North Vietnam, from mountain to sea

Posted in 5 days more, In the North

This must be one of the nicest Vietnam Tours as it takes us from the charming beauty in northern mountains where offers amazing scenery, culture to one of Vietnam world’s heritages and values and end up with a great relaxation in Ninh Binh, the newest vacation destination in the north of Vietnam.

HIGHLIGHTS

Enjoying the water puppet show in Hanoi
Exploring the beautiful nature and challenging yourselves with Fansipan Trek
Cruising off the beaten track to Bai Tu Long Bay
Relaxing on the most luxurious resort in Ninh Binh

OUTLINE

Day 01: Arrival Hanoi
Day 02: Fansipan Trekking up
Day 03: Fansipan Trekking down
Day 04: Biking to Binh Lu, bus to Hanoi
Day 05: Outing to Bai Tu Long Bay, overnight on the sea
Day 06: Kayaking and overnight in Emeralda Ninh Binh
Day 07: Trang An- Hoa Lu- Mua Cave, overnight in Ninh Binh
Day 08: Departure

DETAILS

Day 01: Arrival Hanoi (no meals)
You will be met at the airport and transferred to your centrally located hotel. 17:00 check out the room to have the water puppet show at Thang Long Theater in Hoan Kiem Lake.
Have dinner on your own account. 19:50 our guide will meet the group to transfer to Hanoi station for the soft sleeper train to Lao Cai

Day 02: Fansipan Trekking up (L, D)
Early arrival in Lao Cai station, your driver will meet and transfer the group to Sapa.

We begin this tour at a practical time of 9.00am. After meeting both your guide and driver, we are transferred by car, a short distance of 15km to begin the start of the climb to Fansipan Mountain.
We start the climb at the Park Rangers’ Station at a height of 2,000m. Throughout this climb, we can observe and learn about the local cardamom plants, and the uses they have for this local area.
Local birds can also be seen throughout this walk, with seasons varying, and the time of year you visit. As we trek up to the height of 2,200m, we relax with a picnic lunch. We then keep on trekking up to the height of 2,800m, taking in the spectacular views along the way. After setting up camp for the night, dinner is cooked on the campfire. Ready to unwind from the day, you will find yourself sleeping soundly, while nestled in amongst the rugged beauty of the mountains.

Day 03: Fansipan Trekking down (B, L)
With an early rise of 6.30-7.00am, we have breakfast together before we undertake the final ascent to the very top of Fansipan Mountain. Around 10.00-10.30am, we can celebrate the victorious achievement as we arrive at the very top, 3,143m above sea level. Take some time out, as you absorb the combination of the fresh crisp air, and beautiful views while overlooking Sapa town, admiring its thick green forestry landscape. After enjoying the remarkable views, we commence the descent to 2,800m and enjoy a picnic lunch around 1.30pm. Feeling revitalised after the break, we trek back down to Tram Ton Pass at 2,000m, where our driver awaits and we are transferred back to Sapa Town.

Day 04: Biking to Binh Lu, bus to Hanoi (B, L)
The trip starts from Sapa going uphill to the Silver Waterfall by a jeep. After the waterfall you will cycle up to Heavens Gate, the highest mountain pass in Vietnam. From here you can enjoy the stunning scenery across the valley. You will then travel by bicycle down to the Black Hmong village .If the weather is good you can enjoy a swim in the river, while your guide prepares lunch. This is a good time to take a walk around the nearby village and see how the locals live. After lunch, you will descend to Binh Lu. Upon arrival in Binh Lu you can visit the village inhabited by the Coin Dzao minority people. After a long day of activity and sightseeing you can now enjoy the trip to Sapa by bus.

16:00 our limousine bus will get you to Hanoi. 21:00 arrival in your hotel in central of Hanoi Old Town

Day 05: Outing to Bai Tu Long Bay, overnight on the sea (B, L, D)
Depart at 8:00 on a shared van from your hotel to Halong city. After 3.5 hours driving and viewing simple, country side, rice paddy life, we arrive at the at port. At 12.00, the junk crews welcome guests on board at Hon Gai Wharf. Check- in, enjoy welcome drink & cruise briefing. Lunch with fresh local seafood while cruising to Bai Tu Long bay via Indochina film studio, Teapot islet, Blockhouse islet, Goat Head islet. Stop for swimming, visit mysterious Thien Canh cave. Relax at a wild beach, swim & kayak to explore the bay. Back to junk to enjoy relaxing or the sunset. Dinner and overnight on board nearby Vong Vieng village or Trinh Nu cave.

