North Vietnam Experience

Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival to Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, your driver and guide will meet you and they will transfer you to your hotel in the downtown. Check-in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi.
With guide

In the morning you are picked up at your hotel at 8:00 AM and transfer to Ba Dinh Square where you will visit to the mausoleum of the historic figure and father of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh (View from outside on Fri & Mon) and the former president’s stilt house where he lived from 1958 to 1969, his former home illustrates the modesty of this Vietnamese revolutionary. The One Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049 will be visited next: This structure is one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples. Continue on with the Temple of Literature: In 1076 Quoc Tu Giam – Vietnam’s first university, also referred to as Van Mieu, was established within a temple to educate Vietnam’s royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. The university functioned for an incredible 700 years and its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past. A Vietnamese lunch will be served at a restaurant in the city.
In the afternoon, visit the fascinating Ethnology Museum, which are both a research center and a public museum exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam. At the end of the afternoon visit Ngoc Son Taoist Temple, located on a little island of Hoan Kiem Lake and listen to a beautiful legend of this central Lake and learn about the rare species of tortoise which lived there. Finish the day with a cyclo ride around Hanoi’s Old Quarter, which is also known as the ‘36 streets’. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It’s a great place to explore with plenty of photo opportunities all around you. The evening is free.
With guide
Meals: breakfast, lunch

Depart from Hanoi at 7.30 AM.

The drive to the Mai Chau Valley takes about 3,5-hours. There are some stops on the way for photo opportunities. Arrive at Mai Chau around noon.
Your Vietnamese lunch is served by a local family at their stilt-house.
After lunch and rest, go for a soft trek about 3 hours to explore the surroundings and visit some villages, rice paddies and gardens. Or you can choose to discover the area by bicycles with shorter time. Along the trek you will have chance to learn about the local life, their agriculture and beautiful handicrafts.

Dinner and overnight in Mai Chau
With guide
Meals: breakfast, lunch

After having breakfast, you will check out and take the morning scenic drive to Ninh Binh province.
Ninh Binh is famous for many beautiful attractions, especially Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex which has been recognized as the natural and cultural heritage by UNESCO. Arrive in Ninh Binh around noon.
Lunch at a local restaurant with the local specialties.
In the afternoon, you will embark on a spectacular sampan boat-ride at Trang An. The row is a bit long (3 hours) but it is worth it as you will explore the core of the heritage. You will be taken through 9 tiny caves which enables you to visit different flooded valleys surrounded by limestone outcrops.
Back to the boat dock and transfer the hotel for check-in

Dinner and overnight in Ninh Binh
With guide
Meals: breakfast, lunch

After the breakfast at your hotel, take a short transfer to Hang Mua and start the morning with 500-step hike to the summit of Ngoa Long Mt. From there, you are able to get a marvelous panorama over the karsts. Take some photos before going downhill for the rest of the morning trek on flat roads through a village, through farm land and along the towering mountains.
Lunch at a restaurant in a hidden valley. The afternoon drive takes you back to Hanoi where you will check into hotel for staying overnight.
With guide
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Today you will leave Hanoi and drive North-east (appro. 4hours) to the well-known Halong Bay. You can leave your heavy cases behind at your hotel in Hanoi and pack an overnight backpack for staying on the boat. Halong Bay is one of Vietnam’s most spetacular natural wonders and listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Upon arrival at the pier, you will board a boat for exploring the bay, the views that you get while navigating past thousands of limestone islands with rocky outcrops are increadible. Lunch and dinner are served on board.

The activities of today include a swim in the bay in warmer months. You may have chance to do some kayaking (Optional and extra cost invloved, depends on different boats) as well.
With guide
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning get up early this morning for some fresh-air on the open deck and join the Tai-chi class for some gentle moves if you wish. Otherwise, you are able to remain in your cabin unill breakfast time. After breakfast, the crew will pull up the anchor, start the engine again for more cruising to other part of the bay. After visiting a big limestone cave, the boat is gently heading back to the pier. The early lunch (Brunch) will be served aboard.

Around noon, you are ferried in and take the return drive to Hanoi. Check back into your hotel and the remainder of the day is yours.
With guide
Meals: breakfast, lunch

You will be picked up at your hotel in Hanoi early in the morning (about 7.30 AM). This morning, you will travel to Sapa on the HW Noi Bai – Lao Cai. This is the longest highway in Vietnam. The scenic drive from the Red River Delta, through the midland to Lao Cai province will be a good start for your trip. Arrive in Sapa by noon. Have lunch at a restaurant in town.

After that, we will transfer to a trekking point in Ma Tra Village, The first trek we are doing today is on a small concrete path winding along the Ta Phin Valley in between rice terraced fields and through villages. Get picked up at Ta Phin Village and make our way back to Sapa town, check in a hotel for the night. Dinner is on your own acount.
Approx: 6km/ 3 hour trekking.
Accommodation: At a hotel in Sapa Town
With guide
Meals: lunch

After your breakfast at the hotel, at 8:30, you get picked and transferred by the car to a trekking point to Y Ling Ho Village, Muong Hoa Valley. Muong Hoa is the biggest valley in Sapa region and bottomed by a rocky river. This is a less-traveled path if you start eaarlier than other visitors. To start, you trek downhill the valley, the scenery of the rice terraces along your way is very beautiful and could be the highlight of the day. Cross the river on a small suspension bridge and continue on the trek uphill. This is rather challenging when it is wet but definitely offers you spetacular view over the valley. Finish your scenic trek at Lao Chai Village where your private vehicle awaits you. Drive back up to Sapa town and have lunch at a restaurant. After the meal and refreshing, you will spend the whole afternoon drive back to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi around 7:00 PM.

Approx: 6 km/ 3 hour trekking
With guide
Meals: breakfast, lunch

Today is your last day of the trip, you are free at leisure or go out for some last shopping (if time permits) until getting picked up and take the private transfer to the airport for your departure flight. End of service.
With guide
Meals: breakfast