You will be welcomed by our guide by arrival at Hanoi
Airport. We transfer you with a comfortable vehicle to the
city center of Hanoi to check-in in your hotel. This day
is scheduled to take some rest after your long flight. You
have the opportunity to get some first impressions of the
city by yourself and of course our tour guide is always
available at your request. Tonight you have dinner in a
local restaurant and you overnight in your hotel in Hanoi.
Day 02: Hanoi city tour, train to Lao Cai (B, L,
D)
Morning, we begin our city-trip at the Restored Sword
Lake, famous of the legend of the tortoise and the sword
of 15th century, the Temple of Literature, dedicated to
Confucius and his disciples. This temple used to be
Vietnam's first university founded in 1076. After visiting
this historical sight the we invite you to visit the Ho
Chi Minh Mausoleum and the house of the hero Ho Chi Minh,
who lives in the heart of every Vietnamese. We also bring
a visit to the Museum of Ethnologiy. We finish our
city-tour by participating in an one-hour ride in a
traditional Cyclo around Hanoi's old quarter. After dining
in a local restaurant, we will catch the train towards Lao
Cai. We overnight in our wagon to sleep out the journey
that will lasts for at least 10 hours.Overnight onboard.
Day 03: Lao Cai - Sapa (B, L,
D)
We arrive at Lao Cai railway station in the early morning
where our driver is waiting for us. You will be
transferred to the Sapa Hill Station on a stunning
mountainous road surrounded by hill terraced rice fields
and heavily forested mountains.The temperature begins to change as we come higher and
higher in altitude. At the altitude of 1,650 m we reach
Sapa. Sapa is not only an ideal place for retreat with its
moderate climate, it is also a place of cultural value and
breathtaking mountainous scenery. The town is inhabited by
colorful hill tribes, which are based on the foot of Fan
Xi Pan Mount (3143m) and other surrounding valleys. Here
we spend our time trekking around, crossing magnificent
bridges and witnessing green rice terraces. During our
trek we will be exposed to local life and the daily
activities. The rest of the day will be scheduled for
leisure time to explore Sapa Town on your own with its
scattering colonial houses and bonsais gardens. Tonight we
have dinner in a tranquil restaurant where we taste some
typical local specialties like the 'Sapa Peach Wine'.
Ovenight in Sapa.
Day 04 : Sapa - Lao Cai train to Hanoi (B, L,
D)
After breakfast in our hotel we will climb up to Ham Rong
Mount. From here, we have a fantastic panoramic view over
Sapa Town, which is often covered in dense mist. The
setting is extremely beautiful with its mysterious
character. Great opportunity to make some snapshots! We
bring a visit to the Sapa Market, crowded by countless
colorful hill tribes where you can buy some souvenirs for
the loved-ones at home. In the late afternoon we drive
back to Lao Cai to take a look at the Cau Kieu (Beauty
Bridge) situated over the Red River which forms the
boarder to neighboring China. From here out you can see
Hekou, a Chinese Town, with its high-rises and daily
activity. By train we return to Hanoi. We overnight in our
wagon to sleep during the journey and wake up at Hanoi
Railway Station tomorrow morning.
Day 05: Hanoi - (B, L,
D)
We arrive in Hanoi at 5 AM in the morning. It offers you
the great opportunity to experience the awakening of the
city. People drive to their work by motorbike, others
exercise 'Taichi' around the Restored Sword Lake or find a
little restaurant to have a breakfast. The rest of the day
is scheduled for leisure time. Tonight we bring a visit to
the famous water puppet show and listen to traditional
folk music. We spend the night in a hotel in Hanoi.
Day 06: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B, L,
D)
After a Vietnamese style breakfast we take you to one of
the wonders of nature; Halong Bay. During our way we pass
magnificent green rice paddies tended by peasant women
with conical hats. The entire rice paddy strip is like a
beautifully designed patchwork which leads us to the heart
of the Red River Delta. In Halong City we enter our
private boat for a full afternoon of cruising in the bay
of the dragon, with more than 3000 limestone islands
scattering up from the emerald water. An environment of
sublime beauty and serenity. Ha Long Bay was recognized as
Natural World Heritage by UNESCO in 1994 and is worldwide
known for its unique landscape endowed by wind and water.
We visit some of the most beautiful grottos and have the
opportunity to get a panoramic view of the bay as we climb
the Ti Top Mount. In the evening you enjoy a meal of fresh
seafood, including shrimps, squids, fishes and other
delicious bites prepared by our professional cooks. After
watching the sun go down in this fairytale-like
environment we sleep on board of our boat. By night the
emerald water even glows up when you paddle through it by
hand! Overnight onboard.
