| ITINERARY: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Day 01: | Good morning Hanoi | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Welcome to Hanoi, we will meet you at the airport and take you to
your hotel for check-in. Today is free at your leisure to rest or
explore, discovering your own first impressions of Vietnam (depending on
what time you arrive). Overnight in Hanoi.
Services included: Transfer, hotel. |
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| Day 02: | Hanoi city tour – Vietnam cyclo, night train to Lao Cai. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depart at 8:00 am from your hotel by van. We will begin our day by
visiting Uncle Ho at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and residential grounds
learning about his great life. Next stop is the nearby Temple of
Literature, the site of Vietnam's first University. Here we will also
have a chance to see a traditional music performance. Lunch will be
served at a local restaurant for a taste of authentic Hanoi Pho (noodle
soup). In the afternoon, choose from one of the numerous museums or
temples around Hanoi (Museum of Ethnology, Women's Museum, History
Museum or Quan Thanh Temple).
In the late afternoon, take a cyclo trip around Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi's fascinating Old Quarter. This is your chance to be in the midst of typical Hanoian life and Vietnamese culture. We finish our relaxing but informative day by attending a Water Puppet Show - a favorite experience for all visitors to Vietnam. We can help you to get back to your hotel if you wish, but often our guests would rather just spend the evening enjoying a drink with a view of the city. Tour finishes at about 4:30 pm. Dinner on your own. At 8:30 pm transfer from a prearranged meeting spot to the station for your night train to Sapa. Boarding is at around 9:50 pm. You will be in shared AC soft sleeper cabin to travel North to Lao Cai town.
Services included: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, lunch, puppet show ticket, Vietnam cyclo, train ticket.
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| Day 03: | Hanoi - Lao Cai - Sapa, trek to Ta Phin (~ 14 km) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The train arrives at about 6:00 am. EasternSun Travel” sign when
you exit the train station, as our guide will pick you up there. Take a
morning drive through the clouds by car / van to Sapa, about 1.5 hours.
When you arrive in Sapa you will be taken to a local restaurant for a
morning shower, breakfast, a short rest and some last preparations
before our inspiring trek. We will then take short ride from Sapa to our trekking base. Our trek through the terraced valleys, up and down hills will take about 5 to 6 hours. We will pass rice paddies, bamboo forests, and minority villages. Lunch break along the way depending on our pace. When we arrive in Taphin village, our Dao host family will welcome us to their home where we will share in an ethnic style dinner and stay the night. Services included: Transfer, guide, train ticket, entrance fee, all meals, permit, homestay. |
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| Day 04: | More in Ta Phin and back to Sapa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
At the first gleam of daylight, you will see and hear the sounds of
morning village life. You can join your host family in some of their
morning activities like feeding the animals, cleaning the houses,
gardening or preparing breakfast. After breakfast, we can take a short
wander around the village or spend more time enjoying the view and
company at the homestay.
You will be then supported by our car / van back to Sapa (30 minutes). When we arrive back in Sapa, check into the hotel, shower, and pause for lunch on your own. At 2:30 pm we will take an easy 5 km walk to Cat Cat village, home of Black H’mong hill tribe, and to take part in a traditional ethnic music performance put on by the ethnic minority people. Dinner and the evening on your own. Overnight in the hotel in Sapa. Services included: Breakfast, transfer, guide, entrance fee, music show ticket, hotel. |
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| Day 05: | Bac Ha market then Lao Cai for night train to Hanoi | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday is a common market day for many tribes in Northwest Vietnam
and Bac Ha has become renowned for its colourfulness. The market is
packed different ethnic minorities coming from different villages. Their
vibrant trading activities last from early morning till midday. Look
for hand-made fabrics, the black smithing area, as well as the buffalo
zone.
