Vietnam Adventure Tour

18 days

Duration

10/10

physicality

Vietnam

location

2, 3, 4, 5, 6

group-size

Vietnam is an ideal adventure travel destination in Asia. Explore a 18 days Vietnam adventure tour and uncover the most beautiful mountainous scenery and colorful hill tribes of Vietnam adventure trip.

ARRIVAL LOCATION

Hanoi

DEPARTURE LOCATION

Hanoi

INCLUDED

Accommodations (3 star)	Private transfers
Professional guide	Meals (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner)
Boat cruises	Entrance fees

NOT INCLUDED

Internal and external flights

Personal expenses

Visa fee

Travel insurance

Leaving the graceful boulevards of Hanoi behind, your journey heads north to Mai Chau, a small town nestled in the midst of a lush valley and surrounded by emerald-green rice fields then continue your drive to Dien Bien Phu where the Vietnamese successfully defeated the French, marking the end of French colonial occupation. next destination is Sapa, situated right on the Chinese border. From here you will trek to a very remote area of the Sapa valley, where you will be able to visit the largest ethnic group in the region. Continue traversing the bumpy mountain roads to Ha Giang and Dong Van, experience breathtaking mountain views and meet friendly locals along the way. Cruise on Ba Be lake and then on the majestic Ban Gioc Waterfall in Cao Bang. End your trip by an overnight cruise on Halong, the World’s natural heritage site. If you want to get a taste of real Vietnam adventure, this is the trip for you.

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

Welcome upon arrive in Noi Bai airport, transfer to hotel for check-in, refreshment and leisure time. Rest of the day is free at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B, L)

A full day city tour of Hanoi includes Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his House on Stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple, the Temple of Literature and the Vietnam Ethnology Museum. After lunch, you will continue to visit Opera House, Cathedral, Ngoc Son Temple and take a cyclo for an hour to visit Old quarter streets followed by the Water Puppet Show. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3: Hanoi - Mai Chau (B, L, D)

Today, you will start your Vietnam adventure holiday by departing to Mai Chau, a small town nestled in the midst of a lush valley and surrounded by emerald-green rice fields. Enjoy picturesque views of the scenic landscape, sown with pagodas and rural villages. Stop along the way to visit the Muong tribe and then at Thung Khe Pass for a spectacular view of Mai Chau Valley. Have lunch in Mai Chau then you will spend the afternoon trekking off the typical tourist track, along the Song Ma River. Trek through terraced rice paddies and small villages to discover the natural beauty of the valley and encounter the culture of the White Thai people living in the region. Your overnight stay tonight will be at a local family in Lac village. Dinner followed by a live traditional dance and music performance.

Day 4: Mai Chau - Son La - Dien Bien Phu (B, L, D)

Start your early day with a simple breakfast with your host family. Farewell to your host of home stay and drive to Son La. You will stop en route to visit villages of various tribes including the H’mong, Thai, Muong and Dzao and orchard, tea farm in Moc Chau plateau – Vietnam’s premier tea-growing region, before reaching to Son La (200km from Mai Chau) for a late lunch. In the afternoon, you will continue your trip along winding mountain roads through North Vietnam’s stunning countryside. The most picturesque scenery here is Pha Din Pass, well-known as a historical site during the 1st Indochina War ended in 1954, and a charming and dangerous pass at elevation 1,300m with breathtaking view. According to local legend, “Pha Din” means the connection between Heaven and Earth. On arrival, check in at your hotel and spend rest of day at leisure. Overnight in Dien Bien Phu.

Day 5: Dien Bien Phu – Lai Chau – Phong Tho (B, L, D

Start the day early with a visit to the local market where you will meet charming Thai tribes in their traditional costumes purchasing their farm products.Next, you will visit Dien Bien Phu Museum and A1 hill then continue to Dien Bien Phu Cemetery to observe a minute’s silence in memory of the heroes who devoted their lives for the victory of the historical Dien Bien Phu Campaign. Visit General De Castries’s Bunker, Old Muong Thanh Bridge and Nam Rom river. After lunch, proceed to Lai Chau along a bumpy road, passing a series of ethnic villages of Kho Mu (Xa), Huoi Chan, and Bung Giat. Continue to Phong Tho on scenic roads, crossing the junctions of Da and Na rivers by the way of the Chinese-built Hang Tom suspension bridge. From here, the road weaves its way northwards through the picturesque and steadily more spectacular Na River valley, past more ethnic villages of White Thai, Kho Mu and later Red and White H’mong minorities. Arrive in Phong Tho and spend rest of the day to cycle around the village. Overnight in Phong Tho.

Day 6: Lai Chau – Sapa (B, L, D)

This morning, you will leave Phong Tho for Sapa. The road is a bit bumpy at times, but the rough route is quickly compensated by the magnificent scenery: yawning valleys, winding rivers, and canonical mountains – a photographer’s dream. The drive to Sapa takes you up Tram Son – the highest pass in Vietnam – and views of the Fansipan Peak, known as “the roof of Indochina”. Stop en route to visit Heaven’s Gate and the Silver Waterfall. You arrive in Sapa in the afternoon. Nestled in a sweeping valley near the Chinese border, Sapa is Northwest Vietnam’s premier travel destination. Built in 1922 as a French colonial hill station, this quaint town is now a trekker’s paradise, offering hiking routes through terraced rice fields and enchanting hill tribe villages. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the colorful town on your own. Have dinner and stay overnight in Sapa.

