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This is a fantastic 7 days/6 nights itinerary – combining sightseeing, biking, driving, kayaking and a train journey. This adventure tour takes you to the northern mountains of Vietnam, covering with several major attractions along the way, including the picturesque of Sapa and exciting Can Cau, Bac Ha markets.
We then slip into the sea kayaks and paddle among craggy limestone cliffs that rise out of the turquoise sea on Halong Bay. The scenery is particularly breath taking by mountain bike and trekking though many hill tribe hamlets, and kayaking to see the best of Halong bay. You’ll have many chances to interact with the ethnic people of Northern Vietnam and fisherman on the bay.
This tour departed from Hanoi on Friday evening for the markets on Saturday and Sunday morning.
$702/per Person – Price is based on minimum of two persons traveling together, twin share or double bedded room at 3 Star hotel. Itinerary may change, depending on flight schedule, road and weather conditions. Domestic flights are NOT included.
(B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, G = Guide)
Day 1: Lao Cai – Can Cau market – Bac Ha Biking (B, L, D, G)
Our train arrives Lao Cai between 5:30 – 6:00am. We’ll stop at a nearby restaurant for breakfast before we drive 2 hours on the car to Can Cau market. The Saturday Can Cau market offers the best opportunities to learn about the local culture and tradition with many different minority groups in colorful dress exchange local items. We then cycle back to Bac Ha for 12 km to check in hotel and lunch.
Afterwards we’ll hop back on our bikes and ride 8 kms/5 miles around town with a stop in Ban Pho Village to have tea with an ethnic family. Our final leg on the bikes is a stretch of single-track that winds through plum gardens, rice fields and past the mud homes of the local inhabitants. We return to Bac Ha for dinner and overnight at a comfortable hotel.
Day 2: Bac Ha – Lao Cai – Sapa Biking (B, L, G)
After breakfast we’ll walk to the Sunday market in Bac Ha. This experience is rich with culture as the Flower H’mong, Black Dzao, Tay and Nung Hill Tribes all gather for this important social and economic event. Once we’ve had time to fill our bags with goodies and for the adventurous, sample some of the exotic food dishes. After lunch we will hop on our bikes for a ride of 24 km down to Chay River. This scenic loop is dramatic with staggering high mountains laced with rice paddies, corn fields and colorful Flower H’mong villages. Late afternoon we drive to Sapa where we have the evening free to relax and explore the town. Overnight in a comfortable hotel.
Day 3: Sapa Trekking – Ban Ho (B, L, D, G)
After breakfast we’ll be driven to the trail head of our hike. We’ll set off for a two hour trek into Ta Van, the heart of Golden Stream Valley – a colorful village of the Dzay people nested at the foot of Fan Si Pan Mountains. We’ll refortify midday with a picnic lunch and then continue trekking, following the meandering river to the end of the valley and then winding up the mountainside to Ban Ho, a peaceful village where the Tay Hill tribe resides.
We’ll end in the home of one of the villagers, who will host us for the night in a traditional home stay. We’ll enjoy a home cooked dinner and have the opportunity to interact with the host family and learn about their culture. Overnight in Ban Ho home stay.
Day 4: Ban Ho Trekking – Sapa (B, L, G)
After breakfast and a farewell to our Tay hosts, we continue trekking through the spongy valley. We’ll thread along dirt paths with beautiful views of the misty clouds hanging over the terraced rice paddies. Midday we’ll break for a picnic lunch and then continue trekking until we reach the main road. Our driver and vehicle will meet us here and transfer us back up to Sapa. We pick up our gear from the hotel, and then drive back down the mountain to Lao Cai. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to relax before taking the night train back to Hanoi.
Day 5: Hanoi – Hai Phong – Halong Bay kayaking (L, D, G)
Drive from Hanoi through Vietnam’s scenic countryside to Cat Ba Island on private car and express boat, then a short boat trip of 20 minutes to our quiet Base Camp. Enjoy swimming and having lunch on the beach. After lunch you will discover one of the most beautiful parts of Ha Long bay on the kayak with amazing Limestone formations, lagoons as well as floating fishing villages. Stay overnight at our cozy Base Camp.
Day 6: Halong Bay – Whole day kayaking (B, L, D, G)
Today we spend the whole day kayaking and exploring the Bay, which more time paddling to some floating villages and caves that lead to stunning lagoons. Having a closer look to the life of local fisherman living on the bay for many years and relaxing on the hidden beaches. Stay another night at our cozy Base Camp.
Day 7: Kayaking Halong Bay – Hai Phong – Hanoi (B, L, G)
Today there will be approximately 3 hours of paddling in the morning with lot of time for swimming and exploring another stunning part of the bay. Enjoying lunch and relaxing at the Base Camp before taking the transfer back to Hai Phong city for the drive back to Hanoi.
Prices vary depending on level of accommodation, group size and dates of travel.
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