Off the beaten tracks in North Vietnam 10 days 9 nights

This tour offers off the beaten track adventures of Vietnam's stunning north. Over eight days you will trek through the mountains and valleys surrounding Sapa encountering local ethnic minorities, drive through the breathtaking landscape of Ha Giang and visit the magnificent Ban Gioc Waterfall that lies on the border between China and Vietnam. The trip winds up in the verdant karst mountains and serene lakes of Ba Be at Mr Linh's homestay.

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Tour code: GDT06E
Duration: 10 days 09 nights
Route: Hanoi - Sapa - Ha Giang - Dong Van- Meo Vac - Cao Bang - Ba Be Lake

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (L/D)
- Your adventure begins when you step off the plane and into the warm, welcoming air of Hanoi. Your driver will meet you at the airport and you will be driven the Old Quarter, the hub of Hanoian culture. En route make sure to look out for the world’s longest mosaic as it snakes along the main road, its tiles glistening in the sun. As you reach the Old Quarter you will be immersed in the excitement of the swarming streets. The afternoon is yours to discover the magic of the city. If you arrive early, please feel free to come and visit our office in the Old Quarter. We will be happy to share some practical information with you.
Day 2: Hanoi - Sapa (B/L/D)
- You will be collected from your hotel at 08:30 for the five-hour drive north to Sapa. You will stop for lunch on the way. Once in Sapa, you will trek through terraced rice fields from Lao Chai to Ta Van Village which belongs to the Giay ethnic minority community. In the village, you have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families that live in the area. You will get back to Sapa town by car, arriving late in the afternoon. You will stay overnight in a hotel in Sapa.
Day 3: Sapa Trekking (B/L/D)
- Today, you will trek through the immense scenery to the Red Dzao village of Ta Phin. On the way, you will pass through some other small ethnic minority villages where you will discover the unique cultures of the hillside settlements. The trek will take you over stunning mountains laced with terraced rice paddies. You will stay overnight in one of the villages at a local homestay.
Day 4: Sapa - Ha Giang (B/L/D)
- You will travel further into Ha Giang Province on the route from Sapa to Ha Giang, with a stopover for visiting Chang village, Tay ethnic minority community. You will be able to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the mountainous area, with hills covered with palm trees. You will stay overnight in the Ha Giang Resort.
Day 5: Ha Giang - Dong Van (B/L/D)
- After purchasing the mandatory permit at the Immigration Office, you will take the first in a series of spectacular roads which leads to Dong Van. You will stop for lunch in the small mountain town of Tam Son. The countryside here is vast; the towns are scattered throughout the land, and this route does not feature on the usual tourist map. Next, you will travel through the landscape of pine forest and arrive at the astonishing Palace of the H'mong King. You will uncover the fortress which was built by a local chief, Vuong Chin Duc, who was allied with the French against the Viet Minh and evacuated in 1950 (his descendants now live in France and Canada). You will arrive in Dong Van around 18:00 where you will have dinner at a local restaurant and spend the night in a hotel.
Day 6: Dong Van - Meo Vac - Cao Bang (B/L/D)
- Your day will start with a visit to Dong Van Market where you can see the local people stocking up before heading back to their eagle's nest towns high in the mountains. You will then climb up the pass to the French Fortress of Pu Lo which was built in 1890 and evacuated in 1945. From here you can enjoy spectacular views of the entire region. After you will drive the magnificent Ma Pi Leng Pass, through a gigantic maze of lime peaks, stone forests, and canyons. You will then venture into the valley of Meo Vac, from where you will snake through the mountains and cross the river before arriving in the village of Bao Lac. You will stop for lunch and then continue the journey on the mountainous road from Bao Lac to Cao Bang. You will have free time to explore Cao Bang where you will spend the night in a hotel.
Day 7: Cao Bang - Ban Gioc Waterfall (B/L/D)
- After driving down one of the most scenic roads in Vietnam, you will arrive at the magnificent Ban Gioc Waterfalls. Before arriving at the waterfalls, you will visit one of the most spectacular grottoes in Vietnam, Nguom Ngao, which is made up of several kilometres of superbly-lit galleries and a huge 100 m cavern. You will then visit the
  Ban Gioc Waterfall where you can explore and stop for a spot of lunch.
  This is the closest you can come to the Chinese border which passes right through the middle of the falls and the river. After, you will return to Cao Bang for dinner and stay overnight in a hotel.
Day 8: Cao Bang - Ba Be Lake (B/L/D)
- Today you journey along Ma Phuc Pass on the way to Ba Be National Park. In Ba Be you will take a boat ride along the Nang River, with time to explore Ba Be Lake, the caves of Puong Grotto, the rapids of the Dau Dang waterfall and Widow Island. You will also visit the stilt houses of the Tay community in Bo Lu Village, where you will spend the night in a homestay.
Day 9: Ba Be Lake - Hanoi (B/L)
- Today you will stroll along the riverfront, with time to visit some lovely villages and hike the upper reaches of the lake, in an area marked by massive limestone cliffs and mountains. You will also have time for visiting Hua Ma Cave, the biggest dry cave in Northeast Vietnam. You will stop for lunch at a local restaurant before making your way back to Hanoi. The tour will end when you arrive back in Hanoi at approximately 17:00.
Day 10: Hanoi Departure (B)
- Today you will have free time to drink as much of the Hanoian culture as you can before your homeward flight. Fit in one last flavoursome meal, one more rich Vietnamese coffee and buy any last souvenirs to your next adventure.

