Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi (D)
Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport, our guide will greet you and transfer to the hotel. Relax and stay overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B, L)
Breakfast at hotel. Free in the morning until time for our tour guide meet you at lobby for a half day city tour in Hanoi. Cyclo tour (1 hour), visit to The Old Quarter of Hanoi and Ngoc Son Temple. Drop off at Thang Long theatre for the water puppet show, the unique Vietnamese traditional art. This art originates from rural festivals in Vietnam. The artists - men and women - stand waist-deep in the water to manipulate the puppets, making them move about, talk and laugh and even dance on the surface of the water. End of the show and transfer to hotel.
At 08: 30pm our tour guide will pick you up at hotel lobby and take you to the Hanoi railway station for the night train to Sapa. Overnight on train.
Day 3: Lao Cai Railway Station - Sapa (B, L)
Train arrives at Lao Cai Railway Station at around 06: 00am. Transferred to Sapa by private small bus. Have breakfast at hotel or in the local restaurant (optional). Relax. Your guide will meet you at the hotel for short downhill walk to Cat Cat village, the village of the H'mong tribe in the valley, which remains very original and uninfluenced from other cultures. Excellent views of the valley, the magnificent limestone and paddy fields of H'mong village. Enjoy some visits to local families and reach their customs. After the village and further down into the valley, the Cat Cat waterfall will be visible. A "white curtain" cascade appears, in the flowery valley and deep-green pines. The rocks near the river and waterfall provide a marvelous place for picturesque photos and sunbathing during good weather… Have dinner at a local restaurant and then discover Sapa at night, see ethnic people's activities and life in Sapa. Overnight in Sapa.
Day 4: Sapa - Lao Chai - Ta Van Village (B, L)
Breakfast before private jeep transfers you to Lao Chai village, a village of Black H’mong. Short walk down to the river to visit a hill tribe house and to see their living style and the local woman making their handicraft and clothes. Further along the road, the Tavan is the village where the Dzay people live. See the village and their customs. Return to Sapa in the afternoon for bus transfer back to Lao Cai railway station for night train back to Hanoi.
Day 5: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B, L, D)
Train arrives Hanoi around 06: 00am. Pick up at the railway station and drive to Halong Bay, truly one of Vietnam‘s most scenic impressive sights. On arrival in Halong, we embark on a boat for an exploration of the legendary Halong Bay. During the trip we are given some kayak orientation and instruction in paddling technique. We begin our first kayaking experience to discover the limestone karsts formations which are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves, and visit one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. At the end of afternoon we return to our escorted boat for relaxation and dinner. A night paddle is available for the keen kayaker. Overnight on board.
Day 6: Halong Bay - Hanoi (B, L)
After breakfast, we continue with a half day kayak exploration, paddle from Luon Cave toward islets in the shape of Man’s Head Island and Tortoise Island. Have lunch on boat while crewing back to Halong Port for vehicle transfer back to Hanoi.
Check into hotel. Stay over night at the hotel.
Day 7: Hanoi - Departure (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Relax until transfer to Noi Bai airport.
End of services. Our staff will give you the warmest goodbye and hope to see you again.
