Trip valid: Until 31 Oct 2013

Duration: 15 days

Main Activity: Culture, trek, cruise, kayak and bicycle

Trip Type: Multi-Activities

Suitability: All levels

Location: Vietnam

Best time to travel: October to April

Supported: Car ( Bus)

Product code: IDT-VNMBS009

Guarantee to depart: From 2 pax

TRIP INCLUSIVE:

• Experienced English speaking guide.
• Private transportation by air-conditioned vehicle.
• Boat trips where mentioned.
• Sleeper train tickets Hanoi- Lao Cai- Hanoi ( 4 berth cabin)
• 2 days/1 night cruise by a shared traditional junk.
• Kayak, paddles and life jacket in Halong Bay.
• Internal air tickets Hanoi- Hue & Da Nang- Saigon on coach class
• Bicycle rental and helmet for cycling days. (TREK 4300/4500 Mountain bike)
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary.
• Healthy snacks, fresh local fruits and soft drinks for cycling days.
• Bottled drinking water for sightseeing.
• All sightseeing entrance fees as per the itinerary.
• Accommodation in twin share room in hotel with daily breakfast.
• Simple First Aid Kit.
• International flight reconfirmation.

TRIP EXCLUSIVE:

• International flight to and from Vietnam
• Visa to Vietnam.
• Travel Insurance. We highly recommend purchasing travel before departure.
• Personal expenditure (telephone, laundry, shopping and so on…)
• Tips for guide, driver, porters. We recommend 3 USD/person/day for guide, 2 USD/person/day for driver and 2      USD/person/hotel when you check in/out.
• Beverage and alcoholic drinks.
• Any other services not clearly mentioned in the itinerary and trip inclusions.

Day 1: Hanoi

Arrive at No Bai airport Hanoi where you will meet your guide and transfer to our hotel. Depending on when you arrive, we can take an optional guided stroll through Hanoi’s Old Quarter. In the evening, we’ll enjoy traditional Vietnamese cuisine at one of Hanoi’s best restaurants. We spend the night in Hanoi.

Meal: Dinner

Accommodation: Quoc Hoa Hotel- Deluxe room

www.quochoahotel.com

Day 2: Hanoi- Lao Cai

After breakfast at our hotel, we take a sightseeing tour of the city, which will include the Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, his House, One Pillar pagoda, the ‘Temple of Literature’ (established in 1076) and the fascinating, and informative Ethnology Museum and the highly acclaimed Museum of Ethnology. Also visit the infamous Hoa Lo Prison, nicknamed Hanoi Hilton, Camp One, Camp Unity, Heartbreak, Little Vegas, New Guy Village, and West Court among others, completed by the French in 1901. Interesting fact: Hoa Lo Street is the only street in Hanoi with only one address on it...the prison. Enjoy lunch at Koto Restaurant, which is a not-for-profit restaurant and vocational training program that is changing the lives of street and disadvantaged youth in Vietnam.

In the afternoon, visit Ngoc Son and Ba Kieu temple then enjoy a guided walking tour through the bustling Old Quarter and sprawling Dong Xuan Market. The Old Quarter, home to more than 1000 traditional houses, dates from 1010, when King Ly Thai To moved his capital from Hoa Lu in northern Ninh Binh Province to Hanoi. The Old Quarter became the trading centre of the metropolis and its 36 streets are named after the merchants’ crafts and trades. For example Hang Gai Street is full of silk shops, Hang Giay overflowing with shoes and Hang Bac with small silversmiths. It is fascinating to walk around the labyrinthine streets. Alternatively, taking a cyclo (motorcycle rickshaw) is a great way to get a sense of the city.

In the evening before the night train to Lao Cai, we’re off to the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre for a performance that captures the traditional life of Vietnam in a medium inspired by the abundance of water and rice paddy.

