Hi Helen,
Everything is so good, last night was very nice, so vibrant city you have, meet some amazing local people is very impressive to me to believe, you guys are so friendly ahahah. I forgot to writte you I was so happy, thanks so much Helen, for all your help and advices, and to all your team for all your arrangement we had a great trip around your country.
PROGRAM DETAIL
Day 01 . Tue 10 April 2018 : Hanoi city tour- night train to Lao Cai VJ902 from Bangkok, arrive at 15:50. Sharing cabin (B) | Driver
Pick up at the airport,Pick up and transfer to Hanoi Cosiana hotel. Take the night train in the evening to Sapa. Overnight on the train.
Accommodation: Cosiana Hotel*** - Day - Use Room
Et Pumkin - Ha Noi - Lao Cai
Et Pumkin - Lao Cai - Ha Noi
Day 02 . Wed 11 April 2018 : Arrive in Sapa- Pick up and then trekking to Ma Tra- Ta Phin (B, L) | Guide and driver
You will be greeted by the local tour guide who will give a brief introduction about the whole tour. After that, the trekking expedition starts. You will go off the main road, onto hilly mountainous trails. Your surrounding is filled with lush vegetation, pine forest and fresh air. You will experience the untouched beauty of the area. Matra is the newly added location in a series of villages in Sapa that visitors can go to. The village is about 5km from the town of Sapa. This has around 50 households, resided by only H’Mong people. Ma Tra village has restored the traditional flax weaving loom, forging tools and carved silver production as part of tourism. After 3h walks from Matra, you will then reach Taphin village where the red Dao and H’mong reside. With this mix of ethnicity, the culture is this village is rather exciting and colorful. Lunch will be served on the way in a local family.
You will also have a chance to visit the unique caves in the Taphin area. This cave system is small and meandering, leading to all different direction but will eventually lead you to one point. The village also has an old monastery built during the French colonial period. There is also an arts and crafts house displaying and selling authentic jewelries made by the locals. In late afternoon, you will take your car back to the town.
Accommodation: Sapa Dragon Hotel*** - Superior
Day 03 . Thu 12 April 2018 : Sapa- Y Linh Ho- Lao Chai- Ta Van (B, L, D) | Guide and driver
Met up at your hotel in Sapa by local guide and driver for a short road transfer heading to Cat Cat village. After a couple of minutes, you will follow a road going downhill to Cat Cat village. You will stop by a waterfall and a hydroelectric station for a while before you trek on a dirt trail through rice paddy terraces. You will also enjoy spectacular scenery while walking along a narrow river. You eventually arrive in Y Linh Ho village of Black Hmong minority, where you can take a rest while you are served lunch nearby the river.
After lunch, you head Muong Hoa valley. You will pass through Lao Chai village of Black Hmong minority and then Tavan village of Giay minority by following a very popular trekking route. You will spend the night in local house of Giay minority. You will be able to take a walk to enjoy the valley view as well as swim in the river nearby. Overnight in homestay.
Approx: 5 hours walking/ 1-hour lunch
Accommodation: Ban Ta Van - Mr Ken
Day 04 . Fri 13 April 2018 : Ta Van- Giang Ta Chai- Night train to Hanoi .Sharing cabin (B, L) | Guide and driver
Once you get energy for your last day trek by having a delicious breakfast, you leave for Giang Ta Chai village of Red Dao minority. You will trek through bamboo forest, which belongs to Hoang Lien National Park. On the way you will pass by a waterfall where you will have time to take a rest and enjoy the surroundings. You will find a nice place to enjoy lunch.
After lunch, you continue toward Su Pan, a small village located by the road. Here you start your journey back to Sapa by car.
Arrive in Sapa, walking around the town, and transfer ahead to the train station for night train to Hanoi.
Approx: 1-hour driving/ 3 hours walking/ 1-hour lunch.
Day 05 . Sat 14 April 2018 : Hanoi arrival - Halong Bay. Sharing bus (B, L, D) | Guide and driver
You will arrive at Hanoi train station early in the morning at 5.30am. You will be picked up from the station and brought to a 2 star hotel to freshen up and have breakfast. After breakfast depart to Halong Bay, passing a peaceful countryside typical of Red River Delta with endless rice fields and winding rivers. We will arrive at Halong’s tourist wharf around noon and embark an elegant wooden junk. Lunch will be served while the boat gently cruises past numerous islands and limestone structures rising from the emerald water. A fresh seafood dinner will be prepared by an experienced chef and served on deck. A peaceful night on board in your private cabin.
Please note the program may be little varied upon the cruise you choose & weather condition on that day
Accommodation: Garden Bay - Garden Bay 10 - Deluxe
Day 06 . Sun 15 April 2018 : Halong – Hanoi. Sharing bus (B, L) | Guide and driver
Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay you have time for an early morning dip while the sun rises, followed by breakfast on board. We will continue to sail through the bay during the morning to explore more secluded areas. The junk will stay close at all times serving as a backup vessel for those that require it. Around midday we will return to the main harbor & drive back to Hanoi.
Overnight in Hanoi
Accommodation: Hong Ngoc Dynastie Hotel*** - Deluxe
Day 07 . Mon 16 April 2018 : Hanoi departure (B) | Driver
Freetime before the transfer to the airport for your flight off. Your room is available until 12h00.