Điện Biên – Mường Chà – Đà River – Tủa Chùa – Dào San – Sapa
The fairytale land of Điện Biên centers on the vibrant cultures of local ethnic minorities, surrounded by the Đà River—a living ink-wash painting framed by majestic mountains. The Đà’s waters are neither the brick-red of the Hồng River nor the “clam-soup green” of the Lô or Gâm. In spring, it glows jade-green; in autumn, it “ripens red like the bruised cheek of a reveler” and “stains its wild banks like prehistoric shores. Its riverbanks are pure as ancient fairy tales” – from Nguyễn Tuân’s essays on the Đà River.
Once fierce, the Đà is now a romantic, tender stream—a forest maiden of the Northwest, grace personified.
Leave daily worries behind and immerse yourself in Northwest Vietnam’s nature, mountains, and people. However, this is an adventure tour to the country’s most pristine regions—fraught with natural, weather, and road challenges, plus rustic accommodations—thus unsuitable for those who only seek relaxation.
- Điện Biên – Hát Là, 120km
MotoTours Asia’s support vehicle and guide await you at Điện Biên Phủ Airport. Once you land, gear up and head straight to Cò Chạy Pass on Route 12, traversing Khơ Mú, Thái, and H’Mông villages.
We’ll pause at a riverside Cống ethnic village for a picnic, rest by the river, visit the charming village, and learn about the Cống culture.
In the afternoon, follow a narrow concrete road spanning ridges and villages. Stop at an H’Mông village to study their migration history, then continue to a Xạ Phang village perched above 1,200 m.
- Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Accommodation: Xạ Phang homestay
- Hát Là – Tủa Chùa, 160km
Today we explore Điện Biên’s wildest landscapes, ascending to the Tủa Chùa karst plateau where the Đà River valley unfolds below. Towering forests, centuries-old tea trees, and limestone cliffs define this breathtaking realm.
No words can capture this paradise. Discover the customs of Xạ Phang, H’Mông, Dao, and more.
We’ll keep today’s specific route a surprise for extra delight! In the afternoon, arrive at the village and spend time admiring and swimming in the Đà River. Tonight’s dinner features river fish specialties.
- Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Accommodation: Dao ethnic homestay
- Tủa Chùa – Sìn Hồ, 130km + 30’ Đà River boat
After breakfast, board a boat for a 30-minute Đà River exploration, then head to Sìn Hồ to discover Pu Sam Cáp Cave, winding passes, and minority villages before riding up to Dào San.
- Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Accommodation: guesthouse
- Dào San – Pa Vầy Sử – Mồ Sì San – Sì Lở Lầu, 130km
Explore Lai Châu’s most remote highlands: peaks over 2,000 m, mist-shrouded terraces, and hidden villages await. Challenging roads reward with unparalleled natural beauty.
- Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Accommodation: guesthouse
- Dào San – Sapa, 120km
Farewell to Dào San. Follow the Tả Liên Sơn range along mountain trails to Tam Đường, then conquer Trạm Tôn Pass on Route 4C before arriving in Sapa.
- Meals: breakfast
End of journey. You can take the 3-hour shuttle back to Hanoi or continue exploring Sapa on your own.
- TOUR PRICE LIST (unit: VND)
- Children under 5 years old are free, 5 to under 12 years old are charged 75% of the tour price, from 12 years old and up are charged adult price.
- Maximum discount for 1 child per 2 adults.