Day 06: Kayaking and overnight in Emeralda Ninh Binh (B, L)
Early risers can enjoy the sunrise and the quiet breath-taking beauty of Bay’s landscape. 7:30 have breakfast in the fresh air then visit Vong Vieng fishing village by a rustic row-boat or kayaking. Meet the locals, visit floating school & fish farms. More time to swim in the middle of the bay. From 10: 15, we serve on a La-Carte-Menu, you can order any dishes in the menu whenever you want for breakfast and lunch. Continue cruising through the bay, along the way seeing more of the fascinating formations. 11: 45 check out cabin while cruising back. By noon at 12:00, we will be ashore then hit the road back to Ninh Binh. Optional visit to Yen Duc Village. Arrival Ninh Binh at around 18:00. Check in the Emeralda Ninh Binh

Day 07: Trang An- Hoa Lu- Mua Cave, overnight in Ninh Binh (B, L)

from Sapa, Halong to Ninh binh

Breakfast at your resort. 8:30 am: Leave Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh to travel to Mua cave. Though small, this place attracts visitors with its many interesting stories. From the cave, you can see all the way to Tam Coc’s three grottoes. Climb 500 stone steps to the top of the mountain to enjoy a stunning view of the countryside and the wonderful Ngo Dong river. 10:00 am: Take a small boat along the river to discover the mysterious beauty of the Trang An cave system including Ba Giot, Dia Linh, Toi (Dark cave), Sang (Bright cave), Ao Trai and Seo caves.
12:00 am: Have lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, around 13:00 we drive to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam, dating from the 10th century. Marvel at the ancient architecture and the carvings on wood and stone depicting daily life, dreams and wishes for peace and good life. Finish the tour at Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh

Day 08: Departure (B)
Breakfast at Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh. Check out 4 hours before your international flight time in Noi Bai Airport. Say goodbye to the team. Sapa Travel wishes to see you next time.

BOOKING

Once you’ve seen our itinerary for “North Vietnam, from mountain to sea”, you can make any changes you wish. We are a very flexible tailor-made tour operator and we can design tours to meet our clients’ precise requirements.

Please send email to Sapa Travel via: info@travelsapa.com for information about Sapa Tours in Vietnam and our sample tours. Book now for getting promotion rate.

RATE in 2018 and 2019

INCLUDES
– One way soft sleeper train tickets Hanoi- Lao Cai
– Tents in Fansipan
– Water on the whole trip Fansipan
– Black Hmong porters (to carry food in Fansipan)
– All transfers and airport pick up
– Cabins on board Bai Tu Long Bay
– All entrances
– Hotel accommodation
– Local English speaking guides when doing excursions
– Sports bike to Binh Lu excursion
– Water puppet show
– Meals: 6 breakfasts, 3 pinnic lunches, 2 lunches on board Bai Tu Long, 1 lunch at local restaurant, 2 dinners

EXCLUDES
– Single Room surcharge
– Early check in, Late check out
– Credit card fees (3.3%)
– Visa to Vietnam
– Flights

SURCHARGE

If the stay in Emeralda Ninh Binh falls on Fri & Sat, the surcharge is US$ 25/person

UPGRADE

To 3-star hotel in Sapa: + US$ 15/person
To 3-star hotel in Hanoi: + US$ 15/person
To Red Dragon Cruise: + US$ 40/person
To Luxury Dragon Legend: + US$ 55/person
To deluxe room in Emeralda: + US$ 40/person

TIPS
– The best time to trek Fansipan and how the tents are like http://www.travelsapa.com/best-time-to-trek-fansipan/
– What to bring to trek Fansipan http://www.travelsapa.com/what-to-bring-when-trekking-fansipan/
– Porters to support Fansipan trekkers: http://www.travelsapa.com/how-many-porters-for-the-trek-to-fansipan/

ACCOMMODATION
– In Hanoi, we just stay for the first day in Hanoi for the first day and one more night before Bai Tu Long.  Sapa Travel will have the Impressive Hotel for the day-use rooms.
– In Sapa, we have a full list of hotels in Sapa. You can choose 2-star hotels, 3-star boutique hotels like Chau Long New Wing, Bamboo Hotel, 4-star international hotels like Victoria Sapa or U Sapa
– In Bai Tu Long bay, we have 3 types of boats: Dragon Pearl Junks, Red Dragon Cruise & Dragon Legend Luxury
– In Ninh Binh, we will have the nights in Emeralda Resort & Spa Ninh Binh, Superior Room

TRANSPORTATION
Sapa Travel guarantees to offer the best means of transport during your holiday in North of Vietnam. The safety, comfort and security of our customers come first. We use only the latest modern cars, vans, coaches and all our drivers are full time workers, government licensed in the tourism industry with at least 5 years driving experience. We are fully in control of our quality and service as we own our vehicles

THE LOCAL GUIDE
We do understand that a good tour guide will make your holiday a beautiful time and tour guides who work with us are well-paid, experienced with a university background, eager to exchange our culture, lifestyle, knowledge…with travelers, and have a great passion for their country and understand the personal touch.

Note: In Sapa, we may use local tour guides who come from the ethnic groups like H’Mong, or Red Dao as they know better than anyone else about their land, culture, customs and habits… and this is also the way that Sapa Travel helps the local people a better life.