7 days Northern Vietnam Holidays Ha Noi – Halong Bay – Sapa Package

You will sail 2 days and 1 overnight enjoying the breath taking scenery and waters of the UNESCO – world heritage site of Ha Long Bay with peaceful night time sounds on the luxury Junk. The bay features 1,960 – 2,000 islets and covers a total area of 1,550 Sq Km so that you will have a chance to visit a number of the larger caverns where you will be in wonder of the very beautiful formations of Stalactites and Stalagmites, created over the centuries and have further discovery with Kayaking on the calm waters of the bay.

Your comfortable and intimate luxury Junk features hand-crafted wooden interiors, a dining room and pleasant air-conditioned cabins with private bathroom.

Experience the magnificent views and the mountain landscapes of the beautiful Sapa Valley. You will have the opportunity to visit the village of the Black H’mong tribes and Trek through rice terraced paddies (if on season) and minority villages along the Muong Hoa River. Experience and enjoy warm hospitality as you stay overnight in home stay accommodation with local tribes before setting off to discover more of the area in the morning.

On returning Hanoi,  You will get to discover the exciting and vibrant city on a tour that will take you to a wide range of attractions in and around the old quarter of the city such as the Ho Chi Minh complex, Hoan Kiem Lake and the museum of Literature which is the site of Vietnam’s first university and dates back to 1070 and many others. You will also get to cruise through the shopping streets of the old quarter or riding in a cyclo which is a traditional cycle taxi. Lunch will be served at one of The Hanoi’s local restaurants.

All this holidays you will undertake are fully guided, small group journey with licensed and highly experienced guides ensuring you are in safe hands all the way.

Day 1 – Arrival

The driver will pick you up at the airport and transfer to the hotel over night in Ha Noi hotel

Day 2 – Hanoi city tour – Lao Cai / Sapa (B/L)

08h00 – Guide will meet you at your hotel & you will depart to visit: Ho Chi Minh Complex: Completed in 1975 the complex contains Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, his former stilt house residence, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh museum. Next stop is a visit to the Temple of Literature: Originally built as a temple to Confucius, this is the site of Vietnam’s first university dating back to 1070. Inside are the stone stales used for ceremonies and mounted on the backs of turtles and inscribed with the names of the university’s graduates. The complex is divided into five courtyards which originally would have been reserved for the Emperor and his mandarins. One of the courtyards contains the statue of Confucius guarded by two beautiful bronze storks standing on turtles. The temple highlights the importance Vietnamese society has placed on education

1200h – A delicious set menu lunch will be provided for you in a local restaurant.

1300h – Your tour recommences with a visit to the Museum of Ethnology which is widely acknowledged as the best in Vietnam and has an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic minority peoples. Then it is on to the Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake: The Ngoc Son temple is set on a tiny island on the Hoan Kiem Lake and was erected in 18th century. The temple is reached by crossing the Huc Bridge which literally means “Place Touched by Morning Sunbeams”. Hoan Kiem Lake is a focal point of the city and the source of many legends including the legend of the returned sword which dates back to the 15th century and refers to a magical sword used to free Vietnam from Chinese rule. The Old Quarter, also known as the 36 streets, is a bustling area of narrow streets home to literally thousands of small businesses and street vendors, selling a wide variety of goods. Originally each of the 36 streets names’ were related to the products being sold there. Hence you can walk from Fish Street to Tin Street to Bamboo Street and you will enjoy exploring the area while riding in a traditional cyclo.

17h30 – Back to your hotel where you will have free time to have dinner and a short rest.

20h00 – After checking out of the hotel, our driver will pick up from the hotel and transfer you to Hanoi train station.

21h00 – Train departure and sleep the night in a soft sleeper cabin on board the train. Travel time approx 9 hrs. Your tour guide will collect your train tickets for you.

Day 3 – Sapa – Y Linh Ho – Lao Chai – Ta Van (B/L/D)

0600h arrive at Lao Cai railway station where you will be met and transferred by shuttle bus to the township of Sapa which takes approx one hour.

0800h after breakfast, a morning shower and leaving your main luggage at the hotel, we will walk from Sapa towards Muong Hoa valley. Here you will discover the wonderful scenery of the Hoang Lien mountain range and meet people of the Black H’mong tribes before Trekking through terraced rice paddies and minority villages along the MuongHoaRiver.

