Northern Vietnam - Land of Adventure

  Vietnam

• Hanoi: 
Hanoi
• All Other Areas in Vietnam: 
Sa Pa

Dates: Various

Description:
Itinerary

Day 1 Hanoi
Begin the tour with a full day city tour. In the evening, sit back and enjoy a water puppet show - a performing art unique to Vietnam. L.
(Code: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch and D = Dinner).

Day 2 Hanoi Mai Chau (40km cycling)
After breakfast, take a support vehicle and drive out of Hanoi heading west for Luong Son town. From here, set off on bikes and ride along the scenic road for about 25 km to Hoa Binh town. After lunch, continue to Mai Chau. Overnight at Mai Chau Lodge. B.L.D

Day 3 Mai Chau (35km cycling)
Today is a more challenging day climbing hills and descending into valleys. The ride will take you through several traditional and friendly hill tribes before making the loop back to Mai Chau valley. Overnight at Mai Chau Lodge. B.L.D

Day 4 Mai Chau Son La (60km 100km cycling)
Son La is notable for the colorful ethnic minorities, the terraced rice fields, the tea plantations and delicious mangoes. Arrive in Son La mid-afternoon and enjoy some free time to discover the town. B.L.D

Day 5   Son La Dien Bien Phu (60km 100km cycling)
The scenery from Son La and Dien Bien Phu is extremely breathtaking. The early start this morning gives the opportunity to visit one or two colorful markets. After checking into the hotel, you will enjoy a tour of historic Dien Bien Phu. B.L.D

Day 6   Dien Bien Phu Lai Chau (Tam Duong; 60km 100km cycling)
Today's part cycling is simply a great experience. The scenery is nothing short of breathtaking. Arrive in Tam Duong in the late afternoon. B.L.D

Day 7 Lai Chau (Tam Duong) Sapa (50km 70km cycling)
This morning, visit a colorful hill tribe market before making the ride up to Sapa. The ride today is more challenging cycling 26 km uphill to Tram Ton pass. Reach Sapa by mid afternoon and spend the remainder of the day strolling around town. (NB: support vehicles are available for those that wish not to ride) B.L.D

Day 8 Sapa Trekking (6 hours trek)
This morning, drive 7 km before commencing downhill walk to visit Lao Chai, the village of the Black Hmong people. Continue to walk 2 hours to visit the Zay minority at Ta Van. Then take a jeep transfer into the heart of the hill tribe region and continue trekking downhill to Thanh Phu, to spend the night in a stilt house of the Tay people. B.L.D

Day 9 Sapa Trekking (7 hours trek)
After breakfast, trek to the village of the Xa Pho tribe, the smallest ethnic group in Sapa who have very little contact with modern Vietnam. Continue to trek up to Nam Toong and visit the Nam Ken Village of Red Zao. Overnight in a home stay. B.L.D

Day 10 Sapa Overnight train to Hanoi (2 hours trek)
After breakfast there will be a 2 hour uphill trek to Su Pan before a jeep transfer to Sapa town. Afternoon is free in town. Catch the overnight sleeper train to Hanoi in a shared 4 berth sleeper with Air Con. B.L.D

Day 11 Hanoi Halong Bay (kayaking)
Arriving Hanoi early in the morning, our bus will pick us up and transfer directly to Halong Bay. Two day cruising Halong Bay will give us the chance to relax and take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. Swimming, sea-kayaking, sunbathing, cave exploring or night fishing are activities available during this section of the trip. B.L.D

Day 12 Halong Bay (kayaking)
Rising in the morning, we have time for an early morning dip followed by breakfast. This morning we'll continue to cruise around the bay to find more secluded areas to either swim or kayak in. As the sun sets, relax in the dining room or on the open air deck and reflect on the days activities, while absorbing the magnificent scenery. B.L.D

Day 13 Halong Bay Hanoi
Whilst having breakfast we enjoy a 2-hour cruise back to Halong City where our vehicle is waiting to take us back to Hanoi. Free afternoon until we regroup to enjoy the farewell dinner in one of Hanoi's superb restaurants. B.L.D

