Hanoi To Sapa Trekking In Vietnam

All guests are warmly welcomed upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport by our local guide then transfer to check in the hotel. Dinner will be served at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi

This morning you will explore Hanoi city to visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed on Monday, Friday and during the entire months of September & October) and his former residence with Humble House on Stilts, One-Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, known as the first university of Vietnam and built more than 1,000 years ago. Lunch will be served at local restaurant. Note: During the closure of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum on Every Monday & Friday and whole month of September, October, Tran Quoc Pagoda shall be replaced Afternoon you will enjoy the journey of 15 km from Hanoi city center to Bat Trang Ceramic Village, the center of traditional “An Nam” ceramic. Stop-off at the village is an interesting mixture between watching the real production of ceramics and walking around for some light but fine and sophisticated porcelain. You can find in a factory the workmen mixing clay or dipping burnt vases into glaze to highlight their crackled lines, the painting masters, usually young girls with dexterous hands drawing on raw terracotta before they are heated at 900oC to 1,700oC ovens, taking inspiring pictures of coal-dust bakes pasted on the village’s walls. Daily life of the village with a small exciting market and the wharf at the Red River where the products shipped are also very fascinating. Return to Hanoi City center Around 20:00 hrs you will be transferred to Hanoi Railway Station. Overnight train trip to Lao Cai in superior 4-berth compartments sharing with other passengers. Train departs at approximately 21:50 hrs. Notes: Train schedule is subject to change. Private compartments on request at surcharge. Train journeys are part of a great local experience. Cabins are shared with other local passengers (unless private cabin is requested and all berths paid for – with supplement). Restrooms at either end of the carriages complete the local experience.

Early morning (approximately 06:30 hrs) arrival at Lao Cai, the border town to Yunnan, China. The journey starts with a 38 km drive on winding roads up the mountains to Sapa, located approx. 1,500 m above sea level. On clear days you can see the highest mountain of Vietnam, the Fansipan. After breakfast local restaurant, drive from Sapa town down to Lao Chai village. Views of the Muong Hoa Valley and magnificent surroundings of mountains and rice terrace fields can be seen from this road. Along the road, people from many ethnic minority groups (H’mong, Zay, and Red Dao) are likely to be met, and there are stalls along the way that serve tea, fruits and sweets. Soon after turning off the main road and taking a local path, we will arrive in the Black H’mong village of Lao Afterwards, we find our way down easily and it does not take us long as we climb up. Descending slowly and hike back to Du Village of the Dzao for another overnight. Chai, where you will experience the daily life of the villagers. Continue trekking from Lao Chai to Ta Van village, where the Zay hill tribes live. Here you take a rest and enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by your local guide in a local house. After lunch, continue trekking to the meeting point for your transfer back to Sapa town. The rest of the day is at leisure. Discover Sapa town on your own, its bustling market, the colourful dresses of the ethnic people, tea and coffee shops as well as the local life in this mountain town. Overnight at hotel in Sapa.

Enjoy a full day of trekking. Visit Suoi Ho village with tea plantations and cardamom gardens. Follow the buffalo trails to visit the hospitable villages of the Black Hmong minority people in Ma Tra. After passing a school and scenic views en route, a picnic lunch will be served. After lunch, continue trekking to Ta Phin village where you will meet Red Dao people who are famous for their weaving skills. Proceed to the meeting point and transfer back to Sapa. After a short rest (time permitting), transfer to Lao Cai railway Station where you will board the overnight train to Hanoi at around 20:15 hrs (shared sleeping compartments, sharing with other passengers in 2 lower & 2 upper berths per compartment). Notes: Train schedule is subject to change. Private compartments on request at surcharge. Train journeys are part of a great local experience. Cabins are shared with other local passengers (unless private cabin is requested and all berths paid for – with supplement). Restrooms at either end of the carriages complete the local experience.

Arrive in Hanoi early this morning, pick up from the train station and transfer to the local 3 star hotel for breakfast, shower and freshen up before proceed to Halong Bay (165 km east of Hanoi) – a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty, you will experience a rural area dotted with villages, rice fields and farms providing the many parts of the nation with rice, fruits and vegetables. Short rest stop en route, you will reach Halong city after 3.5 12:00: Arrive at Tuan Chau Wharf 12h00 – 12h30 Embark on the Cruise followed by a short cruise briefing. 13h00 – 15h30 Savor a delectable Seafood lunch on the cruise among the limestone islands. 15h30 – 16h30 Kayak among the hidden areas of the bay, around the Luon Cave area. Back to the V’Spirit Classic 16h30 – 17h30 Cruising to Soi Sim island. Go swimming and relaxing at the beach of Soi Sim or climb up to the top of the island for a panorama view of Halong Bay. 17h30 Cruise back to the main boat for a shower. Relax or snap photos as the sun starts to set. 19h00 Seafood dinner is served. Socialize with other guests, fish for squid, or just laze around. Overnight on board.

06h30 – 07h00 Start your day with Tai Chi exercises or a photo hunt. 07h30 – 08h30 Have breakfast at sunrise. 08h30 – 09h30 Explore the amazing Sung Sot Cave – the nicest cave in Halong Bay. 09h30 Return to the boat. Freshen up and check out of your cabin. 09h30 – 10h30 Continue your cruise exploring the Bay, passing Ba Hang fishing village, Dog Islet, and more. 10h30 – 11h30 While heading back to the harbor, watch the cooking demonstration before enjoying Seafood lunch. 12h00 – 12h30 Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi, short rest at Dai Viet or Hong Ngoc or ABC shopping en route back. CRUISE INCLUSION Welcome Drinks Cruise Itinerary and Program Entrance and Sightseeing Fees English-speaking Tour Guide Deluxe Cabins and A/C and en-suite Bathrooms Vietnamese and International Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Kayaking Insurance, Taxes and Service Charges Arrival Hanoi, you will explore the famous Hanoi old quarter on 36 streets & enjoy your shopping before enjoy a performance of the famous water puppet show. The Vietnamese traditional art of water puppetry has roots that date back to the 10th century when it originated in the Red River Delta area of northern Vietnam. The farmers in the region celebrated festivals and harvests by performing this unique art form. Learning to manipulate the puppets is usually a tradition that is passed on as a family secret. It takes a great deal of skill and because the puppeteer’s hands are underwater, it is easy for them to hide their methods. The fascinating part is that the central stage is below the water line, and the puppeteers stand in the waist-deep water. A rattan curtain hides them, but they can see the stage and the audience through the bamboo slats. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Free at your own leisure until transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for your international flight home. We hope you had an exciting holiday with us. Making it an affair to remember!