16 DAYS, HANOI – SAPA – HALONG BAY- GUILIN – XIAN – BEIJING

Itinerary

ITINERARY IN DETAILS:

DAY 1, ARRIVAL HANOI
Arrival Hanoi transfer to the hotel. At leisure. Evening water pupet show.
 Overnight at hotel in Hanoi

DAY 2, IN HANOI. VICTORIA EXPRESS TRAIN TO SAPA(B,L)
Visit the country side including craft villages of Bac Ninh.
Afternoon at leisure. Transfer to station for the evening Victoria Express train to Sapa

DAY 3, SAPA (B,L)
The train arrives at the Lao Cai train station at approximately 06:00. There will be a vehicle waiting to transfer us to Sapa.  The drive to Sapa is only 33 km but it takes around 1.5 hours to make our way up the mountains. Once at Sapa, we will check into Victoria Sapa hotel , we have a freshen up and breakfast at the hotel. At 10am  from the hotel there will be a walking tour to the hill tribe villages of Cat Cat, and Sinchai villages home to the Hmong  hill tribes minority peoples. As we walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa, we will meet some of the local minority people on their way to and from Sapa. Here we have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families that live in the area.  Return to Sapa in the afternoon. Overnight at Victoria Sapa hotel

 
DAY 4, SAPA (B,L)
Following breakfast at the hotel we embark on a lovely  walk  that will take us along small paths and trails and through several hill tribe villages of Lao Chai and Tavan, home to H'mong, and Dzay people. This is a absolutely spectacular walk through stunning scenery inhabited by some of the friendliest people you can meet. Stopping for a picnic lunch on the way at a family in Ta Van village. We continue onto Red Dzao villages  and meet with local people and sample their culture. Return to Sapa in the afternoon.
Overnight at hotel Victoria Sapa.

DAY 5, SAPA - HANOI(B)
At leisure in Sapa,
Transfer to station for the evening Victoria Express train back to Hanoi

DAY 6, HANOI - HALONG BAY(B,L)
Drive to Halong bay. Boat trip amongst the stunning limestone backdrops to visit caves, floating villages and beaches. While cruising we are treated to fresh seafood lunch. Opportunity to have  swim off boat or take photo is available. Tonight we overnight on the boat on the bay (2 people cabin)

DAY 7, HALONG BAY - HANOI(B,L)
Breakfast over sunset and ready to  explore  Halong bay by row boat to the lagoons, coves...Visit caves, floating villages. We sail to Bai Tu Long bay and have  fresh seafood lunch  on board before our drive back to Hanoi.  Overnight in Hanoi.
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

DAY 8, HANOI. NIGHT TRAIN TO GUILLIN(B)
At leisure in Hanoi
Evening soft sleeper train to Guilin. The train leaves at 6h:30pm on every Tuesdays & Fridays

DAY 9, GUILIN – YANGSHUO - GUILIN (B,L)
Upon arrival, visit the Reed Flute Cave, the Fubo Hill and the Elephant Hill to get a stunning view of the surroundings and the landscapes which inspired so many painters in China. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 10, GUILIN – YANGSHUO - GUILIN (B.L)
 Breakfast at hotel. Enjoy a cruise on Li River through amazing landscapes of limestone peaks to the village of Yangshuo. Lunch will be served on the boat. Time in the small town to stroll about in the streets and local market. Drive back to Guilin, passing rice-paddies and orange tree plantations.  Overnight at hotel.

DAY 11, GUILIN - XIAN     (B,L)
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport for flight to Xian. On arrival, visit the City Walls and the Mosque, a remarkable set of buildings dating back to the Song Dynasty. Enjoy a walk in the lively Muslim quarter. Lunch at local restaurants. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 12, XIAN - BEIJING     (B,L)
Breakfast at hotel. Excursion to the First Emperor's famous Terra Cotta Army. On the way, stop at Banpo Neolithic Site and visit its interesting exhibition. In the afternoon, return to Xian and visit the History Museum, where many artifacts in gold and silver were discovered in a crypt built under the Tang dynasty. Visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Lunch at local restaurant; dinner will consist of a traditional dumpling banquet. In the evening, board the express train to Beijing. Overnight on the train (soft-sleeper compartments).

DAY 13, BEIJING       (B,L)
Breakfast at hotel. Reach Beijing in early morning. Welcome and transfer to town. After check-in at hotel, visit the Temple of Heaven. Stroll in the Antique street of Liulichang and the traditional and lively quarter of Dazhalan before dinner. Lunch at local restaurants. Overnight at hotel.

 
DAY 14,  BEIJING       (B,L)
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning visit the Forbidden City and its Imperial Museum. Walk up Coal Hill, from where you will enjoy a beautiful view over Beijing. After lunch, enjoy a rickshaw tour in the old quarters, in the heart of the hutong area, small lanes of old Beijing. Lunch at local restaurant. . Overnight at hotel

DAY 15, BEIJING    (B,L)
Breakfast at hotel. Full day excursion to the Great Wall (Mutianyu section), and visit one of the Ming Dynasty Emperor Tombs (Chang Ling). Although not excavated itself, it displays the artifacts found in the Ding Ling Tomb. Enjoy a walk along the Sacred Way leading to the necropolis. Lunch at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel..

DAY 16, BEIJING - DEPARTURE (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Time at leisure before transfer to the airport for your next destination.