Northeastern Vietnam Dicovery

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:

• Travel to most untouched parts of Northern Vietnam.
• Admire spectacular and beautiful mountain scenery
• Hiking to different villages, Meet the friendly hill tribe people
• And so much more...
   

⇒ Trip grade: Moderate (customizable)
⇒ Trip code: VOB01 (private tour/ what is it?)
⇒ Trip duration:  12 days in Vietnam
⇒ Destinations: Hanoi, Sapa, Bac Ha, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Bac Can.
⇒ Meals included: 9 breakfasts, 2 lunches,  1 dinner (Allow extra Meal budget minimum $20US/per day)
⇒ Transport: Private Car, Van or Bus upon request of group size.
⇒ Accommodation:  9 night in hotels, 1 night Sapa homestay, 1  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)

Chris Nishida from USA
We just got back from using Indochina Pioneer Travel for a private tour of Vietnam, Cambodia and Lao.  Indochina's best strength is their responsiveness.  They will respond before the trip and during.  We were also worried about booking through a Vietnam agency directly, however, this agency came through with what they promised and calling us many times along the way to see if everything was o.k.  They will also give you a phone to use during the trip.  The guides they use are wonderful.  We were very impressed to have the one guide in Siem Reap who is a professor of Anthropology, Jackie Chan and Angela Jolie's tour guide, a UN delegate and a director of a orphanage he founded.  He does tours to support his orphanage that doesn't even have electricity.  The best is to let Indochina know what you want to see, level of hotel and perhaps what you don't want  to do.  They can make a tour of your interests and places you want to see.  You will see many villages and everyday people on their tour. 

They also provide a comprehensive itinerary and information bulletin on the country.  The cost may be a little higher, however, the individual attention you get and all the communications is worth it.  For booking:  Lam - lam.dd@indochinapioneer.com, or Quyen - quyen@indochinapioneer.com. If you wish to book with Indochina we have a gift voucher for you to take off $50.  So. East Asia is still not too commercialized, people are very nice and the children are adorable.  We had many people help us cross the street (a challenge in the big cities).
 

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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DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1   :     Arrive in Hanoi
Day 2   :     Hanoi – Overnight train to Lao Cai (B, L)
Day 3   :     Lao Cai - Sapa – Hilltribe Village (B)
Day 4   :     Sapa – Muong Khuong Market (B, L)
Day 5   :     Bac Ha Market – Xin Man – Hoang Su Phi - Bac Quang - Ha Giang (B, L)
Day 6   :     Ha Giang - Lung Cu - Dong Van (B)
Day 7   :     Dong Van - Meo Vac - Ha Giang (B)
Day 8   :     Ha Giang - Cao Bang (B)
Day 9   :     Cao Bang - Ban Gioc - Cao Bang (B)
Day 10:     Cao Bang - Ba Be (B)
Day 11:     Ba Be (B, L, D)
Day 11:     Ba Be – Hanoi (B)
Day 12:     Departure day (B)

ITINERARY OVERVIEW

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi
Upon your arrival in Hanoi, you are greeted by Indochina Pioneer’s tour guide and driver, and then transferred to the hotel. If time permits we will attend a traditional water puppetry performance & a fun cyclo ride through the vibrant alley ways of Hanoi Old Quarter.
Stay overnight in Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi – Overnight train to Lao Cai (B, L)
In the morning we will enjoy an exciting trip to the outskirt of  Hanoi. Come to a local home where we enjoy a special authentic demonstration by the host. We enjoy our lunch which is cooked and served by the host family. We also rent our bicycles and the land lord will take us on a small cycling excursion around the village and visit home families who do their traditional jobs and to take some photos.

Driving back to Hanoi we will also have a visit to Bat Trang ceramic village to learn about this 1000 years old village with their stunning traditional works. Return Hanoi in the afternoon.  Rest and get ready for the train ride. Tonight we are transfer to Hanoi Railway Station for the night train journey (9 hours) from Hanoi to Laocai.  Overnight on A/C train.

Day 3: Lao Cai - Sapa – Hilltribe Village (B)
Arriving in Laocai early in the morning, we will take one and half hours drive to Sapa – the town with four seasons in a day. Upon arrival, check in to our hotel. Enjoy breakfast in very cozy atmosphere of the hotel then take some time to refresh before embarking on an orientation walk around the town of Sapa. It is said that you will find four seasons in a day here, but Sapa is normally seen in a thin mist. In the afternoon, we have chance to explore the villages of different ethnic groups around Sapa. First, we take very beautiful drive from Sapa to the villages along the valley of Muong Hoa.

