Day 01 (D): Arrival – Hanoi – Halong
On arrival, pick up and transfer to Halong city. Check in hotel. Free time to explore the local life by your own. Overnight in Halong.
Day 02 (B,L,D): Halong – Hanoi – Train to Lao Cai
After breakfast, we will embark to a boat for a cruise around Ha Long Bay. This exciting trip will provide us a spectacular view of the bay, which is dotted with some 3,000 limestone islands rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. The limestone formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. Along the way we will anchor for an enjoyable visit to two of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs (Thien Cung and Dau Go caves). After a seafood lunch on board we return to Ha Noi, on the way stopping en route to relax. On arrival, visit Ngoc Son Temple and Sword Lake to explore their historical stories. Enjoy a water puppet show – the unique traditional art. Enjoy your free time until being transferred to the train station for a night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on train (4 pax per cabin).
Day 03 (B,L,D): Lao Cai – Sapa
Arrive in Lao Cai train station at about 05:00. Take a transfer to Sapa. Have breakfast at local restaurant and explore Sapa town. Visit Ham Rong Mountain and Heaven Gate.
In the afternoon, take a drive to visit Lao Chai village – home of Black H’Mong – here you trek through terraced rice fields to villages, meet and talk with locals to learn more about their daily life and habits. You trek through Ta Van village – home of Dzay hill tribe and get on car back to hotel in the town. Overnight in Sapa.
Day 04 (B,L,D): Sapa – Lao Cai – Train to Hanoi
We would like to suggest you visit one of the most colorful markets in Lao Cai:
Sunday: Leave Sapa early by car to Bac Ha district for joining Bac Ha market of mixed hill tribes: Flower H’Mong, Dzay, Dzao etc. Lunch in Bac Ha and return to Lao Cai station for night train to Hanoi. Overnight on train (4 pax per cabin).
Tuesday: Leave Sapa early by car to Coc Ly colorful market of mixed hill tribes where you have chance to see H'mong and Dzao minority people in their most colorful costumes. Take a boat trip down stream on Chay river with picnic lunch. Enjoy scenic view from river and trek to Dzao, Tay minority village. Back to Lao Cai for a night train to Hanoi. Overnight on train (4 pax per cabin).
Thursday: Leave Sapa at 7:30 driving to Muong Khuong market which is a bit smaller than Bac Ha but also an original tribal one. There is not many foreign travelers get here and you will find yourself lost in the crowd of ethnic people of Flower H’Mong, Tay, Padi etc in their traditional colorful costumes. Picnic lunch and return to Lao Cai station for night train to Hanoi. Overnight on train (4 pax per cabin).
Saturday: Leave early in the morning at 6am, driving to Can Cau market, passing Bac Ha Town. The road between Bac Ha and Can Cau is hilly but very beautiful. The products at the market are interesting, and many different groups of ethic minority people represent make the market an unforgettable experience. Back to Bac Ha for lunch. Return to Lao Cai station for night train to Hanoi. Overnight on train (4 pax per cabin).
Day 05 (B,L): Hanoi city tour – Departure
On arrival, pick up and transfer to a local restaurant for breakfast only. After that, we start our day tour to visit Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Museum and One Pillar Pagoda. Our next stops are West Lake and Tran Quoc pagoda – the one which lies right beside the lake. Lunch. Free time until being transferred to the airport for your departure flight. End tour.
Tour price:
The tour price can be changed according to your exact group-size and departing time, so please kindly contact us right away at info@asianwaytravel.com for your specific request.