Treasures Of The North 12 Days

Today we have a pick-up from Sinhcafe Travel's office from 19:00 to 19:30 for a short transfer to Hanoi railway station for boarding an overnight train bound for Lao Cai.

Upon our arrival in Lao Cai railway station in the early morning, we have a pick-up. This is followed by our drive to Sapa town, which is 35 km away by car.

After shower and breakfast in our hotel we set off to discover Sapa and its nearby villages of Sa Seng and Hau Thao, set in a spectacularly beautiful valley and home to Black H'mong people. We have ample opportunities to see how they live and give wonderful insights into their way of life.

Along the way we stop at one of the friendly villages and have lunch. Finally, we arrive in the village of Giang Ta Chai, nestled in a spectacular region. Tonight we spend a memorable night in the traditional stilt-house of a Zay family.

Zay people are adept at rice cultivation and are responsible for tending to the manicured terraces that stretch as far as the eye can see. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included).

The beautiful Giang Ta Chai is surrounded by verdant hills and rice terraces. We enjoy a hike through lush rice terraces and along verdant hills.

Afternoon finds us in the villages of Ban Den and Thanh Phu, situated in a region of sculpted rice terraces and home to Black H’mong and Tay people, we hike around peaceful villages and lush farmlands.

At night we stay over in a home stay in the village of Thanh Phu, home to Tay ethnic minority people. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included).

The day begins by crossing hills and hiking through sculpted rice terraces, past peaceful villages and along rolling hills. This is followed by a drive to Sin Ho.

Arriving in Sin Ho, we explore the township and nearby villages. Tonight we spend the night in a hotel. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included).

After breakfast we take a hike along beautiful towering mountains, through lush rice terraces and around tiny villages.

We continue our overland journey to Dien Bien Phu.

The night is spent at a hotel.

(Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included).

We continue our journey due north to Son La province by car, viewing spectacular mountain scenery, we break our journey with some stops along the way to explore some beautiful villages, home to Black Thai and Hmong people.

Arriving in Son La we enjoy this town's laid-back atmosphere and retire to a comfortable hotel for a good night's rest. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included).

The day begins with a scenic drive from Son La to Black River. En route we take a beautiful hike through the tiers of splendid rice terraces and past several idyllic villages.

This is followed by an enjoyable bicycle ride around a spectacular area, which features verdant hillocks, lush farmlands and beautiful mountains.

Finally, we descend to the Xom Moi village, located by the Black River and home to the Muong people.

Tonight we settle in with a Muong family in a traditional wooden house to experience their way of life.

(Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included).

The Pu Luong Nature Reserve is an area of outstanding beauty, cultural interest and high biodiversity value stretching from Mai Chau in the northwest to Cuc Phuong National Park in the south east. The region is blessed with rich forest, limestone panoramas, magnificent rice terraces and breathtaking scenery.

We depart from Black River and hike along paths amid verdant hills and pictursque villages, before arriving at the reserve where we begin our hike to the Thai village of Hang.

We relax in the cool climate, enjoy their hospitality and culture over our dinner.

We spend the night with a local Thai family.

(Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included).

We wander around corn fields, an amazing fish stream and rice terraces. We see the villages and the local people going about their day.

Later in the morning we hike to our waiting vehicle and journey alongside the beautiful Ma river. We head out into the countryside to Yen Mo, a typical village in the Red River Delta.

Upon our arrival we have some free time to explore the area and build an appetite for the fantastic local dishes.

Here, we retire to a comfortable lodge for a good night's rest. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included).

We depart Yen Mo and drive to to Ninh Xuan area, a firm favourite with walkers, we enjoy a wonderful boat ride along a scenic canal. This is followed by a delightful hike through spectacular scenery, and dramatic limestone peaks rising up from open rice fields.

After lunch we cycle around several villages and witness the tight-knit community at work. We learn about agriculture, such as rice cultivation, and the growing of peanuts and assorted vegetables, There is plenty of time for us to experience the way of life in the delta.

Those who are more interested in local cuisine than just sightseeing can settle in with a local family and learn how to make some authentic Vietnamese food. Dishes include succulent spring rolls, zesty sauce dips and sticky rice. We then enjoy the family’s gracious hospitality as they share dinner with us.

Tonight we spend the night in the same lodge.

(Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included).

Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay of the submerged dragon, which boasts 3000 craggy and towering islets, are amongst the most picturesque places in Vietnam.

The fantastic beauty of the bays has given rise to many legends, some of them dating back to the ancient past. It is said that a dragon descended into the deep water spitting out gems as he did so. And thus the rocky islands were formed.

Departing Yen Mo we journey to Ha Long City. Upon our arrival we embark on a boat trip among some of the spectacular limestone peaks – time to relax and appreciate the sublime beauty of the bay. There is an opportunity to paddle our kayaks among scenic rock formations.

In the evening we indulge in the uniquely fascinating nature as we stay overnight on our boat.

(Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included).

A morning boat trip brings us to some of the bay’s truly awesome scenery – vertical and unusual rocks and islets emerge from the sea. Time is also spent kayaking around towering rock formations and there is an opportunity to swim in the clear waters.

This is followed by a drive to Cai Rong Island. Here, we embark on a boat trip among the spectacular limestone peaks. Following our kayaking ride we arrive in Van Don Island, a serene and beautiful island, we head to our lodge for the night.

(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included).

Van Don is located in Bai Tu Long Bay. The island is blessed with stunning beaches, scenic hills, sand dunes and surroundings sprinkled with tiny villages.

After a quiet morning strolling around the picturesque village of Quan Lan and watching the day unfold on the island, we board our boat to discover further northern reaches of Bai Tu Long Bay - time to appreciate the sublime beauty of the bay.

This is followed by our journey back to Hanoi, arriving there at about 6pm.

(Breakfast and lunch are included).