Vietnam tours: Northern Highlights December 26, 2007

Hanoi - Halong Bay - Sapa - Hanoi
10 day tour with cruise, kayak, trek and home stay
Grade: Introductory
From US$ 466 per person

Northern Vietnam is a captivating blend of stunning landscapes, enchanting people and dynamic cities. Capture the spirit of the north in this quick-paced adventure from the delightful city of Hanoi to the amazing World Heritage Site of Halong Bay and to the hill station of Sapa. The tour offers a great opportunity to explore the unique culture and beautiful nature of northern Vietnam in an active way.
Highlights

City tour of Hanoi
Kayaking in the amazing Halong Bay
Trek & home-stay in Sapa
Inclusion:

AC vehicle as in the itinerary
Overnight train two way to Lao Cai
Hotels based on twin shared
Twin shared AC cabin on junk
Water puppet show
Kayak
Home stay permission
English or French speaking guide
Meals as indicated in the itinerary
Water & Snack
Entrance & Sightseeing fees
Exclusion:

Travel insurance
Visa
Tips
Personal expenses
Note: The above prices are based on 3-star hotel category. Please contact us if you prefer higher hotel categories.

Itinerary at a glance

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi
Day 2: City tour of Hanoi
Day 3: Kayaking Halong Bay
Day 4: Kayaking Halong Bay
Day 5: Cruise/drive back to Hanoi. Overnight train to Lao Cai
Day 6: Trek in Sapa
Day 7: Trek and home stay in Sapa
Day 8: Overnight train back to Hanoi
Day 9: Free time
Day 10: Departure
DETAILED ITINERARY Download FREE Brochure Print it


Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi

Arrival in Noi Bai airport. You’ll be greeted at the airport and transferred downtown to check into your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to explore a little of downtown and enjoy a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake.

In the evening, enjoy a special Water Puppet show and have welcome dinner with local delights. Overnight Hanoi.

Summary
Transfer: 45 mins
Transportation: AC vehicle
Activities: Water puppet show
Meal: Welcome Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Day 2: City tour of Hanoi

After breakfast in the hotel you will take an interesting guided city tour of Hanoi including Ho Chi Minh complex (the mausoleum, the house & garden and the museum) and One Pillar Pagoda, a unique ancient architecture. After here we move to Temple of Literature, the site of Vietnam’s first university, dates back to 1070. Its peaceful gardens and pavilions offer a relaxing respite from Hanoi’s busy streets. Lunch in local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we enjoy a relaxing cyclo tour in the ancient part of Hanoi. Walking down some small and lively street to see busy local market then join locals for green tea or coffee in local café. Free time for shopping. Overnight in Hanoi

“Cyclo is three wheeled rickshaws, operated by pedal-power, with a seat attached to the front.

Summary
Activities: Full-day city tour
Transportation: AC vehicle
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Day 3: Kayaking Halong Bay

Leave Hanoi for Halong Bay at 8.30am.
On the way we will have a short break for refreshment at a handicraft centre. Upon arrival in Halong City we board a wooden boat for a fine seafood lunch and a short cruise to Thien Cung Cave. After a short exploration of the cave we start our kayaking time paddling through an amazing area of limestone islets. We will pass a floating village to reach Luon Cave, which is a tunnel thrusting through a mountain. Paddling through the tunnel to explore a beautiful secluded lagoon. We will meet the mother boat, a junk in Chinese style, in front of the cave. Aboard the junk for dinner and overnight in AC, private cabin.

Summary
Transfer Hanoi – Halong: 3.5 hrs
Transportation: AC vehicle, Boat, Kayak
Activities: Kayaking 2.5 hrs, Cruising
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Twin shared cabin

Day 4: Kayaking Halong Bay

After breakfast we start paddling to Van Chai Floating village and then continue paddling to Dark Cave. Tide permitting, we explore this amazing cave by kayak. The cave is a 200m long, dark tunnel thrusting through a limestone mountain. The tunnel is the only entry to a secluded and beautiful lagoon. Lunch on support boat in front of the cave. After lunch we paddle to Ba Trai Dao Lagoon, along a stunning and fairly rough sea channel, to explore its beautiful beaches. Continue paddling to Lan Ha Bay, which is smaller than Halong bay but much more interesting with lots of secluded beaches. Cruise back to Halong Bay for dinner and overnight on mother boat

Summary
Activities: 5 hr kayaking
Transportation: Boat, Kayak
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Twin shared cabin

Day 5: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Take overnight train to Lao Cai

Breakfast on the junk and enjoy the sundeck of the junk while she navigates amazing rock formations of Bai Tu Long Bay to get back to Halong City. Lunch on the junk before reach Halong Harbor for a drive back to Hanoi. On the way back to Hanoi we will have a stop in Dong Trieu Town for refreshment and visiting to a ceramic factory.

Arrive in Hanoi we then have time to shop around the Old Quarter and have dinner before being transferred to Hanoi Railway station to catch the night train to Lao Cai (9.30pm – 5.30am). Overnight on train

Summary
Transfer Halong – Hanoi: 3.5 hrs
Transportation: AC vehicle, Junk, Overnight train
Activities: Sightseeing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: AC, soft sleeper cabin on train

Day 6: Trekking Sapa

Arrival in Lao Cai and take a 1.5 hour drive up the stunning mountain range sculpted with tiered rice terraces to the charming little town of Sa Pa, which nestles at 1632 meters. Lots of sightseeing en route. After checking into your hotel you'll have free time to explore the town and its great market.

After a lunch of Vietnamese food in a local restaurant you’ll take a 3 hour trek down the valley to visit a H’mong hill tribe village. Return to Sapa and overnight in hotel.

Summary
Transfer Lao Cai – Sapa: 1.5 hrs
Transportation: Bus (or van), On foot
Activities: 3-hr easy trek
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 7: Trekking & home-stay

After breakfast you begin your trek around 9am. You first descend the valley on tarmac then hit a beautiful dirt path which runs through rice terraces and minority villages. You will have a break in Lao Chai Village to visit the local H'mong minority group. You’ll stop beside a stream and enjoy a picnic lunch. After lunch you continue trekking to Ta Van village, home of the Dzay hill tribe. You will spend to night with a Dzay family. Your dinner will be cooked by your local guide and the hosts.

Summary
Transportation: On foot
Activities: 5-hr intermediate trek
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Home-stay

Day 8: Sapa – Lao Cai – Overnight train to Hanoi

Breakfast at the home stay. We say goodbye to the hosts and head to the main road where you will be transferred back to Sapa town. Lunch in local restaurant and then spend the rest of the day for shopping or walking the beautiful Ham Rong Park. In the late afternoon you will be transferred to Lao Cai for overnight train back to Hanoi.

Summary
Transfer village – Sapa: 35 mins
Transfer Sapa – Lao Cai: 1.5 hrs
Transportation: Bus (or van)
Activities: Sightseeing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: AC, soft sleeper cabin on train

Day 9 Free day in Hanoi

Arrive in Ha Noi 4.30 am. Check into your hotel. You’ll welcome this free day to relax and recover from you journey north. Lots of time to explore more of Ha Noi and pick up some of those last minute souvenirs. Overnight in hotel

Summary
Activities: Free time
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 10: Departure

Breakfast and free until you are transferred to the airport for the flight to onward destination.

Summary
Transfer Hanoi – Airport: 45 mins
Transportation: AC vehicle
Meals: Breakfast

Official Website: http://www.activetravelvietnam.com/tour.php?op=detail&tourId=28