Cao Bang Loop: 2-Day Ban Gioc Waterfall & Local Experiences
Overview
Available languages
48 hours
Mobile ticket
Cao Bang is a tranquil border region where nature and culture blend seamlessly. Explore the stunning Ban Gioc Waterfall and Mat Than Mountain, and experience local traditions by making “giay do,” traditional handmade paper, or spend a day as a blacksmith alongside Nung craftsmen. Cycle through charming villages along the Quay Son River, surrounded by vibrant rice fields and limestone mountains, and visit lively highland markets. You'll be welcomed by friendly locals, creating joyful memories while supporting community livelihoods.
You will be riding a motorbike yourself on this tour. If you need an easy rider or a car for this tour, please book with us in advance (IF YOU WANT TO RIDE A MOTORCYCLE YOURSELF, YOU MUST SHOW YOUR MOTORCYCLE LICENSE AND SIGN A LIABILITY AGREEMENT IN CASE OF ANY ACCIDENTS)
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
DAY 1: CAO BANG - BAN GIOC WATERFALL - CRAFT VILLAGES
Accommodations
Staying at a local homestay by a gentle river, surrounded by rows of green bamboo and peaceful, poetic fields
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Enjoy Specialize food such as Cao Bang Rice Paper, Duck Noodle Soup, Sour Noodle
LUNCH
Lunch
We will have lunch at a local restaurant featuring local specialities
DINNER
Dinner
We will have dinner at the homestay of the local family, enjoying special dishes unique to their culture
Phuc Sen Forging Village
08:00 Meet your local guide and enjoy a traditional breakfast featuring rice rolls, roasted duck noodles, or sour pho, iconic dishes of Cao Bang cuisine 08:30 Travel to Ma Phuc Pass, a stunning mountain pass linked to the legend of the Tay hero Nung Tri Cao from the 11th century. Afterwards, visit Dìa Trên Paper Village, where the Nung An people craft handmade paper, traditionally used for calligraphy and folk art 10:00 Continue to Phuc Sen Blacksmith Village, renowned for its centuries-old forging traditions. Watch artisans as they create tools from recycled steel, and even try your hand at forging with local guidance
Kham pha hang dộng Nguờm Ngao - Thac Bản Giốc
11:30 Relax at Ban Viet Lake, a tranquil man-made lake surrounded by green hills. The glassy waters and serene atmosphere offer a soothing escape into nature 12:30 Savour a local lunch featuring regional delicacies 13:30 Discover Nguom Ngao Cave (Tiger Cave), a 400-million-year-old limestone cavern known for its spectacular stalactites and unique natural formations 15:00 Visit the breathtaking Ban Gioc Waterfall, the world’s fourth-largest cross-border waterfall. Water cascades down from a height of 50 meters across multiple tiers, creating a magical landscape 16:00 Stop at Truc Lam Phat Tich Pagoda, situated above Ban Gioc Waterfall. This peaceful temple offers tranquil views and a sense of spiritual calm 17:00 Check in at a local homestay by the Quay Son River. Unwind with a swim, take a stroll along the riverside, or join the host family in preparing dinner
DAY 2: NGOC CON VALLEY – ANGEL EYE MOUNTAIN – CAO BANG
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Savor breakfast featuring traditional dishes and specialties from the local community
LUNCH
Lunch
Savor lunch featuring traditional dishes and specialties from the local community
7:00 Morning Cycling (Optional) Start your day with a cycling adventure along the winding Quay Son River, surrounded by lush green bamboo that creates a picturesque watercolour-like scene. As you ride, you'll pass through quaint villages nestled behind impressive limestone mountains. During your journey, you'll encounter Co La Waterfall and continue cycling to a vibrant market where locals gather to trade agricultural products and savour traditional dishes unique to the area. This refreshing 12 km ride will energise you for the day ahead
8:00 Enjoy Breakfast with Local Dishes 8:30 Journey to Ngoc Con Valley Follow the border road to Ngoc Con, a tranquil valley that sits at the foot of limestone cliffs. You'll witness rice fields, winding streams, that paint a poetic 10:30 Explore Phong Nam Valley, a hidden gem embraced by karst mountains and lush rice paddies 12:00 Lunch with Local Specialities
Mountain God's Eye
13:00 Discover Angel Eye Mountain, a surreal peak featuring a massive natural hole at its centre that resembles a giant eye gazing at the sky. Nestled in a lush valley dotted with free-roaming horses and buffalo, this area is often compared to a miniature Tibetan grassland 17:00 Head back to Cao Bang City and visit the local market. Throughout your journey, a friendly host will ensure you feel comfortable and free as you create unforgettable memories on this trip.
