January Across the North — 11 Days of Clouds, Early Blossoms and Big Passes
- Duration
- 11 days
- Nights
- 10
- Tour Type
- Group
- Tour Destination
- Hanoi & beyond
- Departure
- 05/01/2027
- Return
- 15/01/2027
- Departure point
- Hanoi
Overview Of Tour
January is quiet season in the mountains: fewer tourists, cool clean air, sea-of-cloud mornings and the first plum and peach blossoms appearing in the villages. This 11-day route is the long version of the north — including a full 290 km highland traverse from Sapa to Ha Giang that few riders ever do.
Trip facts: 11 days / 10 nights · ~1,960 km · Hanoi – Hanoi · Level: Moderate–Challenging · Price: from $2,245 per rider
Why ride it with AZ: January can drop to single digits up high — we'll lend winter riding layers and adjust start times so you ride in the sunniest hours.
Tour Highlight
- Winter sea of clouds over the Hoang Lien Son range
- Free day in Sapa for Muong Hoa valley and local markets
- The remote Sapa – Ha Giang crossing through rarely visited villages
- Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark and Ma Pi Leng Pass
- Ban Gioc, Vietnam's largest waterfall, and Ba Be National Park
Intinerary
Day 1 Hanoi → Mai Chau · 170 km · (L/D)
Limestone valleys and gentle passes into Hoa Binh's hills.
Proposed distance: 170 km
Day 2 Mai Chau → Phu Yen · 190 km · (B/L/D)
Moc Chau plateau in its cool winter colours, then hidden valleys.
Proposed distance: 190 km
Day 3 Phu Yen → Nghia Lo · 130 km · (B/L/D)
Winding roads and the historic Lung Lo Pass.
Proposed distance: 130 km
Day 4 Nghia Lo → Sapa · 220 km · (B/L/D)
North through the mountains to the Hoang Lien Son range and Sapa.
Proposed distance: 220 km
Day 5 Sapa free day · (B)
Muong Hoa valley, markets or a Hmong/Dao village — your choice.
Day 6 Sapa → Ha Giang · 290 km · (B/L/D)
The longest day: an epic highland traverse east to Ha Giang.
Proposed distance: 290 km
Day 7 Ha Giang → Dong Van · 150 km · (B/L/D)
Entering the Geopark — the heart of the Ha Giang Loop.
Proposed distance: 150 km
Day 8 Dong Van → Meo Vac → Bao Lac · 140 km · (B/L/D)
Ma Pi Leng in the morning light, then down to Bao Lac.
Proposed distance: 140 km
Day 9 Bao Lac → Ban Gioc · 220 km · (B/L/D)
Peaceful Cao Bang mountains to the border waterfall.
Proposed distance: 220 km
Day 10 Ban Gioc → Ba Be Lake · 220 km · (B/L/D)
Forest roads south to Ba Be National Park.
Proposed distance: 220 km
Day 11 Ba Be → Hanoi · 230 km · (B/L)
Tea hills and plains back to the capital.
Proposed distance: 230 km
Riding & safety
Discuss your riding experience and the proposed surfaces with AZ. Confirm required documents, protective equipment and insurance arrangements before agreeing a ride.