CUSTOMER CENTER

TRAVEL TOOL

Day 1: Arrival Hanoi
Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport our guide who will accompany you to your hotel will welcome you, 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 permits we embark on a cyclo for a short excursion through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places. O/N in Ha Noi. (D)

Day 2: Hanoi (Hiking and Riding)
After a hearty breakfast we'll set off to explore some of Hanoi's historic sites, such as The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, The Ethnology Museum, One Pillar Pagoda and the 11th century Temple of Literature. After lunch, we’ll ride in rickshaws , touring the historic 36th Street Old Quarter--it's a shoppers and photographers delight as the streets are alive with shops and vendors making and selling everything imaginable. You’ll have free time to dine on your own and prepare for this evening's 9:30 pm night train to Lao Cai. The air-conditioned sleeping berths have 4 beds. (B,L)

Day 3: Lao Cai–Bao Nhai-Trung Do (Mountain Biking)
Our train pulls into Lao Cai between 6-6:30 am. We'll stop at a nearby restaurant to refuel with a hearty breakfast, then gear up and cycle 46 kms (25 miles) from Lao Cai to Bao Nhai. The winding road is paved with slight to moderate elevation changes. This is a very colorful ride, bursting with cultural encounters. We'll pedal alongside commuting locals doubling up on banana seat bicycles. Afterwards we'll board a longtail boat for a relaxing float up the Chay River. This is a good opportunity to observe life along the river. We'll break for a picnic lunch in the 'Fairy Cave' then head back down river to the sleepy hamlet of Trung Do where we'll meet the Tay hilltribe people. They'll host us for dinner and an overnight with their warm and gracious hospitality. The accommodation here is basic, but the cultural experience is worth every moment.(B,L,D)

Day 4: Trung Do-Coc Ly–Bac Ha (Mountain Biking)
We begin early with breakfast in the village, then have time to wander around the village meeting the locals and photographing the mountainous and fertile landscape. From here we'll transfer by vehicle to the weekly market in Black Dzao Village. This experience is rich with culture as the Flower H'mong, Black Dzao, Tay and Nung Hill Tribes all gather for this important social and economic event. Once we've had our share of the market we transfer to our biking launch pad and pedal 18 kms (10 miles) on a snaking rocky road. Our support vehicle follows closely for weary riders on the steep glute burning stretches. The hearty in the lot can attempt the ascent all the way to the top of the high pass of Bac La or catch a lift. Midday we reach our hotel in Bac La and break for lunch. Afterwards we'll hop back on our bikes and ride 8 kms (5 miles) around town with a stop in Ban Pho Village to have tea with an ethnic family. Our final leg on the bikes is a stretch of singletrack that winds through plum gardens, rice fields and past the mud homes of the local inhabitants. We return to Bac Ha for dinner and overnight at a comfortable hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Bac Ha – Lao Cai – Sapa (Mountain Biking)
After breakfast we have a short drive up to Lung Phin. Here we ditch the vehicle and hop on our bikes for a thrill-filled ride to Seng Sui, Lung Sui. This scenic loop is dramatic with staggering high mountains laced with rice paddies, corn fields and colorful Flower H'mong villages. The route is rated moderate, with a good mix of rolling hills and dirt and rocky roads. In Can Cau our support vehicle will await to transfer us back to Lung Phin. From here it's back on our bikes for the last stretch, a 12 kms (6 mile) glide on a paved road back to Bac Ha town. Late afternoon we drive to Sapa where we have the evening free to relax and explore the village and its market. Overnight in a comfortable hotel.(B,L)

Day 6: Sapa–Ta Van (Trekking)
We'll welcome this relaxed morning to recover from yesterday's cycling journey and enjoy the majestic scenery amidst the towering Hoang Lien Mountains. Our guide joins us later this morning to accompany us for a typical Vietnamese lunch, with a spread of savoury vegetable, meat and seafood dishes. Afterwards we'll donn our hiking boots and set off for a 3-hour trek through a lush valley to Ta Van Village. The day concludes here, in a traditional stilt homestay with the Dzay people, our hospitable hosts for the night.(L,D)