- Tour price depends on the number of participants, the larger the group, the cheaper the price
- Tour price depends on the type of vehicle and how you participate (what car, what motorbike, do you drive yourself, or sit in the back…)
- 7-SEAT CAR TOUR PRICE:
| Vehicles/ number of passengers | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| UAZ Convertible | 8,237,000 | 6,717,000 | 5,806,000 |
| 7 seater car | 8,468,000 | 6,891,000 | 5,944,000 |
- TOUR PRICE FOR 16 – 35 SEATS CAR (minimum 8 guests/group): 4,799,000 VND
- MOTORBIKE TOUR PRICE: (depends on the number of members in the group, type of vehicle and how you participate)
| PARTICIPATION TYPE/VEHICLE TYPE/NUMBER | |||||||
| DRIVE 1 CAR | 3-4 | 5-6 | 7-8 | 9-10 | 11-12 | 13-14 | |
| Vehicle type | Honda 100-125 | 6,829,000 | 5,966,000 | 5,319,000 | 4,959,000 | 4,872,000 | 4,692,000 |
| Win 135 | 7,379,000 | 6,461,000 | 5,790,000 | 5,418,000 | 5,322,000 | 5,136,000 | |
| Winner 150 | 8,397,000 | 7,377,000 | 6,663,000 | 6,266,000 | 6,155,000 | 5,958,000 | |
| Honda 230-250 | 11,995,000 | 10,615,000 | 9,747,000 | 9,264,000 | 9,098,000 | 8,864,000 | |
| BMW F800 GS | 27,377,000 | 24,459,000 | 22,931,000 | 22,082,000 | 21,684,000 | 21,288,000 | |
| SITTING IN THE BACK OF THE MTA BUS | |||||||
| Vehicle type | Honda 100-125 | 8,194,000 | 7,648,000 | 7,136,000 | 6,852,000 | 6,813,000 | 6,666,000 |
| Win 135 | 8,647,000 | 8,101,000 | 7,589,000 | 7,305,000 | 7,266,000 | 7,119,000 | |
| Winner 150 | 9,482,000 | 8,936,000 | 8,424,000 | 8,140,000 | 8,101,000 | 7,954,000 | |
| Honda 230-250 | 12,323,000 | 11,777,000 | 11,265,000 | 10,981,000 | 10,941,000 | 10,795,000 | |
| BMW F800 GS | 22,077,000 | 21,531,000 | 21,020,000 | 20,736,000 | 20,696,000 | 20,549,000 | |
| 2 PEOPLE 1 CAR | |||||||
| Vehicle type | Honda 100-125 | 5,801,000 | 5,040,000 | 4,437,000 | 4,102,000 | 4,030,000 | 3,861,000 |
| Win 135 | 6,076,000 | 5,288,000 | 4,673,000 | 4,331,000 | 4,255,000 | 4,083,000 | |
| Winner 150 | 6,585,000 | 5,746,000 | 5,109,000 | 4,756,000 | 4,672,000 | 4,494,000 | |
| Honda 230-250 | 8,384,000 | 7,365,000 | 6,651,000 | 6,255,000 | 6,144,000 | 5,947,000 | |
| BMW F800 GS | 16,075,000 | 14,287,000 | 13,244,000 | 12,664,000 | 12,436,000 | 12,159,000 | |
Notes: (Price based on number of bikes)
- Age 12+: adult rate. Children 5–11: 50% when sharing bike with parent; full rate if requiring separate bike & guide.
INCLUDES:
- All meals per itinerary
- Homestay/guesthouse (2 per room; mixed genders triple share). Homestays have no private rooms.
- Motorbike rental per chosen model
- Fuel and bike fees throughout
- 30-minute Đà River boat trip
- Support vehicle for groups ≥6 bikes
- Pillion option with MotoTours Asia guide (local minority riders, expert mountain skills)
- Professional ethnic minority guide
- Unlimited bottled water on support vehicle for groups ≥6 bikes; rice wine at homestays (other drinks not included)
- Breakfast buffets with premium Arabica coffee, seasonal juices, cereals, nuts, etc., plus hot options (porridge, noodles, crepes, etc.)
- Main meals: diverse, unlimited, fresh, with dessert
- Border post registration & escort fees
- All entrance fees
- Travel insurance & accident coverage
EXCLUDES:
- Transport to/from Điện Biên or Sapa (shuttle motorcycle return cost depends on bike count/type & will be confirmed before tour)
- Drinks purchased outside those provided on support vehicle
- Personal expenses, tips, and items not listed above
- Force majeure costs (natural disasters, road closures, etc.)