SOFT TREK- BEST OF THE NORTHWEST –14 DAYS

 (Itinerary: Hanoi- Mai Chau- Sơn La- Tam Duong- Sapa- Hanoi- Ha Long-Hanoi)

Tour code XSEV 0027: ADVENTURE & TREKKING TOURS

Highlights:

  • You will meet Hmong living in the high mountains, Dao in flamboyant costumes, Lu women with sophisticated silver jewelry and lacquered teeth, and Thai in their elegant dresses.
  • A journey into the heart of a region of exceptional natural beauty and exotic culture.
  • Walk from villages to villages to enjoy the fresh atmosphere and escape completely from city bustle
  • Spend a night in a local house and share your meal with your host
  • Admire spectacular mountainous landscape with ample opportunity for taking awesome photos
  • Light trekking to meet ethnic minority groups in their colorful costumes and authentic culture
  • Discover the Wonder of the World – a Halong Bay with its bewitching scenes

Overview

Start and end in Hanoi! With the Hiking & Trekking tour Best of Northwest of Vietnam 14 Days Soft Trek, you have a 14 days tour package taking you through Hanoi and 7 others destinations in Vietnam. The Northwest of Vietnam is a real feast for the eyes, not only because of its awe-inspiring nature, but also because of its colorful ethnic culture. This beautiful region is a superb mosaic of vibrant colors. Impressive mountains, amazing terraced rice fields, agricultural activity in rhythm with the seasons and fascinating ethnic markets make up a magnificent travel destination. 

Tour summary:

DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL

Private driver

Arrival in Noi Bai airport, you will be picked up then transferred to the hotel in city center and transfer you to your hotel for check-in
(Check-in time is 14.00 PM, early check-in is not included in itinerary and subject to availability).
Free and easy in Hanoi old quarter. Stay overnight in Hanoi
Meals: None
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Hanoi 

DAY 2: HANOI – MAI CHAU – BA KHAN VILLAGE RESORT   (B,L,D)

Private driver & guide

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel
08h30. Depart from Hanoi. Enjoy a scenic drive along one of the most beautiful country road to the peaceful Bakhan Village, Mai Chau Valley via Hoa Binh City.
10:30: Take a short break for tea/coffee in the middle way.
12h00. Lunch at Bakhan Village Restaurant. Check-in room.
15h00. Afternoon walk around the Muong Village of Khan Ha and village’s West hill for a breath taking view of the valley.
19h00. Dinner time at Bakhan Restaurant.
20h00 -21h00. Enjoy the unique traditional dance by Villagers. Overnight in Resort Bakhan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Ba Khan

DAY 3: TREK TO THE EAST MOUNTAIN (B, L, D)

Private driver & guide

Highlights and activities :2-3 hours trek
Breakfast will be served at your hotel
09h00. Take another great workout in nature with our East Mountain trek route.
11h00. Arrive at a local Muong house where lunch is prepared.
13h00. Continue afternoon walking through the valley and the villages Khan Ho & Khan Thuong
15h30. Back to the resort. Rest and relax.
19h00. Dinner & overnight at Bakhan Village Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Ba Khan
 

DAY 4: BAKHAN VILLAGE – SON LA (B,D)

Private driver & guide

After breakfast prepared by Bakhan Village Resort, you will drive toward Son La, the fifth largest province in Vietnam, located in the far north. Take a short hike to Pa Co village 30km form Mai Chau where you will meet the Black H’mong ethnic group. Continue the drive past lush tea plantations in Moc Chau. This is an incredible chance to shoot great photos. Cross a bamboo bridge to visit Na Ken village, 80 km from Son La, home to the Black Thai ethnic group. To this day, their houses are built in an ancient structure with thatched roofs shaped like a tortoise carapace and unique decorations called “khau cut” at each end of the ridge. Arrive at Son La in the late afternoon. Overnight in hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation at a selected hotel in  Sơn La  

DAY 5: SON LA – ĐIEN BIEN PHU(B,D)

Private driver & guide

Today you travel to Dien Bien Phu crossing the Pha Din Pass, the highest and longest pass in Vietnam with an altitude of 1,500m. At the middle of the pass, stop to visit a multi-ethnic primary school and a village of the White H’mong hill tribe where children in colorful traditional costumes will welcome you with warm smiles. You then drive to Dien Bien Phu, site of the most legendary battle in Vietnam’s struggle for independence from the French in 1954. Visit famous sites of the Indochina War, the Ellianne Hill and the War Museum, which vividly describes the fight. Relics from the battle on display include old French tanks and artillery pieces, and most interestingly a reconstruction of the bunker in which the French commander, Colonel de Castries, surrendered to Viet Minh forces. Overnight at Dien Bien Phu Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast,  Dinner
Accommodation at a selected hotel in  Dien Bien Phu 

DAY 6: ĐIÊN BIÊN PHU – LAI CHAU- TAM DƯỜNG (B,D)

Private driver & guide

Highlights and activities :2-3 hours trek
Transfer to Lai Chau, a town due to be flooded when the plans for a large hydroelectric dam become reality in the near future. Continue the drive to Tam Duong along Nam Na River, a major tributary of the Black River. Visit a village of the Black Thai, Chan Nua Thai with its large wooden houses on stilts. Arrive in Tam Duong. Overnight in hotel.
Meals: Breakfast,  Dinner
Accommodation at a selected hotel in  Tam Duong  

DAY 7: TAM DUONG VILLAGE(B)