We then cross the suspension bridge towards the Zay village, arriving at Ta Van, where we have dinner cooked on a wood fire and enjoy the hospitality of a local Zay family. Stay overnight Home stay accommodation in Ta Van Village

Trekking level: 7/10 – Distance 10 – 12Km.

 Day 4 – Ta Van – Giang Ta Chai – Su Pan – Sa pa (B/L/D}

08h00 – Breakfast will be served at the Home stay.

09h30 your new day of trekking will be approximately 8 km and you will visit 2 villages, one of the red Dzao and of the H’mong (Giang Ta Chai & Su Pan). Visit a beautiful waterfall and cross a rattan bridge and enjoy the scenery through a bamboo forest on the way to the main road to meet the jeep for the return trip to Sapa.

15h00 return to Sapa and overnight in Hotel accommodation.

Trekking level: 5/10 – Distance 8Km.

Dinner and transfer to Lao Cai where the train to Hanoi will depart at 2115h.

You will stay overnight in 4 Berth soft sleeper compartment on the train.

Day 5 – Lao Cai – Ha Noi – Street Food Tour (B/D)

05h00 – Arrive at Hanoi train station and transfer to your hotel where you can relax and have a sleep before enjoying your free day in the busy capital of Vietnam.

Are your taste buds ready for an adventure? Join with your English speaking guide who will take you to local places to sample some of the famous Vietnamese street food and through the markets where the locals buy their groceries.

18h00 – Transport will arrive at your hotel and take you to the tour start point. Take a short walk to Cho Hom market off Pho Hue Street, passing some tempting food stands on the way. Explore Cho Hom market, one of the biggest markets in Hanoi with its colorful arrays of fruit and vegetables, sweets, meats and elaborate temple offerings. Dinner will be provided along the way before you return to your hotel or continue to explore the old quarter of Hanoi. You will stay overnight in Hanoi.

Day 6: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay (B/L/D)

0800 – 0830h– You will be met at your hotel and start your scenic 3.5 hr drive through the Red River Delta and passing by many small villages on the way to Ha Long Bay.

You will stop for a short comfort break at the Humanity center situated approximately half way on to the bay. There you can purchase souvenirs from a vast selection items, enjoy a drink or simply stretch your legs.

12h30 on arrival to Ha Long, your guide will complete all the required paperwork for you and show you to the shuttle boat for your short trip to the cruise boat.

13h00– After checking in and short cruise briefing, you will be served a delicious lunch in the dining room while you enjoy the passing scenery of the bay.

15h30 –You will have the opportunity to Kayak around the Bo Nau Cave area which has a 5 – 7m wide arch shaped entry. The cave covers an area of approximately 200 sq metres and standing at the entry gives visitors a unique view of the bay as if from the mouth of a monstrous beast.

16h30 Time to return to your cruise boat and take a short trip to Soi Sim Island where you can go swimming in the calm waters, lay on the beach or climb to the top of the hills on the island to enjoy a panoramic view of Ha Long Bay.

17h30 – Return to the main boat where you can refresh or watch the sunset before dinner.

19h00– A delicious dinner will be served in the dining room and after you have finished your meal; you can relaxing and share stories with other guests while you enjoy a drink from the bar. For the adventurous, you can try your hand at squid fishing from fishing area. You will stay overnight on boat with peaceful nice time sounds.

Day 7: Ha Long – Hanoi (B/L)

06h30 – Enjoy the early morning view from the sun deck or simply take advantage of the amazing photo opportunities presented by watching the sun rise.

07h30 enjoy a nice breakfast in the dining room while you watch the scenery of the bay slide past the windows as you cruise toward towards Bo Hon Islands

08h30 you will visit the truly amazing Sung Sot Cave which is also known as Surprise Cave. The cave is reached by climbing approximately 100 stone steps and the journey up allows some excellent views of the bay below.

09h30– Return to your cruise boat and time to freshen up before checking out of your cabin.

While slowly cruising back toward the port, you will pass by Ba Hang fishing village, Dog Islet and many more of the wonderful formations found only on Ha Long Bay. You will also be given a short Vietnamese cooking demonstration before being served lunch on board.

12h00  Arrive to the harbour and begin your journey back to Hanoi.

17h00 Arrive to your hotel in Hanoi. Stay overnight hotel in Hanoi

 Day 8: Hanoi – Departure (B)

Our driver will meet you at your hotel at the time arranged to transfer you to the Hanoi airport for your departure.