Vietnam - 11 days active (11 days)

Day 1 : Arrival Hanoi ( D )  Arrive at NoiBai Airport. Meeting with guide and transfer to the hotel. Welcome dinner featured with Vietnamese specialty at the restaurant. Evening is reserved for Water Puppet Show. Overnight in hotel. Day 2: Hanoi City tour - Sapa  Your tour starts with a visit to HoChiMinh mausoleum, One pillar pagoda. The next stop is Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first college -QuocTuGiam, then roaming around HoanKiem lake Lunch in nice restaurant No 69 at Old House.

Afternoon : Visit Ethnology Museum. Free time. 20h30 Transfer to Train Station for night train LC 5 ( 22h00 - 6h00 ) to Sapa. Overnight on the train by soft sleeper.

Day 3: Ha Noi - Lao Cai - Sapa Pick up at Lao Cai train station to Sa Pa by minibus. Arrive in Sa Pa in the mid-morning, and then check in hotel, have breakfast and relax, early afternoon the guide takes you to visit two villages of Black H'mong people (Cat Cat Village), a waterfall and you have a chance to see the hydroelectric power station built by the French. Back to Sa Pa for dinner. In the evening, you are free to visit Sa Pa town and Love Market.

Day 4: Sapa - Lao Cai - Ha Noi After breakfast, the guide takes you to the villages of the H'mong and Dzay called Lao Chai and Ta Van. Have lunch on the way or in a family of the ethnic people. Return to Sa Pa.free time over night in hotel.

Day 5: Mountain Biking Bac Ha -Can Cau (Grading: Beginner) Depart from Sa Pa at 4.30am* to Lao Cai, breakfast. Drive through the steep Bac Ha mountains to Can Cau. Take in this remote market Drive10km to a Hmong village where you will start cycling a single track and dirt road thru local villages along a high country plateau. The last 10km is an easy down hill on tar road back to Bac Ha town. Overnight in Sao Mai Hotel.

Day 6: Mountain Biking and the Famous Bac Ha Market Get your camera ready for the famous Bac Ha market, The sights, sounds and smells in this bustling hill tribe market are a barrage for the senses! Be sure to try the local corn whiskey! After lunch at the hotel, you will cycle 12km of a loop thru the neighborhoods of the town. The ride starts with a climb on tar road, then hit a single track and dirt road winding thru plum gardens, rice fields, past local home and inhabitants. Ride back to the hotel for a quick shower then transfer to Lao Cai. Night Train back to Ha Noi.

Day 7: Arrive in Ha Noi 4.30 am. Arrive in Hanoi 4.30 am. Check in the hotel. You'll welcome this free day to relax and recover from you journey north. Lots of time to explore more of Hanoi and pick up some of those last minute souvenirs. Overnight in hotel.

Day 8: Sea Kayaking Ha Long Bay Leave Ha Noi for Hai Phong (5:30AM), stop in Hai Phong for breakfast before boarding the express boat to Cat Ba Island (08.20). Arrive in Cat Ba at 10.00. Cruise to our private Beach Base Camp. Enjoy a lunch of fresh local sea food and get ready for an afternoon of exploration by kayak. Your guide will give you full instruction on the gear and safety equipment then gear you up to start paddling the calm emerald waters of Ha Long Bay. Return to the base camp for a great dinner then overnight in your cozy hut on the beach.

Day 9: Sea Kayaking Ha Long Bay Whole day paddling exploring the Bay at your own pace, having a closer look at the amazing karsts. You'll explore some of the many caves that lead to stunning lagoons, paddle to some floating villages to see this unique way of life, and stop to chill out at one of the many beaches here. You'll be met by a support boat where you'll board to enjoy lunch before you continue paddling in the afternoon. Cruise back to the base camp for dinner Another relaxing night at the base camp.

Day 10: Sea Kayaking - Return Ha Noi Explore a little bit more of the bay before having lunch. Cruise back to the island, free at leisure to see floating village and market. Take the express boat and bus back to Ha Noi. Arrive in Hanoi at 7.30pm. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 11: We'll take you from your hotel out to the airport to see you off on your journey home!

2007 Price

Standard Accommodation Deluxe Accommodation Cost per person $568USD $572USD Single supplement $135USD $205USD Prices quoted are based on a minimum of 2 pax

Tour Cost includes: Full transportation as tour program indicated. Full meals as indicated (L, D) at the local restaurant. English/French speaking guide Full entrance fees. Tour Cost excludes: Airport taxes; Visas; travel insurance; tips; personal expenses, emergency transfers.