Routing: Hanoi - Lao Cai - Sapa - Ma Tra - Ta Phin - Ban Ho - Nam Toong - Heaven Gate - Sin Chai - Lao Cai - Yen Tu Mount - Tuan Chau Island - Halong Bay
# JOIN-IN TOURS 2009: 11 January, 15 February, 15 March
Your Sapa to the Sea journey begins in the buzzing capital of Hanoi. Prepare for sensory overload as the sights, smells, sounds, and tastes of Vietnam merge in to an exciting atmosphere. Explore the historical sites, winding streets, and serene lakes of the city.
An overnight train journey takes you to the far Northwest corner of Vietnam. Near to the Chinese border, the Sapa region is filled with ethnic minorities who maintain their own local culture, traditions, and dress. Spend three days trekking through the region, exploring the vast diversity whilst enjoying the fresh mountain air and breathtaking views of nature.
Travel east to the flatlands of the Red River Delta, where you will explore the panoramic view of the surrounding countryside from the top of Yen Tu Mount which can be reached by a cable car ride. After that, trek down to visit Giai Oan pagoda. You will spend the night on Tuan Chan Island amidst the calming waters of the South China Sea.
Before the end of this tour, you will never miss another highlight of Vietnam, which adds you a luxury reward. Spend an overnight on cruise on the magnificent Halong Bay. Relax and put your feet up as the traditional wooden junk boat winds its way through hundreds of limestone karsts. Visit mystical caves, and swim in the turquoise waters of the Bay. For those with energy remaining, kayak through the calm waters for a different viewpoint of the towering karsts.
The tour ends in Hanoi, where a farewell dinner is the perfect opportunity to reflect upon the adventures of the past week. Revel in the wonders of North Vietnam's people and places whilst savoring a delicious, and well deserved, Vietnamese feast!
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Hanoi and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day at leisure to rest and relax after your long journey or enjoy a brief walking with our guide to explore the incredible Old quarter and charming lakes of Hanoi. Meet up again in the evening for a scrumptious welcome dinner in one of Hanoi's best local restaurants. Overnight in Hanoi. Includes: (D).
Day 2: Hanoi - Lao Cai - After breakfast at the hotel, set out to explore the capital's sites. Visit the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh & the Hochi Minh complex before enjoying a nice buffet lunch at Brother Café. We leave the afternoon for you to visit historical sites by yourself with Temple of Literature, the serene Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple… or shop in the Old Quarter with its 36 winding streets. You'll have an early dinner at L'Indochine restaurant on the way to the train station to board your train to Lao Cai. Overnight on the train. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 3: Lao Cai - Sapa - Ma Tra - Ta Phin. (Trekking day - 20 km). Arrive Lao Cai in the early morning and transfer along terraced hillsides to Sapa, home to some of Vietnam's most colorful ethnic groups. After breakfast, commence with a short hike along a narrow trail through beautiful gardens and lush pine forests. Pass through the Black H'mong ethnic minority village of Ma Tra, and continue through rice paddy fields and spectacular scenery. Take a midday rest for lunch at a local ethnic school before continuing the afternoon trek to the Red Dao minority village of Ta Phin. Visit a workshop and a nearby cave before transferring by road back to Sapa. Overnight in Sapa. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 4: Sapa - Ban Ho - Nam Toong. (Trekking day - 5 hours). This morning, trek along the fringes of the rain forest skirting the Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range. Ascend to the Red Dao village of Nam Toong where lunch will be prepared and served in a local school. Continue hiking to the beautiful village of Ban Ho, located next to a gorgeous turquoise river. A final haul uphill out of the Sapa valley will bring the group to the large roadside village of Supan, from where the jeeps will transfer back to Supon and along the ridgeline to a wonderful Ecolodge where you'll enjoy a home cooked dinner. Overnight in an Ecolodge. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 5: Sapa - Heaven Gate - Sin Chai - Lao Cai. (Trekking day - 4 hours). Travel by car toward the Silver Waterfall where you will be able to take a short walk to the cascading waters. Then, continue by road to ‘Heaven Gate', the highest pass of roads in Vietnam. From there you can see Fansipan, the highest peak of Indochina mountains as well as enjoy stunning views. Begin descending on a trail which takes you all the way downhill through bamboo forest, which belongs to Hoang Lien National Park. After lunch by the river, you continue the trek to Sin Chai village, where community based tourism in Sapa takes place. You will have opportunity to visit the village, inhabited by the black Hmong minority, one of the largest group ethnic minorities in Sapa area. From here, journey back to Sapa and on to Lao Cai to catch the night train to Hanoi. Overnight onboard the train. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 6: Hanoi - Yen Tu Mount - Tuan Chau Island. (Trekking day - 5 hours). After an early arrival in Hanoi, enjoy breakfast at the hotel and a quick shower before heading out to Yen Tu Mount. Take a cable car up Hoa Hien Temple before hiking down Giai Oan pagoda. Enjoy lunch at a restaurant at the bottom of Yen Tu Mount before transferring on to Tuan Chau Island. Overnight on Tuan Chau Island. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 7: Halong Bay Cruise and Kayak. After breakfast, a short transfer takes you to Halong Bay for an early cruise. Set sail through the bay and whilst you enjoy lunch, take in the scenery of thousands of sculpted limestone islands rising from the waves like dragons' teeth. After lunch, cruise to the inside of magical landscape of Dinh Huong Island, Ga Choi Island, Dog Island, and Sung Sot Cave. Enjoy sunset from the top of the Titop Mountain or you take a bamboo row boat to discover a water tunnels with many coral reefs in a scenic lagoon. Back on board the boat, enjoy dinner as the sun sets. Overnight on board Halong Bay junk boat. Includes (B), (L), (D).
Day 8: Halong Bay to Hanoi. Rise to the sound of the ocean coming to life for another lovely day. Before a very early breakfast, you will have an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay whilst cruising back to the Halong dock to drive back Hanoi. Upon arriving in Hanoi in the early afternoon, the rest of the day is at your leisure before meeting for a farewell dinner. Overnight in Hanoi. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 9: Depart Hanoi. After breakfast you will have the chance to wander around Hanoi for your last minute shopping before transferring to the airport for your departure flight. Includes: (B).
Price Includes:
- English speaking guides throughout.
- Local English speaking guide for trekking days in Sapa
- Private air-conditioned car for transfers as itinerary except trekking days.
- Local train ticket Hanoi – Lao Cai – Hanoi (4-a/c-soft-berth cabin, share cabin)
- Twin Share Private cabin for Halong Bay boat cruise. Shared boat.
- Sightseeing tickets where require in the itinerary except free, at leisure days.
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary ( B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
- Snack, water and local fruits for trekking days.
- Accommodation as list in twin shared room with daily breakfast.
- Price valid until: Oct 2009
Price Excludes:
- International air ticket to/from Vietnam.
- Visa to Vietnam. Please ensure to get visa before departure.
- Tips for guide, driver, porter at hotel, waiter in restaurant
- Beverage and alcoholic drinks.
- Wine buffet & local music performance in Sapa
- Personal expenditure (drinks, telephone, laundry, and so on…)
- Personal travel insurance
- Any other services not clearly mentioned in the itinerary and in the trip inclusive portion.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
- The price is a guideline and will vary according to travel dates and room availability.
- The price is based on a group of 5 or more passengers travelling and sharing a twin or double room.
- Private tours are available year-round upon request. Guideline price is USD2270 per person, based on 2 passengers travelling together.
- This price is valid until October 2009
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Vietnam
Hiking & Trekking
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