meals: 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 4 dinners
Price: From 7,950,000 VND/person
Permit: Included
BOOK NOW ASK ON WHATSAPPAn extended journey through northern Vietnam.
Enjoy the route with an experienced local driver.
Local overnight accommodation along the route.
Two mountain provinces in one adventure.
Mountain passes, borderland villages, waterfalls and memorable moments with the SkyPath team.
DAY-BY-DAY ROUTE
The itinerary may be adjusted slightly for weather, road conditions and guest safety. Your local guide will keep the main highlights while choosing the safest and most enjoyable route each day.
3:00 PM or 8:00 PM: Pickup can be arranged from Hanoi Old Quarter and selected locations such as the airport, Sapa, Cat Ba or Ninh Binh. The journey to Ha Giang takes approximately six hours, depending on the pickup point and traffic.
Around 9:00–9:15 PM: Check in at SkyPath Hostel in Ha Giang City. One pre-tour night is included. Solo travelers receive a dorm bed, with a private-room upgrade available for an additional fee.
7:30–8:15 AM: Enjoy breakfast at SkyPath Hostel, meet your Easy Rider and local guide, and attend a route and safety briefing. A helmet and protective knee and elbow pads are prepared before departure.
8:30 AM: Begin the journey toward Thuan Hoa Pass and enjoy the mountain scenery. Continue to Lung Pu Waterfall, where swimming may be possible when conditions are safe.
12:00 PM: Enjoy lunch in the Trang Kim area.
1:30 PM: Continue through Chin Khoanh Pass toward Dong Van, with stops at Tham Ma Pass and Lao Xa Village.
Around 5:30 PM: Arrive in Dong Van and check in for the night. Relax after the ride and enjoy a local “Happy Water” and karaoke experience.
8:00 AM: Depart after breakfast. If your visit falls on Sunday, there may be time to experience Dong Van Market before continuing to Lo Lo Chai, a traditional village near Vietnam’s northern border.
Morning: Follow the Happiness Road and walk along the dramatic White Cliff route. This mountain path offers a memorable view for adventurous travelers.
Late morning: Continue to Ma Pi Leng Pass, one of northern Vietnam’s most spectacular mountain roads.
11:00 AM: Take a boat ride on the Nho Que River through Tu San Canyon and experience the landscape from below the towering cliffs.
Around 5:30 PM: Arrive in Pa Vi Village near Meo Vac, check in at the homestay and enjoy dinner with local Ha Giang dishes.
8:00 AM: Depart after breakfast and travel from Pa Vi Village toward Cao Bang.
Morning: Ride across the remarkable Me Pia Pass, also known as the Khau Coc Cha 14-level pass. A walk of more than one kilometre leads to the viewpoint for a panoramic view over the winding road.
11:00 AM: Stop in Bao Lac for lunch before continuing toward Pac Bo.
Around 5:30 PM: Arrive at a homestay near Pac Bo Historical Site. This day connects Ha Giang and Cao Bang while still offering mountain scenery and the extraordinary 14-level pass.
8:00 AM: Depart after breakfast and visit Pac Bo, a peaceful natural area and an important historical site. Continue toward Cao Bang for lunch.
Late morning: Travel onward to Ban Gioc Waterfall and experience one of Vietnam’s most majestic and famous waterfalls.
2:00 PM: Visit Nguom Ngao Cave, approximately three kilometres from Ban Gioc. The cave retains its wild beauty through impressive limestone formations shaped over time.
Around 5:30 PM: Check in at a homestay near Ban Gioc Waterfall. In the evening, a gentle walk may be possible to see the waterfall area after dark.
8:00 AM: Depart after breakfast and visit Phuc Sen, a traditional village known for handmade knives crafted by local Nung artisans.
8:30 AM: Continue to God’s Eye Mountain, also known as Thung Mountain, surrounded by rocky peaks, green grasslands and a distinctive natural landscape.
Late morning: Spend time enjoying the scenery around the perforated mountain and the surrounding valley.
1:00 PM: Return to Cao Bang City for lunch. Guests continuing to Hanoi can take an optional afternoon limousine after the tour.
Solo travelers receive a dorm or shared-room bed; a private room is available for an additional USD 10 per night, subject to availability.
Guests booking for two or more receive a complimentary private-room upgrade for the stay, subject to availability.
The route finishes in Cao Bang City. Guests returning to Hanoi can request an optional afternoon limousine, but the ticket is not included in the tour price.
ASK ABOUT TRANSPORTThis long-distance mountain journey is designed with an experienced Easy Rider and local guide. You can focus on the scenery, cultural stops and photography while your driver handles the steep and winding roads between Ha Giang and Cao Bang.
The route combines the Ha Giang Loop with Cao Bang’s borderland landscapes. Five days allow time for Ma Pi Leng, Nho Que River, Me Pia Pass, Pac Bo, Ban Gioc, Nguom Ngao Cave and God’s Eye Mountain in one continuous journey.
PRICE AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
The tour price is from 7,950,000 VND per person.
Included in the listed price: local guide and Easy Rider, motorbike, fuel, motorbike insurance, safety equipment, five breakfasts, five lunches, four dinners, four homestay nights, one complimentary pre-tour night, the required border-area permit, itinerary entrance tickets and the Nho Que River boat ride.
Bus or limousine tickets, travel insurance, unlisted drinks, private-room upgrades for solo travelers and personal expenses are not included.
Foreign visitors may need a border-area travel permit for designated areas along the route. SkyPath arranges the required permit before departure, and the listed fee of USD 10 / approximately 260,000 VND is included in the tour price.
FROM
per person
Easy Rider • Four homestay nights • Meals • Safety gear • Permit
Drivers familiar with northern Vietnam’s mountain roads.
Helmet, knee and elbow protection, plus rain gear.
Accommodation, meals and route arrangements are prepared.
Help with permits, transport questions and trip planning.
All tour prices below include the border-area travel permit and one complimentary pre-tour night at SkyPath Ha Giang.
Compare itineraries and availability on our Ha Giang Loop tours page.
This extended route continues beyond Ha Giang into Cao Bang. It combines Ma Pi Leng Pass and the Nho Que River with Me Pia Pass, Pac Bo, Ban Gioc Waterfall, Nguom Ngao Cave and God’s Eye Mountain.
No motorbike experience is required because the 5D4N journey is arranged with an experienced local Easy Rider. You ride as a passenger and can focus on the scenery and experiences.
The tour includes four nights in local homestays during the 5D4N journey and one complimentary night at SkyPath Hostel before departure. Private-room options depend on group size and availability.
Yes. The required border-area permit is included in the listed tour price, and SkyPath will arrange it before departure.
No. Transport tickets before and after the tour are not included, but you can request support arranging the journey to Ha Giang and the return from Cao Bang.
Bring comfortable layers, closed shoes, sunscreen, personal medication, a small day bag and waterproof protection for valuables. Conditions change across the mountains, so check our Ha Giang Loop travel guide before departure.
The Ha Giang – Cao Bang Loop Tour 5D4N is designed for travelers who want to continue beyond the classic Ha Giang Loop and experience two mountain provinces in one journey. Still comparing itineraries? View all Ha Giang Loop tours to choose the trip length that fits your schedule. When you are ready, use our Ha Giang Loop booking form to select your date, group size and pickup details.
Book the 5D4N journey with SkyPath and experience mountain passes, ethnic villages, Pac Bo, Ban Gioc and Cao Bang’s extraordinary landscapes.