What‘s Included
Motorbike: Honda Wave Alpha 110cc (Semi-Automatic) and gasoline
The ticket entrance follows the program
Vegan/vegetarian food options available
Free dorm bed if arriving on a night bus between 4 am and 8 am at the homestay in Cao Bang City
Car and driver: Full-Day Tour with Car (Minimum 2 tourists required)
Bungee cords & plastic cover for your bags, basic rain gear
Dinner
One 1500ml bottle of water per person per day
Friendly and enthusiastic local tour guide
Motorbike with easy rider, if you choose option: Cao Bang Loop With Easy Rider
Accommodation: 1 night at the local homestay beside the river
Beverages
Tip for tour guides and drivers
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Cao Bang Loop Self-driving
Pickup included
Cao Bang Loop With Car
Pickup included
Cao Bang Loop With Easy Rider
Pickup included
Reviews
21 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Best local tour in Cao Bang
219pepem,Feb 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Tien and Nhân were incredible guides. We really enjoyed the tour, the views and the places we visited, but what made our experience truly unique was how warm and welcoming they were. We had the amazing luck of visiting during a Tet local festivity and we had so much fun! We got the opportunity to meet their family, and it made the whole experience feel genuinely local and rooted in the community. I absolutely recommend them, it was one of my highlights of my trip to Vietnam.
Great customer support
495krzy s,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00They managed to organize a trip for us with very short notice 🥳 The drivers were very nice and drove safely. We did a shorter 2d1n loop and it was enough for us
Beautiful excursion with Tien (best guide!!)
Adventure18164263910,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a wonderful trip with Tien!!❤️ We felt so comfortable as if we were out with a friend. We also felt very safe, Tien is a great motorist. He answered so many questions and gave us so many authentic insights. The scenery is breathtaking. A highlight was the breakfast with locals and the village, which specializes in the production of paper. We would definitely book a tour with him again!
Ban gioc waterfall & god’s eye mountain
chancZ763BU,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour and tour guide (Tien) to explore the most scenic spots in Cao Bằng. He brought us to beautiful locations and helped us take really nice photos. Even when one place was not accessible, the plan was changed smoothly to another spot that was absolutely worth visiting. Well-organised, flexible, and highly recommended. The locations are the reason why I came to visit cao bang. He even lead us down nearer to the god’s eye mountain when the ground is super muddy. As well as some hands on experience in local villages (paper, tile, incense, knife)
Nice experience in cao bang
ifzs,Feb 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very nice expérience ! We discovered very nice places . It was amazing We were not lucky with the weather but the experience was very sucessfull ! Thanks a lot
The perfect Cao Bang experience
Charlotte S,Feb 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Wow! We had an incredible experience with Cao Bang Adventure. Their whole team was incredibly accommodating and our drivers were so kind. Manh and Dat and Nhan were all very safe and experienced drivers, and we were grateful for all of Nhan’s insights along the sites. The region is beautiful beyond words and our accommodations at Nasan Green Farm were outstanding. We were supremely privileged to have so many good meals and see unforgettable vistas. The length of the trip was perfect for us, giving us enough time at each location while managing to see so many sites. Incredibly worth it. They made the adventurous trip stress free and truly amazing.
cao bang loop
nelld2026,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00the loop is sublime. so many different scenic landscapes and beautiful viewpoints. the homestays were high quality, cute and welcoming and the meals were amazing. the guide and the easy drivers are skilled, always helpful and sweet. i had an excellent trip. thank you tien!
amazing experience
559zo d,Jan 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour with Tien and his team was absolutely amazing. The views were beautiful and the homestays even more, and our guide and drivers were super nice and helpful. We immediately had a contact on whatsapp who helped us organise and choose our options. The whole experience felt authentic and relaxed.
Great experience and great atmosphere
milaw768,Jan 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I recommend 100% this company!! This is an unforgettable experience, especially if you ride with dat, it is a great rider:)) This is an experience not to be missed
Unreal landscapes and friendly people
klemenh2024,Dec 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The whole tour was really beautiful, the landscapes and waterfalls are unreal, it was also a lot of fun and informative to see how they make knives and paper in their traditional way, you can even try it yourself and my guide Nhân was so friendly and helpful, she picked the best spots for photos, foods and the homestay we stayed in was great, after the tour i had a few hours left till my sleeper bus and she even invited me to her home to meet her family and cooked me dinner...if you're anywhere near Cao Bang I strongly recommend you book this tour, you won't be disappointed!!!
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Operated by Cao Bang Adventure