DAY 1: ARRIVAL - HANOI
On arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you are met and
transferred to hotel. Ha Noi , Vietnam's capital, is a
stylish and gracious city that retains an unique old
world charm and some Asia ‘s most striking colonial
architecture. The many lakes and parks make for relaxing
atmosphere. (If time permit ) we enjoy a short cyclo
excursion through the bustling old quarter streets named
after the specific goods once offered for sale at these
places. O/N in Ha Noi.
DAY 2: HANOI - LAO CAI [ B ]
This morning we enjoy a half day city tour, seeing the
the Ho Chi Minh Complex, containing the mausoleum of the
nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace
and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. The complex also
comprises the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back
to the foundation of Hanoi. The next stop of our trip is
the impressive Ethnologic Museum, dedicated to Vietnam’s
54 ethnic minorities, some of which we will see on our
forthcoming days. We also visit the Temple of Literature
and the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem with its sacred
temple. The reminder of the day is free for your own
exploration of Ha Noi until transferring to the rail way
station for a night train to Lao Cai. The train
conditions are very basic however we will travel in soft
sleeper class which is compartment for 4 passengers. O/N
on board .
DAY 3: LAO CAI - SAPA - VILLAGE [B,L,D]
Arrive Sapa early in the morning, pick up and transfer
up to Sapa. After a shower and breakfast at the hotel in
Sapa, we leave Sa Pa at 9 a.m., where Russian jeeps will
drive us into the valley south of Sa Pa. The trekking
begins from the Zay village - Ta Van – where we ascend
the mountain and cross a pass in the altitude of 1700 m.
From here we have a magnificent view to the minority
villages and terraced rice fields beneath us. The walk
is about 16 km along the track that the Vietnamese used
for fleeing, when the Chinese invaded Sa Pa in 1979. We
sleep in tents near the remote Black H`mong village –
Seomiti.
DAY 4: SA PA VALLEY [B,L,D]
After breakfast we start the adventure of the day. The
trekking is beautiful and easy seasoned by the crossing
of two rivers by both a primitive aerial ropeway and an
old suspension brigde. We plan to spent the night in Ta
Trung Ho, which is inhabited by the Red Dao minority.
Dinner and over night in the village.
DAY 5: SA PA VALLEY[B,L,D]
We are now at the fringe of the rain forest by the Hoang
Lien Son mountain range. With 3143 m the highest
mountain in Vietnam - Fan Si Pan - is located in this
mountain range. Crossing a mountain pass in the altitude
of 1180 m. we descend to Nam Sai. Nam Sai is inhabited
by the Xa Pho Hill tribe, which is one of the smallest
minorities in Vietnam. We expect to stay overnight in a
local house in Nam Sai.
DAY 6: SA PA VALLEY[B,L,D]
We trek further through the valley and pass Thanh Phu
village, where we stay for lunch. After a minor ascend
we arrive to the Red Dao village - Sin Chai. We enjoy
our dinner in a private Red Dao house and spent the next
2 nights in bamboo huts in the village.
DAY 7: SA PA VALLEY[B,L,D]
Today you have the possibility to take a rest day in Sin
Chai b, where you can explore the daily life in the
village. Todays trek leaves us to the Red Dao village of
Suoi Thau. We start the day with a 1 hour decend to the
river which we cross and follow until reaching Suoi
Thau, where we have lunch in a local house. After lunch
we have a 2 hour walk back to our "home" in Sin Chai.
DAY 8: VILLAGE - SA PA[B,L,D]
We leave our huts in Sin Chai behind and walk by the
track around the mountain to Thanh Phu. We cross the
river and trek by the river bank to Ban Ho village -
inhabited by the Tay minority. It is possible to enjoy a
refreshing swim in river while our cooks are preparing
our lunch. We leave Ban Ho after lunch and ascend to Su
Pan, where Russian jeeps are awaiting us. The jeeps will
drive us back to Sa Pa. We arrive in Sa Pa in the late
afternoon.
DAY 9: SA PA - LAO CAI - BAC HA[B,L,D]
In the morning after breakfast, drive down to Lao Cai
and then drive up to boat dock for s boat trip to Coc Ly
River. Continue to Bac Ha and arrive in the afternoon.
Check in hotel. Dinner and over night at Sao Mai hotel.
DAY 10: BAC HA - LAO CAI - HANOI[B,L,D]
Wake up early in the morning and join Bac Ha market,
which takes place only on Sunday. After the market,
return to the hotel for lunch. An easy walk to visit the
String H’mong village near by. Return to Sao Mai Hotel
and transfer down to Lao Cai. Dinner in Lao Cai and
night train back to Hanoi. Over night on the train.
DAY 11: HA NOI - HA LONG - KAYAKING[B,L,D]
Arrive Hanoi early in the morning. Pick up and transfer
to restaurant for breakfast. Leave Hanoi for Halong Bay
and arrive around noon. Board a traditional wooden junk
and begin your exploration of magical Halong Bay, one of
Southeast Asia’s premier tourist destinations. An
excellent, fresh seafood lunch will be served on the
boat while cruise to the most beautiful areas in Halong
for afternoon paddling. Overnight onboard the
comfortable and charming junk. discussion .
DAY 12: KAYAKING - HALONG - HANOI[B,L,D]
Wake up early in the morning to enjoy the aquamarine
water of the bay at its best. After breakfast and early
swim, we continue for 2 hours paddling visit to the
isolated beach, floating village. Meet the junk again
for lunch while cruising back to Halong harbor. Transfer
back to Hanoi by vehicle. Farewell dinner at the
restaurant in town and overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.
DAY 13: HANOI - DEPARTURE
There is a free time for you to relax or further explore
Ha Noi . The trip ends after your transfer to Noi Bai
Airport for departure. (B)
/www.greentrailtours.com.vn/images1/blank.gif){kind=spacer}