We will leave Sapa early by 7:00 am so that we can be there on time. Please pay respect to the locals here and ask permission before you taking a photo of anyone. Lunch in Bac Ha on your own account then we will leave for a boat trip along the Chay river, The boat ride is about 1.5 hours. Return to Lao Cai near the train station. Dinner on your own well before the train leaves for Hanoi. Services included: Transfer, guide, breakfast, entrance fee, local boat, train ticket. |
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| Day 06: | Hanoi – Ha Long, welcome on the boat | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arrival in Hanoi in the early morning at around 5:00 am. Please
find your way on foot back to a mini hotel near the Tran Quy Cap train
station gate to have shower and a basic set menu breakfast. Departure for Halon Bay is around 8:00 am on a shared van from your hotel. The drive takes 4 hours driving passing through the Vietnam countryside and rice paddy-life. Arriving at the port around noon, the junk's crew welcome guests on board. Check-in, enjoy a welcome drink & attend the cruise briefing. Fresh, local seafood lunch while cruising on to Bai Tu Long Bay. Stop for swimming, visit mysterious Thien Canh cave, Relax at a secluded beach, and kayak to explore the bay up close. Back on the junk to enjoy a relaxing sunset. Dinner and overnight on board. Services included:Transfer, guide, entrances fees, kayak, boat / junk, breakfast, lunch, dinner, permit, fishing gear. |
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| Day 07: | Explore the tranquility in Bai Tu Long bay, night train to Hue | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Early risers can enjoy the sunrise and the quiet breath-taking
beauty of karst landscape. From 7:30 to 8:00 am have breakfast in the
fresh air, then visit Vong Vieng fishing village by a rustic row-boat.
Meet the locals, visit a floating school & fish farms. Later take
one more swim in the middle of the bay. There is ample time for the
11:45 am check-out from the cabin while cruising back. Lunch on the boat
as we slowly cruise back to port. We will be ashore then hit the road
back to Hanoi, arriving there around 4:00 pm.
Free time on your own until 6:00 pm, when we will pick you up from our office or your hotel for the night train to Hue. Boarding is at 7:00 pm. You will be in a shared AC soft sleeper cabin. Services included: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, boat / junk, breakfast, lunch, train ticket. |
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| Day 08: | Arrival Hue, city tour of Vietnam last feudal dynasty, boat trip | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arrival in Hue at around 10:00 am. Station pick up then transfer to
your hotel to take a shower and short rest. Have a late breakfast
before visiting the former Imperial Citadel. Lunch is next at a local
restaurant. In the afternoon we will visit the splendid royal tombs - we
will choose to visit only a few of the best as we have lots to do
today. After that we walk / transfer to the boat dock for our cruise on
the Perfume River. Viewing the city and the tranquil villages from the
vantage point is fantastic. We will walk up to visit the Thien Mu
pagoda, overlooking the Perfume River, and learn more about Buddhism in
Vietnam. Transfer back to your hotel at around 6:30 pm. Free time to
relax. Overnight at your hotel. Services included: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, breakfast, local boat, hotel. |
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| Day 09: | Hue, easy cycling – transfer to A Luoi, hill tribe homestay | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Breakfast at your hotel then we pick you up for your morning
cycling trip and visit to Vong Canh hill (a great spot for pictures).
Cycle and explore hidden charm of Hue's traditional, handicraft villages
and countryside as well as many historical sites for the Nguyen
Dynasty. Back to the hotel and lunch on your own account. In the afternoon, leave Hue city for A Luoi (~ 60 km). Along the way you can see the life and daily activities of the Katu and Ta Oi hill tribes. On arrival A Luoi town, you will visit Ashau village (a historical war site). Travel to a second village, named A Roang for some time relaxing and enjoying a local hot spring there. We'll check-in to our homestay at Aka Chi village then take some time to meet and learn about the local culture of the Ta Oi people. Have dinner and enjoy a traditional music show. Overnight in stilt-house homestay. Services included: Transfer, guide, bike, entrance fee, all meals, traditional music show, permit, homestay |
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| Day 10: | A Luoi to Hoi An | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wake up early morning to enjoy the fresh mountain air. Breakfast
will be served at our homestay. Check-out, then we take an easy walk
through the Aroang jungle (~ 3 hrs) to learn more about the rich fauna
and flora system here. Lunch at a local restaurant on the way toHoi An.
