Day1: Arrive in Hanoi
Upon arrival at the airport, pick up and transfer to the hotel in centre of Hanoi. Rest of the dayis free. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day2: Hanoi - Lao Cai (B/L)
After breakfast at the hotel, set out to explore the capital's sites. Visit the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh & the Ho Chi Minh complex before enjoying a nice buffet lunch at local restaurant. We leave the afternoon for you to visit historical sites by yourself with Temple of Literature, the serene Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple or shop in the Old Quarter with its 36 winding streets. Water puppet show. Free until transfer to the railway station for night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on train.
Day3: Lao Cai - Sapa - Ma Tra - Ta Phin (Trekking day- 20 km)(B/L)
Train arrives Lao Cai at around 06: 00am. Pick up and transfer to Sapa. Relax and have breakfast at local restaurant. After breakfast, commence with a short hike along a narrow trail through beautiful gardens and lush pine forests. Pass through the Black H'mong ethnic minority village of Ma Tra, and continue through rice paddy fields and spectacular scenery. Take a mid Dayrest for lunch at a local ethnic school before continuing the afternoon trek to the Red Dao minority village of Ta Phin. Visit a workshop and a nearby cave before transferring by road back to Sapa. Dinner on guest's account. Free to discover Sapa town at night. Overnight at hotel.
Day4: Sapa - Ban Ho - Nam Toong (Trekking Day- 5 hours)(B/L/D)
This morning, trek along the fringes of the rain forest skirting the Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range. Ascend to the Red Dao village of Nam Toong where lunch will be prepared and served in a local school. Continue hiking to the beautiful village of Ban Ho, located next to a gorgeous turquoise river. A final haul uphill out of the Sapa valley will bring the group to the large roadside village of Supan, from where the jeeps will transfer back to Supon and along the ridgeline to a wonderful Ecolodge where you'll enjoy a home cooked dinner. Overnight in an Ecolodge.
Day5: Sapa - Heaven Gate - Sin Chai - Lao Cai (Trekking day- 4 hours)(B/L)
Travel by car toward the Silver Waterfall where you will be able to take a short walk to the cascading waters. Then, continue by road to Heaven Gate', the highest pass of roads in Vietnam. From there you can see Fansipan, the highest peak of Indochina mountains as well as enjoy stunning views. Begin descending on a trail which takes you all the way downhill through bamboo forest, which belongs to Hoang Lien National Park. After lunch by the river, you continue the trek to Sin Chai village, where community based tourism in Sapa takes place. You will have opportunity to visit the village, inhabited by the black Hmong minority, one of the largest group ethnic minorities in Sapa area. From here, journey back to Sapa and on to Lao Cai to catch the night train to Hanoi. Overnight onboard the train.
Day6: Hanoi - Yen Tu Mount - Tuan Chau Island (Trekking day- 5 hours)(B/L)
Train arrives Hanoi at around 05: 00am. Pick up and transfer to a local restaurant for relaxation and breakfast. Heading out to Yen Tu Mount. Take a cable car up Hoa Hien Temple before hiking down Giai Oan pagoda. Enjoy lunch at a restaurant at the bottom of Yen Tu Mount before transferring on to Tuan Chau Island. Dinner on guest's account. Overnight on Tuan Chau Island.
Day7: Halong Bay Cruise and Kayak (B/L/D)
After breakfast, a short transfer takes you to Halong Bay for an early cruise. Set sail through the bay and whilst you enjoy lunch, take in the scenery of thousands of sculpted limestone islands rising from the waves like dragons 'teeth. After lunch, cruise to the inside of magical landscape of Dinh Huong Island, Ga Choi Island, Dog Island, and Sung Sot Cave. Enjoy sunset from the top of the Titop Mountain or you take a bamboo row boat to discover a water tunnels with many coral reefs in a scenic lagoon. Back on board the boat, enjoy dinner as the sun sets. Overnight on board Halong Bay junk boat.
Day8: Halong Bay to Hanoi (B/L)
Rise to the sound of the ocean coming to life for another lovely day. Before a very early breakfast, you will have an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay whilst cruising back to the Halong dock to drive back Hanoi. Rest of the Dayis free. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day9: Depart Hanoi (B)
After breakfast you will have the chance to wander around Hanoi for your last minute shopping before transferring to the airport for your departure flight.
