Day 1: Hanoi
Our
representative/tour guide will meet and greet you at the
airport. Drive to your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi
- Sapa (Meals: B)
Enjoy
5 hour sightseeing tours to visit the city's landmarks such as
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, The Temple of
Literature (First University built in the 11 Century), Hanoi
Hilton Museum. Free walking around Hanoi old quarter for
shopping and short visit Dong Xuan market. Enjoy 1 hour cyclo
tours around the Hanoi City's old quarters and the traditional
water puppetry show. At 22:00, we go to Hanoi train station to
board overnight train to Sapa.
Day 3: Lao Cai - Sapa - Trek & Topas Ecolodge (Meals: B,
L, D)
The train arrives at Lao Cai station approx at 05h30.
Here you will take the Topas Shuttle bus to Sapa, where you
enjoy your breakfast at a local restaurant. At 9h00, you
will commence your journey from Sapa by car to Lao Chai
village, a Black H'mong ethnic minority village. You will
then be able to walk from Lao Chai to Ta Van village where
the Giay ethnic minority hill tribe lives. Here you will be
able to rest and enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by your
guide in a local house. After lunch the walk continues
through a bamboo forest to Giang Ta Chai; a Red Dao ethnic
minority village. After taking a rest near a waterfall to
refresh, you start climbing uphill to a road where the car
is waiting to transfer you to Topas Ecolodge. You check in
to your bungalow and enjoy the view into the valley and
dotted mountain surroundings.
Day 4: Trek & Topas Ecolodge (Meals: B, L, D)
At 9h00, you will commence the walk today by following
the road for a while before turning on a small trail running
downhill toward a suspension bridge at the bottom of the
valley set over the long beautiful river. The walk is
through the rice paddy terraces, hill sides and you have
many opportunities to enjoy the magnificent valley views and
encounter animals like water buffalos, goats or mountain
pigs, which belong to the nearby Tay and Red Dao minorities,
but are living their wide life. At noon you will cross the
suspension bridge and enjoy lunch in a Tay minority stilt
house. After lunch, you will follow another trail along the
river towards the Ban Ho village, also inhabited by Tay
ethnic minority. If the weather permits, you can walk to a
small waterfall near the village, where it is possible to
swim. Ban Ho is situated in the large picturesque valley
beneath Topas Ecolodge. Here you will experience the daily
activities of the villagers before being transferred back to
Topas Ecolodge.
*** Note: Trekking & Hiking in day 3 & day 4 can be replaced by biking upon request
Day 5: Ban Ho - Sapa (Meals: B, L, D)
The morning is at your leisure at Topas Ecolodge. At
11h30 our car will transfer you back to Sapa. The afternoon
is at your leisure to wander the town. Stay overnight at
hotel in Sapa.
Day 6: Sapa - Lao Cai - Hanoi (Meals: B, L)
An early start departing Sapa as we again past the
frontier town of Lao Cai and head for hills towards the
east. We visit the lively and colorful markets (held on Wed,
Sat or Sunday). Here we see many ethnic minority groups, but
the dominant are the aptly named Flower H'mong. All these
ethnic minority tribes wear their distinct costumes and come
into town to trade on this one day of the week. Returning to
Lao Cai, we catch the overnight sleeper train for an
eight-hour overnight journey back to Hanoi.
Day 7: Hanoi
- Halong
Bay
(Meals:
B, L, D)
Drive to Halong Bay. Embark on the cruise. Overnight on the
cruise.
Day
8:
Cruising
&
Kayaking
Halong
Bay
(Meals:
B, L, D)
Today we
will
spend
all day
kayaking
to
explore
the
Halong
Bay and
environs.
Overnight
on
board.
Day 9: Halong
Bay - Hanoi
- Hue (Meals: B, L, D)
Transferring
to the airport to catch evening flight to Hue. This quiet city
is widely known for the magnificent architecture of its
citadels, palaces, royal tombs, pagodas and temples built
under the Nguyen Dynasty.
Day 10: Hue
City
Tours
(Meals:
B, L, D)
Morning
touring to visit the royal mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc and the
beautiful Thien Mu Pagoda are not to be missed. We include
these in a guided cruise on the Perfume River, which also
gives us a taste of the tranquil countryside. Returning to
town, we then visit the Citadel and the Purple Forbidden City.
Stay overnight in Hue
Day 11: Hue
- Hoi An (Meals: B, L, D)
This
morning we embark on one of Vietnam's most spectacular road
trips by crossing over the Hai Van Pass, towards Danang. We
continue south to China Beach, enjoyed as an 'R & R' spot
during the Vietnam War, which lies against a backdrop of the
sensational Marble Mountains. We also visit these
‘mountains’, which consist of five peaks that are actually
limestone with marble outcrops and are seen to epitomise the
five elements: fire, water, earth, wood and metal. The history
of the mountains is a rich one. They were once used by the
Chams for religious purposes, but in more recent times became
a haven for the Viet Cong, with their clear view of the Danang
air base - at one time the busiest airport in the world. Good
footwear is essential, as the paths between the rocks are
sometime slippery. Our destination at the end of the day is
Hoi An. There are many street-side cafes and restaurants in
Hoi An - ideal places to finish off the day by sampling the
culinary delights of this town.
Day 12: Hoi
An (Meals: B, L, D)
Hoi
An was originally a Cham port town, but has been influenced
down the centuries by a myriad of traders from various
cultures. There is a distinctly Chinese appearance with
pagodas and assembly halls scattered along the small streets.
Hoi An was once a bustling port in centuries gone by before
the river silted up. Today much of it is a delightful
backwater town with an air of liveliness. The tranquility and
charm of this town with its low tiled houses makes it one of
the most delightful places to visit in Vietnam. It is a
constant favourite of our travelers and staff. A walking tour
takes us to see a historic house (formerly home to a prominent
trader), the Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese assembly hall
and a museum. During a free afternoon, you can enjoy a bicycle
ride in the countryside or relax at the nearby Cua Dai Beach.
