Day 1: Hanoi
Our representative/tour guide will meet and greet you at the airport. Drive to your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi - Sapa
Enjoy 5 hour sightseeing tours to visit the city's landmarks such as Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, The Temple of Literature (First University built in the 11 Century), Hanoi Hilton Museum. Free walking around Hanoi old quarter for shopping and short visit Dong Xuan market. Enjoy 1 hour cyclo tours around the Hanoi City's old quarters and the traditional water puppetry show. Transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi
Day 3: Sapa
Enjoy 5 hour sightseeing tours to visit the city's landmarks such as Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, The Temple of Literature (First University built in the 11 Century), Hanoi Hilton Museum. Free walking around Hanoi old quarter for shopping and short visit Dong Xuan market. Enjoy 1 hour cyclo tours around the Hanoi City's old quarters and the traditional water puppetry show. At 22:00, we go to Hanoi train station to board overnight train to Sapa.
Day 4: Trekking to Ta Van Village (Homestay)
Over the next three days, we trek through this beautiful mountain region and observe the varied customs and cultures of some of the minority people. The trekking will be difficult at times with some steep uphill and downhill walking, but the spectacular scenery, with a mixture of terraced rice-fields and hill villages, makes the hardship all worthwhile. A degree of physical preparation is suggested to ensure maximum enjoyment from the walk. We spend the nights in local villages, as guests of the villagers. The facilities are very basic, but the experience is definitely unique. Our first night of trekking is spent in a Zay village called Ta Van.
Day 5: Trekking to Ban Ho Village (Homestay)
We continue our trek, passing through many different hilltribe villages along the way. On our journey we meet many of the local people. Black Hmong, Tay, Red Dao and Sa Pho are some of the many minority groups who have settled in this remote region. Our second night of trekking is most likely spent in the village of Ban Ho.
Day 6: Ban Ho - Sapa
The scenery of the north is unequalled. The Fansipan range boasts Vietnam's highest mountain and lends an alpine feel to the areas surrounding this hill station. We complete our trekking expedition in the afternoon and return to Sapa for a well-earned rest and a proper shower!
Day 7: Sapa - Lao Cai - Hanoi
An early start departing Sapa as we again past the frontier town of Lao Cai and head for hills towards the east. We visit the lively and colourful Sunday market in Bac Ha, arguably one of the most colourful markets in the world! Here we see many ethnic minority groups, but the dominant are the aptly named Flower Hmong. All these ethnic minority tribes wear their distinct costumes and come into town to trade on this one day of the week. Returning to Lao Cai, we catch the overnight sleeper train for an eight-hour overnight journey back to Hanoi.
Day 8: Hanoi
Arriving back in the capital, we have free day to wander around and enjoy some of the city’s other attractions. A walk around Hoan Kiem Lake is a great way of seeing how a great deal of the life of this city revolves around this pretty body of water. Visit Ngoc Son Temple and learn about the legend of the giant golden tortoise, which had once inhabited the lake. Perhaps afterwards, afternoon tea at the Metropole Hotel? In the evening there is an option to enjoy a performance of the unique Water Puppets.
Day 9: Hanoi - Hue
Transferring to the airport to catch morning flight to Hue. Check-in hotel upon arrival and take refresh for a while. This quiet city is widely known for the magnificent architecture of its citadels, palaces, royal tombs, pagodas and temples built under the Nguyen Dynasty. We visit the major sites including the Imperial Citadel with Forbidden Royal City like in Beijing. Free shopping in Dong Ba market. Overnight in Hue
Day 10: Hue
Morning touring to visit the royal mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc and the beautiful Thien Mu Pagoda are not to be missed. We include these in a guided cruise on the Perfume River, which also gives us a taste of the tranquil countryside. Returning to town, we then visit the Citadel and the Purple Forbidden City. Stay overnight in Hue
Day 11: Hue - Hoi An
This morning we embark on one of Vietnam's most spectacular road trips by crossing over the Hai Van Pass, towards Danang. We continue south to China Beach, enjoyed as an 'R & R' spot during the Vietnam War, which lies against a backdrop of the sensational Marble Mountains. We also visit these ‘mountains’, which consist of five peaks that are actually limestone with marble outcrops and are seen to epitomise the five elements: fire, water, earth, wood and metal. The history of the mountains is a rich one. They were once used by the Chams for religious purposes, but in more recent times became a haven for the Viet Cong, with their clear view of the Danang air base - at one time the busiest airport in the world. Good footwear is essential, as the paths between the rocks are sometime slippery. Our destination at the end of the day is Hoi An. There are many street-side cafes and restaurants in Hoi An - ideal places to finish off the day by sampling the culinary delights of this town.
