Northwest Terraces & Hill Tribes - 6 Days

Name: Northwest Terraces & Hill Tribes - 6 Days
Brand: Meetup Travel
Price: 600 USD
Availability: InStock

4.9 on Tripadvisor Licensed international tour operator What makes Meetup different

6D5N1 SpotsMulti-day routesGroup

This journey is real. Yours will be your own version of it.

Six days built around light rather than sights.

These terraces only look the way the photographs promise for a few weeks a year. Late May and early June the farmers flood them and whole valleys turn to mirrors. Mid-September to early October they go gold and are cut within days. Mu Cang Chai and Hoang Su Phi ripen on the same calendar, which is the only reason a single trip can hold both.

The rest follows from that. You are at Mam Xoi before first light because between six and nine the low sun rakes across the terraces and after that the haze arrives. You walk the Muong Hoa Valley rather than viewing it from a lay-by. And you spend two nights in Hoang Su Phi, a border district that never became a tourism showpiece, where the terraces are broader, the villages are further apart, and on most mornings you will be the only person at the viewpoint.

Everything is private. Your guide reads the morning and moves accordingly.

At a glance · this journey as it runs

Duration

6 days, 5 nightsDeparts any day, year round

Destinations

1 stops, 1 spotsSa Pa

Tour pace

Medium

Physical rating

Easy

Getting around

Private van + 2 domestic flightsCan be reworked overland if you would rather not fly

Best season

Mid-September to early October for the golden harvest, late May to early June for the flooded terraces

Indicative from

From USD 780 per person

Route

Hanoi→Tu Le→Mu Cang Chai→Sapa→Hoang Su Phi→Hanoi

This is a loop across the top of Vietnam, linking the two great terrace landscapes of the northwest without doubling back. It runs 280km out of Hanoi through Nghia Lo and the Tu Le valley, over the Khau Pha Pass, into Mu Cang Chai and the hillside at Mam Xoi that most people have seen a photograph of without knowing where it was. It crosses the Hoang Lien Son range to Sapa and drops into the Muong Hoa Valley on foot. Then northeast to Hoang Su Phi, a border district of roughly 3,000 hectares of terraces cut into the mountains around three hundred years ago by La Chi, Dao and Nung families, and still farmed by them. The last leg is the long one, 290km back to Hanoi. The driving days are long by design. Out here the road is where most of the photographs are.

About this trip

This 6-day Vietnam tour departs from Hanoi - Mu Cang Chai - Sapa - Bac Ha - Hoang Su Phi - Hanoi and covers Hanoi - Mu Cang Chai - Sapa - Bac Ha - Hoang Su Phi - Hanoi. No doubt, this is among the most scenic and highly recommended photography tour for all amater and professional photographers. The tour will take you to some of the world's most excellent rice terraces in Vietnam including Mu Cang Chai, Sapa and Hoang Su Phi.

This trip also offers photographers unique chance to experience the daily life and culture of several ethnic minorities in the least - visited areas of Vietnam.

The journey, day by day

Written out the way it runs, so nothing is left to your imagination. Read it, note the days you would keep and the ones you would skip, and a local expert reshapes the rest around you.

This morning, start your excellent photography tour to the beautiful & untouched mountainous areas where you can see endless terraced rice fields. The best time for the trip is from Jul to Sep as the fields will be green in Jul & Aug, golden in Sep.

08:00Meetup Travel's private tour guide and driver pick you up for a beautiful drive to Mu Cang Chai. It is a long journey but You will make a nice stop in Nghia Lo to enjoy some first rice terraced fields.

For any photographers who set foot for the first time, this town is itself an exciting place because of its mountainous topography. A scenic landscape will appear in front of your eyes: tea gardens and small streams come into view, an infinite green of trees, bushes and fresh air. Just more than one hour from Nghia Lo, you will have another stop at Tu Le Valley with the peaceful scenery of a prosperous countryside.

