Cao Bang full-day tour: Phia Oac Mountain and ethnic villages

Ride the mountain passes and climb to the highest peak in Cao Bang

A full-day motorbike tour through Cao Bang's UNESCO Global Geopark, starting with hotel pickup and breakfast, then climbing Phia Oac Mountain at 1931m while passing through ethnic villages, tea plantations and bamboo forests. The route includes lunch at a tea farm, visits to old French colonial houses, and dinner back in the city. An English-speaking guide leads the ride. Motorbike, fuel and all entrance fees are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day tour in Phia Oac Mountain

• Pick up at hotel in Cao Bang
• Enjoy local breakfast food
• Travel through Global Geopark and ethnic villages
• Visit Dao’s Village and Bamboo Forest
• Explore Kolia eco-tourism area and tea hills
• Lunch at Kolia with fried green tea
• Off-road through pine tree forest and visit Lonely Stone
• Climb Pia Oac Mountain and visit French colonial houses
• Return to homestay via scenic route
• Dinner in Cao Bang city with local specialties

The experience

You start before dawn. Pickup happens at 6am from your hotel in Cao Bang city, followed by breakfast of local rice paper and duck noodle soup. From there the motorbike ride enters the Global Geopark on a scenic road that winds through forest and village paths, passing old stilt houses and Dao, Tày, Nùng and H.Mong settlements. The guide stops when you ask for photos. The bamboo forest is the main photo stop on this stretch, which runs until 10am.

By mid-morning you reach Kolia, an eco-tourism area built on tea hills at 1100m elevation with an infinity lake overlooking the landscape. Lunch here is the signature meal: fried green tea served fresh, something the operator notes you won't find elsewhere. After eating, the route heads into pine forest and continues to Lonely Stone, a viewpoint where you can lie on grass and see village, forest, mountain and river all at once. This section runs from noon until 2pm.

The afternoon climb is the centerpiece. Phia Oac Mountain rises to 1931m, the highest point in Cao Bang, and the road up is steep and winding. At the top the air stays cool year-round, and in winter snow falls. Along the way you pass old houses built by the French during colonial rule in the 20th century. The descent takes a different route so the ride home doesn't repeat the morning's path. You see mountains and hills in the distance with green farmland below. You're back in Cao Bang by 6pm for a final dinner of local specialties (duck noodle soup or sour noodle) before returning to your hotel around 7pm. The whole day runs 12 hours from pickup to drop-off.

What’s included

• Motorbike and fuel for the full day.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Cao Bang.
• English-speaking guide.
• breakfast of rice paper and duck noodle soup.
• lunch at Kolia tea farm with signature fried green tea.
• dinner in Cao Bang.
• all entrance fees and tickets to the Geopark and sites.
• insurance coverage.
• vegetarian meals available on request.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (11 to 60 years) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 15 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Cao Bang Easy Deeping Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the motorbike option if you want to navigate the narrow mountain passes and village roads that a car cannot reach. Book the private car in advance if you prefer a vehicle to a motorbike but still want to see the same sites. Either way, this tour demands at least moderate fitness and comfort with long hours of travel, as the day runs 12 hours from pickup to return.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's included in the Cao Bang motorbike tour price?

The tour includes the motorbike and fuel for the entire day, hotel pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking guide, all entrance fees to the Geopark and sites, breakfast, lunch at the tea farm, dinner, and insurance up to 20 million VND per case. Vegetarian meals are available if you request them when booking.

How high is Phia Oac Mountain and what's it like at the top?

Phia Oac Mountain reaches 1931m above sea level, making it the highest peak in Cao Bang. The temperature stays cool year-round, and snow falls in winter. The summit offers views across the surrounding landscape, and the route passes old French colonial houses on the way up.

What ethnic villages and sites do you visit on this tour?

The tour passes through settlements of Dao, Tày, Nùng and H.Mong people, stopping at Dao's Village, Kolia tea plantation, bamboo forest, pine tree forest and Lonely Stone viewpoint. You see traditional stilt houses and can photograph the villages and landscapes along the way.

Is this tour suitable for someone visiting Cao Bang for the first time?

Yes, the tour covers the main highlights of the UNESCO Global Geopark in a single day and includes meals, so you don't need to arrange food or transport separately. Children from age 5 are welcome. However, the tour involves 12 hours on a motorbike over mountain roads, so it suits travelers with at least moderate fitness and comfort with riding.

Can I choose a private car instead of a motorbike for this tour?

A private car option is available and can be arranged in advance for an additional fee. Contact the operator when booking if you prefer a car to a motorbike for the day.