Day 12: Hoi An
Hoi An was originally a Cham port town, but has been influenced down the centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures. There is a distinctly Chinese appearance with pagodas and assembly halls scattered along the small streets. Hoi An was once a bustling port in centuries gone by before the river silted up. Today much of it is a delightful backwater town with an air of liveliness. The tranquility and charm of this town with its low tiled houses makes it one of the most delightful places to visit in Vietnam. It is a constant favourite of our travellers and staff. A walking tour takes us to see a historic house (formerly home to a prominent trader), the Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese assembly hall and a museum. During a free afternoon, you can enjoy a bicycle ride in the countryside or relax at the nearby Cua Dai Beach.
Day 13: Hoi An - Danang - Buon Ma Thuot
Pick up at airport in Buon Ma Thuot and drive about 80 kms to the rural village of Nam Ka before walking the final 3 kms to our home for the night. Our homestay is in Rai village, which is an Ede minority village. Our accommodation, a traditional long house-on-stilt of Ede group, is very simple but clean and comfortable.
Day 14: Buon Ma Thuot - Rai village
We are picked up at Buon Ma Thuot in the afternoon. Driving about 80 kms to the rural village of Nam Ka before walking the final 3 kms to our home for the night. Our homestay is in Rai village, which is an Ede minority village. Our accommodation, a traditional long house-on-stilt of Ede group, is very simple but clean and comfortable.
Day 15: Nam Ka forest - Buon Triet Lake - Jatu
Today, we have a full day for trekking through evergreen forest to the lovely Buon Triet lake. The trek is 18 kms but is graded easy and the temperature remains quite comfortable. We are picked up by pedal boats and enjoy a ride across this beautiful lake before enjoying an afternoon swim. This evening is spent in Jatu village where our hosts belong to the M’Nong minority.
Day 16: Jun village - Lak lake - M'lieng village
We will take private transport to Jun village. Enjoying a ride across Lak lake by elephant to M’Lieng village. Walking around the village to discover the daily life of ethnic minority in the Central Highlands. Back to Jun village by boat. This evening is spent at a hotel in Buon Ma Thuot where you can take the delights of a hot shower. By night, you take a walk on streets and enjoy some coffee which has the where you can take the delights of a hot shower. By night, you take a walk on streets and enjoy some coffee which has the best quality in Vietnam.
Day 17: Buon Ma Thuot - Kon Tum
There are some interesting things to do this morning. Visit Ethnology Museum where we can see many things come from the daily life of ethnic minorities in Vietnam such as : clothes, cultivated tools, musical instruments... We continue on to Khai Doan Pagoda, the last one of Nguyen Dynasty in the Central Highlands. The architecture of this pagoda is mixed between long house-on-stilts of Ede group and traditional house in Hue. Visit Buon Ma Thuot’s bustling regional market. You can buy some souvenirs before driving to Kon Tum in the afternoon. Overnight at hotel in Kon Tum
Day 18: Kon Tum - Kon Ko Tu village
Visit the Big Seminary, the Wooden Church and drive to Kon Ko Lor II village. Start hiking through Kon Ko Ri village, across rice and sugar-cane fields. You will meet Bana ethnic people and discover the architecture of Rong house which looks like an axe blade pointing in to the sky. Later in the afternoon, enjoy a ride on the river by rubber boat to Kon Ko Tu village. This evening is spent in Rong house that belongs to the Bana minority.
Day 19: Dakto - Plei Phun - Plei Ku
The private transport will take us to Dak To. Walk across a suspension bridge to visit some villages of Se Dang minority. Back to Kon Tum and transport to Plei Ku. Visit Phun village, a traditional village of Jarai ethnic group with a typical cemetery in the Central Highlands. The tombs are decorated by wooden statues. Going on to T’nung Lake before checking in hotel in Plei Ku.
Day 20: Plei Ku - Quy Nhon
Today we drive to Quy Nhon via Highway No.19 with stopover at An Khe to visit the former bases: 1st Bn 7th CAV Base Camp, 3rd Bde "Garry Owen" Base Camp, Looking West from 3rd Bde, The Barrier Line, 1/9 CAV Area and Manyang passes, having lunch on the way. Proceed to Quy Nhon. Overnight at beach resort in Quy Nhon.
Day 21: Quy Nhon - Nha Trang
Morning departure for the beach city of Nha Trang by Highway 1, stopping at any point that interests you along the way. Arrive at Nha Trang, check into hotel. Free evening for strolling around the city. Overnight in Nha Trang city.
Day 22: Nha Trang
Morning, we will take private boat trip to visit Mun island. Sea food lunch served on board. Free for swimming, relaxing. Coming back to your city at about 04:00pm in afternoon. Overnight at hotel in Nha Trang city.
Day 23: Nha Trang - Saigon
Free at leisure until transferring to airport to take flight to Saigon - Vietnam's largest city has an exciting buzz as millions of people rush around on their daily business. We'll see the historic Reunification Palace and some great examples of French colonial architecture from the comfort of a cyclo. You will be free at the rest of day to make your own exploration to discover the city. Overnight in Saigon.
Day 24: Saigon Departure
Free at leisure until transferring to Tan Son Nhat airport to take departure flight onward. HOME SWEET HOME. End of service