Before crossing the “horn of heaven” (Khau Pha Pass), Tu Le appears with a scent that offers lots of photo opportunities. If you come here in September, you will be immersed in the aroma of rice. There are also large streams providing irrigation for the whole region that is perfectly mixed with golden rice fields.

Finally, arrive in Mu Cang Chai in the late afternoon. Check in Mu Cang Chai Ecolodge and take a rest. If you are not tired and time permits, let's take your camera and hunt for sunset photos.

Have dinner & overnight in Mu Cang Chai.

What this journey includes

Included

Accommodation (6 Days / 5 Nights)
Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner as listed on tour
Private airport pick-up & drop-off
All entrance tickets & transportation mentioned on tour

Excluded

Early check-in & late check-out
Tips
Personal expenses
Drinks
Other meals

This covers the journey as written above. Once your version is set, your local expert confirms in writing exactly what sits inside your quote and what does not, before anything is agreed.

What our guests say

4.9Excellent on TripadvisorVerified reviews from Meetup Travel guestsRead all reviews →

32eduardoe

Jun 2026

The Best, Well Organized, Professional, Friendly travel agency you can get in Vietnam

Our choice of Hanoi for our Rotary strategic planning was a great choice. Meetup travel took care of all our needs from the time of inquiry, arrival, meeting, to our tour proper. Henry, Stella and the rest of the team were so helpful. They made sure everything we needed for our meeting was available. Our customized tour was so good, everyone was all smiles. Our trip to Halong Bay was memorable because of a very professional and witty guide named Tiger. Out mid trip changes were likewise accommodated. Surely this experience will make us want to come back to Vietnam.

Posted on

Tripadvisor

vivianpJ1961YT

Jun 2026

Best experience of Vietnam!!!

Just wanted to say the biggest thank you to Bichann and Chloe as well as the rest of the Meetup Travel team for all the support during our family’s trip to Hanoi and Sapa. Your constant communication and dedication made our trip seemless and resolved all issues that arose as soon as possible. The tour guides and services provided (including transportation to all locations and to and from the airpor) was amazing and so accommodating for our elderly grandparents. 100% recommend to anyone who wants a fun-filled experience with knowledgable agents, that always on hand to answer queries- no matter the time zone.

Posted on

Tripadvisor

Saujhanynair

Jun 2026

The besttt !!

I had the best experience travelling to SaPa and Hanoi with the help of MeetUp travel. They were very helpful and friendly I never felt like dealing with strangers.. instead more like family., everything went smoothly and was up to my expectations. I would highly recommend to engage with them whenever you’re planning for a trip to Vietnam. A special thanks to Hazel, Allie, Chloe, Krystal, Stella, and Ted whom have been there throughout my journey.. also not forgetting my local guide SuSu for the best hospitality and more like a friend as well. Thank you to the entire team !!

Posted on

Tripadvisor

S9198GFsamb

Jun 2026

Excellent Customer Service

Dear Meet Up Management, I’m writing to express my sincere appreciation for the outstanding service provided by Hazel.I am writing here because I dont know where to reach you🙈😁 From start to finish, she went above and beyond to ensure everything ran smoothly. What truly set her apart was her timely updates, every change, confirmation, and reminder came through promptly, which gave me complete peace of mind throughout the trip. Her professionalism, patience, and attention to detail made all the difference. It’s rare to find someone who communicates so clearly and consistently, especially during travel disruptions. Please extend my heartfelt thanks to her. She is a great asset to your agency.😇 PS. Thank you for the tokens 🥰

Posted on

Tripadvisor

shineyp2017

May 2026

Awesome experience

Huge thanks to Grace and Lena for organizing our recent family vacation! The overall journey was exceptionally comfortable and turned out to be a truly memorable experience. While no trip is without a few minor hiccups but they handled everything so well.Grace and Lena are fantastic at what they do, and we deeply appreciate all their hard work.

