Sapa to the sea

Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be meet and greet by our tour guide and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of your day is at your leisure to rest and relax or enjoy the thrill of a cyclo (rickshaw) tour to explore the fascinating Old quarter and the charming Hoan Kiem lake.

Morning, we embark on a full day tour of Hanoi, a unique and beautiful city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental temples. The tour includes Ho Chi Minh`s Mausoleum (annual closed Mondays and Fridays plus Oct-Nov), his former Presidential Palace and house on stilts. Also have chance to see the historical - One Pillar Pagoda was built in 1049. Next  visit is  the Temple of Literature, this is a very first National University of Vietnam as well as the Temple of Confucius. Lunch is served at the local restaurant before continuing our tour with a visit to the interesting and informative Ethnology Museum to gain an overview of the fascinating ethnic diversity of Vietnam. Ngoc Son Temple will be the last stop before return to hotel for freshen up. In the evening, you are transferred from your hotel to Hanoi train station for the overnight train to Lao Cai. The train leaves Hanoi around 9pm and arrive Lao Cai following day at around 6am.

Arrive early in the morning at Lao Cai train station and drive about an hour to Sapa, a former French hill town nestled in the mountains 1650m above sea level. This charming small town is full of scenic landscapes, rice terraces, and colourful ethnic minority groups. Take short treks for stunning views to Lao Chai and Tavav to meet many of the ethnic minorities that live in the area. Spend the night at hotel in Sapa.

Stretch your legs with a climb to the top of Ham Rong Mountain for a panoramic view of Sapa and the surrounding rugged landscape.  On the descent explore the surrounding orchid gardens and see the flowers in bloom. Later, travel out of town to the start point of your walk to Ta Phin, home to the distinctive Dao (pronounced Zao) community. Take a stroll through the village and surrounding area, stopping to chat to locals along the way. Then return to Lao Cai station for night train back to Hanoi.

Arrive in Hanoi at around 5 am. A day room will be available, so you can shower and freshen up before breakfast. At around 8 am start your journey to Halong Bay and arrive at around midday to board a traditional junk for an overnight cruise. Halong Bay is widely considered to be one of the natural wonders of the world. Thousands of towering pillars of sea and wind-carved limestone karst make the bay an unforgettable sight. After lunch, explore some of the huge limestone caves dotted around the bay and visit a floating fishing village. The captain will then find a secluded spot where you can swim, soak up the sun on the top deck, or try your hand at kayaking. In the evening enjoy a seafood feast for dinner.

During the summer months, enjoy an early morning swim followed by breakfast as you cruise through more spectacular scenery. In the afternoon drive back to Hanoi, where you will have one more evening to sample the fabulous cuisine of the region and explore the Old Quarter.

Your will be transferred to airport for flight out Vietnam.