Boarding overnight train to Lao Cai. Sleep aboard.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Sleeper train

Day 3 (recommend Sunday) Lao Cai – Bac Ha – BAN PHO VILLAGE – TRUNG DO – LAO CAI (BLD)

Arrive Lao Cai in the early morning, drive on a scenic mountain road along the beautiful river to Bac Ha.  Surrounded by distant mountains, Bac Ha is refreshingly timeless and seems to have escaped the onslaught of tourism witnessed by Sapa. An unassuming agricultural community, its delightful rustic charm is still intact. The smell of musk wood fire permeates the morning air and chickens and pigs run amok along the dusty main street. During the day, all and sundry head out to the neighbouring fields to work. Visit the coluorful Sunday market of Bac Ha, where the local ethnic minority people of H’mong, Dzao, Giay, Xa Pho, dress up in their traditional costumes trading in the market.

Walk to explore the nearby Ban Pho village. Lunch in a local restaurant, then we walk downhill to Trung Do village which is beautifully set in a valley on the eastern bank of the mighty Chay River. Take an hour leisurely walking to explore this prosperous village of the Tay ethnic people, who live in large stilt houses and  have maintained their traditional way of life. Walk to the boat pier in mid-afternoon, boarding a boat for an hour cruising downstream the Chay River to Bao Nhai. The boat cruise ends at Bao Tan  Village, near the motorway. Our vehicle will pick you up and transfer you 2 hours to Sapa.

Walking: Approx 2 hours/ Easy- Moderate

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Chau Long Hotel- Superior

Day 4 MUONG HOA  Valley 

After breakfast, we transfer to Lao Chai village, which is inhabited by the Black H’mong hill tribe. We walk down the valley to the village from Lao Chai to Ta Van - the only village in the Sapa valley where the Giay lives. In Ta Van we enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by our guide in a local house. After 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. Return to Sapa in the afternoon. We have the use of a day room to shower and pack before transfering to Lao Cai station. Overnight sleeper train to Hanoi.

Trekking: Approx 4 hrs

Difficulty: Easy/ Moderate

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Chau Long Hotel- Superior

Day 5        SAPA – BAN HO – NAM TOONG – MY SON – THANH PHU 

Following breakfast, our vehicle will take us to Su Pan, where we begin our 3 day trek through this beautiful region. We first trek downhill to Ban Ho village, which is one of the most beautiful villages nested in Muong Hoa Valley. Along the way you can stunning views of the valley and rice paddy terraces.  Stroll around the village and stop in at one of local home and meet a friendly Tay family. We then cross the suspension bridge and continue trekking to Nam Tong village, which is home to Red Dzao people. Our guide prepares lunch in a local school and you will see how simple the setup of the school is. After lunch, we descend into the valley and heading to My Son village, where the Xa Pho people live. From there you take a short walk to Thanh Phu village of the Tay minority, where we spend our night in a traditional Tay home.  If you wish you can stroll around the village to get more insight into  their interesting local traditions and customs

Tour profile:

1 hour driving

Trekking: Approx 5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Home-Stay

Day 6 THANH PHU – NAM CUM – SIN CHAI 

The sound of chickens and pigs will wake us up this morning. We will have a relatively easy walk today. Once we leave Thanh Phu, we will follow the route down to the bottom of the valley, which offers the best view to the surrounding mountains. Picnic lunch en route. We then continue walking toward Sin Chai village, which is home of Red Dao minority and we will spend a night here. Rest and relax so you will have energy for a long day tomorrow.

Trekking: Approx 4 hours

Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Home-Stay

Day 7 SIN CHAI – NAM KET – BEN DEN – LAO CAI 

Wake up for an early breakfast, we will be heading toward the direction to Lao Cai today. On leaving Sin Chai, we will enter the dramatic mountainous area of the most remote part of Sapa. Along the way, we meet hill tribe children and you will notice how curious they are and you can expect a few stares.  We stop at Nam Ket for lunch. After lunch, our trek will be mostly downhill. This part of route offers stunning views over the green valley lying along the Red River. We conclude our trek in Ta Thang village, which is home to the Tay minority. Stroll around the village before meeting our vehicle and transfer for 1 hour to Lao Cai. Here we have organized a day room so you can shower etc before we board the overnight train to Hanoi.

Trekking: Approx 6 hours

Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Sapaly Express Train

Day 8: Hanoi- Halong. Cruise and Kayak

Arrive in Hanoi in the early morning, transfer to the hotel for breakfast before we depart for Halong Bay 160km to the east of Hanoi. An enjoyable journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life. Halong bay is one of the natural wonders of the world and one of Vietnam’s five UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Over three thousand jagged limestone islands emerge from the emerald green waters of Halong Bay. While some islands are no more than large rocks others are much more substantial and contain huge cathedral-like caves of stalactites and stalagmites. Most of the islands are clothed in thick green vegetation and ring with the sound of bird song in the early morning. Secluded sandy coves are everywhere and in the summer months the warm waters of the bay are ideal for swimming.

