Day 1: Hanoi arrival
Meet and transfer to hotel. Take the City tour if the time permit to Visit Ethnology Museum, Hoan Kiem lake, Ngoc Son temple, 36 old streets. Water puppetry show. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi - Halong (B, L, D)
After a 3.5 hours drive we will board our private vessel, an authentic Chinese Junk, for a relaxing cruise to the bay. After lunch on the boat we will stop at a small floating fishing village where our kayaks will be waiting. Then take advantage of the afternoon (2-3 hours) by kayaking amidst the magic of Halong. Tonight's dinner will include a selection of the freshest sea food. Retire to your quarters on the boat or sleep under the stars on the top deck.
Day 3: Have Lost and let's see what happens (B, L, D)
A full day of kayaking follows breakfast on the boat. This is the day to discover the hidden Halong and uncover the secrets of this World Heritage Site. Paddle through the emerald water to magnificent caves and deserted lagoons. Explore every nook and cranny of this spectacle of towering limestone and ocean, kayak to places some have never been to. The day we will be fully supported by our boat. We will not have any designated route, we just paddle to the places you wish to go. Our only concern will be the weather's possible heavy rain or too much sun. If this is the case, we can easily go back to the boat for lunch, a short rest, more water or swimming. For those who are not feeling up to a full day of kayaking, cruising on the boat capturing photograph after photograph or sun bathing are some alternatives. As the sun sets, take pleasure in knowing that our second night will be spent on the water as well.
Day 4: More kayaking then onto Hanoi (B, L)
Breakfast, then more cruising and kayaking. Then we return to Ha Long City. We will see a little bit of the town as we will have lunch at a local restaurant here, then we will begin our return to Hanoi. Dinner by your owner, Night train up to Sapa.
Day 5: Lao Cai – Sapa, trek to Lao chai, Tavan (B, L)
The Night Before: Transfer from your hotel to the Hanoi Train Station for boarding at 9: 30 pm. You will be in shared AC soft sleeper cabins of 4 to travel North to Lao Cai town. Today’s Morning: The train arrives in Lao Cai at about 6: 30 am where your Heritage guide will welcome you. Look for the “Heritage Travel” sign when you exit the train station. Then take a morning drive through the clouds by car / van to Sapa (about 1.5 hours).
When you arrive in Sapa you will be taken to a local restaurant for a morning shower & breakfast. Then we will take short ride from Sapa to our trekking base where we start our trek through terraced rice fields and Hmong villages. Chances to meet and talk with locals working in the fields are plentiful. We will break for a picnic lunch en route then continue trekking to Ta Phin village of the Dao people (6 hours). Your Dao host family will warmly welcome you to their traditional home where we will share in an ethnic style dinner and stay in Tay Family the night. Includes: Transfer(s), train ticket, tour guide, all meals, entrance fee(s), homestay.
Day 6: More trekking and back to Sapa (B, L)
At the first of gleam of daylight, you will see and hear the sounds of morning village life. You can join them in some of their activities, like feeding the animals; cleaning the houses, gardening or preparing breakfast. After breakfast, we will complete our trek on a valley route to the main road (4 hours) linking Lao Cai and Sapa. Alternatively, for this long trek, you can choose take a short morning wander around the village for about 1 hour, resulting in more time spent with the host family and other villagers. For both options, you will be supported by our car / van back to Sapa (30 minutes).
When we arrive back in Sapa we will check in to the hotel, shower, and break for lunch. At 2: 30 pm we will visit the gardens of beautiful Ham Rong mountain & take part in a traditional ethnic music performance put on by the ethnic minority people. Then return at your own leisure with free time to discover the secrets of this colorful town. Overnight at the hotel in Sapa town. Includes: Transfer(s), tour guide, breakfast, entrance fee(s), hotel.
Day 7: (if Wed) Sapa - Xi Cheng market, (You will have chance to see one Market by this any day) and night train to Hanoi
Get up early for breakfast from sapa, check out of the hotel, and then drive to Xi Cheng market (146 km). Just before reaching the market we will see colorful activity. Beautiful Flower Hmong people carrying hand crafted products or pulling dogs or buffalos, all on their way to the market. You are free to wonder around the market and become a part of the trading activities. Please be respectful to the locals as they are reluctant to have their photo taken without permission. You can have lunch at one of the market stalls inside the market for more of a traditional taste. In the afternoon we transfer to Lao Cai town. Dinner here on your own before boarding the train at 8: 50 pm back to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi by 4: 30 am. Van would take you back to your Hotel. End Tours
