Trek the Remote Trails of Northern Vietnam

Touchdown at Hanoi Airport and meet your host for a short transfer to your hotel. Enjoy some downtime (depending on what time your flight gets in), then later this afternoon you'll meet up with your guide and fellow adventurers to chat through the adventure ahead. Head out for a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Returned Sword) and the charming Ngoc Son Temple, which stands on an enticing islet connected to the banks of the lake, before diving into a welcome dinner and your first taste of the sumptuous food that Vietnam is famed for.

Grab an early start as you settle in for the road trip through rural northern Vietnam, bound for Ba Be National Park. The area is known for its lush rainforests, mysterious caves, sparkling waterfalls and for the stunning Ba Be Lake – one of the world's biggest freshwater lakes. Head out on some short hikes here to stretch your legs after the journey and take in the spectacular scenery. After lunch, you'll head to the Buoc Lom landing dock to hop on a boat for a scenic ride along the Nang River, the main waterway that flows into Ba Be Lake. The ride will pass the Puong Caves and Cam Village, with its picturesque paddy fields and charming local homes. Hike to the captivating Dau Dang waterfall before capping off an epic day with a cruise across Ba Be Lake, taking in the towering limestone cliffs covered in evergreen forest.

Get ready for a full day of hiking around the Ba Be Lake area, setting off directly from your hotel to make your way through Pac Ngoy village along paved roads before ascending along a jungle trail. The first part is pretty steep, but it evens out before descending to a village where you will have a delicious Vietnamese lunch cooked by a local Tay family. Continue hiking a trail that crosses bamboo forest before eventually reaching Bo Lu pier, where a boat will be waiting to take you on a ride back across the lake – returning you to your hotel for dinner and a well-earned night's sleep.

Tuck into breakfast at the hotel and get your last glimpses of Ba Be Lake before journeying on through spectacular scenery to Pac Bung village in Quang Uyen, where you will be welcomed by the first of your local homestay hosts. The regions of Quang Uyen and Cao Bang are mostly populated by the Thai and Nung ethnic groups, and for the next few days you'll gain an insight into local life in this part of Vietnam. Head out on some light hikes after your journey here to get a sense of Cao Bang's spectacular environment. With limestone cliffs and rock formations, dense jungle and lush green forested landscapes, it's an incredible backdrop for your next few days of adventuring.

Bid farewell to your first hosts after breakfast, as you set off for a full day of trekking to the next village homestay. Hike up a steep trail to reach a bamboo forest – there's an epic panorama over the region waiting on the other side of the tree line. Descend to the Na Valley to meet with some Tay and Nung communities, stopping for a local lunch. Trek on through the Lung and Mang valleys, passing by the beautiful Bac Vong River and its waterfall where you can enjoy a swim. Hop on a bamboo raft to reach your final stop of the day at Na Ran village, where you’ll spend the night in a local homestay.

Enjoy a leisurely start to your day with breakfast and coffee at the homestay before exploring the village and learning about local life. Then get started with today's route, heading down a pass from 700 metres above sea level to reach the great valley of Cao Thang, stopping at Lake Ban Viet for a picnic. Continue your trek towards Po Tau village, passing through rice, corn and tobacco fields, eventually reaching the sanctuary of your next homestay after a long day on the trail. Settle in and get to know your next host with another tasty meal together, sharing insights into each other's lives.

Set off in the morning, hiking along the river before making your way to the top of the hill to catch a breathtaking view of the largest valley in Trung Khanh. Continue down a trail which was used for hundreds of years by local communities trading goods by horseback with China. This marks the end of your trek through this part of Cao Bang, as you hop in the van and settle in for the journey north towards the Chinese border. Here you'll find the incredible Ban Gioc Falls, a series of gorgeous cascades with a stunning mountainous backdrop. After Iguaçu, Victoria and Niagara Falls, Ban Gioc are the biggest falls to form a border between two countries. You'll hike up 200 steps to reach a magical viewpoint overlooking the waterfalls and into China. Near the falls you'll also find the Truc Lam Ban Gioc Pagoda – an incredible Buddhist temple overlooking Ban Gioc Falls and the screensaver-worthy setting. Hike up several hundred steps to reach the best lookout spot, peering down on the Chinese side of the water. Later in the afternoon, you'll get back on the road to head to the Lang Son region, arriving at another homestay in the Bac Son district in the evening.

Rise early today to drive on to Hai Phong, crossing the Tan Vu – Lach Huyen Bridge to Cat Hai Island to board the local ferry to Cat Ba. Get your first glimpses of Vietnam's stunning coastline as you enter the southeastern edge of Lan Ha Bay, passing by the Cat Ba archipelago: 367 islands spanning 260 square kilometres. Dock at the main island and head straight for Cat Ba National Park, stopping at the Quan Y cave which was a secret, bomb-proof, underground hospital during the Vietnam War. Passing through the National Park gate, you'll hike along forested trails and stone steps to the top of Ngu Lam Peak, overlooking the expanse of primaeval forest on the islands. The forest is home to a symphony of animal sounds with hundreds of bird species, insects, mink, squirrels and monkeys. After the hike, head to Cat Ba Town in the afternoon to settle into your accommodation and enjoy a relaxed dinner on the coast.

Head down to the Ben Beo landing stage following another early start – you have a private boat to settle into for a whole day exploring the incredible marine wonderland that is Lan Ha Bay. Visit stunning coves beneath towering green limestone cliffs, observe the daily life of fishermen and enjoy dreamy swims at various spots. Tuck into lunch on the boat and enjoy some chill time on deck. As you get closer to sunset, you have the option of hopping off the boat and into a kayak to paddle the calm, warm waters flanked some unimaginably beautiful scenery. You can paddle for two to three hours soaking up the sunset, or you can stay on board and take in the shifting colours from up on deck if you prefer. Back on dry land after sunset enjoy, take a stroll or relax on the beach before dinner.

Lap up the last of your time on Cat Ba this morning before setting off on the ferry back to the mainland, then continuing by road to Hanoi. All good adventures have a farewell dinner to toast the end of an epic trip, and something extra special is planned for this evening as you head out for a Hanoi street food odyssey. Roam Hanoi's Old Quarter with your guide as you bounce around tasting a wide variety of Vietnamese specialities, such as banh cuon (steamed, rolled rice pancakes). You'll stop at a locally famous restaurant on Hang Dieu Stree; taste Vietnamese noodles prepared in a southern style – which are incredibly popular with locals; and head to a hidden corner of Hanoi for a short walk along the 'graffiti wall'. Lined with great coffee shop, this makes for a great spot to feel the rhythms of the nightlife in this magical capital, while recounting tales of the past ten days of adventuring.

After breakfast at hotel, you will depart to Hanoi International Airport for your return flight. Rooms are available until midday only.