Posted on

Tripadvisor

lizdW7506NG

Jun 2026

Great Experience with MeetUp Travel for Vietnam

Just happened to see their posts in Instagram while searching for things to do in Vietnam for our trip. I sent a short message to ask about their services and Jeannie reached out and gave us the information and walked us through the tours they’ve provided other travelers. So glad we asked them to help with planning our trip; Krystal was the one who handled the planning of whole trip walking us through the proposed itinerary, asking us for feedback on what we want to experience and the food requirements. We had a great time in Da Nang and Hanoi. The time in Ba Na Hills and the beaches in Da Nang were just amazing; we loved whiling our time drinking our guava juice and eating authentic hot stone pho noodles that tasted absolutely awesome. It was such a breeze as they took care of all booking for the hotels, all activities and the inter-island flight. Spared me the hassle of looking for good hotels and lining in long lines for the activities in Ba Na Hills and Vinwonder. The fast pass they gifted us was such a blessing. Everything were planned so well all we needed to do was just enjoy the experience. Our e-sims were also handled by the team which was also a gift. Krystal walked us through the before and after getting to Vietnam. Everyday was coordinated and planned so well it exceeded our expectations. No issue with transportation and tours as we had our very own tour guides. All in all, we wouldn’t have had such an amazing time in Vietnam without the MeetUp team. Thanks for the great experience! Kudos to Jeannie and Krystal. Thanks so much for the freebies and kind gestures. We’ve made good friends in MeetUp. Til our next trip.

Posted on

Tripadvisor

tserc2023

Jun 2026

An unforgettable Honeymoon experience

If you’re hesitant about booking with them, don’t be. This was hands down one of the best travel experiences we’ve ever had, and a huge part of that was because of Stella, Ted, and Kaitlyn. From the very beginning, they were professional, responsive, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about making sure our trip was exactly what we wanted. We just returned from an incredible 10-day HONEYMOON trip through Vietnam, including Sapa, Ha Long Bay and our cruise, Ninh Binh, Da Nang, Hoi An and the Lantern Festival. Every detail was thoughtfully planned and organized, allowing us to enjoy the experience without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. The itinerary flowed perfectly and gave us plenty of time to truly appreciate each destination. What impressed us most was how easy they made everything. Airport transfers, fast-track services, eSIM setup, domestic flights, hotel arrangements, tours, and transportation were all handled seamlessly. Anytime we had a question or needed help, they responded quickly. If they didn’t already have an answer, they went out of their way to find one. Traveling in a foreign country can sometimes be stressful, but having a team like this behind you gives you complete peace of mind. They made the entire process smooth, enjoyable, and worry-free from start to finish. We couldn’t recommend Stella, Ted, and Kaitlyn more highly and her team who helped them out when they couldn’t respond. If you’re considering a trip to Vietnam, do yourself a favor and book with them. You’ll be glad you did The trip exceeded our expectations in every way, and we made memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you for helping make it so special

Posted on

Tripadvisor

Sightseer350693

Jun 2026

Stress-Free and Enjoyable Vietnam Tour

We recently joined a Hanoi and Sapa tour organized by Meetup Travel, and we had a wonderful experience. The itinerary was well-planned, and everything was organized smoothly from start to finish. Hanoi was vibrant and full of culture, while Sapa offered breathtaking mountain views and a peaceful atmosphere. The tour coordinators @Krystal and @Henry were very helpful, responsive, and made sure everyone was comfortable throughout the trip. Transportation, accommodations, and scheduled activities were handled efficiently, allowing us to enjoy the experience without worries. Thank you to Meetup Travel for helping us create memorable moments in Vietnam. We highly recommend them to anyone looking for a hassle-free and enjoyable travel experience.

