VIETNAM NORTH

USD$1,450.00

This North Vietnam trip is based in and out of Hanoi simply because all the highlights of the north are nearby. This means no pointless travel time as well as the chance to really explore the nations capital in depth. This time includes sensational, as good as it gets, mountain scenery, and minorities of Sapa followed by the UNESCO world heritage area of Halong Bay. After all the friendly faces you will have only the fondest lifelong memories of Vietnam.

NO LOCAL PAYMENT REQUIRED ON ARRIVAL.

GROUP SIZE: Minimum one, maximum eight.

Guaranteed to depart.

English speaking tour coordinator.

Note: After careful consideration we concluded it was in your best interests to start and finish this trip in Hanoi rather than Bangkok.

VISITING:
HANOI - TAM COC - SAPA WITH SOFT TREKS TO MINORITY VILLAGES - HALONG BAY - CAT BA ISLAND.

NOTE: Your time in both Sapa and Halong Bay will be totally organised from Hanoi by local operators and guides who are experts in these areas.

ACCOMMODATION:
One to two star guest houses and hotels, (7 nights).
Simple guest house, (1 night).
Overnight soft class sleeper train, (2 nights).
Private cabin on boat, (1 night).

TRANSPORT:
Bus, train, boat, taxi.

DAY TRIPS AND LOCALLY OPERATED ITINERARIES:
Tam Coc, (full day).
Sapa; Three nights and two days.(All inclusive with local operator as per itinerary).
Halong Bay; Three days and two nights. (All inclusive with local operator as per itinerary).

ENTRANCE FEES:
All included when part of the itinerary.

MEALS:
24 meals included as per itinerary, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner.

NOTE: Breakfast in Vietnam while filling and tasty is usually short on choice and often limited to bread, eggs and jam etc. with the occasional banana pancake. Noodle soup with the locals is the other option also.

Meals provided as part of the itineraries with local operators, while substantial and tasty also, are either totally set meals or limited to only a few choices.

DAY 1: HANOI - Your trip officially starts when you check into your Hanoi accommodation. A welcoming dinner will be had in the evening. D.

DAY 2: HANOI - A totally free day to get the feel of this amazing city. Be careful crossing the roads is the best advice here. Shops and local culture abound. B.

DAY 3 - A full days trip to Nimh Binh region with the spectacular scenery of Tam Coc being the highlight. Best described as the Halong Bay of the rice paddies. B. L. D.

DAY 4: OVERNIGHT SLEEPER TRAIN - A free day in Hanoi before a local operator takes care of you for the next 3 nights and 2 days on a fully inclusive visit to Sapa. Firstly an overnight soft class sleeper train to Lau Cai. B. D.

DAY 5: SAPA - Arrive a.m. in Lau Cai and transfer by bus to sensationally scenic Sapa. Check into your hotel and have breakfast. After breakfast a local guide will take you on a three hour trek to visit some local minorities. While the walking is generally gentle and on man made paths there are still a few decent uphill heart starters so a general good level of fitness is required. The afternoon is free to self explore little Sapa town. B. L. D.

DAY 6: OVERNIGHT SLEEPER TRAIN - Again after breakfast you will check out and leave your bags in storage while a local guide takes you on another trek of approximately five hours to visit some more minority villages amongst some of the most sensational scenery imaginable. Lunch will be in a local village along the way. Arrive back in Sapa mid afternoon where you will be able to get a towel and take a shower at the hotel. An optional massage is available to help those with any sore legs. After an early dinner you will transfer back to Lau Cai for the soft class sleeper train back to Hanoi. B. L. D.

DAY 7: HANOI - Arrive early a.m. in Hanoi. A free day after that at leisure or to Explore Hanoi. B.

DAY 8: HALONG BAY BOAT - An early start again with a local operator will take you for an all inclusive tour for three days and two nights to the world heritage listed Halong Bay. Firstly by bus to Halong City where you will board your comfortable cruise boat for an afternoon of cruising, cave visiting and swimming in spectacular Halong Bay. Overnight will be on board your boat with a small but private en suite cabin. (An optional visit to another cave by a smaller local boat during the afternoon is not included, approximately U.S.$2.00). L. D.

DAY 9: CAT BA ISLAND - . After an early breakfast you will be put ashore at Cat Ba Island for the day. After checking in, for those wishing it, a local guide will take you on a short but very strenuous walk up a mountain to take in the views. The rest of day at leisure on this busy little island. B. L. D.

DAY 10: HANOI - After breakfast you will again board the boat for the three hour cruise back to Halong City. After lunch you will continue by bus back to Hanoi, arriving late afternoon. B. L.

DAY 11: HANOI - A last free day in Hanoi for shopping or sightseeing. A farewell dinner will be had in the evening. B. D.

DAY 12: Your trip is officially over when you check out of your Hanoi accommodation. An airport transfer is included also. B.

TOUR DATES:
2008: Jan 12, 26; Mar 8, 22; Apr 12, 26; May 10, 24; Jun 14, 28; Jul 12, 26; Aug 9, 23; Sep 13, 27; Oct 11, 25; Nov 15, 29; Dec 13, 27.

2009: Jan 3; Mar 14, 28; April 11, 25; may 9, 23; June 13, 27; July 11, 25; Aug 8, 22; Sept 12, 26; Oct 10, 24; Nov 14, 28; Dec 5, 19.

Any other date on application. (Minimum two people).

PRICE:
P/P, land only;
USD$1,450.00.
Single Suppliment: USD$200.00