Highlights:
• Discover the graceful and exotic Hanoi capital - represnting a thousand years of culture.
• Explore the breathtaking beauty of more than 2000 islands rising from emerald water of Halong Bay, recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO
• Discover local life, traditions and customs of ethnic people in Sapa
• Take a boat trip to visit Trang An Complex - inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visit Hoa Lu ancient capital of Viet Nam in Dinh and Le Dynasty.
• Explore Puluong Nature Reserve, experience to go bamboo rafting on Cham River
• See all highlights of Hue Citadel to study about culture and history of Vietnam
• Take a motorbike trip from Hue to Hoi An to explore the unique route and stunning landscape.
• Experiencing the unique charm and take part in cooking class in Hoi An
• Strong adventure by taking Dalat canyoning tour
• Cruising the waterways of the mightly Mekong River Delta and learning about life in this unique landscape.
ITINERARY:
DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL (MEAL: NO)
Arrival at Noi Bai Airport, Our driver will welcome you at airport terminal and transfer you to the hotel in the center. You will check in at the hotel and you will visit the center of the city by your own.
Overnight stay in Hanoi.
Please note that check in time at hotel is 14:00.
Inclusion: Airport pick up service, Accommodation
DAY 2: HANOI CITY TOUR (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
At 08:00 Am, Our guide will pick you up at hotel and we will visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to explore the architectural and historical aspects of Uncle Ho’s final resting place. Just next door is Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Lying to one side of the mausoleum is the One Pillar Pagoda which was founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049. You will then continue on to the Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda in West Lake. It is one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam. Thereafter, you will visit the Bat Trang pottery village. The visit applies during Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. You will have lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon , after lunch, you will proceed to visit the Ethnology Museum. The tour applies on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. You will visit the Temple of Literature or Quoc Tu Giam and Vietnam’s first university which was constructed in 1070.
Then we past Hoan Kiem Lake to see the peaceful waters and the beauty of Ngoc Son Temple. Transfer to hotel, stay overnight in Hanoi.
Inclusion: Transportation, English speaking guide, meals: breakfast and lunch, all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 3: HANOI – HALONG BAY (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER)
08:00 – 08:30: Our tour guide and bus pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi old quarter.
08:30: Departure to Halong Bay for 3.5 Hours.
10:00: Arrive in Hai Duong province, and have 20 minute short break.
12:00: Arrive to Tuan Chau harbor, 12:15 Welcome to cruise and enjoy Welcome drink, get a brief introduction about cruise and safety guidelines. Check-in your cabin.
12:30: Enjoy Vietnamese seafood and vegetarian lunch, while cruising in the magnificent Halong Bay, admiring the fascinating rock formations in the bay.
15:00: You at Tung Gau Area. The airy and fresh air, cool breezes, blue sea and sky, and natural seascape will captivate any visitors setting foot here. Especially, Tung Gau of Lan Ha Bay is extremely suitable for enjoying kayaking and swiming and then Visiting Halong Pearl Farm Village
17.30: Come back to our cruise and relax.
19:30: Time for dinner enjoying special food on the cruise.
21:00: Evening entertainments: play game on the cruise: cards game, chess, karaoke, squid fishing, and overnight on the cruise.
Inclusion: Transportation, English Speaking Guide, All entrance fees, Kayaking, Swimming, meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner, accommodation on cruise
DAY 4: HALONG BAY – HANOI – NIGHT BUS TO SAPA
06.30: Early morning sun risers can enjoy Tai Chi lesson on sundeck.
07.00: Morning view of bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee. Have breakfast.
08:00: Arriving Sung Sot Cave (Amazing Cave) and joining with guide to visiting and explore the cave
10:00: Check-out and enjoy a fantastic cruise on the bay. Join cooking class guided directly by Chef of Rosa Boutique cruise. You have chance to practice Vietnamese traditional dishes such as spring roll or famous cuisine of Vietnam.
11:00: Enjoy the lunch on cruise.
12:00: Rosa Cruise are landing Halong Bay harbor, tourist say goodbye to sailors and finish the cruise.
12:30: Return to Hanoi by shuttle bus.
14:30: Stopover in Hai Duong province to visit a ceramics workshop.
16:00 – 16:30: Arrive in Hanoi. Free and easy visit Hanoi until at 21:00 our bus will pick you up at hotel, take the night bus to Sapa. Stay overnight on bus.
Inclusion: Transportation, entrance fees, meals: breakfast and lunch, English speaking guide
DAY 5: Y LINH HO- LAO CHAI – TA VAN ( BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER)
At 06:00 Am, our staff will pick you up bus office in Sapa Center. Transfer to our hotel in Sapa. Have a free shower and breakfast at hotel.