Day 13:
Hoi An - Danang - Buon Ma Thuot (Meals: B, L, D)
Pick
up at airport in Buon Ma Thuot. Transfer to Lak Lake (1hour). Check-in and overnight at
Lak Resort.
Day
14:
Buon Ma Thuot - Rai village
(Meals: B, L, D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Crossing the lake by boat from Lak
Resort. Start trekking through the National Forest Reserve
of Lak Lake. Picnic en-route. Continue trekking to the
agricultural areas of the local, to the national road 27.
Car picks up guests back to Lak Resort. Enjoy the gong show
with the local people. Overnight at Lak Resort.
Day
15: Lak Lake - Draysap Waterfall (Meals:
B, L, D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Elephant riding across the lake and
dugout canoe on the lake. Drive to Buon Ma Thuot for lunch.
Visit Draysap and Dray Nur waterfalls. Start trekking from
Draysap to Gia Long waterfalls (7km). Back to the city.
Check-in and overnight at hotelin Buon Ma Thuot.
Day
16: Yokdon National Park (Meals: B, L, D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to YokDon National Park.
Crossing the Srepok river by boat. Start trekking to the
national forest. Picnic lunch at the cascade of Buddist. To
the ranger forest station 3, crossing back the river by
boat. Visit the ancient house of the Laotian, the bamboo
suspension bridge. Back to the city. Dinner and overnight at
hotel in Buon Ma Thuot.
Day
17: Buon Ma Thuot -
Dalat (Meals: B, L, D)
Breakfast
at the
hotel
and then
we will
leave
Buon Ma
Thuot
for
Dalat.
Sightseeing
on the
way.
Check-in
hotel
and then
you will
be at
leisure
for the
rest of
the day.
Overnight
at hotel
in
Dalat.
Day
18: Dalat Discovery Tours (Meals: B, L, D)
Option 1 (Kayaking): A trip to the Highlands wouldn't be complete without exploring the beautiful lakes in the region. Nothing beats the stunning views of mountains and forests from the serenity of Tuyen Lam Lake. Head deep into the jungle on small rivers and tributaries that feed into the lake. Our flat water kayaks offer the stability of a canoe and the speed of a more traditional kayak. Get out into areas that are accessible only by water and see some of the natural beauty and wildlife Vietnam has to offer. Back to hotel and stay overnight in Dalat City.
Option 2 (Biking & Kayaking): Stroll through the pine forest and hike to the top of Pinhatt Mountain (1,700 meters) for a view of beautiful Tuyen Lam lake. Enjoy a boat ride across the lake to visit Vietnam most beautiful pagoda. A good mix of pine forest, coffee plantations, and jungle on this trek. Moderate 4 hour walk with one strenuous uphill climb.
Day
19: Biking to Nha Trang (Meals: B, L, D)
This ride to Nha Trang starts with a 45 minute transfer 33 kilometers to the north east of Dalat on a new road and through the newest national park in Vietnam (Bidoup Nui Ba). It offers fantastic cycling in the highlands as well as down a 28 kilometer pass to the coast. The first section of the ride starts in pine forest and rolls through the hills with beautiful views of farms, countryside and Nui Ba Mountain. There is one final 3 kilometer climb to the top of the pass before some serious downhill. The 28 kilometer, uninterrupted downhill section is the longest section of continuous downhill we offer. After reaching the bottom of the pass we have a picnic style lunch by the side of the river. Faster riders may have lunch at the top of the pass before the downhill. The section of riding after lunch offers a beautiful sampling of country living in Vietnam, passing through small villages and farms. This section of riding, although pleasant, can be challenging as the hills roll continuously. Average riding distance is 70 kilometers with an option to ride more, or less. The support vehicle can be used at any time by tired riders and is used to also transport luggage and provisions.
Day
20: Nha Trang Countryside Tours (Meals: B,
L, D)
Cruising
down
river
and
enjoying
the
village
peaceful
life along the
banks of
Cai
River. The
trip
begins
with a
visit to
the Po
Nagar
Temples,
an
outstanding
example
of Cham
architecture,
situated
on Mount
Cu Lao
where
you can
have
panoramic
views of
the
surrounding.
From
here
board
the
riverboat
for the
leisurely
cruise
cruise
visiting
Cu Lao
Fish
market. Take
a horse
carriage
to visit
a wide
range of
local
handicrafts
in
production, you
can
enjoy
the
beautiful
scenery
that
unfolds
along
the
banks,
experience
and make
acquaintance
with
local
people
in their
natural
scenery
& daily
life. Next
stop will
be a
short
visit
to Pagoda
Orphanage
where it
shelters
and
cares
for over
120
abandoned,
orphaned
or
street
children.
We will
visit a
family
of local
people
and see
a
typical
Vietnamese
country
house in
the
countryside.
Transfer
you back
to the
city.
Overnight
at hotel
in Nha
Trang
Day
21: Nha Trang - Saigon (Meals: B, L, D)
Free
at leisure until transferring to airport to take flight to
Saigon - Vietnam's largest city has an exciting buzz as
millions of people rush around on their daily business. We'll
see the historic Reunification Palace and some great examples
of French colonial architecture from the comfort of a cyclo.
You will be free at the rest of day to make your own
exploration to discover the city. Overnight in Saigon.
Day
22:
Saigon -
Mekong
Delta
Day
23:
Mekong
Touring
- Saigon
Day
24: Saigon Departure (Meals: B)
Free
at leisure until transferring to Tan Son Nhat airport to take
departure flight onward. HOME SWEET HOME. End of service.
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