Private tour, daily departure
English speaking guide
Meals Fullboard
Day 1: Hanoi - Arrival (L/D)
On arrival at Noi Bai Airport , you are met and transferred to hotel. Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, is a stylish and gracious city that retains a unique old world charm and some Asia ‘s most striking colonial architecture. (If time permits), we enjoy a short cyclo ride around the old quarter streets to see the different local ways of life.
Overnight in Hanoi at Bros & Sis II hotel
www.brosishotels.com.vn
Day 2: Hanoi - Mai Chau (B/L/D)
The sightseeing tour of Hanoi includes Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum ,One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature well known as Vietnam’s first university and Hoan Kiem Lake. The afternoon we take a drive to Mai Chau, stopping at the villages of Dao Son Dau and Muong ethnic minority in Hoa Binh. The day ends with an evening traditional dance of the Thai hilltribe people.
Overnight at Mai Chau Villager's house
Day 3: Mai Chau - Son La (B/L/D)
Upon leaving Mai Chau the road begins to deteriorate; however many villages dot the hillsides and undulating terrain of tea plantation make for an interesting home to the Hmong hilltribe people.
Overnight at Trade Union hotel
Day 4: Son La - Dien Bien Phu (B/L/D)
The old prison of Son La and the hilltribe museum are also visited this morning before we depart for Dien Bien Phu, the site of the decisive battle in Vietnam’s struggle for independence in 1954. The scenic roads climb over Pha Din Pass before dropping down to Dien Bien Phu where we have a chance seeing the former battle field and the display of war materials.
Overnight at Muong Thanh hotel
Day 5: Dien Bien Phu - Lao Chau (B/L/D)
The journey continues to Lai Chau Town. The road conditions are very poor, but views of the mountainous scenery are fantastic. There are some stop opportunities en route to visit the Hmong, Kho Mu, Khang hill-tribe villages.
Overnight at Lan Anh hotel
Day 6: Lai Chau - Muong Te - Lai Chau (B/L/D)
An early morning start to drive to Muong Te. This upstream area of Da River is pupulated by many ethnic minority groups such as the Thai, Ha Nhi, Cong , Si la, La Hu whom we may encounter on our adventure. They are all colorful and friendly.
Overnight at Lan Anh hotel
Day 7: Lai Chau - Sin Ho - Tam Duong (B/L/D)
Upon leaving Lai Chau we spend a full travelling through Vietnam’s most beautiful mountainous region. There is an opportunity to break the journey in Sin Ho to experience the simple lifestyle of the Hmong, Black Dao, Mang hill tribe people.
Overnight at guesthouse in Tam Duong
Day 8: Tam Duong - Phong Tho - Sapa (B/L/D)
After a two or three hour walk to visit the Lao, Lu hill tribe people we depart for Sapa. At an elevation of 1,500 meters, Sapa is a former French hill resort and home to some of Vietnam’s most colorful ethnic minority groups. The afternoon is free to explore the town.
Overnight at guesthouse in Tam Duong
Day 9: Sapa (B/L/D)
Fancipan range boasts Vietnam’s highest mountain and lends an alpine feel to the area surrounding this hill station. Today we have enough time to visit Sapa market where the Red Dao, Black Hmong, Tay, Xa Pho ethnic minority people come to trade their goods and enjoy a short trek to some nearby hill villages.
Overnight at Mountain View or Royal hotel
www.royalsapa.com
Day 10: Sapa - Bat Xat - Lao Cai (B/L/D)
The morning we travel by road through the breathtaking mountainous region to Bat Xat before we set off on a half day venturing into the Phu La, Dao and Giay ethnic minority people's homeland. Then, we travel by road following Vietnamese border to Lao Cai Town.
Overnight in Lao Cai at People Committee's guesthouse
Day 11: Lao Cai - Muong Khuong - Bac Ha (B/L/D)
The Saturday market of Muong Khuong also attracts a wide variety of ethnic minority groups including the Hmong, Dao, Thu Lao, Pa Di, Tu Di , Phu La. They converge from the nearby valleys and mountainsides to sell their goods and buy provision. After an interesting drive to Muong Khuong, we participe in this fair. The experience is colorful and unique.
Overnight at Sao Mai hotel
Day 12: Bac Ha - Hoang Su Phi - Ha Giang (B/L/D)
This is a very long day travelling to Ha Giang. The roads with many steep uphill and down hill are a real challenge for our driver. En route we may see the Nung, Tay, Red Dao, Dao Ao Dai, La Chi and Co Lao, just some of Vietnam's most colorful ethnic minority groups.
Overnight at Hoang Anh hotel
Day 13: Ha Giang - Dong Van - Meo Vac (B/L/D)
The remoteness and the simple lifestyle of hill tribe people are a hightlight of Meo Vac althrough conditions are very basic. Upon leaving Ha Giang we start our journey north with the first stop being the border town of Dong Van and some nearby hill villages.
Overnight at People Committee's guesthouse
Day 14: Meo Vac - Ha Giang (B/L/D)
The scenery of the north is unequalled. The morning we spend a few hour walk following the beaten track to find the Lo Lo, Pu Peo ethnic minority people. Then, we return to Ha Giang Town with stopover at the former residence of Hmong King.
Overnight at Hoang Anh hotel
Day 15: Ha Giang - Ba Be (B/L/D)
An early morning start to drive through Tuyen Quang to Ba Be National Park. There is a long journey, but you can made stops as you please, to stretch your legs and take photographs.
Overnight at Ba Be National Park guesthouse
Day 16: Ba Be (B/L/D)
The peaceful lakes of Ba Be are surrounded by limestone and thick tropical forests that are home to many species of rare birds and animals. Today, we enjoy a long boat trip on the Ba Be Lakes, which will give us a great opportunity to relax for a while and explore Dau Dang Waterfalls as well as some nearby hill tribe villages.
Overnight in Ba Be
Day 17: Ba Be - Nguyen Binh - Cao Bang (B/L/D)
Our journey continues to Cao Bang Town. The roads are very bumpy and zigzagging, but the spectacular mountainous landscapes with undulating terrace and hill villages make our hardship all worthwhile.
Overnight Bang Giang hotel
Day 18: Cao Bang - Lang Son (B/L/D)
The scenic pass of Ma Phuc is visited before we depart for Lang Son. This border town was once destroyed by war. On arrival in Lang Son we spend a couple of hour drive around the town, stopping at the bustling market of Ky Lua and the legendery rock formation named " wife waiting for husband" and the beautiful Ki Kung River, which is Vietnam’s unique river flowing to China.
Overnight at Kim Son hotel
Day 19: Lang Son - Halong Bay (B/L/D)
We travel by road following the beautiful coast to Ha Long Bay. On our journey there are some stop opportunities to visit the Tay, Nung, San Diu and Hoa hill-tribe people.
Overnight at Spring (Suoi Mo) hotel
Day 20: Halong Bay - Hanoi (B/L/D)
Ha Long Bay boasts one of Vietnam’s most impressive scenic sights. This morning, we embark on a cruise out to explore the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone islands rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. Along the way we will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove. After a seafood lunch on board we return to Ha Noi, arriving in time to see an evening performance of Hanoi’s famous water puppets.
Overnight in Hanoi at Bros & Sis II hotel
www.brosishotels.com
Day 21: Hanoi - Departure (B)
There is a free time to relax and further explore Hanoi. The tour ends after your transfer to Noi Bai Airport for departure.
(Breakfast)