Three days on foot across Hoang Su Phi — Black Dao, Red Dao, La Chi and Tay villages linked through three valleys without a road between them.
Duration
3 days · 2 nights
Difficulty
Demanding
Distance
38 km total
Altitude
900 – 1,700 m
Best season
Sept – Oct · golden
— Overview
Why this route.
Ban Luoc is the full Hoang Su Phi traverse. Three days, three valleys, three ethnic groups: a Black Dao herbal village, a Red Dao ridge crossing, and La Chi terrace country at Ban Phung — finishing through Tay tea gardens at Thong Nguyen. Day 2 is long; your main bag travels by motorbike so you carry only a daypack. Choose this if you want the district's ethnic and ecological range in one connected walk. Choose Nam Hong if two days and one homestay night are enough, or Ban Phung if you only have a single terrace day.
— Trip highlights
Black Dao herbal homestay in Ban Luoc — gardens, drying racks, wood-fired bath
Day 2 crossing into La Chi Ban Phung — the longest day, terrace sunset from the ridge
Three ethnic households in three nights — each guide leads on their own territory
Tay tea-valley finish at Thong Nguyen on a gentler Day 3
— Itinerary
Day by day.
Times and stops are indicative. Pace and arrival are set by the slowest walker, the weather, and the village.
Day 1
Ban Luoc → Nam Hong
12 km · 5 h walking
Meals · Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Stay · Red Dao homestay
"Begin in Ban Luoc with the Black Dao. Climb steady contours above the village, lunch on the ridge, descend into Nam Hong for a Red Dao homestay and the first herbal bath."
Day 2
Nam Hong → Ban Phung
14 km · 6 – 7 h walking
Meals · Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Stay · La Chi stilt house
"The longest day. Cross the upper ridge, drop into the Chay valley, then climb back into La Chi country for the night in a stilt house in Ban Phung. Sunset over the Ban Phung terraces from the ridge."
Day 3
Ban Phung → Thong Nguyen
12 km · 5 h walking
Meals · Breakfast · Lunch
"A gentler day. Descend through tea gardens and bamboo into the Tay valley of Thong Nguyen, ending at the river with a late lunch before the road returns you to Hoang Su Phi town."
— Inclusions
What's included.
Included
Private transfers to and from the trail
English-speaking lead guide for all three days
Local guides from each ethnic group on their territory
2 nights homestay (Red Dao + La Chi)
All meals from Day 1 lunch to Day 3 lunch
Traditional herbal bath on Day 1
Permits and community contributions
Personal accident & trekking insurance
Not included
Transfers outside Hoang Su Phi district
Hotel before/after the trek
Alcoholic beverages
Tips for guides, drivers and host families
Personal expenses
— Pack list
What to bring.
01Sturdy trekking shoes (broken in)
02Daypack (25 – 30 L)
032 changes of trail clothing + warm layer
04Rain shell, gaiters in shoulder season
05Headlamp
06Quick-dry towel and small toiletries
07Trekking poles recommended for Day 2 descent
— Good to know
Before you walk.
Day 2 is 14 km with 600 m climb and 800 m descent into the Chay valley — main bag travels by motorbike; poles help on the Ban Phung descent.
Guide field note: Day 2 terrace sunset is best from the ridge above Ban Phung around 17:30 in October — we time the hamlet arrival to catch it when weather allows.
Night 1 Black Dao herbal bath in Ban Luoc; Night 2 La Chi stilt house in Ban Phung — different house styles, same shared-room format.
Book after Nam Hong or Ban Phung if this is your first multi-day walk in the district.
Maximum group size is 8 trekkers.
— Field
Frames from the route.
Black Dao country above Ban Luoc — the traverse begins in herbal-garden terraces before the first ridge.Sunset over Ban Phung terraces on Day 2 — the longest walking day ends above the Chay valley.Red Dao homestay near Nam Hong — shared room, wood-fired bath, family table.Tay tea gardens on the gentle descent into Thong Nguyen, Day 3.
— FAQ
Common questions.
Q · 01
How fit do I need to be for Day 2?
You should be comfortable walking 6 – 7 hours on uneven terrain with a 600 m climb and an 800 m descent. We move at the slowest walker's pace.
Q · 02
Can luggage be transferred between homestays?
Yes. Your main bag is moved separately by motorbike to each night's homestay so you only carry a daypack on the trail.
Q · 03
Is the route safe in October rains?
October is generally dry and the most beautiful month. We monitor weather daily and re-route around any unsafe section.
Q · 04
Why three days instead of Nam Hong alone?
Ban Luoc adds Black Dao country, La Chi Ban Phung and Tay tea valleys — the full ethnic range of Hoang Su Phi in one walk. Nam Hong is the better choice if you have two days, not five.
Q · 05
Which homestay is most basic?
Both are simple shared rooms. Night 1 is Red Dao; Night 2 is La Chi in Ban Phung. Wood-fired hot water at both when available.
Q · 06
Do I need trekking poles?
Recommended for Day 2 descent into the Chay valley — we can lend a pair if you ask when you enquire.
Q · 07
What meals are included?
Lunch Day 1 through lunch Day 3. Breakfast both mornings. Hosted family dinners Nights 1 and 2.
Q · 08
Can I start from Hoang Su Phi town?
Yes — private transfer to Ban Luoc trailhead is included. Plan to arrive the day before Day 1.
HSP · 042 days · 1 night