Posted on

Tripadvisor

S9198GFsamb

Jun 2026

Our trip was from india and it went smoothly with the meetup grp assistence they were always prompt with any help and assistence needed,thruout the trip especially all the team members rosie,stella,krystal,hyniee and Ted...They were like a family whom we could rely on there for any of our worries... Keep up the good work team and I am sure to see you guys again 😀 👍.

Posted on

Tripadvisor

BenjaminS1861

Jun 2026

Sapa Magic with Meetup!

Meetup Travel is unique. Jasmine talked to me face-to-face online 2 times before we confirm the trip to Sapa. Usually, travel agencies only send the itinerary but Meetup has agents to customize the tour package, talking to you. Jasmine is very friendly and interesting to talk to. She understands the needs and wishes of customers. In the advent of artificial intelligence, Jasmine makes customers feel human and cared for. The limousine van was comfortable with several stops for toilet breaks and food/drinks. Hanoi to Sapa is about 6 to 7 hours away. The Sapa tour packages were well-organized with a local tour guide, Vang. He takes good photographs with his professional camera. Which tour agent provides such a service? You have to pay a lot of money for a professional photographer to go along with you. And not all tour guides can take good photographs for you and your family, patiently and with many poses. We recommend you to have a private tour if photographs are important to you. As we have a toddler, private tours maximize your comfort and enjoyment of the tour. Vang is also kind and attentive to your wishes. Meetup Travel agents also communicate often with us. Chloe also briefed us before the tour to ensure we knew what to do during the tours. And Chloe and her team of agents never fails to make us feel like family in a group chat. We talked often about the tours and raised problems to them. They replied within seconds! Usually, tour agents don’t talk to you after payment, only the tour guide brings you around. Hence, Meetup Travel is a very different kind of travel agencies that you can’t find easily. Just pay a little more and you are provided with 5-star service and attention! You have paid so much money on your tour package. Why not pay a little more to have a perfect holiday experience?

Posted on

Tripadvisor

ketansaim

Jul 2026

They made it memorable

The best people in this business I would not have anyone else plan my travel Very responsive and they care about you it’s like a family I loved my trip with them Thank you everyone

Posted on

Tripadvisor

HagenZin

Jul 2026

Solo travel to Tà Xùa

Booked through Meetup for my trip to Tà Xùa from Hà Nội. Hazel and Rosie were incredibly helpful with their prompt replies for every question I had. They would also check in with you while you’re on the way to your destination. Everything was arranged quite well. Itinerary sent to you directly for the trip you’re making. However, there’s a little room for improvement for the team at MeetUp and that’s the coordination between the team and the drivers (at the destination) and the hotel or homestay staff at the destination (for both arrival and departure). All information should be prearranged, collected beforehand and given to the guest at earliest possible time to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding. Other than that, the trip was rewarding experience overall thanks to Hazel, Rosie and the rest of the team! 🤘🏽

Posted on

Tripadvisor

maryeasterclairep

Jun 2026

My Magical Experience at Hanoi and Sapa

Our journey through Hanoi and Sapa was nothing short of magical, entirely thanks to the exceptional curation by the agency. From the vibrant, soulful streets and rich culinary scene of Hanoi’s Old Quarter to the breathtaking, misty terraced mountains of Sapa, every moment was beautifully balanced between immersive cultural discovery and awe-inspiring adventure. The transition between destinations was effortless, allowing us to truly connect with the local heritage and stunning landscapes. What truly set this experience apart was the Meetup agency's flawless execution and heartfelt hospitality. Every logistical detail—from premium accommodations to seamless transfers—was handled with absolute precision, giving us the luxury of simply being present. Their guides were incredibly warm, knowledgeable, and passionate, transforming a standard vacation into a deeply meaningful, stress-free adventure. We cannot recommend them highly enough for anyone looking to turn their travel dreams into a flawless reality!

