Mountains to the Sea

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:

• Soak up the atmosphere of the former colonial city of Hanoi. Explore Hanoi's Old Quarter by cyclo.
• Retreat to the French former hill station of Sapa, meet the friendly H’mong & Overnight in a hill tribe village.
• Cruise the tranquility of amazing Halong Bay, enjoy seafood banquets and Overnight on the calm waters.

⇒ Trip grade: Moderate (customizable)
⇒ Trip code: VS06 (private tour/ what is it?)
⇒ Trip duration:  8 days in Vietnam
⇒ Destinations: Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay
⇒ Meals included: 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches,  5 dinners (Allow extra Meal budget minimum $20US/per day)
⇒ Transport: Private Car, Bus,
⇒ Accommodation:  3 night in hotels, 1 night Sapa homestay, 1 night Halong Bay Junk Cruise, 2 night on AC sleeper train.
⇒ Tour guides: English speaking tour guides or other language speaking guides upon request.

TOUR INCLUDES:

• Accommodation based on twin shared room at selected hotels with daily breakfast
          Check-in time at all hotels is 14:00 and check-out time at all hotels is 12.00.
         Early check-in and late check-out is subject to availability with surcharge.
• Meals, drinks and other those mentioned in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner).
• Profestional English Speaking tour guide or other languages upon request.
• Tours and transfers as mentioned by private air-conditioned vehicle.
• Sightseeing fees and permits during guided time.
• Domestic trains; Hanoi – Sapa – Hanoi (economy class).

TOUR EXCLUDES:

• Travel Insurance (Compulsory).
• Other flight tickets.
• Visas and airport departure tax.
• Meals, drinks and other those mentioned in the itinerary.
• Laundry, telephone calls and expenditure of a personal nature.
• Tips and gratuities.

► Why Choose Indochina Pioneer

►What they say... (See more comments from some of our past travellers)

Susan Briggs from Melborne, Australia
I loved the buzz of Hanoi.  The overnight Train was an experience for me which I enjoyed. I have only wonderful things to say about my experience in Vietnam and treasured memories.I had a best trip ever. I think you – Indochin Pioneer did a wonderful job and right now I cantthink of anything.

Julie Connaughton Australia
The itinery allowed us to experience different facets of Vietnam and with the free time we had ,we could experiece a few adventures of our own. Hung our tour guide was a very warm, intellegent, happy and knowledeable leader who was proud of his beautiful  country. His ability to understand the needs of the individual on tour was outstanding. An experience not to be missed. Vietnam is a smorgasboard of sights,smells, sounds, and tastes. WOW!!!
 

Contact Person: Steven Quinn E-Mail: sales@indochinapioneer.com Call Us: +84 43715 3627 | Fax: +84 43715 3626 Customize this tour | Hotline: +84 983 145 799

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BRIEF ITINERARY:

Day 1 :   Hanoi arrival
Day 2 :   Hanoi City tour – Overnight train to Sapa
Day 3 :   Arrive in Sapa
Day 4 :   Sapa – Trek to local homestay
Day 5 :   Sapa – Overnight train to Hanoi
Day 6 :   Hanoi – Transfer to Halong Bay
Day 7 :   Halong Bay – Hanoi
Day 8 :   Departure day

DETAILED ITINERARY:

(N.B): Please note that all of our trip are privately designed. So that price includes the following hotels, activities, and transport, and visits to attractions are by private car and guide unless otherwise stated. Your guide will pick you up from lobby of your hotel in the morning. The guide will confirm the pick-up time the day before. If you prefer to start next day's trip earlier or a little later, please feel free to tell your guide.

Day1: Hanoi Arrival (D)
Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of today is at your leisure to rest and relax or enjoy the thrill of a cyclo (rickshaw) tour to explore the fascinating Old quarter and the charming Hoan Kiem (Sword Restored) Lake. Welcome dinner is in a local Vietnamese restaurant. Stay overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi City tour – Overnight train to Lao Cai (B)
Morning, we embark on a full day tour of Hanoi, a unique and beautiful city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental temples. Our tour includes Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum (closed Mondays and Fridays plus Oct-Nov), his former Presidential Palace and house on stilts. Also on this site is the historical One Pillar Pagoda built in 1049. Next we visit the Temple of Literature, regarded as the very first National University of Vietnam as well as the Temple of Confucius. We enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before continuing our tour with a visit to the interesting and informative Ethnology Museum to gain an overview of the fascinating ethnic diversity of Vietnam. End the day by visiting the Ngoc Son Temple and attending the traditional water puppet show. Tonight we are transferred from our hotel to Hanoi station to board the overnight train to Lao Cai.
Stay overnight on A/C train.