Upon arrival, transfer to a shared wooden junk for a 2 day cruise among the 3, 000 spectacular limestone islands. The boat is one of the more traditional varieties that sail through the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch on board while the captain heads out toward the horizon. Visit Dinh Huong Island and others, stop to wander around the impressive Sung Sot Cave, famed for its remarkable stalactites and stalagmites. Continue the cruise stopping at Titov beach for the night. Enjoy a couple of hours kayaking to a lagoon. We watch the sunset over the bay. Dine on board. Moor on board the junk.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinne

Kayaking: 1,5-2 hrs.

Difficulty: Easy

Accommodation: Paloma Cruise

www.palomacruise.com

Day 9: Halong- Hanoi – Hue

The sound of the ocean wakes us up in time breakfast. Enjoy an early morning swim if you wish. We then continue the cruise past rock formations named after their shape. Enjoy a short trip by sampan Luon cave (tunnel cave) Paddle through the tunnel and emerge into a crater lake, surrounded by impenetrable cliffs and gliding kites. The trip to this cave is dependent upon tidal conditions. Cruise out to Bai Tu Long Bay around Bai Tho Mountain and head back to dry land. Brunch is served aboard. We disembark at 11.30 and transfer by private air conditioned vehicle to Hanoi airport for evening flight to Hue. Overnight in Hue

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Romance Hotel- Deluxe Stadium view

www.romancehotel.com.vn

Day 10: Hue by bicycle

Hueserved as Vietnam's political capital from 1802 to 1945 under the rule of the 13 emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. Traditionally, the city has been one of Vietnam's cultural, religious and educational centers and recently it was listed as a World Heritage Site.

We will spend a full day on cycles exploring Hue’s beautiful countryside, handicraft villages, mausoleums and temples.  We first cycle to Thuy Xuan village, where they make traditional Hue Hat (known as Non Hue) - symbolized for the beauty of the Hue women. Then we continue on a countryside lane to the Incense making village. Visit a local market in Hue and experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers. Then we pedal to the Imperial Citadel.

After lunch in a garden restaurant, we cycle along the Perfume River from the Citadel to Thien Mu Pagoda King, Minh Mang Tomb. Amazing landscapes and the sunset on the way back. Overnight in Hue.

Cycled distance: Approx 35km

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Romance Hotel- Deluxe Stadium view

www.romancehotel.com.vn

Day 11: Hue- Hoian by bicycle

The day starts with an 18km drive out to the coast. Here, our cycling begins off-the-beaten track as we travel 40km on a picturesque, narrow peninsular road from Thuan An beach to Vinh Loc. We head over a bridge across the river and join the main highway. Now the fun begins, as we face one of today’s three hill climbs. After the first two moderate climbs of 2-3km apiece, we’ll cruise downhill to the stunning Lang Co Beach for a rest/swim and lunch before tackling the final hill of the day – the Hai Van (Pass of Ocean Clouds). Due to the completion of a tunnel through the mountain, the 11km uphill trek is now free of traffic. The ascent is manageable and the views are breathtaking! Afterwards, we will take a van the rest of the way to Hoi An, a delightful old trading town and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cycled distance: Approx 65km

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Ancient House Resort- Superior Room

www.ancienthouseresort.com

Day 12: Hoian- My Son- Boating and cooking class

Today we will visit the famous Cham Towers and UNESCO World Heritage Site, My Son (“Mee Sun”). My Son, located 69kms southwest of Da Nang, was an imperial city between the 4th and 12th centuries during the Cham dynasty. The Sanctuary is archeologically rich containing more than 70 temples and towers. We will watch the Cham dance performed at a small indoor theatre before getting on the minibus and driving to the local market to buy and learn the ingredients for our cooking class on board the Cinnamon Cruise. This is a great opportunity for us to experience the colorful local market and to interact with local buyers and sellers.