Hotel Details

City: Hanoi
Hotel: Sunny Hotel***
Room Type: Deluxe room - 3 star

City: Mai Chau
Hotel: Mai Chau Lodge
Room Type: Standard room

City: Sapa
Hotel: Chau Long Hotel***(Old Wing)
Room Type: Superior room - 3 star

City: Halong Bay
Hotel: Jewel of the Bay
Room Type: Standard room

Start Dates - 2008: 27-May(Sold Out), 10-Jun (8 places available), 24-Jun ( 6 places available), 08-Jul ( 4 places available)

Other dates as a private trip - with costs based upon the number of people in the group, subject to our resources being available.

What to expect weatherwise: Being a long country the seasons vary up and down the country, but be prepared for some rain whatever time of year you travel. The better periods for travel, if you are going from end to end, is February to April and November. In the north, it is most likely to rain in July and August and can be cold in the hills from November till February. The south can be very hot in July and August, whilst recent years have seen heavy rain during September and October.

Contact for current price and availability.

Price Indication Per Person prior to August 2008:

If there is only 1 person on the trip - USD2999
If there are 2 people on the trip - USD2452
If there is 3 people on the trip - USD2039
If there is 4 people on the trip - USD1746
If there is 5 people on the trip - USD1690
If there is 6 people on the trip - USD1453
If there is 7 people on the trip - USD1387
If there is 8 people on the trip - USD1299      
These prices are valid for all trips taken before the 1st August 2008

Group Booking Discount: If you and a group of friends / family of 3 or more book this trip with one person dealing on behalf of all the members in that group, we will offer a discount of USD100 per person.

Single Supplement: AUD255 / GBP120 / USD238 / Euro157
The single supplement only applies if we are unable to match you with another person willing to share a twin room.

The base currency is the US Dollar. A fluctuation in exchange rates could involve an adjustment in the price payable if paid in another currency. Calculated when 1USD = 0. 50 53 GB Pounds.

You can book as an individual, but we need a minimum of 1 for the trip to proceed at the above prices. The maximum number in the group is 8.

Deposit: USD400 per person
Balance Due Date: 60 days prior to departure.
Payment by credit card (deposits only, unless you accept a 4% service charge) , cheque or direct transfer to our bank account, in US Dollars.

Highlights: Discover the excitement and charm of northern Vietnam as we explore the hill villages on foot and on our bikes. Then after trekking in the country's mountainous north west and staying with ethnic people in their own homes, we switch across to the north east to swim and kayak amid the stunning backdrop of Halong Bay. This trip can be extended to include 4 more days on Halong Bay, or time in other parts of Vietnam, a country with a wide variety of climate.

Cost in US$: USD 1299 if 8 people sign up

What is Not Included
The price allows for joining in Hanoi and does not include international airfare. Airport and passenger taxes (local or international). All visa processing costs and fees. Travel and medical insurance. Any items of a personal nature such as gratuities to driver/guides, beverages, telephone / telex / fax charges and laundry. Services or meals NOT indicated on the itinerary. vaccination costs, personal clothing and equipment, all items of a personal nature and all alcoholic and bottled / canned drinks. Services of all kinds, as well as meals and drinks of any variety not mentioned in the itinerary. Tips and gratuities.

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Vietnam Independently

Post Services Include:

• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Nepal Kingdom Foundation & Muirs Tours's Mission Statement: The Nepal Kingdom Foundation was established in 1982 to develop community spirit and preserve the culture and traditions of the Nepalese people in the UK. In 1999 the objectives were extended to include development projects in Nepal to help the needy of one of the world's poorest countries. The not-for-profit tour operation - Muirs Tours was set up in July 1999 by the Nepal Kingdom Foundation as a means of raising funds for use in projects in Nepal and the Nepalese Community in the UK. From the outset Muirs Tours planned to provide trips to other places outside of Nepal and support to other charities. It currently supports the WWF, the John Muir Trust, Tourism Concern, Survival International, the Tibetan Government in exile, the American Indian Heritage Foundation as well as the Nepal Kingdom Foundation.

Year Founded: 1982 & 1999