7 DAYS SAPA ADVENTURE WITH HALONG BAY

ITINERARY

7 DAYS SAPA ADVENTURE WITH HALONG BAY

Urban Hanoi retains its strong French colonial flavor, the lovely lakes is a great contrast with the labyrinth of alleys in Old Hanoi and arts is also seeing a renaissance in the Vietnamese capital.

Tucked away in the northern corner of Vietnam, Sapa is a haven for soft adventure. The mountain scenery is spectacular and the area is filled with colorful minority people. Nestled at the foot of the 3143m Fanxipan Peak, the highest peak in Vietnam, Topas Eco Lodge is a great base to explore the surrounding area.

Train back to Hanoi and enjoy a gorgeous drive through the Red River Delta to the limestone peaks of Halong Bay, where you bask in the beautiful setting on an overnight cruise.

And this program is also ideal for family to get out of the city cocoon and explore the great outdoors!

DAY 01 HONG KONG/HANOI
Fly	Hong Kong/Hanoi	VN 791	1455/1555 – Daily
Or	Hong Kong/Hanoi	KA 297	0845/0940- Mon, Wed, Fri

Upon arrival, depending on your arrival time, you would visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology which serves as a great introduction to the various ethnic minorities in Vietnam.

We then enjoy a stroll along Hoan Kiem Lake before going on a rickshaw ride through the alleys of the bustling Old Quarter or the “36 Streets”.

A room would be provided for wash and change before you will be transferred to the railway station to catch an overnight train to Lao Cai, the gateway to Sapa.

DAY 02 LAO CAI / BAC HA / SAPA – MUST BE A SUNDAY

Arrive Lao Cai early in the morning and drive to Bac Ha to catch the Sunday market. This lively and colorful market offers visitors a glimpse of the various hill tribe people at their very best!

In the afternoon, we drive to check into your hotel. You may wish to take some hikes around the lodge or relax and soak in the natural setting.

(Breakfast, lunch, dinner included)

DAY 03 SAPA

After breakfast, start your trek to Ban Ho Village, which is home to the Tay minority hilltribe. It is set amongst beautiful rice terrace and commands a great view over the valley. The surrounding area is also home to the Nhang Minority. The walk then continues through the rice fields to the Red Dao village of Nam Toong, where you will enjoy a cup of tea before heading back to Ban Ho. If weather permits, enjoy a great swim in a stunning cascade near the magnificent waterfall. Take an uphill walk to Su Pan where we drive back to the hotel.

(Breakfast, lunch box, dinner included)

DAY 04 SAPA / LAO CAI / HANOI

After breakfast, we take a short drive to the river before hiking through emerald paddy terraces and crossing a bridge to arrive at the Lech village of Red Dao minority. Spend some time at the village to experience the daily life and observe the ladies doing their embroidery.

Return to the lodge for lunch before we visit Lao Chai village, a Black Hmong ethnic minority village. Enjoy a 2 hours easy walk through the terraced rice field will bring you to Ta Van village where the Giay ethnic minority hill tribe lives.

In the evening, we drive back to Lao Cai for your overnight train back to Hanoi.

(Note: Hiking program may differ slightly depending on your choice of hotel)

(Breakfast, lunch included)

DAY 05 HANOI/HALONG BAY

The train arrives into Hanoi early in the morning. Transfer to a wash and change room for wash up and after breakfast, drive about 3 hours through rustic Vietnamese countryside to Halong Bay, one of the 5 UNESCO World Heritage sites. With hundreds of giant limestone peaks jutting out of the water at the Bay of Tonkins – it is indeed an impressive sight.

Board your cruise and after lunch has been served, we take a short trek to a nearby summit to enjoy the panorama view of the bay. As the day wanes, slip into a kayak or swim in the cool waters before enjoying a sumptuous dinner under the moonlit sky. (Note: Program may differ slightly base on cruise ships)

(Breakfast, lunch, dinner included)

DAY 06 HALONG BAY/HANOI

Greet the new day with Tai Chi exercise as the sun rises once more over the bay. Enjoy an elegant breakfast before we visit a beautiful limestone grotto to admire its many unique rock formations. Then it’s back to the boat to form your final lasting impression of Halong Bay’s awe-inspiring beauty as we cruise back to the dock.

Before driving back to Hanoi, we would delight you with a stop to enjoy a unique water puppet show in a village where water puppetry originated. You will enjoy lunch in the village before the 1-hour show and drive back to Hanoi arriving in the late afternoon.

(Breakfast, lunch included)

DAY 07 HANOI/HONG KONG

Transfer to the airport for flight back to Hong Kong

Fly	Hanoi/Hong Kong	VN 790	1105/1355– Daily
Or	Hanoi/Hong Kong	KA 296	1035/1335- Mon, Wed Fri
	Hanoi/Hong Kong	KA 294	1950/2250- Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun

(Breakfast included)

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PRICE

TOUR PRICE PER PERSON:

- These prices are based on min. two adults or two adults and 1-2 children (5-11 years old) traveling together.
- The prices stated can only be indicative and may be adjusted once we know your date of travel, number in your party and if you have any other specific requirements.
- Surcharges apply for travel during Christmas and New Year
- This itinerary is based on using Dragon Air or Vietnam Airlines for the international routing. We are able to book onto budget carriers or other airlines if you wish.
- Departure: The above itinerary/flights stated above work for departure on SATURDAY ONLY (in order to catch the Sunday Market in Bac Ha). If you wish to depart on other days of the week, some adjustments may need to be made.