09:00 Our tour guide will pick you up at your hotel, then we start 3km of walking down to the south east of Sapa along the side of Muong Hoa valley to Y Linh Ho village of the Black H’mong - visit local school and local houses then continue 4km of trekking down to Lao Chai village of the H’mong.
Have picnic lunch on the way.
After lunch, we trek more 4 Km through terraced rice fields to Ta Van village of the Dzay minority people. This is a good chance to learn about the local architecture, daily life styles and customs.
Stay overnight at Homestay.
Inclusion: Transportation, meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner, English speaking guide, all entrance fees, accommodation
DAY 6: GIANG TA CHAI – SU PAN – AFTERNOON BUS TO HANOI (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
Have breakfast at the Homestay. At 08:00 Am, We will trek on a hilly trail throught Bamboo forest to Giang Ta Chai village where you can see the Red dao minority people. You can make a stop at a waterfall for taking the photos or swimming if weather permits. Have soft break at rattan bridge –the oldest rattan bridge in Sapa. Visit some house and continue to go to Su Pan village . Have lunch at the village
In the afternoon, we will ascend to the main road where the bus is awaited for your journey back to Sapa. At 15:30, take the afternoon bus back to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi at 21:00 then drop you off at hotel. Stay overnight in Hanoi.
Inclusion: Transportation, English speaking guide, meals: breakfast, picnic lunch, all entrance fees
DAY 7: HANOI – PU LUONG NATURE RESERVE (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER)
07:00 – 07:30 Our tour guide and Limousine Bus will pick you up at hotels/hostels in Hanoi Old Quarter. It takes about 5 hours to go to Pu Luong Nature Reserve to explore the pristine and peaceful land of ethnic minorities’ villages, short break in Luong Son.
11:00: You will start to visit a local market of the Muong Ethnic Minority. You will have chance to learn about their daily life and customs. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Thung Khe Pass on the way to Pu Luong. It is one of the 10 most beautiful Passes in Vietnam.
13:00 Arrive in Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Have lunch and check in.
14:30 – 17:30 You will trek following the small roads through the terrace rice fields and cross the stream to visit remote rural villages of Black Thai Minorities to learn about the local lifestyle and customs.(6kms)
19:00 Have dinner at the lodge, enjoy some local rice wine with the local family.
Stay overnight at Pu Luong.
Inclusion: Transportation, English speaking guide, meals: breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner ; all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 8: EASY TREK, BAMBOO RAFTING ON CHAM – NINH BINH (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER)
07:30 – 08:30 Have breakfast in the homestay. Say goodbye to the host and trek through another paths of the Reserve to pick up the van to go to Cham stream.
10:30 You will visit the Ba village and transfer through a suspension bridge over the Cham River to discover the giant waterwheels, and duck farm. It is an unique cultural feature of Thai and Muong people living in the nature reserve of Pu Luong to navigate water source for their farming activities.
11:30 You will be taken part in the Bamboo Raft trip on Cham stream. Float along the calm river and enjoy the views, in between learning how to paddle and steer your handcrafted rafts.
12:30 Pick up the van to go back to the lodge for Lunch.
13:00 Have lunch and have free time to relax or walking around the village before boarding the van for a 3,5 hour transfer to Ninh Binh “the first Vietnamese Capital in 10th century”.
17:30 Arrive in Ninh Binh Retreat, check in and have free time.
19:00 Have dinner at the retreat and stay overnight at the retreat.
Inclusion: Transportation, English speaking guide, meals: breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner ; all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 9: HOA LU – TRANG AN – NIGHT TRAIN TO HUE (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
7:30 – 8:30: Have breakfast at the Retreat
8:30 - 12:00 Cycling through the limestone karsts to reach Hoa Lu - the historic capital of Viet Nam and the famous ancient temples of the Le and the Dinh Dynasties. Then, hike up the Ma Yen Mountain to visit the King’s tomb in 10th century and enjoy the panorama view from the mountain. On the way back, we will visit a local family to discover the local lifestyles and cultures and enjoy a tea with them.
12:00 -13:30 Check out and have lunch at the Retreat
13:30 -16:00 Take a boat trip to visit Trang An Complex - inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.. You will head to Trang An, embark on a traditional sampan through an out-standing natural beauty of majestic limestone massif and the numerous caves: Hang Toi ( Dack ) cave - 320 meter long, Sang (light) cave - 90 meter long, and Hang Nau Ruou (Cooking wine) cave - 250 meter long…
16:30: Transfer to the train station. Take the night train to Hue. Overnight on train.