Day 7: Sapa Trekking (B, L, D)

Enjoy an entire day trekking through Sapa’s breathtaking countryside. After breakfast at the hotel, begin your adventure, trekking down to the Muong Hoa Valley, continue on one of Vietnam’s most beautiful trekking routes. Walk through pine forests, terraced rice paddies and traditional Hmong villages. Along the way you will visit a village school and have a picnic lunch along the river’s edge. After lunch, trek through the Zay village. You conclude your journey at Ta Van Bridge, where your driver will take you back to Sapa. Enjoy the evening free at your leisure.

Day 8: Sapa - Ha Giang (B, L, D)

In the morning, embark on a long bus journey (approximately seven hours) to the province of Ha Giang. This is a highland region of forests and terraced rice paddies, with the mountains of Heaven’s Gate (Quan Ba pass) soaring in the background. The Ha Giang province also shares a border with southern China, and is known as Vietnam’s final frontier. After relaxing and getting to know your surrounds, visit the local markets and shop fronts, which are relics of a bygone era. Afterwards venture to the the local museum and explore Cuom Village, witnessing the colourful traditional dress of the local people. The evening is then free to do as you please.

Day 9: Ha Giang - Dong Van (B, L, D)

Today you will visit the small communities of Quan Ba, Yen Minh and Dong Van, some of the most picturesque villages in the northern tip of Vietnam. The scenery is spectacular, including a vast limestone mountain range and perpendicular walls of rock. Stop at the Vuong Palace, once the home of a high-ranking H’mong family during French colonial rule. The palace attracts architecturally minded visitors due to its unusual combination of European and Chinese styles. Drive to Dong Van for visiting its charming ‘Old Streets’ near the market. Overnight in Dong Van.

Day 10: Dong Van - Ba Be Lake (B, L, D)

Travel onto Ba Be Lake early in the morning, where you’ll board a houseboat. The drive to Ba Be takes around 5-6 hours, but the views are remarkable and the destination is well worth the trip. Once there, the boat takes you around the largest natural lake in Vietnam, surrounded by limestone bluffs and mountains. Disembark for some light walks along the way, visiting waterfalls and observing the natural flora and fauna. Return to land in the evening and head to a local home where you’ll have dinner and spend the night.

Day 11: Ba Be Lake Cruise (B, L, D)

You will take a private boat for a cruise on the Ba Be Lake or if the weather permits you will have a swim in crystal clear waters. Have lunch near the Dau Dang Waterfall. A visit to this small hamlet will enable you to witness how little the lives of the people in these remote areas have changed. Cruise back to the Pac Ngoi village for your overnight stay.

Day 12: Ba Be - Cao Bang (B, L, D)

Morning drive to Ma Pi Leng Pass where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Nho Que River. Driving through more passes before arriving Cao Bang for lunch. Rest of the day is free at leisure. Dinner and overnight in Cao Bang.

Day 13: Cao Bang (B, L, D)

After breakfast, you will transfer to Chinese border to visit Pac Bo Cave, Ho Chi Minh’s hideout upon his return to Vietnam after 30 years of self-imposed exile. There you will take a 3-hour trek to a village inhabited by the Nung minority people. Back to Cao Bang Town for your overnight stay.

Day 14: Cao Bang - Ban Gioc Waterfall - Cao Bang (B, L, D)

Morning transfer to visit the Ban Gioc waterfall, the largest one in Vietnam and one of the most favorite Vietnam tours and holidays describing the beauty of Vietnam. It forms a natural border between Vietnam and China. With its three-tiers of water, it resembles a giant white staircase. While your are here, you will be able to swim and enjoy a picnic lunch near the waterfall. Return to Cao Bang for your overnight stay.

Day 15: Cao Bang - Hanoi (B, L)

Drive back to Hanoi via Lang Son – a border town of Vietnam and China on the scenic road. If time permits, you will visit Tam Thanh and Nhi Thanh Grottoes and pagodas. Lunch will be at a local restaurant in Lang Son. You arrive back Hanoi in late evening. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 16: Hanoi - Halong Overnight Cruise (B, L, D)

Transfer to Halong Bay, Sip on a refreshing welcome drink upon check in before you begin your cruise through the bay. Feast on a delicious lunch as you cruise among hundreds of islets (Dinh Huong islet, Ga Choi Fighting Cock islet, Dog islet, Finger islet, etc.) to discover unspoiled pockets of Halong Bay and visit Sung Sot cave, one of the most imposing grottoes of the Bay. Swim at Soi Sim beach or Titov beach or a short trek to the top of Titov Mountain for a magnificent panoramic scenery. After visiting Amazing cave, you can go kayaking from Soi Sim beach to Luon Cave to enjoy the quiet atmosphere of the bay (or from Bo Nau cave, to Soi Sim beach to TiTov) Enjoy your dinner with fresh seafood on board. Squid fishing or relax and chatting with your partner, friends, family. Overnight on board.

Day 17: Halong - Hanoi (B, L)

For early risers complimentary tea, coffee, fruit and cake are served. Visit Luon cave on small bamboo boat paddle by out crew staff and enjoy the quiet atmosphere enclosed by high islets and mountains. Be back to our Huong Hai Junk. Sail past rock formations such as Man’s Head islet, Tortoise islet, Butterfly cave, Lion islet, Bai Tho mountain, enjoy the tranquil scenery as the boat meanders its way through the bay on the way back to Ha Long city, etc. Arrange your luggage and do the check out on board at around 10.00 am. Enjoy a wholesome brunch as your boat weaves through strange-shaped limestone rock formations. Arrive back at Ha Long city for disembarkation, return to Hanoi for your overnight stay.