Our first stop is at Lao Chai village of the H’mong people. It is said that H’mong was one of the first immigrants to this area and famous for their hand weaving and terrace rice field in Sapa. We take a walk around the village and to the village of Ta Van of the Giay people via the terraces and the trails, experience the diversity of hill tribe people there. After that, you will be transferred back to Sapa by car. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 4: Sapa – Muong Khuong Market (B, L)
In the morning we will drive to visit Muong Khuong – very authentic weekend market in the North West. The market still keeping very original character of weekend market in the mountain area with many difference hill tribes people there on Sunday morning. Afternoon drive from Muong Khuong to Bac Ha. Dinner and overnight in Bac Ha.

Day 5: Bac Ha Market – Xin Man – Hoang Su Phi - Bac Quang - Ha Giang (B, L)
In this morning, we will take an off road but very interesting from Bac Ha to Xin Man. we will hardly seeing another traveler on this road but scenery is outstanding. Then drive to Hoang Su Phi, where we will have a chance to admire one of the greatest terrace rice fields in Vietnam. Arrive to Ha Giang in the late afternoon. Overnight in Ha Giang.

Day 6: Ha Giang - Lung Cu - Dong Van (B)
In this morning, we will have an option to wake up early to discover Noong lake. Located about 20 kms from the town, this lake was describes as the beautiful eye of mountain area in Ha Giang. After rafting on the lake for great picture of water and tree on the lake, drive back to your hotel for breakfast. Then we will drive over Quan Ba Heaven Gate to Yen Minh with spectacular scenery along the way.

Keep driving to Pho Bang, the charming town of Vietnamese and Chinese people located right on the border between Vietnam and China then we drive to Dong Van, where we will see our most unique stone plateau. Overnight in Dong Van.

Day 7: Dong Van - Meo Vac - Ha Giang (B)
On this day, we will go to Meo Vac known as the cradle of the Blue H’mong and Lo Lo, who are mainly living on the hill-sides and working on terraces. One of the highlight for the trip today is great drive to conquer Ma Pi Leng, the breathtaking pass with great scenery can be viewed from the top of the pass. After visit Meo Vac, we will leave to Ha Giang along the beautiful plateau with great rock formation. Overnight in Ha Giang.

Day 8: Ha Giang - Cao Bang (B)
Today, we will spend the whole day to drive to Cao Bang. We will get over many valleys, mountains, villages, water-falls. On the way, we will stop by some places to take a rest and photos. We will probably get to Cao Bang in the late evening. Overnight in Cao Bang.

Day 9: Cao Bang - Ban Gioc - Cao Bang (B)
Today we will start our trip early to Ban Gioc waterfall, the most tranquil waterfall in Vietnam via the scenic pass of Ma Phuc. Arrive at Ban Gioc before it will be crowded by the other tourists. After having great time to visit and taking picture at Ban Gioc, transfer to Nguom Ngao Grotto. From here we take a short trek to Visit Nguom Ngao Grotto, one of the nicest grottoes in the North-East of Vietnam. Then we drive back to Cao Bang. The rest of the day is free at leisure. Overnight in Cao Bang.

Day 10: Cao Bang - Ba Be (B)
This morning we will drive to visit visit Pac Bo grotto, where Ho Chi Minh returned on February 1941 after 30 years of living abroad in search of a way to liberate the country. The scenery along the way is beautiful with great green rice field and local water wheel everywhere. Return to Cao Bang then drive to Ba Be. The roads are very bumpy and zigzagging, but the spectacular mountainous landscapes with undulating terrace rice field and hill villages make our hardship all worthwhile. Overnight in Cho Ra.

Day 11: Ba Be (B, L, D)
In the morning, we will enjoy a tranquil boat trip downstream Nang River to Ba Be Lake exploring the unspoiled tropical National Park with stop to visit Puong limestone grotto, Dau Dang waterfall. After the picnic lunch, continue by boat to Tay people village. Visit the village and experience the local activities. Overnight at the village of Tay people.

Day 11: Ba Be – Hanoi (B)
Today, after having breakfast you will be at leisure to stroll around the lake to breath in the fresh air before leaving Ba Be to Hanoi. We will make a break and visit the museum of Ethnology in Thai Nguyen then drive back to Hanoi. Stay the last night in Hanoi

Day 12: Departure day (B)
Free day in Hanoi until you are transferred to Hanoi airport for your flight home. End of our service.

                                                   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.
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.
 

The hotels listed below are just suggestive for the best valued of this Vietnam Northern Adventure Package 12 day trip, yet Indochina Pioneer also offers more options of our own hand-picked hotels with different levels or to customize your hotel requests to match your own taste and budget. Please kindly Contact us for more favourable deals.