Inclusion: Transportation, English speaking guide, meals: breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner ; all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 10: HUE CITY TOUR (-/LUNCH/-)
Arrival in Hue at 08:30 Am, our tour guide will pick you up at train station. Then you will start the Hue city tour. Visit Thanh Toan Bridge - The only other tiled roof bridge in Vietnam aside from the one in Hoi An. This wooden arch bridge has been built for the local villagers who are into farming and fishing. The old bridge served and still serving the local villagers on their daily life needs. The bridge connects the local market and the village houses.
Visit Minh Mang tomb - The tomb of the most beloved Emperor of Nguyen dynasty. Minh Mang Tomb is considered as the most majestic of all of the Royal Tombs. The impressive architecture that complements with the nature gives you a good impression of the Emperor who lives within the walls of the 18 hectares tomb.
Visit Khai Dinh tomb - The smallest but the most expensive tomb of all. Every corner of the tomb is very detailed which reflects how luxurious the emperor was. Lunch in a restaurant that serves Western, Asian and Vietnamese food.
We visit Citadel - Imperial City is the home of Vietnam's last royal dynasty - the Nguyen Dynasty. This is the highlight of the tour. You will learn the rise, struggles and fall of the Nguyen Dynasty and how it affected the whole country.
Visit Thien Mu Pagoda - The oldest pagoda in Hue city.
Get on a dragon boat cruise to see the sunset on the way back to the city.
Drop you off at your hotel in Hue. Stay overnight in Hue.
Inclusion: Transportation, English speaking guide, meals: lunch ; all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 11: HUE – HAI VAN PASS – MARBLE MOUNTAIN – HOI AN BY MOTORBIKE (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
Our tour guide and motorbike will pick you up at hotel in Hue and start our motorbike tour to Hoi An.
This Scenic Coast route is simply the best way to transfer if you only have one day!
Leaving Hue in the morning our first stop is Elephant Springs where you can wade in the rock pools.
Next we stop for photos at Lang Co Beach before traveling over the Hai Van Pass. Hai Van means "Sea of Clouds" and when crossing the top of the Pass you are literally surrounded by clouds on one side with stunning ocean views on the other.
Next we travel through Danang to a stop at the famous China Beach with its fine white sand.
Marble Mountains our final stop are 5 marble outcrops topped with delicate pagodas. Arrive in Hoi An. Check in hotel and stay overnight in Hoi An.
Inclusion: Motorbike, helmet, English speaking driver, meal: lunch, all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 12: HOI AN FREE AND EASY (BREAKFAST/-/-)
You will free and easy visit Hoi An. Stay overnight in Hoi An.
Inclusion: Meal: breakfast, accommodation.
DAY 13: HOI AN COOKING CLASS (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
08:00- 08:30am, a trip to the market to purchase some fresh, locally grown herbs. Then, we board our river boat for a relaxing 30 minutes ride to Thuan Tinh Island, which is recognized by Hoi An as an official ecological zone.
To visit the Local Village, we take a row boat ride through the water coconut trees. We then walk through the gardens to visit Ms. Hoa's house to meet her family and snack on grilled rice cakes and iced tea. From there, we head back to our open-air cooking class overlooking the water coconut trees and river. Our chefs will show you how to make Vietnamese food while you enjoy the cool breeze and peaceful setting.
Our chefs have prepared a 4 course cooking class of traditional Vietnamese dishes. They will demonstrate how to prepare them, and then it's your turn-you prepare your own tasty Vietnamese lunch!! We start with a homemade Passion fruit Juice soda to whet your appetite.
Around at 2 Pm: finish and you will be free in afternoon. Overnight in Hoi An.
Inclusion: Transportation, all entrance fees, meals: breakfast and lunch, english speaking guide, accommodation, all ingredients for cooking
DAY 14: DANANG – FLY TO DA LAT (BREAKFAST/-/-)
Our driver will pick you up at hotel and transfer to airport, fly to Da Lat. Another driver will pick you up at airport, transfer to hotel. Stay overnight in Da Lat.
Inclusion: Transportation, meals: breakfast ; accommodation, domestic flight
DAY 15: DALAT CITY TOUR (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
At 08:00 - 8:30 Am, Our tour guide will pick you up at hotel. we will leave for a tour of Dalat and the surrounding areas.
We will stop on Robin-hill’s peak to look over the landscape, then take a cable car through pine forests and vegetable farms to Truc Lam pagoda and Tuyen lam lake.
