Cao Bằng/Four journeys/Journey 04
Journey 04 · Three days, three nights

Waterfalls & Highlands

The headline sights without the crowds of a large group — with a private car and guide from just two guests, and a second night beside the lake.

10,270,000₫≈ US$395 per person · from 2 guests · indicative rate 26,000₫ / US$
From 2
Private car and guide
2 nights
Stone village + lakeside
21:00
Back in Hanoi, last night
Ask about this journey
Bản Giốc Falls
The route

Three days, site by site

TP. Cao Bằng China border ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 6

Illustrative map — positions are approximate, not an administrative boundary.

Day 1

1. Bản Giốc Falls

Vietnam's largest waterfall, at its best in the morning light.

Day 1

2. Ngườm Ngao Cave

One of northern Vietnam's most impressive limestone caves.

Day 1

3. Khuổi Ky

Ancient stone lanes, and a traditional dinner with your hosts.

Day 2

4. Angel Mountain

Cao Bằng's iconic natural wonder, seen from the grassland below.

Day 2

5. Thang Hen Lake

Emerald water among karst peaks — and a night beside it.

Day 3

6. On the water

Kayak or bamboo raft between the cliffs before the drive back.

Full hour-by-hour itinerary +
Night 1 — sleeper bus from Hanoi
Night
Overnight sleeper bus from Hanoi to Cao Bằng, arriving in the morning, with a hotel room in the city to shower and rest.
Day 1 — Bản Giốc, Ngườm Ngao & Khuổi KyL · D
07:30
Hotel pick-up in Cao Bằng City, heading into the eastern geopark.
09:30
Bản Giốc Waterfall — Vietnam's largest, at its best in the morning.
10:30
Ngườm Ngao Cave — one of northern Vietnam's most impressive limestone caves.
14:00
Trúc Lâm Bản Giốc Pagoda — panoramic views over the falls and karst mountains.
15:30
Check in at Khuổi Ky stone village; a walk through the ancient stone lanes, then a traditional dinner.
Day 2 — Angel Mountain & Thang Hen LakeB · L · D
07:00
Breakfast with mountain views. Free morning in the village — a gentle trek through the hills, or coffee and quiet.
14:00
Angel Mountain — Cao Bằng's iconic natural wonder.
14:30
Thang Hen Lake — emerald water among dramatic limestone peaks.
15:30
Visit a local Tày village to see everyday life up close.
18:00
Dinner and overnight beside Thang Hen Lake.
Day 3 — Thang Hen & returnB · L
Morning
Kayaking across the lake, a bamboo raft between the karst cliffs, or an easy shoreline walk to neighbouring Nặm Trá Lake.
14:30
Return drive to Cao Bằng City through the countryside.
15:30
Shared van to Hanoi, arriving around 21:00–22:00.
The detail

What's included

Included in the price +
  • Private car with driver, or motorbike with an Easy Rider
  • English-speaking guide for all three days
  • Khuổi Ky stone homestay, and a lakeside homestay near Thang Hen
  • All meals as listed
  • Entrance fees to every site in the programme
  • Drinking water and travel insurance
Not included +
  • Drinks with meals, personal spending
  • Pick-up outside the city centre
  • VAT, gratuities for guide, driver or rider
Travelling alone? — for a single guest we offer this route with an Easy Rider instead of a private car and guide. Ask us for the solo rate.
Waterfalls & Highlands or Complete Discovery? — this journey runs from two guests with a private car and guide, and spends a second night by Thang Hen Lake. Journey 03 is priced for a group of eight and adds the historic Pác Bó site.

When to come

Oct – Apr

Dry season. Clear skies, easy roads. Best for Angel Mountain, the grasslands and riding with an Easy Rider.

May – Sep

Wet season. Bản Giốc is at its fullest and most dramatic. Expect sudden showers and greener valleys.

Children & comfort

Under 5

Free of charge, accompanying parents cover the child's meals.

5 – 9

75% of the tour price, with full meals and experiences.

10 +

Full adult price with full services.

Stays

Farmstays and homestays are simple, clean and authentic — not four-star hotels. That is the point.

Plan your journey

Ready for Cao Bằng?

Tell us your dates and we will hold the rooms — homestays here have very few of them.

Also in Cao Bằng

The other journeys