Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi
Arrival at Noi Bai airport (Hanoi) via flight ???. You'll be greeted at the airport by Lotussia local guide and driver and then escorted to your hotel in town. Check-in hotel and stay free at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi full day tour (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Then we will have a half 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 to visit the Ethnology museum where you can find the biggest object collection of 54 Vietnamese ethnic groups. In the evening, attend to the water puppet show, one of famous Vietnamese traditional art. Overnight in Ha Noi.
Day 3: Hanoi - Ninhbinh
After breakfast, depart for Tam Coc, Ninh Binh where we will take a half hour bike through local village and rice paddy field before taking a 2-hour boat trip along the Boi river. The river trip in Thung Nang is wonderful for photo hunters, especially when local people come to harvest the water rice planted along the river, or when they transplant some seedling for the next crops. After the boat trip, we can make a visit Bich Dong Pagoda. Transfer then to your hotel in Ninh Binh town for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Ninhbinh - Maichau
Transfer to Kenh Ga – “The Chicken Canal” for another boat trip along the Hoang Long river to experience the real life of a Vietnamese catholic community. Set on the banks of the Hoang Long River, Kenh Ga is a remarkable place, not only because it is surrounded by the same massive rocks that dominate Hoa Lu, but also because for most of the year the entire community lives on the water itself. The floating village of Kenh Ga receives relatively few visitors compared to nearby Hoa Lu and the peoples' aquatic way of life has changed little over the centuries.
After the boat trip, continue our journey to Mai Chau valley where we stop for overnight. In the evening, assist to the traditional music and dance show which is performed by the Thai young girls and boys who all come from the village. Try also some rice alcohol which is made of traditional plants and local sticky rice. Overnight on stilt-house.
Day 5: Maichau - Hanoi - Laocai
Breakfast at the Thai stilt house then we leave the village for a half day walking around. We will pass many different Thai hamlets, through rice fields, hill sides…We will stop by some local houses to talk with local people to understand their customs and culture. After lunch, we will take our journey back to Hanoi. Stay free at leisure until take the night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on the train.
Day 6: Laocai – Caoson (This day must be Wednesday or Thursday) (B)
Arrive in Lao Cai Railway station early morning. You will be welcome by Lotussia local guide and driver then transferred to a local restaurant in Lao Cai city for breakfast and short rest before proceeding to Cao Son region. Stop en route for photos. You will join the Cao Son trekking stream of people from Lung Khau Nhin and some nearby villages heading to Cao Son. Free to discover the market with our tour guide. Heading for the lunch in Cao Son Ecolodge. In the afternoon, visit the primitive forest in La Pan Tan commune. Back to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Caoson – Sapa (B)
After breakfast, transfer to Sapa. We will arrive in Sapa around noon. Check-in hotel and have lunch in town. In the afternoon, there will be a walking tour to the hill tribe villages of Cat Cat, home to the H'mong hill tribes minority peoples. As we walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa, we will meet some of the local people on their way to and from Sapa. Here we have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families that live in the area. Overnight in Sapa.
Day 8: Sapa - Mongsen - Taphin - Laocai – Hanoi (B,L)
After breakfast, we will travel by car downhill to Mong Sen where we starting a dirt trail through rice fields and villages. Enjoy spectacular view along the way. Your picnic lunch will be provided on spot.
After lunch, we continue our trek downhill towards Taphin village inhabited by Red Dao and Black Hmong minorities. These are two largest ethnic groups living in Sapa area. Stop by some house to meet local people and talk with them to understand their culture, customs and traditions. Late afternoon, we will trek back to to main road to get on our vehicle for the journey to Laocai railways station for the night train back to Hanoi. Overnight on the train.
Day 9: Arrive Hanoi. Hanoi – Halong (B,L,D)
Arrive in Hanoi in the early morning, transfer to the Morning Flower Market for a short visit before departing to Halong Bay. Breakfast will be served in a local restaurant en route. 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 Bai Tho traditional sailing junk (or similar 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 or take a kayaking trip to explore the Bay (optional). Watch the sun set over the bay whilst enjoying a delicious dinner. Overnight on board junk.
Day 10: Halong – Hanoi (B)
Wake up to fresh coffee and a wholesome breakfast before cruising back to Halong City. En route the junk weaves through strange-shaped rock formations that invite comparisons from fighting cocks to dragons. Disembark at the dock at Halong City. Transfer back to Hanoi.
Enjoy a short cyclo excursion through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sales at these places. Overnight in Ha Noi.
Day 11: Departure (B)
Breakfast at hotel then transfer to Noibai airport for onward flight back home. End tour.
| Kindly note that Lotussia Travel is specialized in private customized trips and the above itinerary is only one suggestion. That can be flexible, customizable and subject to weather conditions and other circumstances. If you have any ideas, suggestions or comments, please feel free to contac us at any time here. |
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