Northwest Vietnam Trekking Tour (#303)

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival – Mai Chau (L/D)

When you group arrive at Hanoi International Airport, meet  our tour guide and transfer to local restaurant for having lunch then transfer to Mai Chau. On the way, trek some kilometers through ethnic villages (Muong and Thai). Overnight in Lac tourist traditional village.

Day 2: Mai Chau – Bac Yen (B/L/D)

Trek some kilometers in an area of inhabitants of ethnic minority Blue H’mong – the villages of Cun Pheo and Hang Kia. Transfer to Bai Sang wharf for the cruising on Black river by local boat. Arrive at Van Yen ferry (or Ta Khoa) then it takes 20 km to Bac Yen. Overnight in guest house of people committee.

Day 3: Bac Yen – Phu Yen (B/L/D)

Transfer to Ta Sua plateau, you can contemplate the highland scenery of it. Visit some villages of ethnic Black H’mong and discover the daily life and custom of local inhabitants here, especially you can enjoy the local specialties: Ta Sua Tea and agriculture products then come back the mountain town for having lunch. After having lunch, visit the local market, the handicraft and farming products made by many ethnics are available here. Then continue to trek over 10 Kilometers through villages of Thai and Muong: Bac Yen – Dong Cang – Mon village. During the trekking you can take a rest and enjoy the local wine distillated by ethnics. Transfer to Phu Yen, check in guest house at local.

Day 4: Phu Yen – Nghia Lo (B/L/D)

Transfer to Nghia Lo by car, trek some paths along the road to, visit the water wheel. It is used to scoop the water for the rice fields near the streams. Continue going to Nghia Lo through the direction of Lung Lo pass. Arrive at Nghia Lo, check in hotel then take a visit the local market at the moment of decline of day.

Day 5: Nghia Lo – Tu Le (B/L/D)

After having lunch, leave Nghia Lo for the itinerary, trek and visit some villages of ethnic’s minorities along the road: black Dzao, H’mong, white Thai, etc. They are very kind, honest and plain. Arrive at Tu Le village, dinner and overnight in house on stilt of inhabitants here. You can discover the daily life activities of this village in particular and the Thai Ethnic in general in Vietnam.

Day 6: Tu Le – Mu Cang Chai – Than Uyen (B/L/D)

Take leave of inhabitants of Tu Le, it takes 2 Km to village center; you can visit lots of activity on the early market day and it is typical colorful ethnics of this high mountain regions. Transfer to the the footing of Khau Pha pass for us to start trekking about 9 Km through the forest and ethnic villages. This trail runs parallel with the famous and beautiful Khau Pha pass. We finish the trail at the peak of the pass (1800m above sea level). Transfer to Mu Cang Chai for lunch. Visit the local market and go on to Than Uyen. Arrive at Than Uyen, check in local guest house.

Day 7: Than Uyen – Binh Lu – Tam Duong (B/L/D)

Transfer to Tam Duong, on the way, we can take trek to visit lots of beautiful villages of ethnic. Especially, you can meet the most typical ethics as: Lao, Lu (Xa Pho). They wear the long traditional and colorful costumes with jeweler hand made. Moreover, you can discover the kind face in black dyed teeth of ethnics here. Arrive at Tam Duong check in and overnight at local guest house or mini hotel.

Day 8: Tam Duong – Binh Lu market – Sapa (B/L/D)

Leave this border town Tam Duong (60 Km to China) for Sa Pa. Take visit the Binh Lu market at the morning then transfer to Sa Pa. You can contemplate the imposing Hoang Lien mountain range and long twisty pass on the way to Sa Pa. Arrive at Sa Pa. Check in and rest of the day at leisure or visit Sa Pa famous tourist town in Northern Vietnam. You can visit and go shopping, market for buying souvenirs such as handicraft made by ethics, ethics’ traditional costumes, etc before ending the days in North West Vietnam.

Day 9: Sapa – Hanoi (B/L/D)

In the morning:
Option 1: take a car to visit some ethnic villages such as: Ta Phin village (Red Dzao ethnic group), ancient rock historical site and surrounding beauty spots.

Option 2: Take a half day to trek the villages of black H’mong in Sa Pa: Ta Van village, Lao Chai village

In the afternoon: Free time until 16.00 PM transfer to Lao Cai for the night train to Ha Noi. Arrive at Lao Cai – the border town between Sino – Vietnam via Ha Kou border gate. Visit and dinner here then get on train to Ha Noi. Overnight on train.

