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ARRIVAL Takeover: The Great Hanoi to Halong Ride
10 days. One crew. Full throttle through the north.
Overview
The lowdown
This is Northern Vietnam in high gear – ARRIVAL style. Ten days, 1800km and every kind of wild in between. All with a bunch of new best friends. Ride mist-wrapped passes, crash markets in the clouds and carve through limestone borderlands. From Red River dust to Halong Bay calm, this ARRIVAL takeover cuts through rural Vietnam to deliver an off-road experience like no other. Homestays, history and handlebars – this one leaves a mark.
Highlights
The best bits
Conquer the Iconic Khau Pha Pass
Climb into the clouds on one of Vietnam’s most dramatic mountain roads. This 30 km stretch winds through steep gradients and endless hairpin bends, rising above 1,200 metres and slicing through mist, cloud and cascading rice terraces. You’ll thread past remote ethnic villages, jagged peaks and valleys that drop away beneath you, before rolling into Sapa’s cool highland air with burning legs and views that feel almost unreal.
Itinerary
The day to day
Day 1
The warm-up – Hanoi to Nghia Lo
Day 2
Passes & Peaks – Nghia Lo, Mu Cang Chai & Sapa
Day 3
Valleys of Indigo & Market Magic – Sapa to Bac Ha
Day 4
Terraces, Trails & Cloud Kingdoms – Bac Ha to Ha Giang
Day 5
Buckwheat Roads & Rock Palaces – Ha Giang to Dong Van
Day 6
Love Markets & Borderlands – Dong Van to Cao Bang
Day 7
Waterfalls, Caves & Cloud Peaks – Cao Bang to Bac Son
Day 8
Sacred Roads to the Sea – Bac Son to Halong Bay
Day 9
Islands, Recipes & Moonlight Fish – Halong Bay Cruise
Day 10
Caves, Levees & Long Goodbyes – Sung Sot Cave to Hanoi
Location
The setting
Host
The experts
Chi’s Wheels
Chi’s Wheels is a Hanoi-born outfit known for its grit, heart and realness. The team is made up of local legends who have turned backroads into playgrounds and cultural bridges. Expect laughs, care and the best damn roadside noodle stop you’ve ever had.
Accommodation
The quarters
A comfortable hotel in the heart of Nghia Lo township, Muong Lo Hotel is your first resting point after a long day’s ride. Known for its warm hospitality and peaceful atmosphere.
Muong Lo Hotel
Nghĩa Lộ, VN
A soft bed. A warm meal. A local home full of charm. You’ll sleep easy – and deeply – at these simple but welcoming stays.
Homestay - Sapa
Sa Pa, VN
Located in Bac Ha town, Cung Fu Hotel offers a welcome pause after a day of off-road exploration. Expect mountain views, hearty home-cooked meals and close proximity to the famous Bac Ha Market.
Cung Fu Hotel
Ngọc Uyển, Bắc Hà, VN
A soft bed. A warm meal. A local home full of charm. You’ll sleep easy – and deeply – at these simple but welcoming stays.
Homestay - Thon Tha
Thành phố Hà Giang, VN
Situated in the center of Dong Van town, Hoa Cuong Hotel blends comfort and character. This hotel gives you quick access to the town’s old quarter and vibrant markets.
Hoa Cuong Hotel
Đồng Văn District, VN
A soft bed. A warm meal. A local home full of charm. You’ll sleep easy – and deeply – at these simple but welcoming stays.
Homestay - Coa Bang
Cao Bằng, VN
A soft bed. A warm meal. A local home full of charm. You’ll sleep easy – and deeply – at these simple but welcoming stays.
Homestay - Bac Son
Bắc Sơn District, VN
Located in bustling Halong City, Ruby Hotel offers sea breeze views and close access to the city’s famed seafood haunts. After trading your saddle for a bed, enjoy fresh local dishes and sunset walks along the promenade.
Ruby Hotel (Halong City)
Anh Đào, Thành phố Hạ Lon...
Activities
The fun stuff
Ascend over 32 km of winding asphalt through one of Vietnam's longest and most challenging mountain passes. With panoramic terrace views, this ride is equal parts thrill and awe.
Conquer Khau Pha Pass
Mù Cang Chải District, VN
Kick off your journey with a scenic 4 km ride along the Red River, passing sleepy fishing villages, ferry crossings, and lush cornfields. It's a gentle but vivid immersion into rural Vietnam before the terrain tightens
Red River Ride & Village Crossing
Nghĩa Lộ, VN
One of the highest passes in Vietnam, O Quy Ho is your golden-hour ride. Watch the sun drop as clouds roll in – then descend into Sapa's highland dreamscape.
O Quy Ho Sunset Descent
Tam Đường District, VN
A sensory overload of trade, textiles and local life, Bac Ha Market is where locals sell wares and stories. A colourful crash course in highland ways.
Bac Ha Market Exploration
Bắc Hà, VN
Tackle a rugged 20 km off-road track through forested terrain. This stretch leads to quiet Phung village and reveals the real, untamed side of Vietnam’s northern wilds.
Off-Road Trail to Phung Village
Xín Mần District, VN
Navigate sharp switchbacks and eerie limestone landscapes through this UNESCO-protected geopark. It’s like riding through another planet.
Ride the Dong Van Karst Plateau
Đồng Văn District, VN
Arguably the crown jewel of Vietnam’s passes, Ma Pi Leng delivers staggering cliff-edge views above the jade ribbon of the Nho Que River. Absolute bucket-list material.
Ma Pi Leng Pass & Nho Que River Views
Mèo Vạc, VN
A one-of-a-kind cultural event where separated lovers reunite for one day a year. Packed with history, emotion, and market mayhem – if your timing’s right.
Khau Vai Love Market
Mèo Vạc District, VN
Straddling the China-Vietnam border, Ban Gioc is a multi-tiered waterfall thundering into a turquoise basin. It’s wild, majestic and one of Asia’s best-kept secrets.
Ban Gioc Waterfall Visit
Sông Quy Xuân, Chongzuo,...
Climb 1,200 stone steps to the top of Na Lay Peak for a surreal panorama over Bac Son Valley. It’s a leg-burner with sky-high payoff.
Na Lay Peak Hike
Bắc Sơn District, VN
Pass ancient forests and sacred shrines on a path few tourists take. The spiritual calm of Yen Tu balances the trip’s grit with grace.
Ride Through Yen Tu Spiritual Trail
Yên Tử, Thành phố Uông Bí...
Give those legs a rest as you float through limestone giants, cook Vietnamese spring rolls onboard and try your hand at night cuttlefish fishing. It’s your well-earned breather on the bay.
Halong Bay Cruise & Cooking Class
Ngọc Châu, Thành phố Hạ L...
Wander through Halong Bay’s largest cave – 10,000 sqm of staggering formations and echoing chambers. The final exhale before heading home.
Sung Sot Cave Exploration
Hanoi, Hoàn Kiếm, VN
Fine Print
The small stuff
Cancel 65+ days from departure for a 80% refund. Within 64 days of departure, we’ve locked in logistics, so no refund can be offered. Thanks for understanding – it keeps things running smooth for everyone. Please make sure your dates are correct before booking, and we strongly recommend travel insurance for extra peace of mind.