10 Days, Northern Highlight

Itinerary

ITINERARY IN DETAILS:

DAY 1: HANOI (D)  
Meet on arrival at Hanoi  Noi Bai International Airport and transfer to hotel for check in. 
At leisure. Evening enjoy the famous Vietnamese traditional art of water puppet show.
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

DAY 2: NINH BINH - KENHGA - CUC PHUONG NATIONAL PARK (B,L,D)
Drive to Ninhbinh through rice fields and villages, river and limestone mountains to Nhoquan. The area is also one of astounding natural beauty with limestone  peaks whose splendor is often said to surpass that of Ha Long Bay. It is true that this area is often referred to as the Ha Long Bay on land. We visit Kenhga floating villages and enjoy the peaceful life of local people living in the hidden
corner of Red River Delta. Afternoon visit Cuchuong national park and go for pleasant walk through the lush of vegetation of rain forest. Diner and overnight in Cucphuong national park.

DAY 3: CUCPHUONG - TAMCOC (B,L,D)
Breakfast at the national park lodge
Walk to visit the big tree & tall tree (century tree) butterfly museum and look out for a stuning view over the park. Drive to Ninhbinh and proceed to Tamcoc where we embark on  river sampan for a 3 hour cruise along the NgoDong River flowing peacefully between 2 spectacular limestone mountain ranges. Enjoy the wonders of nature. Feel the peace and calmness of the region. Overnight at hotel in Tamcoc.

 
DAY 4: TAMCOC - RED RIVER DELTA - HALONG BAY (B,L,D)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive to Halong bay through the lush of Red River vegetation to visit Keo Pagoda with its beautiful bell tower set in an quiete area in rural village. Visit Phominh tower in Namdinh. Continue our way to Halong bay. Arrival Halong bay pier and check-in registration, board  our boat for a stunning cruise amongst towering limestone backdrop while  enjoying  lunch on board . The cruise will take you by exotic islets with shapes of Dog, Incense Urn, Sail, Fighting Cocks, which are naturally formed by process of erosion between the see water and lime ston mountains. Arrive Surprise Cave and explore the by bay kayak, paddle to Luon cave, this cave is a natural tunnel thrusts through a mountain's foot and leads to an exotic lagoon surrounded by mountains covered by by dense junle. Seafood dinner and optional night paddle. Overnight on Halong Junk (twin A.C cabin).

DAY 5: HALONG - HANOI - NIGHT TRAIN TO SAPA(B,L,D)
Breakfast on board
Our boat once again sets sail through breathtaking secluded Halong bay 
A new day wake you up with joys and emotions in an early morning for watching sunrise on sea. Enjoy break fast and continue exploration. Visit Luon cave and  Tortoise, Man's head Lunch on board before returning to the wharf. Back to Halong wharf and disembark. Transfer back to Hanoi. Tonight we will take the night train to Sapa.Overnight train trip to Lao Cai in shared sleeping compartments (sharing 2 lower & 2 upper berths per compartment). Train departs at approximately 22:00hrs.

DAY 6: LAOCAI - TRIBAL MARKET - SAPA (B,L,D)
Arrive to Laocai station, transfer to colorful market .You will enjoy beautiful scenery along the ride until you arrive in Muong Khuong. From there, you turn in a dirt road, which goes up in mountains. The tinny market is surrounded by pine trees forests and villages. Flower Hmong, Tu Di, Tay and Giay ethnic minorities come to buy and sell local products such as food and material for agriculture and fabric. After exploring the market, you will be able to visit a village of Black Dao.You will then head back to Muong Khuong and have lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, you get on the car for journey back to Lao Cai. Contintue onto Sapa. Overnight Victoria Sapa hotel   in Sapa

DAY 7: SAPA VILLAGES(B,L,D)
Arrival at Lao Cai around 6am (Laocai is the border town to Yunnan, China). A journey start with 38 km drive on winding roads up the mountains brings you to Sapa, approx. 1500 m above sea level. On clear days you can see the highest mountain of Vietnam, the Fansipan. After a continental breakfast at the hotel you have time to relax and enjoy the beautiful landscape or free discover the town on your own until time to do the check in at the hotel. In the afternoon, at 13.00 hrs, take a short drive to Cat Cat and Sinchai village of the Hmong people, there you should take a soft walk around then share their daily lives for a rare glimpse into their culture and customs. 
Overnight in Sapa.

DAY 8: SAPA - BINHLU - SAPA(B,L,D)
Breakfast at the hotel
We then drive through the scenic mountain and valley, passing  by  Silver water fall and Congtroi ( gate to heaven) on a scenic journey to stunning pass of Tri Ton. Visit one of most amazing tribal markets in Binhlu where thousand of Thai Kadai language groups  such as Tai Lu, Tai Laos, White Tai , and H'mong - Yao group (black Yao, Yao Lantien..), Giay, Khomu.. comes to buy and sell their own produces.  This is opportunity to get insight into local life. Afternoon drive back to Sapa with fond of memories.

DAY 9: SAPA - BANHO VILLAGE - LAOCAI (B,L)
Breakfast at the hotel, then embark  to BanHo village home of  Tay people. Pleasant walk through rice terraces and meet with  the Red Dzao and the Black H'mong. Afternoon, jeep will take us back to Sapa, then transfer to Lao Cai station for night train to Hanoi. Overnight on soft sleeper train.
Please note that the train is a local experience. Cabins are shared with other local passengers 
(unless private cabin is requested and all berths paid for - with supplement). Communal rest rooms at either end of the carriages complete the local experience.

DAY 10: ARRIVAL HANOI
Arrival at Hanoi station. Pick up and transfer to airport for your departure flight.
The trip concludes.