Day 10: Hanoi – Halong Bay with Glory Cruise (B,L,D),

NO ESCORT GUIDE FROM HANOI, GUIDE ON BOARD
5.30 AM : our car driver (no guide) will pick up & transfer you to hotel in Hanoi for daily use room till 8.30 AM: shuttle bus of cruise will pick up from your hotel in Hanoi. Drive to Halong City through the paddy fields in the Red River Delta
12.00 – 13.00: Arrive in Tuan Chau Wharf – Breaking and taking photo at Glory Legend Private Lounge
Transfer by tender to the boat
13.00 – 15.30: Check in and enjoy Welcome Drink, receive cruise brief and safety instruction by crew member and  Cruise Manager
Start cruising. Enjoy set menu lunch while cruising to magnificent Halong Bay – Bai Tu Long Bay, admire the fascinating formations on the way. You will have opportunity to see the famous such as: Perfume Rock, Fighting Cock, Lonely Rock, Saddle Rock…. before arrives to “Vung Viêng” village.
15.30 – 17.30: Visit “Vung Viêng” village by a rustic – row boat, meet the local peoplewho will help you row the boat for sightseeing. Enjoy quiet space and fresh
air, you will feel truly relaxing.
Free optional swimming and kayaking around many small and big islands at emerald Bai Tu Long water.
17.30 – 19.30: Back to the boat and free time for relax
Option: Massage service available. Please book with Cruise Manager directly (please see massage menu
Cooking class on sundeck – How to make spring rolls. Then enjoy spring rolls you make together and Happy Hour (buy one drink, get one free). It is time for chatting and relaxing.
19.30 – 23.00: Deluxe Vietnamese dinner will be served

Day 11 : Halong Glory Cruise   (B, L & D)

GUIDE ON BOARD
06.00 – 08.00: Taking part in Tai Chi class on the sundeck (duration about 30 minutes)
Coffee, tea and pastries… for breakfast are served in the dining room with morning view of bay’s landscape.
08.30 – 12.30: Transfer to another boat for visiting Three Peach. Have 2 hours for cruising. Time for sun bathing on sundeck, enjoy beauty of Halong Bay.
Kayaking and swimming at Three Peach Beach, a pristine natural one lapped by turquoise water (if the weather permit). Possibility of kayaking through an amazing tunnel carved under a limestone mountain.
12.30 – 19.00: Back to boat. Set menu lunch is served. Then visiting “ Động Tiên” Cave
Cruise back to Glory Legend Cruises. Free time on boat for relaxing.
Take part in cooking class – Happy Hour (buy one drink, get one free)
19.30 – 23.00: Deluxe Vietnamese Dinner will be served.
Evening activities include: Leisure time for chatting around the bar, watching many sorts of Vietnam cultural films.  Relaxing and spending a romantic night on Glory Legend Cruises’ music. Reading magazines in room and dining room. Passengers may also try their luck with squid fishing on the boat.

Option: Massage service available. Please book with Cruise Manager directly (please see massage menu)

Day 12 : Halong Glory Cruise – Hanoi (B/L)

GUIDE ON BOARD, NO ESCORT GUIDE BACK. 
06.00 – 09.00: Taking part in Tai Chi class on the sundeck (duration about 30 minutes)
Coffee, tea and pastries… for breakfast are served in the dining room
Transfer by tender to Sung Sot Cave. Walk up about 100 steps to the cave entrance. It takes approximately 45 minutes for cave visiting. Return to the boat by tender. Proper shoes are highly recommended
09.00 – 11.30: Check out and make payment in reception area
Have a set menu brunch while cruising back to the Tuan Chau Wharf. Relax on the sundeck or in the dining room enjoying the bay scenery as approaching the wharf.
11.30: Transfer by tender to Tuan Chau Wharf. Say goodbye to the crew.
12.00 – 16.30: Return from Halong to Hanoi by shuttle bus
Stop over the middle to visit a traditional workshop
16.30:Arrive in Hanoi.

Overnight at same hotel in Hanoi

Day 13: Hanoi sightseeing – departure (B)

Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, was built since 1010. Take a full day tour around this unique city to the sites of – Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & his house on Stilt, One-Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, Museum of Art, Sword Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. Free at leisure on your own for shopping or sightseeing. Transfer to airport for your flight departure.

Prices until 31.12.2024

(Except for period of X-mas, New Year or Festival Days)

Price is nett per person in US$, twin shared basis, tax, service charge included in the party of

 Interested in customizing this tour as per your wish? Please email us for details

Price inclusive

• Breakfast and accommodation sharing a double/twin room or sharing accommodation at villager’s house
• Pick-ups and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle as specified in the itinerary above
• Halong Bay cruise full board
• English speaking local guide
• Where necessary, entry fees for all visits as mentioned in the programme.
• Lunches and dinners (as specified in the itinerary)
• Permission to villages
• VAT and other taxes

Price exclusive

• International flight tickets and airport tax.
• Visas
• Meals  except as specified above
• Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses.
• Camera fees (if any)
• Diving fees
• Insurance.