Day 1: Hanoi
You'll be picked up from the airport and transfered to your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter – an exciting location for tourists. After that you'll be free to explore Hanoi City. Note: check in time is 14:00 P.M.
Day 2: Ha Noi, Ha Long Bay, Titop Island, Surprising Cave, Sunset Party, overnight on Apricot Cruise (B, L, D)
7:45am - 8:30am: Your guide will meet you at your hotel to pick up by shuttle bus or private car. Enjoy the peaceful scenery as you travel through the countryside, farmlands and Red River delta.
12:00pm – 12:30pm: Arrive at Tuan Chau Marina and be welcomed aboard the cruise. Meet the captain, crew and enjoy a for welcome drink as we tell you about life onboard. Check into your cabin, and then you'll have time to refresh and unwind. You'll be served a delectable lunch while cruising ahead to Ha Long Bay.
In the afternoon you'll be able to explore the Surprising Cave – the most beautiful cave in Ha Long Bay. It's one of the widest grottoes in Ha Long Bay, with thousands of stalactites and stalagmites. You'll cruise on to visit the Titop Island, where you can swim, climb to the top of the island and take in the best view of Halong Bay in the summer time, or visit a floating pearl farm village and learn the technique for making high quality pearls in the winter time. After that, head back to the boat and enjoy the Sunset Party on sundeck, with free wine and fresh fruit. Dinner is served in the evening and then there's some lesiure time to socialize with other guests, take part in board games, fish for squid or just laze around. For your overnight stay on board you'll have a clean airconditioned room with private washroom.
Day 3: Tai Chi – Breakfast, Kayak, Floating Houses , Cooking Demonstration (B, L)
Morning in the bay: 6:30am - 6:45am Start your day with Tai Chi exercises or a photo hunt. Have breakfast on board while the boat starts cruising to the Natural Preservation Zone. Explore the area by kayak or visit a floating house and learn about the daily life of the local fishermen. Afternoon activities: Continue your cruise exploring the Bay, passing Ba Hang fishing village, Dog Islet, and more. Join in the cooking class and learn how to make local spring rolls before an early lunch is served. Disembark Tuan Chau Marina for your transfer by minibus or private car to Hanoi. Arrive back at your hotel around 4:30pm - 5:00pm
Day 4: Hanoi - Sapa by bus with a short trek to Cat Cat village (B, L, D)
6.30am - 7.00am: Pick up from your hotel, before departing by bus for Sapa with a couple of short stops along the way. Arrive at Sapa Town with colorful traditional costumes of H’Mong, Dzao, Tay ethnic people. You'll receive a welcome drink and itinerary briefing. Enjoy a lunch of local Vietnamese dishes. Take a short drive to the gate of Cat Cat Village which is home of Black H’Mong ethnic people and is located near the bottom of a deep valley at the foot of Fansipan Peak. Your local guide will show you the daily activities of the locals before you trek down to the bottom of the valley to a waterfall where the French built a Hydraulic Power Station. Stop for photos with the bridge and waterfall, then walk uphill for the bus back to Sapa in the afternoon. Trekking distance is about 2.5 kms and it lasts for 2 hours 5.00pm: Head back to Sapa Town and have dinner and an overnight stay in a hotel.
Day 5: Sapa - Hanoi by bus with a long trek Y Linh Ho - Lao Chai - Ta Van (B, L)
Have breakfast at the hotel, check out and prepare a light pack for trekking. After a short drive to Y Linh Ho you'll trek through the rice terraces and along Muong Hoa Stream to the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai to see the spectacular landscape of Hoang Lien Son Mountain. After which you will head to Ta Van Village - home of the Dzay ethnic people. Trekking distance is about 9km and lasts for around 3.5 hours. Travel by bus from Ta Van Bridge back to Sapa and have lunch back at the hotel. Relax before boarding the bus to Hanoi with breaks along the way. We say goodbye to you at your hotel/stay. Trip ends.
Day 6: Hanoi Free day – Night train to Da Nang (B)
Today, you are free to visit Hanoi Old Quarter and take in attractions usch as the water puppet show before transfering to Hanoi Train Station for the sleeping train to Da nang. Time spent on the train is around 15 hours. On the train journey you can soak in the spectacular sights along the coastal line. You also overnight on the train and reach Danang train station at around 12.20am.
Day 7: Da Nang pick up - Check in hotel in Hoi An town
Be picked up from the train and transfered to Hoi An Ancient Town. Check in to your hotel in the ancient town and relax.
Day 8: Marble Mountains and Monkey Island tour (B, L)
After breakfast at the hotel, your tour guide and driver will pick you up for the tour. Departurt for Marble Mountains where you'll discover caves and marvel at their varied beauty and uses. The Buddhist pagodas add more interest and the visit to the traditional marble carving village gives you the opportunity to buy some souvenirs if you wish. Travel fro Marble Mountains tor Monkey Mountain. You'll learn the Monkey Mountain history and there will be plenty of time for photos. After leaving Monkey Mountain you will enjoy lunch in the home of local family, before heading back to the hotel.
Day 9: Free day in Hoi An (B)
You have a whole free day in the peaceful Hoi An Town. You can walk around the old town, go shopping, visit the vegetable village, My Son Holy Land or relax at the beach (Cua Dai or An Bang). Or you can organise an interesting day tour with Asia Holiday Deal directly.
Day 10: Hoi An - Airport transfer - Flight to HCMC- Pick up- check in Hotel (B)
After breakfast at your hotel you're free until your airport transfer. You will have a flight to Ho Chi Minh City and stay overnight in the tourist area of Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 11: Saigon -My Tho - Ben Tre – Can Tho (B, L, D)
You'll be picked up from your hotel between in the morning and depart for Mekong delta by the air-conditioned bus. On the way, stop for a boat trip to visit My Tho with a cruise around Dragon Island, Phoenix Island, Turtle Island with a stop at the famous Unicorn Island. Enjoy a short walk around the orchard and village, enjoy tropical fruit, honey and tea. Stop for lunch. Take a row boat along small canals heading to Ben Tre for a visit a handmade coconut candy workshop. Finally, depart for Can Tho for check in at hotel. Free at leisure down town the City.
Day 12: Can Tho – Cai Rang Floating Market – Saigon (B, L)
An early start to take a boat cruise along the Mekong River to explore the busiest floating market of the Mekong Delta – Cai Rang floating market (the nicest one with heaps of rowing boats). Take in the beautiful scenery and daily activities of locals who live along the Mekong canal. Roam through the village to visit a rice husking mill and a rice noodles shops. Stops at Can Tho Market for lunch and roam through the village. The bus will take you to Saigon
Day 13: Ho Chi Minh City Departure (B)
After breakfast, you're free until your transfer to airport. Trip ends.
About Asia Holiday Deal:
One of the best international licensed tour operators in Vietnam, Asia Holiday Deal offers private tours and group tours in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. They're always willing to help and assist you to create and enjoy the perfect holiday.