Recommended Hotels	Per adult	First child (with an extra bed)	Per child (2 children sharing a room)
Serenade hotel in Hanoi Chau Long Hotel in Sapa	HK$ 13,700/-	HK$ 10,050/-	HK$ 10,500/-
Intercontinental Westlake Hotel or Hilton hotel in Hanoi Topas Ecolodge in Sapa	HK$ 14,700/-	HK$ 11,000/-	HK$ 11,500
Sofitel Metropole Hotel in Hanoi Victoria Sapa in Sapa	HK$ 16,500/-	HK$ 11,500/-	HK$ 13,000/-
Note: Above price is based on using Vietnam Airlines. Add HK$ 300/- per adult and HK$ 225/- per child if you choose to fly with Dragon Air Above price is based on using Paradise Cruise in Halong Bay. Add HK$ 1,500/- per adult, HK$ 750/- per child to upgrade to a deluxe cabin in Violet Cruise Add HK$ 1,850/- per adult, HK$ 500/- per child to upgrade to private Princess Junk cruise (04 cabin cruise)

COST INCLUDES:

- Airfare Hong Kong/Hanoi/Hong Kong by Vietnam Airlines or Dragon Air

- Accommodation on twin or double share basis;

- Overnight cruise in Halong Bay with all meals, shore excursions on joined-in-basis;

- Return overnight train journey to Sapa (operated by Fansipan Express Train; for overnight in Victoria Sapa, one-way would be operated by Victoria Express Train)

- Meals as stated;

- Daily supply of mineral water;

- All tours, entrance fees and transfers in private air-con vehicle with English speaking guide and including all entrance fee

COST EXCLUDES:

-Airport tax and fuel surcharges (currently at HK$ 414/- per person, subject to change)

-Visa;

-Travel insurance;

-Beverages during lunches and dinners

-Gratuities to guide and driver

-Personal and other expenses not stated.

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HOTEL

HOTEL DESCRIPTIONS:

In Hanoi

Serenade hotel: a 3-star boutique hotel located in the Old Quarter of Hanoi. Rooms are tastefully decorated with a hint of oriental style and come with modern amenities. (www.serenadehotel.com.vn)

Intercontinental West Lake: Removed from the bustle of the city, the hotel sits next to the tranquil waters of historic Westlake. Rooms are luxurious furnished blending modern architecture with Vietnamese contemporary design. Most rooms have balconies commanding claming view of the lake. www.ichotelsgroup.com/intercontinental

Hilton Hanoi Opera hotel: Centrally located in Hanoi's elegant French Quarter, the Hilton Hanoi Opera hotel is a short walk from the famous Old Quarter and the city's bustling business district. Voted 'Vietnam's Leading Hotel' for five consecutive years by the prestigious World Travel Awards, the Hilton Hanoi Opera is a landmark in the city.(www.hilton.com)

Sofitel Metropole: a real oasis of charm in the heart of the city, this is a deluxe boutique hotel in an old French colonial building with neo-classical design rooms for the newly renovated Opera wing. The club rooms offer extreme luxury with exclusive Club Lounge benefits. (www.accorhotels-asia.com)

In Halong Bay

Paradise Cruises: Built in the design and décor of a traditional Vietnamese junk. With kayaks available on board, this option offers a personalized and adventurous way of exploring the bay. Launched in Jan 2009, the cabins are nicely appointed with en-suite facilities. www.paradisecruises.org

Private Prince Junk: Chartering a junk boat allows great flexibility for your family (and economically good for group size of 4 to 8 persons). Cruise deeper to find a secluded spot only accessible by kayaks and at night, there is an opportunity to do night-fishing! Prince Junk offers 1-4 cabins furnished with modern amenities.

Violet Cruise: fitted out in the 1930’s Indochine style featuring a boutique dinning room, library & lounge, spa, gym and 6 individual theme cabins with marble bathroom, jacuzzi and balcony. The ceiling-to-floor glass windows visually bring you closer to the emerald water and limestone peaks of the Bay (www.cruisehalong.com)

In Sapa

Chau Long Sapa Hotel: Located in town, the new wing is rated as 4-star. Rooms are spacious with modern amenities and a private balcony overlooking the rice fields and Mt Fansipan. (www.chaulonghotel.com)

Topas Ecolodge: nestled inside the beautiful valley with spectacular views of the surrounding mountain ranges. All the 25 bungalows are built of natural materials such as white granite and golden hardwood with a private balcony. It is a great base to explore the remote villages of different hill tribe in Sapa. (www.topasecolodge.com)

Victoria Sapa: a charming 4-star Swiss style mountain haven built as a traditional mountain chalet with accented wooden décor and a welcoming stone hearth fireplace. (www.victoriahotels-asia.com)

Fansipan Express Train: a comfortable air-con train with 2 and 4 berths wood paneled cabins. Each berth is equipped with reading lights, baggage storage, mineral water and napkin with a tool providing cold and hot water.

Victoria Train: With its elegant carriages, the Victoria Train recalls a more romantic era. Each sleeping carriage is air-conditioned, wood paneled, with individual reading lights, baggage storage, toilets and oversized windows. The train is for guests who are staying at Victoria Sapa only. (www.victoriahotels-asia.com)

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