Overnight here. Tip: This is a very good chance for you to get great tailor-made clothes at reasonable prices. Hoi An is well known for its tailoring. Services included: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, breakfast, lunch, hotel |
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| Day 11: | Hoi An - walking tour. Visit Tra Que vegetable village | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The center of Vietnam has many World Heritage Sites, and Hoi An is
one of them. This ancient town of Hoi An, 30 km south of Danang, lies on
the banks of the Thu Bon River. At 9:00 am your guide will pick you up at your hotel. Walk around the townand visit the charming, cultural town of Hoi An. We will visit the old Tan Ky House, the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, and the stylish Phuc Kien Assembly Hall.After that, we take a bicycle trip to the Hoi An countryside for more enjoyment at Tra Que vegetable village. Walk around learning about the local people's gardening ways. Back to hotel in the late afternoon. Free time to relax and discover other corners of Hoi An town on your own. Overnight at your hotel. Services included: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, hotel. |
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| Day 12: | Hoi An – Danang, fly to Saigon, Cuchi tunnels and city tour | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Breakfast at the hotel then transfer to the airport in Danang for
an early morning flight to Saigon. Airport pick up and then straight to
theCu Chi outdoor museum to learn about the infamous tunnel systems of
the Viet Cong. Take this opportunity to get a unique understanding of
the guerillas underground fighting strategies during the war. Crawl
through 50 to 100 meters of the 200 km tunnel system if you dare. On the
way back to Saigon visit a local rice paper workshops and take in views
of the Vietnam countryside. Back in Saigon, we continue our trip to visit the War Remnants Museum, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the historic Central Post Office. Drop you off at your hotel around 5:30 pm. Dinner on your own and stay overnight at your hotel. Services included: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, breakfast, domestic flight ticket, hotel. |
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| Day 13: | Saigon – Cai Be – Vinh Long – Can Tho (easy cycling & homestay) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8.00 am departure for Cai Be (2.5 hrs). On arrival, we board a boat
to experience the floating market, mighty mekong river and Dong Phu
Island. A short one hour warm up on our bikes under the green canopy,
explore the orchards and daily life of the Mekong farmers. Lunch break
on the island then back on the boat to Vinh Long. In the afternoon we are back on the bikes riding by immense rice fields and through numerous rural riverside villages before reaching our homestay. We are welcomed by our host family. Take some time to relax under in the garden. Dinner will be served with local special dishes. Overnight here. Services included:Transfer, guide, bikes, entrance fee, local boat, seasonal fruit, all meals, homestay. |
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| Day 14: | Can Tho - Saigon | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The sounds of morning village life might wake you up early. Join
your host family in some of their activities like cleaning the house,
gardening or preparing breakfast. After breakfast we take a morning boat
trip to the caotic Cai Rang Floating Market and up a quiet canal for
more cruising on winding. Later we are back on the bikes cycling
backcountry roads (2 hrs) enjoying the beautiful Mekong Delta scenery
and meeting the locals (many on bicycle too).
After lunch in a local restaurant in Can Tho town, we head back to Saigon. Services included: Transfer, guide, bikes, entrance fee, local boat, breakfast and lunch. |
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| Day 15: | Departure Saigon, Goodbye Vietnam | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Breakfast at hotel. Depending on your flight you may have some more
time for shopping. Then we will transfer you to the airport for your
flight home. Goodbye, and hope to see you again soon! Services included: Transfer, guide, breakfast. |
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| Tour Cost | In USD/ Person - Applied up to 31 Dec 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Excluded:
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+ Surcharge for peak season (Public holiday) at Deluxe and Luxury hotels mentioned
+ Gala dinner on 24 and 31 Dec 2012 + Personal expenses, Drinks, telephone, laundry, tips + Airfare, Vietnam visa, airport taxes - paying at airport check in desks. + Payment services charge by credit card or bank transfer + Other services not mentioned in the itinerary. |
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Note:
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| + You can adjust the itinerary based on your interested + As there are some domestic flight tickets, we need you full names to check and keep the flight available in advance once you final the itinerary. + Room types at hotel should be informed with twin bed or double bed. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