11.15: Embark Cinnamon Cruise. One of the hosts will seat us at our private table. Relax with a beverage and snacks as you are treated to a herbal foot massage. Spectacular views while cruising back to Hoi An. Today we participate in a cooking class on board. This lesson runs for 2 hours and we will cook the same dish ourselves after the Cinnamon Cruises chef demonstrate it. We sit down at our private tables and eat what we have cooked. After the meal, we take a visit to Kim Bong wood sculpture village to see the workshops and boat building yards. On our return to the Cinnamon Cruises pier, the crew will wish us farewell. The tour ends at 14:30.  The afternoon is yours ate leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Ancient House Resort- Superior Room

www.ancienthouseresort.com

Day 13: Hoian- Saigon

Transfer to airport for a short flight to Saigon. Drive to hotel for check in.

In the afternoon take a tour of the city centre. Your guide will be happy to personalise your programme, however we would recommend sites such as the Reunification Palace where the South finally fell to North Vietnamese troops in 1975; Notre Dame Cathedral; the Old Saigon Post Office; Thien Hau Pagoda in the city’s bustling Chinatown and the War Crimes Museum, highlighting the suffering of the Vietnamese people during recent conflicts – you won’t be too surprised to find it’s not exactly a politically balanced exhibition. The remainder of your day is at leisure. It’s a great city to explore at night, lots of bars and great restaurants...you’ll be spoilt for choice!

Tonight we stay in Saigon.

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Northern hotel

www.northernhotel.com.vn

Day 14: Saigon – My Tho Mekong

A 2-hour drive takes us to a lush green section, in the middle of the Mekong Delta called My Tho. Stop en route to visit Vinh Trang pagoda, an ancient southern architectural gem. Built in 1849, the structure is a mixture of Asian and European architecture including elements from the Renaissance period, Romanesque style, French decorative flowers and Japanese enameled tile. Upon arrival in My Tho jetty, we take a local motorized boat trip to Ben Tre, visit a small coconut-candy workshop to get a glimpse of a typical family run business in this area. Another 30min bobbing on the waves brings you to deeper parts of agriculture life. Disembark your boat, walk around sleepy villages and picturesque orchards until you reach Vuon Dau rest stop, sample freshly picked fruit at the invitation of friendly local farmers. A tasty lunch with Mekong Delta specialties then take in a fun row boat trip in the shadows of water-coconut palms along idyllic tiny canals. We say goodbye to the boat rowers and return to Saigon in the afternoon.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Northern hotel

www.northernhotel.com.vn

Day 15: Departure

At your leisure until transfer to airport for your onward flight.

Meal: Breakfast

Should I purchase insurance?

Yes! This must cover medical care and emergency evacuation/repatriation. Also keep hardcopy of emergency contact numbers as well as insurance policy number.

What are the main vaccination and health procedures?

Before travel please consult a general practitioner for up to date advice on recommended vaccines and malaria prophylaxis.

Is there anything I can do to better prepare for a situation requiring first aid?

All guides have basic first aid training and carry a small first aid kit. But each client should also bring personal first aid supplies including antiseptic wipes, antiseptic liquid/cream, steristrips, sterile gauze and bandage as well as oral rehydration sachets.

What about the weather?

The climate is hot and humid throughout with some variation between North and South. The South is tropical and warm throughout the year. Hanoi is cooler from November to February with a pronounced wet season in the centre of the country from September to October. For biking, September, October, November, March, April and May are the best times – not so hot and dry enough! Be prepared for anything, though. (That’s part of the fun.)

What gear do I need?

The objective is to stay cool in hot weather and warm in cool weather. Plan accordingly. Basic items are lightweight walking boots; water bottle, eye protection; lightweight shirt and trousers; waterproof jacket; mosquito repellent; sun hat; shorts; sandals; sheet sleeping bag; strong sunscreen; torch; towel; fleece; small backpack for day use; biodegradable toiletries; swimming gear. All of these things are indispensable.

Do these tours support responsible travel?

Yes! We try to make sure that these holidays are as socially, economically and environmentally sound as possible. We are affiliate members of the Environmental Certification Green Globe 21 Scheme. Our goal is to deliver trekking tours that do not contribute to the destruction of Vietnam’s unique cultural and natural environment.