The Frontier Odyssey: 3-Day Cao Bang Loop & The 15-Story Pass

The Definitive Deep-Dive into North Vietnam’s Most Iconic Landscapes

Book this Tour

3 Day / 1 Night

Cao Bang, Vietnam

Group Size: 2-15 people

From $299 per person

Tour Overview

If you want more than just a glimpse, the 3-Day Cao Bang Frontier Odyssey is the ultimate choice. This route pushes further west, conquering the legendary Khau Coc Cha Pass and weaving through the hidden bamboo forests of Lung Pan.

Available as a rugged Easy Rider motorbike tour or a comfortable Private Car expedition, this is the “Real Cao Bang” experience.

Route Map

Detailed Itenary

08:30 AM | The Climb Begins: We depart from the Cao Bang Loop Hostel, immediately tackling the winding Ma Phuc Pass.

Morning Marvels: First, we visit the iconic Angel Eye Mountain, then move through the artisan villages of Phia Thap (incense) and Phuc Sen (blacksmithing).

Afternoon Wonders: Explore the roaring Ban Gioc Waterfall followed by the otherworldly formations of Nguom Ngao Cave.

Overnight: Check into a traditional Tay homestay right at the foot of the falls. Fall asleep to the sound of the water.

08:30 AM | Into the Wild: We ride through the stunning Phong Nam Valley—arguably the most beautiful valley in Vietnam—toward the border towns of Tra Linh and Can Yen.

The Legend: After crossing the sweeping Na Tenh Pass, we reach the highlight: Khau Coc Cha Pass. We’ll hike to the viewpoint to see the 15-story zigzag road carved into the cliffside.

The Valley of Peace: Descend into the lush Xuan Truong Valley in Bao Lac district.

Overnight: Authentic Tay ethnic homestay experience in the heart of the valley.

08:30 AM | Hidden Crafts: We explore the remote village of Hong An and the towering Bamboo Forest of Lung Pan, where locals create incredible sustainable crafts.

The N-Pass: Navigate the technical and breathtaking “N-Pass” through Tinh Tuc, a town with a deep French colonial mining history.

05:00 PM | Return to Base: Arrive back in Cao Bang City. Relax at the hostel, grab dinner, and prepare for your 08:30 PM night bus back to Hanoi.

Note: Depending on your tour dates, we may adjust the route to visit the vibrant local ethnic markets—a sensory explosion of color, livestock, and local culture.

Image Gallery

Ban Gioc Waterfall

Nguom Ngao Cave

Angel Eye Mountain

Tour Highlights:

✅ The 15-Story Pass: Conquer the hairpin turns of Khau Coc Cha, Vietnam’s most famous vertical mountain pass.

✅ Ban Gioc & Nguom Ngao: Full exploration of the world-famous border falls and the “Tiger Cave.”

✅ The Hidden West: Traverse the remote valleys of Bao Lac and Xuan Truong, far from the standard tourist path.

✅ Angel Eye Mountain: Morning light at Nui Thung, the geological heart of the UNESCO Global Geopark.

✅ Bamboo & Silver: Discover the bamboo weaving of Lung Pan and the ancient mining history of Tinh Tuc.

TRANSPORT & LOGISTIC

Getting to Cao Bang

Most people arrive via the night bus from Hanoi it gets you there early enough to start the tour the same morning. We coordinate all pick-ups from our hub at the Cao Bang Loop Hostel.

ROUTE

DEPARTURE TYPE

DEPARTURE TIME

Hanoi ↔ Cao Bang

🚐 Luxury Limousine

06:00, 7:00, 9:00, 10:00AM· 12:00–15:00 PM (Hourly)

Hanoi ↔ Cao Bang

🌙 Night Sleeper Bus

18:00, 19:00, 20:00, 21:00

Ninh Binh ↔ Cao Bang

🌙 Night Sleeper Bus

19:00

What’s Included in Your Expedition

Our tours are fully-inclusive, so you will not need to bring much cash at all. What you will need is a little spare change to buy souvenirs or to get those little treats like a massage or a cold-beer (yes, we can manage to find some).

⭐100usd / 2.6M vnd per day.

Inclusions

  • Bus transport to / from Hanoi
  • Pre tour hotel (dorm share)
  • Border Pass 
  • Easy Rider Tour Guide
  • Motorbike & Fuel + Helmet
  • elbow/knee pads
  • Accommodation / Dorm share
  • 3x meals / day
  • Entrance tickets + Tolls

Exclusions

  • visas
  • flight tickets
  • Border Pass 
  • souvenirs
  • alcohol / refreshments

Upgrades / Extras / Add-ons

Twin share room

Single / private room

Auto Bike*

Semi Auto Bike*

TXR150 Bike*

250,000vnd / day

500,000vnd / day

200,000vnd / day

200,000vnd / day

500,000vnd / day

*Must have valid home license + valid 1968 IDP

Common Questions

Everything You Need to Know

It is a vertical mountain road with 15 sharp hairpin turns. While you can ride it yourself if you are an expert, most guests prefer to sit behind our Easy Riders to safely enjoy the adrenaline-pumping views.

Yes, our tours depart daily. However, we recommend timing your trip to coincide with the local ethnic markets, which happen on specific lunar calendar days. Let us know your dates, and we’ll check the market schedule for you!

The night bus usually departs Cao Bang at 20:30 and arrives in Hanoi around 04:30 or 05:00 AM. It’s a great way to save a night on a hotel and be ready for your next adventure in the morning.

Most traditional ethnic homestays offer a mix. We prioritize high-quality, clean homestays. You’ll usually have a private mattress area with a curtain and mosquito net, though some locations offer fully private rooms for a small upgrade fee.

It covers more distance (about 440km total), so there is more “saddle time.” However, the 3rd day allows you to see the western side of the province, which is much more rugged and remote. It’s perfect for true adventure seekers.

Why Book This Tour?

Expert Local Knowledge: Our guides don’t just drive; they tell the stories of the land.

Off-the-Beaten-Path: We include Phong Nam and Ba Quang places most commercial tours skip.

Flexibility: Available as a private car tour for families or an Easy Rider adventure for solo travelers.

Ready to Ride the Loop?

Spots fill up fast, especially during golden grass season (Oct–Nov). Get in touch and we’ll sort the rest.

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