DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL (Meals: None)

 

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International airport, Our representative will welcome you and transfer to hotel for check –in. Free at your leisure. Overnight in Hanoi

 

DAY 2: HANOI - HOA LU - TAM COC - HANOI (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)

 

Depart your hotel this morning at 0800 for the 2,5 hours drive through rural northern Vietnam to the site of Vietnam’s first capital, Hoa Lu. Visit the temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh Dynasty (968-80), and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty (980-1009). The ancient Hoa Lu Citadel (most of which has since been destroyed) once covered an area of three square kilometers. If time permits after visiting Hoa Lu (for the fit and healthy), take a half-hour walk up one of the surrounding limestone karst hills, the climb is rewarding with spectacular views. In the late morning depart for Tam Coc Town for a Vietnamese lunch, along the way stop where you wish to take pictures of local villages and the stunning landscape.

 

After lunch board your private sampan* (see options for Tam Coc sampan trip below). As the boat gently slices through the water, notice the enormous limestone karsts jutting out from the green rice fields giving rise to other name, ‘Halong Bay on Land’. Back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi

 

DAY 3: HANOI - HALONG BAY OVERNIGHT ON JUNK (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 

After having a breakfast at your hotel and transfer to Ha Long Bay. Drive through green rice paddy fields to Ha Long Bay (approximate 3,5 hours).  Arrive at Halong Bay wharf, you will be met by our crew who escort you on board and serve welcome drinks. You then check into your cabin and we begin cruising into Halong Bay. Have lunch in the restaurant while you enjoy the stunning views of the Bay. In the early afternoon we arrive at floating fishing village and drop anchor. Our guide will give you some information and interesting facts about this fascinating village and its local community. We disembark and travel on the sampans rowed by the local people. They will be your guides through their fishing village where you can meet the locals, visit the school and pearl farms. See first-hand what life is like living on the water. Back on board we head for the calm waters of the lagoons and beaches for swimming and relaxing on deck or pamper yourself

 

DAY 4: HALONG BAY - HANOI - NIGHT TRAIN TO SAPA (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)

 

For the early risers join us for a Tai Chi session on the sun deck or take the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of a Halong Bay sunrise. After breakfast we set sail for Bo Hon Island. Disembark and visit (Sung Sot) Surprise Cave. It is one of the largest grottoes in Halong Bay with thousands of stalactites and stalagmites.

An early lunch is made available to enjoy while we head back to Halong wharf on another scenic route. We arrive back at the wharf at 12 noon for our drive back to your hotel in Hanoi arriving at 5.pm. Free at your leisure until transfer to train station for Sapa. Overnight on train.

 

DAY 5: SAPA - CAT CAT VILLAGE - SIN CHAI - SAPA (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 

5.30 AM: Arrive at Lao Cai train station. Our staff will pick you  up with the sign of your name then transfer to Sapa.

 

7:00 AM: A morning shower could be offered after or before Breakfast as your request.

 

9:00 AM: Check in  the hotel then start a new day by a short trek about 3km down to  Cat Cat Village -  the home of H'mong minority, visit Tien Sa waterfall and also have chance to take part in a performance art of H’Mong boy and girl.

 

Affer that continue trekking to visit Sin Chai village where you can see spectacular views of the beautiful valley towards Fansipan - highest peak in Vietnam and Indochina; and Black Hmong ethnic minority, see people weaving,embroidering and dying their clothes,… then  take a Jeep/van back to Sapa.

 

Lunch at the restaurant  and free time in the afternoon  to discover Sapa town and Sapa Market. Dinner at  the  hotel or restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

 

DAY 6: SAPA - Y LINH HO - LAO CHAI - TA VAN - OVERNIGHT IN HOMESTAY (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 

8:00 AM – Breakfast in hotel.

 

9:00 AM – Begin trekking from Sapa towards Muong Hoa valley where we can admire magnificent landscapes.

 

11:30 AM – Trek through Y Linh Ho village with Black Hmong tribe.

 

12:30 PM – Break for delicious lunch in the local house near by Muong Hoa stream.

 

1:15 PM – Keep trekking through lush rice-terraces towards Lao Chao village to experience Black H`mong people`s daily life and traditional culture.

 

3:30 PM – Arrive into Ta Van village inhabited by Zay minorities exhibiting strong Chinese culture where we have dinner cooked on a wood fire enjoying the company and hospitality of our Zay family and home-stay overnight.

 

DAY 7: TAVAN - GIANG TA CHAI - SU PAN - SAPA - NIHGT TRAIN BACK TO HANOI (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 

8:00 AM– Breakfast at homestay.

 

9:00 to 9:30 AM – Trek through bamboo forests to Giang Ta Chai waterfall,bridge and village inhabited by Red Zao minorities for a short break to enjoy stunning view surrounding.

 

12:00 PM – Break for lunch.

 

12:45 PM – Keep trekking into the village of Red Zao minority,visit their houses to explore their rich culture.

 

1:30 PM – Continue trekking down to Su pan of Black Hmong’s people 

 

3:00 PM–  bus or jeep pick you up back to Sapa  , Free time in Sapa for shower and Dinner.

 

5:30 PM – Bus transfer back to Lao Cai station for the night train back to Hanoi.

 

DAY 8: HANOI - DEPARTURE ((Meals: Breakfast)

 

5:00 AM – Arrive at Tran Quy Cap Train Station.Tour ends.