Dear Tu,
Thanks you very much, we had a really nice trip. It was as we wanted.
The most impressive experience was the cruise in Halong bay (kayak there was incredible) and the trekking in Sapa. Also we really liked to visit Tam Coc.
In our opinion, the timing of the program, for all the activities was perfect. The Gondola hotel in Hanoi and the Dragon hotel in Sapa were very well located and confortables. The guides and drivers were very good.
We really enjoyed also the puppet show.
For sure, we will recommend you to our friends and contact you for next trips. Thanks again.
Best Regards,
Daiana y Paco
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PROGRAM DETAIL
Day 01 . Sun 16 July 2017 : Hanoi arrival (AF5096 CDG HAN 1400 0620) (-) | Guide and driver
Arrival in Noi Bai airport , you will be picked up then transferred to the hotel in city center. The check-in is available at 2 pm. The day is free for your own exploration and shopping. Overnight at hotel (your own arrangement)
Day 02 . Mon 17 July 2017 : Hanoi- Tam Coc- Hanoi (B, L) | Guide and driver
In the morning, at 8AM, our car and guide will pick you up to travel to Hoa Lu – the former capital of Vietnam , about a two-hour drive from Hanoi . On arrival, you will visit two temples, one of them dedicated to Emperor Dinh and the other in memory of Emperor Le, followed by a brief visit to the remains of the Old Palace . Feel ready to star our cycling for one more hour to Tam Coc (12km), passing scenery of paddy fields or small stream. You will have lunch in Tam Coc, enjoy the taste of Vietnamese cuisine.
After lunch at a local restaurant, you will visit Tam Coc (three caves), a peaceful valley among limestone ‘karst' hills, There, you will be rowed along a gentle river between paddy fields and through the caves. In the late afternoon, you will return to Hanoi for overnight.
Day 03 . Tue 18 July 2017 : Ha Noi - Ha Long Bay (B, L, D) | Guide and driver
After breakfast (8:00-8:30AM), you depart to Halong Bay by SHUTTLE BUS, passing beautiful scenery along the way full of lush rice paddies and winding rivers, typical of the Red River Delta. You will arrive at Halong’s tourist wharf around noon and embark a classic wooden junk. Lunch will be served as the boat gently cruises past numerous islands and limestone structures rising from the emerald waters of the bay. It is also an ideal opportunity to enjoy the sea breeze and refresh your soul. An experienced chef will prepare a fresh seafood dinner. Overnight on board in your private cabin.
Day 04 . Wed 19 July 2017 : Halong – Hanoi - night train to Lao Cai (B, L) | Guide and driver
After breakfast in hotel we board our private boat for a half day cruising in the bay of the dragon with more than 2000 limestone islands scattering up from the emerald water. We visit one of the most beautiful grottos and have the opportunity to enjoy a meal with fresh seafood. Back to the land and drive to Hanoi. You can then continue exploring Hanoi by yourself until the departure of the night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on train(4 persons/cabin)
Day 05 . Thu 20 July 2017 : Lao Cai arrival - Sapa - Lao Chai - Ta Van homestay (B, L, D) | Guide and driver
We will arrive in Lao Cai around 6:00am, have breakfast and continue to Sapa, situated 40km from Lao Cai, by private car. On arrival to hotel, starting our trek through the beautiful Muong Hoa valley in Sapa. After following the road for 2km, we reach Y Linh Ho village home to Black H'mong ethnic people. We continue our walk to Lao Chai village and enjoy beautiful views of terraced rice fields along the way. The guide will prepare a simple picnic style lunch for you. After lunch, we will visit a Catholic church and explore local traditions and customs. In the afternoon, we will reach the heart of the Sapa valley, the Ta Van village home to Dzay ethnic people. Dinner and overnight at a Dzay ethnic house.
(Note: During May (rice planting month) and September (rice ripening month), the golden terraced fields are especially spectacular and you can learn about methods of harvesting or planting).
Day 06 . Fri 21 July 2017 : Ta Van - Giang Ta Chai- Sapa (B, L) | Guide and driver
After having breakfast in the homestay, continue your walking through lush paddy fields and bamboo forests. You can admire a beautiful waterfall. Visit Giang Ta Chai village by Red Dao and Black H’mong. Transfer to Sapa, stopping on the way to Ma Tra village inhabited by Black H’mong people. The rest of the day is free at your own leisure. Overnight in Sapa.
Day 07 . Sat 22 July 2017 : Sapa - Can Cau market - night train to Hanoi (B, L) | Guide and driver
Can Cau is a busy market which is held every Saturday. Located just below the Chinese border, it is a colourful, vibrant market where you will encounter minority peoples such as the Flower H’mong (Red H’mong), Nung, Phu La and even Chinese people from across the border.
All kinds of goods are traded here, from fabrics to various types of livestock to the powerful local corn wine.
As you would expect, the market starts early (around 7.30am) and closes in the early afternoon so you will want to make an early start to get the most out of the experience.
Drive to Can Cau (125 km / 3 hours from Sapa) after breakfast.Take time to explore the market. Mingle with the locals and soak in the atmosphere, maybe try to haggle a bargain!
After the market travel to Bac Ha town to have lunch in a local restaurant where you can try the traditional lunch of Thang Co (horse stew) and corn wine (alternative dishes are available!).
After lunch we will drive to Ban Pho village and take a short walk around where the Flower Hmong, Tay and Nung minorities live.
We will see the local people making corn wine in their houses, ready for the Bac Ha market on Sunday. Drive back to Lao Cai for night train to Hanoi (soft sleeper 4-berth cabin)
Day 08 . Sun 23 July 2017 : Hanoi arrival - departure back home (AF5097 HAN CDG 2350 0700) (B) | Driver
Early morning around 05:30am, you arrive at Hanoi train station. Pick you up at the station and then transfer to hotel for fresh-up & have breakfast (Early check in & late check out is included) Freetime before the transfer to the airport at 20:30 for your flight off. Your room is available until 18h00.