Day 7: Ta Van – Sapa (Trekking)
After breakfast and a farewell to our D'zay hosts, we set off for a trek to Giang Ta Chai to see the colourful Dzao hilltribe. We thread through the spongy valley, stop for a picnic lunch and then continue trekking to Seo Trung Ho. Our driver and vehicle will meet us here and transfer us back up to Sapa. We pick up our gear from the hotel, then drive back down the mountain to Lao Cai. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to relax and enjoy dinner in Lao Cai before taking the night train back to Hanoi. (B,L)

Day 8: Free Day in Hanoi
Our train reaches Hanoi at approximately 5:30 am. We’ll be greeted at the station and transferred to a cozy hotel with time to catch up on sleep and rest from our memorable northern excursion. This is a free day to explore Hanoi, take in some of its many parks and lakes, galleries and museums, and lots of time for shopping in the bustling markets. Overnight in a comfortable hotel.

Day 9: Halong Bay (Sea Kayaking)
We depart at 5:30am this morning, driving 2 hours to the seaport of Hai Phong. We'll stop for breakfast along the way, then board the express boat to Cat Ba Island. From here we board a small boat for a 20-minute ride to our private base camp. We'll settle into our beachs huts, take a refreshing dip in the sea, or a walk along the whitesand beach while our guides prepare a delicious spread of fresh local seafood and vegetable dishes. Afterwards he'll give a discussion on gear and safety, demonstrate the basic paddle strokes and outline our paddling route. Now it's time to slip into our sleek kayaks and set out for an afternoon of paddling. We'll return to base camp for a fresh water shower and a great dinner before retiring to our cozy huts for the night. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Halong Bay (Sea Kayaking)
Today is a full day of paddling, exploring the bay at a leisurely pace, with time to take a closer look at the amazing karsts. We’ll explore the labyrinth of caves that lead to stunning lagoons, paddle to floating villages to see this unique way of life, and stop to chill out at one of the many beaches here. We’ll be met by a support boat, which we’ll board for lunch, then return to the sea and spend the remainder of the afternoon paddling. The support boat will pick us up late afternoon to motor us back to the base camp for dinner. Overnight at our cozy base camp. (B,L,D)

Day 11: Halong Bay – Hanoi (Sea Kayaking)
Early risers can revitalize with a morning dip in the ocean before breakfast. We can enjoy a last paddle of the bay or merely hang on the beach and chill in a hammock with a good book. The paddlers return to base camp in time for lunch, then we all cruise back to Cat Ba Island, passing floating villages and markets along the way. We take the express boat back to Hai Phong then bus back to Hanoi, arriving in Hanoi at 7.30 pm. Overnight in a comfortable hotel. (B,L)

Day 12: Departure
We’ll pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your journey home. 

Included
* English Speaking tour leader (other languages upon requests)
* All accommodations base on twin-share at hotel, guesthouse and Home stay.etc…
* Meals detailed in the itinerary (B = Breakfast , L = Lunches ,D = Dinners)
* A/C transfers and transportation.
* Boat trip mention in itinerary
* Mountain bicycle 24 or 27Speed (LA bike or Trek bike. etc…)
* Sightseeing excursions as outlined in itinerary
* Pump, bike tools, spares tubes.
* Spare bike
* Cold water box, small fresh towel.
* Mineral water drinking.
* Seasonal fruits.
* Snacks

Excluded:
* International airfares
* Travel insurance and bike helmet (compulsory)
* Items of a personal nature
* Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
* Mineral water beyond that supplied
* Optional excursions
* Additional transport required due to any emergency situation
* Personal expenses such as telephone and laundry bills
* Visa fees
* Departure taxes
* Tipping for guiding 
 

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