RATE: This rate is quoted in USD per person, based on Double/Twin occupancy. Applied for the – Private Tour. Valid from 01 Jan 2018 - 31 Dec 2018

Group size

Price/pp

1193

3-4p

1087

5-6p

892

7-8p

794

9-10p

771

11-15p

731

Single Supp’

Contact

ACCOMMODATION LIST

Please note that the hotels mentioned in this list are for reference only. Depending on availability and your preference, they can be changed. If we are unable to book any hotel, it will be replaced by another hotel at least of equivalent standard and value.

Destination	Accommodation	Star	Night
Hanoi	Quoc Hoa hotel		2
Sapa	Pao's Sapa Leisure hotel		1
Sapa trekking	Dat homestay		1
Ha Giang	Truong Xuan resort		1
Dong Van	Hoa Cuong hotel		1
Cao Bang - Ban Gioc	Thanh Loan hotel		2
Ba Be National Park	Mr Linh's homestay		1

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
•    Complimentary arrangement for Visa Approval Letter – single entry Vietnam.
•    Transfer by private air-conditioned vehicle as per program.
•    English speaking guide as per program.
•    Lunch (L) & Dinners as mentioned (L/D).
•    Visit fees for all sightseeing as mentioned on the program.
•    Accommodation in sharing double room including breakfasts at hotels as mentioned.

TOUR PRICE EXCLUDES:
•    Stamping fee for visa to Vietnam.
•    Meals not mentioned.
•    International flight and taxes.
•    Domestic air tickets and domestic a/p taxes.
•    Other personal expenses: drinks, souvenir, etc…

GENERAL NOTICE:
•    Standard check-in time is 14h00 and check-out time is 12h00 at most of the hotels.
•    Arrival/Departure: Above prices are valid only for group of clients travelling together – arrival and departure with the same flight. Arrival/departure by other flight subject to supplement charge.
•    In no case, the non-used services or visits will be refunded or provided on individual basis for group member(s) due to the delayed arrival/early departure unless they will go on private tour.
•    Program is subject to change without notice due to Vietnam Airlines unexpected changes of schedule or flight unexpected cancellations.
•    There might be supplement for compulsory lunches or dinners during Christmas and New Year 2018.
•    There will be no refund or compensation applied due to force major which effect to visit program.
•    We reserve the right to adjust the prices at any time in the event of an increase of the fuel surcharge applied by airlines companies or any other transport companies.
•    In general most places are closed in Vietnam throughout the period of the Lunar New Year (from the 15th of February until the 20th of February 2018 inclusive).
•    Deadline for flight tickets: We will automatically issue flights 5 days after bookings is confirmed by us, please take note and come back to me within 5 days since booking is confirmed if you find clients don’t want to issue it.

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