Adventure tours to Northern Vietnam, exploring the most splendid area of where concentrates various obstacles of limestone mountains ranges and incredible terraced paddy fields. Suitable to those love green eco tours, prefer untouched areas and explore customs of the hill tribal people. Extremely attractive to picture-hunting travelers.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (Meals : D)

Arrival at Noi Bai Airport. Meeting with guide and transfer to the hotel. Welcome dinner featuring Vietnamese specialties. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi - Mai Chau (Meals : B)

Traveling to the province of Hoa Binh, we pass through a region of spectacular limestone mountains and tea plantations to arrive in Mai Chau. We spend the night in a village long house of the White Thai minority, experiencing their wonderful hospitality, traditional dancing and rice wine. Overnight with local family in Mai Chau on stilt-house.

Day 3: Mai Chau - Son La (Meals : B)

The road to Son La is lined with fruit orchards, tea plantations, towering mountains and the traffic of Black Thai, Mea, Muong and White Thai hill tribe people heading to markets. We visit the Prison Museum, which remains as a poignant reminder of the inequities of the former French colonial rule. Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Son La

Day 4: Son La - Dien Bien Phu (Meals : B)

Impressive scenery, and hill tribe villages fill the journey to Dien Bien Phu, the last bastion of French power in Indochina. Monuments, museums and preserved bunkers tell the story of the final and victorious liberating battle of 1954. Overnight at hotel in Dien Bien

Day 5: Dien Bien Phu - Tam Duong (Meals: B)

Sometimes steep and often rugged, the road through the Lai Chau valley is both breathtaking and dramatic. Hugging rice terraced mountainsides and fording turbulent rivers, our travels today are visually spectacular. Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Tam Duong.

Day 6: Tam Duong - Sapa (Meals: B)

As we traverse Tram Ton Pass, the highest mountain pass in Viet Nam, we are afforded magnificent views and experience a dramatic change of climate as we approach the old French Hill Station of Sa Pa. A busy market town for the regions minority groups, the town is encircled with towering peaks, often shrouded in cloud, and the air is cool and crisp. Overnight at hotel in Sapa

Day 7: Sapa trekking (Meals: B/L)

Trekking to the H'mong and Red Dao villages of Ta Phin hamlet, we are introduced to a different way of life as we enjoy the genuine hospitality of these hill tribe people. A truly satisfying day filled with insight and the unspoilt beauty of nature. Overnight at hotel in Sapa

Day 8: Sapa - Bac Ha market - Hanoi (Meals: B)

Departing in the early morning, we drive to Bac Ha. Here, hill tribe people from far and wide make the weekly journey to trade goods at the busy Sunday market, their heavily embroidered clothing and distinctive headdress adding color and vibrancy. Leaving the activity behind, we descend the scenic mountain roads and return to Ha Noi. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi

Day 9: Hanoi - Ha Long bay (Meals: B/L/D)

Morning depart for Halong Bay, we go through the scenic countryside. The wondrous Halong Bay is truly one of Vietnam’s most impressive scenic sights. Heading out of the town we embark on a boat for an exploration of the legendary Halong Bay. This exciting five hour cruise will provide us a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone islands rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. The limestone karsts formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. Along the way we will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. Stay overnight on the Junk Cruise.

Day 10: Ha Long bay - Hanoi (Meals: B, L)

Drive back to Ha Noi with a stopover at Dong Trieu pottery village. Free afternoon at Ha Noi for own activities with guide at disposal. Hotel: Overnight in Hanoi

Day11: Hanoi City (Meals: B)

At 9.00 AM, we start the city tour to visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple. Then continue to visit the Temple of Literature well known as Vietnam’s first university and the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem with its sacred Ngoc Son Temple. Free afternoon for shopping. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day12: Hanoi departure (Meals: B)

At leisure until transfer to Noi Bai Airport for departure flight (check out hotel before 12h00).