Get off the beaten track and walk through villages where ethnic minorities are very poor but still have interesting culture. Here is a chance to explore and experience yourselves.
Highlights
- Hanoi;
- Lao Cai;
- Sapa;
- Homestay;
- Trekking;
- Ha Long Bay;
Day 1: Arrival - Ha Noi. On arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you are met and transferred to hotel. Ha Noi, Vietnam's capital, is a stylish and gracious city that retains an unique old world charm and some Asia ‘s most striking colonial architecture. The many lakes and parks make for relaxing atmosphere. (If time permit) we enjoy a short cyclo excursion through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places. Overnight in Ha Noi. Includes: (B)
Day 2: Ha Noi - Lao Cai. This morning we enjoy a half day city tour, seeing the the Ho Chi Minh Complex, containing the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. The complex also comprises the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of Hanoi. The next stop of our trip is the impressive Ethnologic Museum, dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minorities, some of which we will see on our forthcoming days. We also visit the Temple of Literature and the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem with its sacred temple. The reminder of the day is free for your own exploration of Ha Noi until transferring to the rail way station for a night train to Lao Cai. The train conditions are very basic however we will travel in soft sleeper class which is compartment for 4 passengers. Overnight on board. Includes: (B)
Day 3: Lao Cai - SaPa. The train journey arrives in Laocai this morning. We embark on a scenic drive uphill to SaPa. At an elevation of 1,500 meters, Sa Pa is the former hill retreat for French administrators when the heat in plain became unbearable. The remoteness and simple lifestyle of ethnic minorities are a highlight of Sa Pa although conditions are very basic. After checking into hotel we can soak up the fresh climate as much as we want by spending time to wander around. The ethnic people are frequently seen in this hill town and small vendors along the street sell local textiles and handicraft. Overnight in Sa Pa. Includes: (B)
Day 4: SaPa - Ylinh Ho - Lao Chai - Ta Van. Today we get well and truly off the beaten track as we trek into this beautiful mountain region. On the way we pass down the valley, Muong Hoa river and the hill villages of Lao Chai San and Lao Chai which are home of the Black Hmong hill-tribe people, which is he biggest minority groups in SaPa area. They still retain their age old cultural traditions and are recognisably distinct from each other by their dress. After this we continue trek to TaVan village, where we are guest of a Zay family. Zay is a fairly small minority group of about 38.000 people who live mainly in the mountains in Northwest Vietnam. We stay overnight with a local family in Ta Van and have our dinner here. Includes: (B) (L) (D)
Day 5: Ta Van - Giang Ta Chai - Ban Ho. After breakfast we continue trek to visit Red Dao people at Giang Ta Chai where we also see a waterfall. The Red Dao women have very colourful red embroideries and coins on their clothing. On their head they wear a red scarf. Some of the women have shaved off their eyebrows because of a nice Red Zao’ Legend. Then we continue along small paths in the rice fields, cross the Muong Hoa River and arrive to the Tay village Ban Ho. Tay is the most populous of the hill tribes because of the development and adaptation to the Vietnamese society some of them have started wearing Vietnamese clothing. Most women still wear the traditional checkered headscarf. We have diiner and stay overnight in a wooden stilt house with the Tay family. Includes: (B) (L) (D)
Day 6: Ban Ho - Nam Toong - Nam Ken - Muong Bo. Breakfast at Tay village we trek up to to the Red Dzao Village at Nam Ken & the Xa Pho the village of Xa Pho trible the smalest group in Sapa who have very little contact with modern Vietnam. Overnight in Tay village in Muong Bo. Includes: (B) (L) (D)
Day 7: Muong Bo - Ban Den - SaPa - Lao Cai. The impressive way to complete our trekking expeditions is a few hour walk along the local path. This morning we trek up to Ban Den place (10 km). On arrival at the Ban Den, we meet up with our local transport and take a short drive back to SaPa. There is free time for you to relax in Sapa before transfer to Lao Cai Station for a night train back to Ha Noi. The food on board is not the best you will have in Vietnam, so we recommend you to prepare some foods, water, snack . Overnight on board. Includes: (B) (L)
Day 8: Ha Noi - Ha Long. An early morning arrival in Hanoi. We enjoy a shower before travelling by roads to Halong Bay. We make stop en route in Hai Phong, the biggest port town of northern Vietnam. This charming town has plenty of interesting sights, some of which are the Hang Kenh Communal House, the Du Hang Pagoda, the Hang Kenh Carpet Factory and the vibrant Sat Market. We continue our journey Halong Bay and spend the remainder of the day for a well - earned rest on Bai Chay Beach. Overnight in Ha Long. Includes: (B)
Day 9: Ha Long - Ha Noi. The legendary Ha Long Bay is truly one of Vietnam’s most impressive scenic sights. Today we embark on a sailing boat for an exploration of this wondrous bay, which is dotted with some 1,969 limestone islands rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. The limestone karst formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. Along the way we will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. After a seafood lunch on board we make our way back to Ha Noi, arriving in time to see an evening performance of Hanoi's famous water puppets. Overnight in Ha Noi. Includes: (B) (L)
Day 10: Ha Noi - Departure. There is a free time for you to relax or further explore Ha Noi. The trip ends after your transfer to Noi Bai Airport for departure. Includes: (B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Including:
- Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle;
- Meal as mentioned;
- Accommodation: twin sharing;
- English or French speaking guide;
- Entrance fee to indicated sights;
- Water puppet show;
- Cyclo trip;
- Boat trip in Halong;
- Porter & Permit for trekking;
- Train ticket Hanoi, Lao Cai – Hanoi.
Not Including:
- Other meals, tip and drinks, airport tax;
- Single room supplement;
- Personal expenses;
- Travel insurance;
- Visa and flight in/ out Vietnam.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Vietnam
Hiking & Trekking
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