Posted on

Tripadvisor

Cruiser44366482657

Jun 2026

Wonderful experience

Excellent planning and helpful bunch of staff! They were attentive to our needs and made plans to suit the dynamics of the group - We travelled as a family with elderly and young children! They made the trip less stressful to plan for and its kudos to their planning that everyone has so much fun! Always available to address our queries when we need. Wonderful agency to engage when you visit Vietnam! Our planners are Krystal and Rosie! Thank you ladies!

Posted on

Tripadvisor

maryeasterclairep

Jun 2026

My Magical Experience at Hanoi and Sapa

Posted on

Tripadvisor

Is this journey a good starting point for you?

The honest version

The two peak windows are short and they move. Meetup Travel sets departures against reported field conditions rather than fixed calendar dates, so tell us which season you want and the dates will follow the rice.

A good starting point if you are

Photographers, and anyone who understands that the best light happens at inconvenient hours. The schedule is set by dawn windows rather than opening times, the guide moves you by conditions rather than a fixed list, and the dates exist to catch one of two short seasons. Hoang Su Phi in particular sees a fraction of Sapa's visitors, which is the reason it is on the route.

Say so early if you

This one covers ground. Several days involve five to eight hours on mountain switchbacks, including the final run back to Hanoi. Accommodation on the last night is a village homestay with shared facilities rather than a hotel. If short transfers and consistent comfort matter more than the pictures, a Sapa-based itinerary reaches similar landscapes with far less driving, and Meetup Travel can build one.

The next step asks for real detail. Your dates, who is travelling, how you like to move, what you would change about this route. It takes a few minutes to fill in, because a local expert writes your itinerary from those answers rather than sending you a file. Nothing is booked or charged at this stage.

Before you get in touch

There are two peak windows. The golden harvest runs from mid-September to early October, when the terraces ripen and are cut within days. The water-pouring season runs from late May to early June, when farmers flood the terraces for planting and the slopes reflect the sky. Mu Cang Chai and Hoang Su Phi both grow a single crop a year on roughly the same calendar, so one trip can cover both. Each window lasts two to three weeks and shifts slightly with rainfall and local planting schedules. June to August is deep green, quieter and cheaper, though it lacks the drama of either peak. Meetup Travel sets departure dates against reported field conditions rather than fixed months.

This journey, from

$720USD / person

This journey, 1 adult, 3-Star

Travel Budget Planner

Your option

Number of Adult

Number of Child

Rough total, guide only$720

Important notice

This is the price for the journey as written, not a quote for your trip.
A local expert customises the detail with you. Hotels, cruise, pace and inclusions are decided in that conversation, and the final price follows from it.
Rates move with the season, with availability and with how far ahead you travel. Treat the number above as a guide.
Child pricing depends on age and height and is confirmed case by case.

Contact a local expert

Nothing is booked or charged on this page

Licence No. 01-3163/2026/CDLQGVN-GP LHQT

Cancellation policy

Flight tickets & hotels / cruises

Non-refundable
Tickets can be kept on hold and rescheduled within 365 days
Date changes subject to airline regulations and may incur additional fees
Hotel and cruise cancellations follow each property's own policy

Group tours

Free cancellation up to 2 days before departure
50% fee before 6:00 PM the day prior
100% fee after 6:00 PM the day prior

Private tours

Free cancellation up to 7 days before departure
50% fee within 4 to 7 days before departure
100% fee within 3 days of departure

$720this journey · 3-Star

Contact expert

You might like these packages

View all →

4D3N8 Spots

Sapa at Topas Ecolodge

From$400

View →

15D14N8 Spots

Vietnam Family Tour - 15 Days

From$1500

View →

10D9N16 Spots

Vietnam Honeymoon Journey

From$920

View →

6D5N4 Spots

North & Central Vietnam - 6 Days

From$727

View →

MEETUP TRAVEL SOLUTIONS COMPANY LIMITED

International travel licence 01-3163/2026/CDLQGVN-GP LHQT

Visa · Mastercard · JCB · Amex · PayPal