CUSTOMER CENTER

TRAVEL TOOL

DAY 1: ARRIVAL - HANOI

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. O/N in Ha Noi.

DAY  2: HANOI - LAO CAI [ B ]

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. O/N on board .

DAY 3: LAO CAI - SAPA - VILLAGE [B,L,D]

Arrive Sapa early in the morning, pick up and transfer up to Sapa. After a shower and breakfast at the hotel in Sapa, we leave Sa Pa at 9 a.m., where Russian jeeps will drive us into the valley south of Sa Pa. The trekking begins from the Zay village - Ta Van – where we ascend the mountain and cross a pass in the altitude of 1700 m. From here we have a magnificent view to the minority villages and terraced rice fields beneath us. The walk is about 16 km along the track that the Vietnamese used for fleeing, when the Chinese invaded Sa Pa in 1979. We sleep in tents near the remote Black H`mong village – Seomiti.

DAY 4: SA PA VALLEY [B,L,D]

After breakfast we start the adventure of the day. The trekking is beautiful and easy seasoned by the crossing of two rivers by both a primitive aerial ropeway and an old suspension brigde. We plan to spent the night in Ta Trung Ho, which is inhabited by the Red Dao minority. Dinner and over night in the village.

DAY 5: SA PA VALLEY[B,L,D]

We are now at the fringe of the rain forest by the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. With 3143 m the highest mountain in Vietnam - Fan Si Pan - is located in this mountain range. Crossing a mountain pass in the altitude of 1180 m. we descend to Nam Sai. Nam Sai is inhabited by the Xa Pho Hill tribe, which is one of the smallest minorities in Vietnam. We expect to stay overnight in a local house in Nam Sai.

DAY 6: SA PA VALLEY[B,L,D]

We trek further through the valley and pass Thanh Phu village, where we stay for lunch. After a minor ascend we arrive to the Red Dao village - Sin Chai. We enjoy our dinner in a private Red Dao house and spent the next 2 nights in bamboo huts in the village.

DAY 7: SA PA VALLEY[B,L,D]

Today you have the possibility to take a rest day in Sin Chai b, where you can explore the daily life in the village. Todays trek leaves us to the Red Dao village of Suoi Thau. We start the day with a 1 hour decend to the river which we cross and follow until reaching Suoi Thau, where we have lunch in a local house. After lunch we have a 2 hour walk back to our "home" in Sin Chai.

DAY 8: VILLAGE - SA PA[B,L,D]

We leave our huts in Sin Chai behind and walk by the track around the mountain to Thanh Phu. We cross the river and trek by the river bank to Ban Ho village - inhabited by the Tay minority. It is possible to enjoy a refreshing swim in river while our cooks are preparing our lunch. We leave Ban Ho after lunch and ascend to Su Pan, where Russian jeeps are awaiting us. The jeeps will drive us back to Sa Pa. We arrive in Sa Pa in the late afternoon.

DAY 9: SA PA - LAO CAI - BAC HA[B,L,D]

In the morning after breakfast, drive down to Lao Cai and then drive up to boat dock for s boat trip to Coc Ly River. Continue to Bac Ha and arrive in the afternoon. Check in hotel. Dinner and over night at Sao Mai hotel.

DAY 10: BAC HA - LAO CAI - HANOI[B,L,D]

Wake up early in the morning and join Bac Ha market, which takes place only on Sunday. After the market, return to the hotel for lunch. An easy walk to visit the String H’mong village near by. Return to Sao Mai Hotel and transfer down to Lao Cai. Dinner in Lao Cai and night train back to Hanoi. Over night on the train.

DAY 11: HA NOI - HA LONG - KAYAKING[B,L,D]

Arrive Hanoi early in the morning. Pick up and transfer to restaurant for breakfast. Leave Hanoi for Halong Bay and arrive around noon. Board a traditional wooden junk and begin your exploration of magical Halong Bay, one of Southeast Asia’s premier tourist destinations. An excellent, fresh seafood lunch will be served on the boat while cruise to the most beautiful areas in Halong for afternoon paddling. Overnight onboard the comfortable and charming junk. discussion .

DAY 12: KAYAKING - HALONG - HANOI[B,L,D]

Wake up early in the morning to enjoy the aquamarine water of the bay at its best. After breakfast and early swim, we continue for 2 hours paddling visit to the isolated beach, floating village. Meet the junk again for lunch while cruising back to Halong harbor. Transfer back to Hanoi by vehicle. Farewell dinner at the restaurant in town and overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.

DAY 13: HANOI - 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. (B)