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Explore the wonders of Hanoi, Sapa and Halong Bay. You will be amazed by the exotic landscapes and cultural diversity of North Vietnam. Step into a different world in Sapa. Colourful ethnic hill tribes and stunning mountain vistas make this one of the most facinating, untouched destinations in Asia. Cruise amid the mystical limestone islands and cliffy rock formations of UNESCO World Heritage listed Halong Bay. Travel by both modern and traditional means - on overnight trains, cylos, by foot, boat, car and even by kayak if you wish. |
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Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi (D)
Arrive at Noi Bai Airport. Meet Hapro Travel Guide. Transfer to hotel in Hanoi. Free at leisure and overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi city tour (B, L, D)
A full day city tour of Vietnam's capital. Hanoi is a unique Asian city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental temples. The city tour includes such sights as Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum Complex, the One Pillar Pagoda, and the Fine Arts Museum.
Afternoon continue to visit Museum of Ethnic Minority, the Temple of Literature, the Lake of the Restored Sword and visit the Old Quarter by cyclo. In the evening, enjoy Vietnamese traditional water puppet show. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong - Cruise (B, L, D) TODAY MUST BE FRIDAY
Leave Hanoi by road for Halong Bay (3 hour drive). Enjoy the journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life. Arrive in Halong and board the Huong Hai or Bai Tho traditional sailing junk. Whilst cruising the exquisite waters sample the regions fresh seafood. Visit the recently discovered Surprise Grotto with its great views, and on the next island see the yawning mouth of Bo Nau Cave. Alternatively journey to Dau Go Cave and nearby see the famous stalagmites and stalactites of Thien Cung Cave. Enjoy a swim in the emerald waters of Halong Bay at any spot that you wish to visit. Watch the sun set over the bay whilst enjoying a delicious dinner. Overnight on board junk.
Day 4: Halong – Hanoi – Laocai (B, L, D)
Wake up to fresh coffee and a wholesome breakfast. Sitting on the upper deck, you can enjoy the breath - taking beauty of the rocky Islands rising from the crystal-clear waters of the Bay. The quiet is almost eerie, we can hear birds singing, cicadas chirping ashore and the gentle lapping of the waves against our boat, the perfect soundtrack to accompany the fresh air and gentle breeze. Take a small sampan to explore Luon Cave before cruising to Tu Long Bay, then back to Halong City. En route the junk weaves through strange-shaped rock formations that invite comparisons from fighting cocks to dragons and even General de Gaulle’s nose! After another wonderful fresh seafood lunch on board disembark at the dock at Halong City. Return to Hanoi by road in the late afternoon. Dinner. In the evening, transfer to the station for a night train to Lao Cai (boarding time: normally 21:00PM). Overnight on the train.
Note: day use at hotel in Hanoi is not included today
Day 5: Laocai – Sapa (B, L, D)j
Arrive in Lao Cai – a city nestled at the China’s border – in the morning. Transfer to hotel by shuttle bus of hotel. Breakfast in hotel.
Full day exploration of Lao Chai, Ta Van and Giang Ta Chai for 5 hour trek including a 45 minute jeep drive.
This morning, we go by Russian jeep to Lao Chai village, inhabited by the Black Hmong hill tribe. We walk into the valley from Lao Chai to Ta Van, the only village in the Sapa valley where the Giay tribal people live. In Ta Van we enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by our guide in a local house. After picnic lunch, we continue our walk through the bamboo forest before reaching Giang Ta Chai, where we have the opportunity to meet the Red Dao minority people. A jeep will be awaiting us in Giang Ta Chai to take us back to Sapa.
Free visit the love market in Sapa town at night. Overnight in Sapa.
Day 6: Sapa – Bacha – Hanoi (B, L, D) TODAY MUST BE SUNDAY
Our friendly driver will take you along the exciting curvy road, surrounded by steep mountains and terraced rice paddies to Bac Ha. Bac Ha is the largest market in the area, situated inside the small town of Bac Ha. On every Sunday mornings, it is literally a riot of color as many different ethnic groups such as Flower Hmong, Phu La, Dao Tuyen, Dao Chi, and Tay... gather to buy and sell. After spending the whole morning exploring the market, you will leave Bac Ha and drive to Trung Do village, which belong to the Tay ethnic minority. From the village, you will have the opportunity to get on a boat and have a cruise down the Chay River to experience the picturesque scenes and the magnificent sight of a beautiful cave. Lunch en-route. Afternoon: transfer to the station for the night train back to Hanoi. Overnight on the train.
Day 7: Arrive in Hanoi (B)
Arrive in Hanoi. Breakfast. Free at leasure. (Optional) handicraft village tour if required.
Day 8: Departure (B, L, D)
Free until transfer to the airport for your flight home. End of the itinerary.
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