Next destination is back up to the city center where we will visit Bao Dai’s summer palace and crazy house, a brightly painted concrete house which winds itself around trees, mimicking their shapes. It functions as a guest house.
After visiting crazy house we keep going to visit Linh Phuoc pagoda and the old railway station which is well known in Indochina by it's beautiful architecture.
Guide and driver take you back to Dalat flower gardens and Dalat university.The university campus sits on a hilly area of 40 hectares with variety of styled building hidden throughout pine trees.Transfer back to hotel. Stay overnight in Da Lat.
Inclusion: Transportation, English speaking guide, meals: lunch ; all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 16: DALAT SPECIAL CANYONING TOUR (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
At 08:30 Am: Our guide will pick you up at hotel. Transfer by bus along picturesque road to the South of the city, head the Datanla Waterfall.
Stop at Gathering point, You will learn the basics of knot tying, harness wearing and abseiling techniquesto begin conquering the 10km adventure activities hide deeply in the jungle with this challenge to other challenges.
Dry cliff at 18 m - First activity, After we mastered the skills to rappel down the steep cliffs. Quiver is for sure because of the first time to test your skills but very excited to launch yourself into the air and landed safely.
Water sliding - the stones have been eroded by the water, creating idea venue for us to water slide down into rapid water. Gently lean over, hands keep the shoulders, take a deep breath is when you slide down the water pulled from the wall, pushing you into the depths of water then up in the water with an excited feeling.
"Sky" falls - Water pours down massively. Negative thoughts appear in your head and against you to challenge your mental power. All you need now is a strong heart, a cool head and be alert to face and conquer the human weakness in you.
Being a Batman - This is a real challenge for you to take jumps from 7m and 11m cliff into a deep lake. Do not hesitate, be strong, nothing can stop your steps. It would be a major change in thinking when you accomplishing.
“Washing Machine”- You will walk down until your back touches the waterfall, take a deep breath to increase hot blood up to your brain, straight the legs, wide eyes and relax your body. It will spin you around, clean your body and push you out of the falls before hiking up to thehighway and meet our vehicle for transport back to town. Stay overnight in Da Lat.
Inclusion: Transportation, English speaking guide, meals: breakfast, lunch ; all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 17: DALAT – FLY TO HO CHI MINH CITY (BREAKFAST/-/-)
Our driver will pick you up at hote and transfer to airport, fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Another driver will pick you up at airport and transfer to hotel. Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Inclusion: Transportation, meals: breakfast ; accommodation, domestic flight
DAY 18: HO CHI MINH CITY – CU CHI TUNNELS (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
07:45 Am: Our guide will pick you up at our office or hotels ( which are located in Bui Vien street, De Tham street or Pham Ngu Lao street, if not, please come to our office )
Take the morning trip to visit Independence Palace, also known at the Reunification palace, was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace. The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu.
Continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum the museum has a vast display of the both the Indochina wars.
Have lunch at local restaurant.
Depart for Cu Chi tunnel, the trip will take approximately one and a half hours bus driving. Upon arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have some short introduction followed by introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of the war time. Then, spend your time to explore the remaining area and tunnel systems which included the special constructed living areas with kitchens, bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers helping whoever lives inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are also many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purpose during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerilla’s food during the war) will be served.
Break time for relax or time for those who want to try the real shooting gun.
17:00 pm : Return to Ho Chi Minh City. Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Inclusion: Transportation, English speaking guide, meals: breakfast, lunch ; all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 19: MEKONG DELTA FULL DAY (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
A smooth one-and-half-hour bus ride through rice field scenery along National Highway 1 brings you to the beautiful rural district of Trung Luong.
On arrival at My Tho, after visiting Vinh Trang pagoda, take a motor boat to enter My Tho city through Bao Dinh natural canal. Take a leisurely cruise on the Tien River to view the four beautiful islands known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise islands.
Enjoy lunch at the local restaurant, then visit the coconut candy mill and take an amazing rowing boat trip along the small canal on a hand-rowed sampan under the shadow of the water coconut trees along natural canals. Then enjoy seasonal fruit & honey tea to the sound of "Southern Vietnamese folk music", performed by locals.
Meet at the bus and return to Ho Chi Minh City. This trip provides a fascinating insight into daily life in the Mekong Delta and you are guaranteed to take home your own private collection of beautiful memories. Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Inclusion: Transportation, English speaking guide, meals: breakfast, lunch ; all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 20: HO CHI MINH DEPART (BREAKFAST/-/-)
Our driver will pick you up at hotel and transfer to airport, fly home or next destination. Tour ends.