Day 3: Arrive in Lao Cai - Sapa (B, L, D)
Early this morning arrive in Lao Cai and transfer along the picturesque terraced hillsides to Sapa, home to some of Vietnam's most colourful ethnic groups. After breakfast, commence with a short hike down to the Black H'mong ethnic minority village of Cat Cat, nestled in a beautiful valley and surrounded by rice paddy fields and spectacular scenery, returning to Sapa for lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we take a short drive (45 minutes) to the Red Dao minority village of Ta Phin where we can mingle with the Red Zao minority group. The Zao women shave their hair and eyebrows and wear a large red turban often covered with old coins or jewellery. Take this unique opportunity to chat with them and purchase some of their wonderful handicrafts. Drive back to Sapa to spend the night.
Stay overnight in Sapa

Day 4: Sapa – Lao Chai – Ta Van (B, L, D)
Morning we bid a farewell to Sapa and commence our walk to Lao Chai. After 45 minutes walking on the main road we take a turning to a buffalo dirt trail and continue to trek until we reach the Village of Lao Chai – home to Black H’Mong minority, arriving around midday. We make a stop in a local restaurant on the riverside to enjoy our picnic lunch. In the afternoon, we proceed for a further hour and a half, through local villages, and eventually arrive at the charming village of Tavan, home to the hill tribe group, the Zay where we'll enjoy a home cooked dinner. Tonight we are provided with simple bedding as guests in a local home. (Today is about 5 hours of trekking)
Stay overnight in local home-stay.

Day 5: Ta Van – Giang Ta Chai – Sapa (B)
Morning we rise and say goodbye to our gracious host family and trek to the village of Giang Ta Chai passing through lush green bamboo forest along dirt trails to the picturesque terraces of rice paddy fields. Stop at a waterfall to meet the Red Zao people who gather here to sell their wonderful handicrafts. After a final haul uphill out of the valley we will arrive at the large concrete road to meet awaiting jeeps for transfer back to Sapa. Check into hotel day-use rooms for shower and refreshment. The rest of the day is free to explore the diversity and colour of Sapa and take advantage of the amazing shopping of local handicrafts. Late afternoon, we return to Lao Cai to board the overnight train back to Hanoi.
Stay overnight on A/C train.

Day 6: Hanoi – Halong (B, L, D)
On arrival in Hanoi early morning, our bus will pick us up for transfer directly to Halong Bay where we set sail through these spectacular surroundings while enjoying a delicious lunch. Take in the scenery of thousands of sculpted limestone islands rising from the sparkling blue waters like dragons' teeth. After lunch, cruise to the inside of the magical landscape of Dinh Huong Island, Ga Choi Island and Dog Island with a stop in the late afternoon to visit Sung Sot Cave. Enjoy a panoramic view of the bay from the top of the Titop Mountain before re-boarding our boat to enjoy dinner while watching the glow of the sunset make a spectacular end to the day. Stay overnight on junk boat

Day 7: Halong Bay - Hanoi (B, L, D)
Rise to the sound of the ocean coming to life for another lovely day. Watch the sun rise dramatically over the horizon as you enjoy an early buffet breakfast on board. We then take a bamboo row boat to discover mystical water tunnels with many coral reefs in a scenic lagoon. Return to the boat to check-out and have a light lunch before cruising back to the Halong dock for our scenic and interesting drive back to Hanoi. Upon arriving in Hanoi early afternoon, the rest of today is at your leisure to continue to explore the beauty of this bustling city before meeting for a farewell dinner.
Stay overnight in Hanoi.

Day 8: Hanoi Departure (B)
After breakfast you will have the chance to wander around Hanoi for your last minute shopping before transferring to the airport for your departure flight.

                                            Wishing you an Unforgetable Holiday in Vietnam!

This tour is private and can be well tailor-made to suite your travel needs. As a result the price is quoted in US dollars and per person basis. The final price will be privately quoted upon your own number of participants, time of travel, grade of hotel rooms and other detailed services. Please click on BOOK button and fill in the requested information then our travel consultant will customize the best value holiday for you. Thank you!
 

♦ REMARKS:

1. We are aware that a good tour must have good hotels. In Indochina particularly, hotel price makes up most of the cost of your holiday in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. All of our prices are calculated upon twin-shared basis. To Indochina Pioneer standard, here is basically how we define our service:

+ Superior Level (3 star hotels in good locations): > 60USD/room/night
+ Deluxe Level (4 star hotels): > 110 USD/room/night
+ Luxury Level (5 star hotels): > 180USD/room/nigh

2. Price base in twin share basis accomodation.
3. Tour price is indicative only, please enquire for a detailed quotation.
4. More people more discounts. Please enquire for more details.

♦ PRICE INCLUDES: