Spend 4 days in northern Vietnam and experience two must-see destinations: Sapa and Halong Bay. Ride a train round-trip from Hanoi to Sapa and embark on two days of trekking to villages inhabited by ethnic minorities, such as the Hmong and Red Dzao. Then cruise past limestone islets and floating villages on Ha Long Bay with overnight accommodation in a private cabin.
Hanoi
8.30 pm (first day)
Around 4.30 pm (last day)
3 breakfasts + 1 brunch, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
8:30 pm
We will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi city center (or from an alternate place located in the city center – please advise prior to departure) at 8.30 pm. You’ll be transferred to Hanoi train station for boarding the overnight train to Lao Cai province. The train leaves at 10:00 pm and is unaccompanied, and you may be sharing with other travellers.
Accommodation: Overnight sleeper train (1 night)
Meals Included: There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information:
Arrive at Lao Cai train station at 6:00 am. We will take 1-hour car ride uphill to the beautiful town of Sapa. The ride gives you a glimpse of the stunning vistas and impressive rice terraces.
Upon arrival in Sapa Town we have breakfast in a local restaurant and prepare for a great trek down to the picturesque valley of Muong Hoa. You will commence your journey from Sapa to Lao Chai, a Black H’mong ethnic minority village. Walk in Lao Chai village and have lunch at a local house. We then trek through terraced rice fields from Lao Chai to Ta Van village of the Giay minority people. It gives you a worth chance to learn about the local house architecture, daily lifestyle, and exclusive custom. Enjoy the landscape on the way. Get back to Sapa town in late afternoon and check-in your hotel.
Dinner will be served around 6:00 pm at a restaurant in Sapa town, then it’s your free time to discover the beauty of the town at night.
Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Special Information: On arrival into Sapa, you will be able to store your luggage at your hotel while you explore the town. Check in is normally early afternoon, but when possible the hotel will facilitate earlier check in. Remember to bring a raincoat or waterproof jacket, and wear good walking shoes.
After having breakfast, we walk downhill to the south-west of Sapa to visit Cat Cat village of the Black H’mong people. Relax at the foot of the stunning waterfall and the vestige of a hydroelectric power station that was constructed by the French during the colonial time in Vietnam. Enjoy picnic lunch by the side of the river, and then trek to Sin Chai, the village located at the foot of Fansipan Mountain – “the roof of Vietnam and Indochina”. From here you can enjoy huge stunning landscapes before climbing up on the way to return to Sapa town.
After having dinner, we will transfer you back to Lao Cai train station to take the overnight train back to Hanoi. You will be arriving in Hanoi at 5.30 am next day.
Accommodation: Overnight sleeper train (1 night)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Arriving back in Hanoi from Sapa around 5.30 am, you will have a short rest and take your breakfast (on your own) in a restaurant or a standard hotel near the Hanoi train station, before being picked up at 8.00 am for the Halong bay cruise.
Travel by a minibus to the spectacular World Heritage site of Halong Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin (approximately four hours). The bay is dotted with sandy coves, grottoes and 1,600 limestone islands, which have been formed over millennia by wind and water erosion.
Upon arrival at the wharf in Halong, board a luxury boat. Lunch is served while cruising slowly into the bay.
After lunch, time for enjoying a panoramic view of the bay, swimming on a quiet beach or sunbathing on the sundeck. There is an opportunity to communicate with local people, who have been living in the bay for almost three generations, when you visit a fishing village.
Late afternoon, we will take a bamboo row boat to discover a water tunnel. Back on board your cruise, enjoy the glorious sunset while dinner is being served.
Stay overnight on the boat.
Accommodation: Overnight boat (1 night)
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner.
Special Information: There is an option for swimming at a beach during the warmer months. Swimming in the bay from the boats is not permitted.
Start a new day doing Tai Chi exercises on the sundeck. You will have an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay. After breakfast, we will visit a beautiful limestone cave. Then get back to the boat, check out your cabin, and have brunch while cruising back to the mainland.
Arrive at the wharf around 12:00. Disembark. Transfer to Hanoi by minibus.
Arrive in Hanoi around 16:00 pm. Drop off at your hotel.
Tour ends.
Accommodation: No accommodation included on this day.
Meals Included: Breakfast + Brunch.
If the cancellation be announced by the Management Board of Halong Bay, depend on the timing of the cancellation, following policies will be applied:
Our friend Kathy booked a few different tours with Ms. Nga. She was very on top of things and quick to respond, making communication very easy and the planning very smooth. Apart from two amazing experiences in Halong Bay (Signature Cruise) and Sapa (Panorama), they also helped us arrange transportations and short term accommodations in between. Would definitely recommend this agency :)!