North-Vietnam Multisport Adventure Tour October 5, 2009

This exciting trek offers a true experience of unspoiled remote villages in the border province of Lao Cai. Begin at Lao Cai and trek along the Chinese border to Muong Khuong Valley through remote H’Mong, Tay and Nung ethnic minority villages. Ascend to Can Cau and Bac Ha to observe colourful Saturday and Sunday markets, the most vibrant in the province, where hundreds of hill tribe people from different groups gather to exchange their wares...

Day 01: Arrive Hanoi.

Upon arrival at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, you will be greeted by Lotussia Travel guide, driver and escorted to your hotel in town. Check-in hotel and stay free at leisure (check in time from 12h00). Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 02: Hanoi full day sightseeing tour. Hanoi – Laocai.

Breakfast at hotel. Then we will have a full day tour of Vietnam's capital, Hanoi. Hanoi is a unique city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental temples. The city tour includes such sights as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature – The first National University of Vietnam.

In the afternoon, continue our tour with the Ethnology museum where you can find the biggest object collection of 54 Vietnamese ethnic groups. In the evening, transfer to Hanoi Railways Station for overnight train to Lao Cai.

Day 03: Lao cai – Lung Khau Nhin – Khau Vang.

Arrival in Laocai station around 6 am. After breakfast & short rest in Lao Cai we have a jeep transfer to Muong Khuong local villages, verdant and rugged mountains along the Nam Thi River. After 2 hours, arrive Thanh Binh village, about the region and expedition. Head southeast to Lung Khau Nhin via Na Phin, Na Nam va Chung Chai vilagge, friendly H’mong and Nung people. After lunch in the shade, go to Khau vang village. Overnight in stilts house.

Day 04: Khau vang – La Cap – Ban me.

Gentle descent on the single track and dirt roads through forest and remote villages, guide will point out rare points of interest, traditional customs. After 3 hours hiking, we cross the Chay River, stop for lunch, rest of the day on the rugged terrain to Me Village (Nung). Sleep in the tents or in the local school.

Day 05: Ban me – Quan Than San.

Following breakfast, trekking through the rugged terrain past rice paddies, local villages. Be prepare to get wet – some streams, have picnic lunch, quite trails to our final points. After 3 hours on the trial, the tiny village Quan Than San, H’mong people. Dinner and overnight in the village.

Day 06: Quan Than San – La Kheo.

Mixture of ups and downs throughout the day, challenging climbs, exceptional views of Thang Sin mountain, distant H’mong villages, trek to Ngai Cho village for about 8 km through remote village, spectacular terrain to Thai Giang Pho village. After lunch in the shape then downhill to La kheo homestay.

Day 07: La Kheo – Bac Ha sunday Market

After breakfast you start trekking 2 hours to Bac Ha where has the most colorful market in North Vietnam. Every Sunday, the different and colorful authentic minority come all here to sell their handmade products to buy something for family. They are H’mong, Phu La, Black dao, Tay, Nung minorities. At the market, you have chance to enjoy BacHa people's simple but unique kinds of food with special wines made from rice, cassavas, corn and different sorts of fruits such as plumps, apples, peaches...

In the afternoon, we take a short walk to Thai Giang Pho village, inhabited by Nung people. Nung villages are always set up at the foot of a mountaint or along a stream and named after a mountaint. Stop by a tradition Nung house for a cup of tea before come back to Bac ha. Overnight in Bac Ha.

Day 08: Nam Mon – Trung Do – Lao Cai – Hanoi.

Say goodbye to Bac ha. We drive downhill towards Lao cai for half an hour. We stop on the way (before reaching Lao Cai) to take a short walk to Trung Do village inhabited by Tay people. Tay villages are always set up at the foot of mountain or along the stream and are named after a mountain, a field, or a river. Each village contains about 15-20 households. A large village is divided into many small hamlets. The house are built on stilts or level with ground. Stop by a traditional Tay house for a cup of tea. After lunch taking a boat cruise upstream the Chay River. The scienery is very beautiful on both sides of the river. The boat trip will end at Coc Ly where your vehicle will be waiting for you for the journey back to Lao Cai station then go to Hanoi by night train. Overnight on train.

Day 09: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay.

Early morning arrive in Hanoi station. Transfer to a local restaurant for early breakfast and a short rest before driving to Halong Bay. Named as eighth wonder of the world, the bay covers an area of 1550 km2 where spread of nearly 3000 islands, formed like rocky limestone and are scattered strangely from the emerald water. We will take sea cruise around Halong to explore the caves, island and have lunch with a delicious local sea food served on the board. In the afternoon, enjoy swimming or kayaking for about 1 hour (kayaks are not included in the package price). Overnight on board.

Day 10: Halong Bay – Hanoi

Continue our cruise in Halong bay. Brunch will be served on board while the boat is going back to shore. Arrive at Ha long wharf about 11h00 and take our car for the journey back to Hanoi. Free lunch in town and stay free in the afternoon for your personal discovery. Overnight in Hanoi

Day 11: Departure

After breakfast, transfer to Noi Bai airport for your onward flight back home. End tour.

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