Trekking Vietnam’s Northwest Mountains In-Style

📍 Transfer: 40 mins

Upon arrival to Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport, our guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to the hotel for check in. If time permits, take a walk through the old quarter & around Hoan Kiem Lake before heading to a restaurant for a welcome dinner & trip orientation 

Overnight in Hanoi

Inclusions:

🍗 Dinner

The first day sets out around 8:30 AM for a visit to the Temple of Literature. Constructed in 1070, this was Vietnam’s first university and is one of the country's most significant historic sites, ripe with UNESCO-recognized relics. The university was established within a temple to educate Vietnam's royalty, mandarins, and members of the elite. The university functioned for an incredible 700 years; its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past.

Next, pay a visit to the landmark One Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049. Close by is the mausoleum where the historic figure and father of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, lies in state. Nearby is the former president’s house on stilts, where “Uncle Ho” lived from 1958 to 1969. Visit this home, which illustrates the modesty of Vietnam’s most famous revolutionary. 

Continue to the picturesque West Lake and the sixth century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda. 

Lunch will be held in one of the city’s finest restaurants. 

In the afternoon, visit the fascinating Ethnology Museum (closed on Mondays), dedicated to the different ethnic groups of Vietnam. As an alternative to the Ethnology Museum, it’s also possible to visit the highly acclaimed Vietnam Women’s Museum (closed on Mondays). Displays highlight Vietnam’s vast cultural diversity and educate visitors on the significant role Vietnamese women play in Vietnamese society. Learn historic and modern-day traditions centred on births, weddings, motherhood and spirituality.

In the evening, transfer to the railway station for the overnight train to Sapa.

Overnight on sharing 4 berth cabins. (Today late checkout 18h00 at hotel is included)

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Transfer: From Lao Cai to Sapa 30 km / 1 hour Trekking: 6-7 hours (Approximately 12 km) Difficulty: Medium Altitude: 1018m (Y Linh Ho)-1146m (Lao Chai)-1089m (Ta Van)

It is early morning and you are well arrived in Lao Cai, a border town to China.  You will leave Lao Cai for a 1 hour driver to Sapa town. 

First you have breakfast in a nearby restaurant while you hear about the coming adventure.  

After breakfast, start your Sapa adventure by walking through the bustling market, then descending the hill along the beautiful winding roads. Your first stop is Y Linh Ho, where the terraced rice fields sparkle in the sunlight. Continue to Lao Chai San, home to the Hmong people with their traditional wooden houses, offering a glimpse into their way of life. Trek deeper into the spectacular Lao Chai Valley, famous for its golden terraced rice fields, and reach Ta Van, a quaint village by a peaceful stream.

Overnight in Ta Van village

Inclusions:

🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Transfer: N/A Trekking: Approx. 6-7 hours (Approximately 12 km) Difficulty: Medium Altitude: 1089m (Ta Van) – 1548m (Seo Choong Ho – highest elevation of the trek) – 1100m (Su Pan)

After breakfast, depart from Ta Van through peaceful bamboo forests along rugged trails. Pass by Seo Choong Ho, a charming village surrounded by green fields. Continue trekking to Giang Ta Chai, famous for its terraced fields and red dirt roads. Enjoy the fresh mountain air and watch farmers at work before arriving at Su Pan, a village famous for its traditional houses and peaceful scenery. 

Overnight in Su Pan village

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Transfer: N/A Trekking: 4-5 hours (about 10 km) Difficulty: Medium Altitude: 1100m (Su Pan) – 1400m (up the mountain) – 1100m (Lech Zao) – 950m (Ban Ho

Start your trek from Su Pan to Lech H’mong village, where you will interact with the locals and learn about their daily lives. Continue to Lech Zao, famous for its beautiful terraced fields and fresh, clean air. Trek along the mountain trails until you reach Ban Ho, a village with clear streams and beautiful natural scenery, ideal for a break after a long hike. 

Overnight with the Tay people in Ban Ho

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

After a light breakfast with local specialties, you will begin your trek from Ban Ho, a peaceful village nestled in the heart of the Tây Bắc mountains, where you can feel the tranquility and simplicity of the indigenous people’s daily lives. Passing through golden rice fields, you will head to Nậm Toong, where you’ll visit a Red Dao village, known for its vibrant costumes and rich cultural traditions. Here, you will have the chance to engage with the locals, learn about their way of life, and taste traditional dishes.

Continuing your journey, you will reach Nậm Sài, a perfect spot for a delicious lunch featuring local specialties like sticky rice cooked in bamboo, grilled fish from mountain streams, or fresh wild herbs. After resting and savoring your meal, you’ll continue your trek through lush tea hills and crystal-clear streams, eventually reaching Sín Chải, a remote village surrounded by pristine nature. You will spend the night here, immersing yourself in the peaceful atmosphere and experiencing the simple, unspoiled beauty of the region. 

Overnight at Sín Chải village

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Transfer: Thanh Phu to Lao Cai 1.5 hours Trekking: 4-5 hours Difficulty: Medium

The next morning, after a refreshing breakfast, you’ll continue your trek from Sín Chải to Nậm Củm. This section of the journey will lead you through winding trails, lush forests, and breathtaking views of the Tây Bắc mountains.

Next, you will arrive at Thanh Phú, where you’ll enjoy a tasty lunch with local dishes such as smoked buffalo, five-color sticky rice, or fern soup. After lunch, you will make your way to the final destination of the trip where a car will pick you up and take you back to Lao Cai train station for an overnight train back to Hanoi. 

Overnight on 4 berth sharing cabin

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Transfer: Hanoi - Halong (160 km): 2.5hours

Once you arrive at train station, our guide pick you up to a mini hotel for a short break. 

Following breakfast leave Hanoi at 09:00 for the 2.5hours drive to Halong City. Arrive at the pier around noon and proceed with check-in formalities. 

After the welcome onboard and checking into the cabin, lunch will be served whilst cruising. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits or activities (depending on the boat’s set itinerary). Towards the end of the afternoon, the boat will anchor for the night surrounded by karst formations. 
 
Enjoy sunset on the deck followed by dinner, then retire for the evening. 

Overnight in Halong or Lan Ha Bay

Notes: 

• The cruise’s itinerary may be subject to change depending on weather conditions.
• Over the past years Halong Bay has been experiencing increasing environmental problems such as pollution, overfishing and impairment of its natural habitats. We encourage you to enjoy the beauty of Halong Bay, but also to help protect and preserve it so that future generations can experience its beauty with responsible tourism behaviour which is crucial to reducing issues on Halong Bay and ensuring its long-term sustainability.
• To ensure we can effectively manage guest dietary needs during the cruise, please provide a list of any specific food restrictions or preferences at least 7 days prior to arrival. Please note that accommodating last-minute dietary changes may not be feasible and could incur additional costs

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Halong - Hanoi (160 km): 2,5hrs

Wake up to the fresh morning amidst the bay and have breakfast (brunch on some boats) while leisurely immersing in the serene setting of the spectacular rock formations. 

Proceed to checkout as the cruise arrives towards port. Upon disembarkation, be met by the driver for the transfer back to Hanoi.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Transfer: 45 minutes

Spend the day free at leisure before transport (provided) to the airport for the departing flight.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast