Golden rice terraces at Mu Cang Chai
Visited places: Hanoi, Sapa, Bac Ha, Mu Cang Chai, Muong Lo - Nghia Lo
Tour Theme/Activity: Adventure, Hiking, Ethnic market, Ethnic villages, Idyllic countryside, Stunning rice terraces, Mountains, Off-the-beaten track, Photography

The photo tour in the North West of Vietnam focuses on the golden rice terraces just before the harvest and the 2 colorful ethnic markets of Can Cau and Bac Ha. The adventure is for 5 days, 4 nights.

Photography Tour of Vietnam Overview

Golden rice terraces at Tu Le- The sensational experiences of our photo adventure include
Shooting the amazing golden rice terraces of Tu Le, Mu Cang Chai and Sapa;

- Breathtaking mountains in the North West of Vietnam;

- Taking photos of colorful ethnic people when they gather at the authentic markets of Can Cau and Bac Ha.

Our photo adventure follows a less beaten route with pristine natural scenery and untouched culture. While the natural scenery and ethnic people are just inspirational targets, you do need certain local knowledge of our photography leader who possesses good knowledge and experience of the great angles for shooting, the lighting and weather conditions, and the local culture.

Apart from photography skills and practice, we do have photo a critique and review session at the end of a day, so that everyone in the group has the opportunity to see possible improvements in your photos as well as in those of your fellow travelers.Golden rice terraces at Mu Cang Chai

Our photo tour is an adventure through less seen and less developed regions in the far north of Vietnam. We will do our best to secure accommodations and arrange meals of the best quality available in the locality, we'd like you to know that even then the service quality may be below your expectations and we hope your understanding on this matter before booking with Paradissa.

Day-to-day itinerary

Day1 ( Wednesday, October 04, 2017 ) Hanoi – Mu Cang Chai (L/D)
Day2 ( Thursday, October 05, 2017 ) Full day photography amid the rice terraces of Mu Cang Chai (B/L/D)
Day3 ( Friday, October 06, 2017 ) Mu Cang Chai – Sapa – Bac Ha (B/L/D)
Day4 ( Saturday, October 07, 2017 ) Bac Ha – Can Cau Market – Bac Ha (B/L/D)
Day5 ( Sunday, October 08, 2017 ) Bac Ha Market/Bac Ha – Hanoi (B/L)

School girls at Mu Cang Chai{Inclusions
English-speaking tour guide/photography guide;
Twin/double-sharing accommodations;
Private transfer by car;
Meals at local restaurants;
Admission fees and permits for the visits on itinerary;
}
{Exclusions
Insurance of any types;
Others not mentioned as included above.
}

Detailed itinerary

Day1 Hanoi – Mu Cang Chai (L/D)

The trip out of Hanoi travels through amazing rice fields and tea plantations. Then road winds up and snakes its way amid breathtaking mountains and valleys. We will have some demonstrations on basic photography skills, the targets we expect, lighting conditions and weather patterns expected. There are various photo opportunities on the way which we will make most brief stops. We want to reserve our precious time today for shooting at Tu Le Valley. We will be at different points on the Pass of Khau Pha and below us, we will have sweeping views of golden riceSchool boys at Mu Cang Chai terraces stretching all the way to the mountain range on the other side of the valley. Dotted in the background are tiny houses of the Thai and Hmong Peoples. You will surely have something to keep for the rest of your life today. And that's not all. We will have more to come tomorrow. Savor the moments!
Overnight at Mu Cang Chai.

Day2 Full day photography amid the rice terraces of Mu Cang Chai (B/L/D)

Get ready to be charmed! We will have full day losing our way amid the hypnotizing and dazzling golden rice terraces of Mu Cang Chai. Sometimes, you will find yourself shooting vertically down curved rice terraces and sometimes, we will cast our eyes forward through the valleys that both sides are covered with golden rice terraces! Make certain you master some tricks to take photos making use of the sunlight. Also, expect some unexpected cultural encounters!
Overnight at Mu Cang Chai.

Day3 Mu Cang Chai – Sapa – Bac Ha (B/L/D)Muong Hoa Valley, Sapa

0700 A.M Early rise for breakfast and trip through captivating mountains to Sapa. We will shoot photos of O Quy Ho Pass, one of the highest mountain passes in Vietnam and photos of the Muong Hoa Valley. Then continue our adventure to Bac Ha Plateau.
Overnight at Bac Ha.

Day 4-5 Can Cau Market, Bac Ha Market/Bac Ha – Hanoi (B/L)

We have 2 last days of the trip busy with photo critiques, photo workshops, practicing skills of people photography, building up confidence when shooting at busy markets. Our last lunch in Bac Ha is a great opportunity to sit together with your fellow photographers and review various photos as well as skills and tricks we've gained through the trip. Then smooth road trip back to Hanoi. We trust you had saved great moments of the landscape and people on the photo journey with Paradissa.

 

 

Rice fields outside of Hanoi
Rice fields outside of Hanoi

 

 

Scenic Da River at Phu Tho
The scenic Da River at Phu Tho

 

 

Rice fields at Phu Tho
Rice fields at Phu Tho

 

 

Tea plantations at Phu Tho
Tea plantations at Phu Tho

 

 

A Hmong lady amid golden rice terraces at Mu Cang Chai
A Hmong lady amid golden rice terraces at Mu Cang Chai

 

 

Havesting rice at Mu Cang Chai
Havesting rice at Mu Cang Chai

 

 

Hmong ladies selling puppies at Can Cau Market
Hmong ladies selling puppies at Can Cau Market

 

 

Bac Ha Market
Bac Ha Market