Private driver & guide

 
Highlights and activities :4-6 hours trek
Tam Duong is a frontier town situated in a beautiful valley amongst limestone peaks. This place is the home of many hill tribes such as the H’Mong, Man Tien, Lu and Cu Chu people. Authentic in lifestyle and colorful in costumes, most of these tribes have migrated from South China during the 17th – 18th century. A full day of trekking through their villages, nestled at the foot of the mountains and hills, enables you to discover the differences among these ethnic groups.  Overnight in Tam Duong Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast,
Accommodation at a selected hotel in  Tam Duong  

DAY 8: TAM DUONG- SAPA (B)

Private driver & guide

Highlights and activities :2-3 hours trek
In the morning, discover the most fascinating cultural activity of hill tribe people, at the local market held every Sunday. You will meet many different minorities from the surrounding regions of Tam Duong that come to exchange their goods, drink rice wine and meet friends. This is a great photo opportunity.
En route to Lao Cai, you take a hike through Ban Hon, a village of the Lu ethnic group. Lu women take great pride in their shining lacquered teeth and traditional costumes adorned with metal jewelry.
Arrive in Sapa, once a mountainous town during the colonization by the French. Check into the hotel. Free time to explore the little town with its market and remains of colonial architecture. Overnight in Sapa hotel.
Meals: Breakfast,
Accommodation at a selected hotel in  Sapa  
 

DAY 9: TREK TO Y LINH HO – LAO CHAI – TA VAN VILLLAGE (B, L)

Private driver & tour guide

Highlights and activities :2-3 hours trek
9:30 am, start from your hotel to Muong Hoa valley. Beginning of the trip is the moment for admire the panorama view of the town and then the valley from the main road. After 4km on the main road, we start going down to the valley by the small trails through the terrace rice fields to get to
Y Linh Ho hamlet, a small village of the Black Hmong people.
From Y Linh Ho village, we go along the river to go to Lao Chai village (means “old village” in the local dialect). It is time for you to visit the local families, listen to your guide’s explanation about the local culture: how they live, way of building the traditional house, technique of making clothes… or listen about the way of treatment for a sick person.
Stop for lunch. The lunch is served in one of the local refreshment restaurants on the side of the river.
In the afternoon, we leave Lao Chai to continue to Ta Van village, the Giay people’s residence. The guide bring you into some family: listen about their life, enjoy some green tea and learn about the differences of their culture from the other hill tribes even they leave close to each other.
Quitting Ta Van, we head up to the main road where the car will pick up us to transfer back to Sapa.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation at a selected hotel in  Sapa  

DAY10: MORE SAPA DISCOVERY – HANOI (B)

Private driver & guide
Highlights and activities :1-3 hours trek
Trekking from Sapa to Cat Cat Village to see its waterfall and meet Hmong family and learn more about their way of life.
Cat Cat is a small but bustling village situated at the foot of Fansipan Mountain. Here you will see traditional Hmong homes at their best, and you will be able to meet a Hmong family to learn more about their way of life. The village is also the perfect place to see traditional clothing being made, hemp being dyed and women weaving. From Cat Cat we will follow the Muong Hoa Valley for 3km through rice terraces and small dwellings to Sin Chai. This village is a little off the usual trekking route and less visited, but offers the opportunity to see traditional wooden homes built using the indigenous Pumu tree. Transport will be waiting in Sin Chai to take you back to Sapa.
15:30: Our car and guide will transfer you to Hanoi.
Arrive in Hanoi at PM. End of the trip with sweet memories about our Sapa and Hill-tribe village of the north of Vietnam. Check in hotel & overnight in Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast,
Accommodation at a selected hotel in  Hanoi

DAY 11: HANOI - HON GAI HARBOR – BAI TU LONG BAY – CONG DO – CAP LA ISLAND – TRA SAN(B,L,D)

Shuttles bus & tour guide on cruise
Explore Ha Long Bay by deluxe cruise.
Notes: Ha Long Itinerary is subjected to change based on weather conditions and each Cruise.
08:00 8:30: We will pick you up from your hotel and head to northeast of Vietnam
12.30: Arrive Ha Long, transferred a by tender to Cruise on Bai Tu Long bay
12.45: Enjoy a welcome drink with all staffs on board, listen briefly to safety on boat and activities included then check in cabin.
13.30: Delicious Vietnamese set menu while leisurely cruising to the core of Bai Tu Long Bay.
15.00: Arrive to Cap La Island the beautiful area in Bai Tu Long bay. Enjoy kayaking through the karst and breathtaking nature, swimming and relaxing
17.30: Get back to the boat and enjoy sunset tea (enjoy tea and fresh fruit).This time is regarded as “Happy hour”- Buy two get one free while our cruise sailing to the overnight anchorage.
19.00: Sumptuous set-dinner on board.
20.30: Free time for joining games, you may also try your luck with squid fishing.
(Please inform our guide if you want to join in karaoke activity)
Overnight in Bai Tu Long bay cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch , Dinner
Accommodation : Overnight on Ha Long cruise

DAY 12: TRA SAN THIEN CANH SON CAVE HON GAI HARBOR- HANOI (B,L)
Shuttles bus & tour guide on cruise
06.30: Freshen up your new day with doing Tai Chi 
07.00: Breakfast will be served in Western style and furthermore with Vietnamese traditional food. Tea and coffee is available
08.00: Explore Thien Canh Son cave. Your guide will explain the history of Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay and this Cave, made by Mother Nature
 09.30: Back to your boat by tender then finish packing.   
Please remove all of your belongings from your cabin, you may leave heavy luggage outside of the cabin (staff will transfer directly to the pier).
10.30: Cooking demonstration is organized by our guide at this time. You have a chance to make Vietnamese cuisine- “Banh Cuon”  by yourself.
11.00: Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch.
12.00: Disembark in Hon Gai pier
12.30: Say goodbye Halong Bay then returns to Hanoi. Dinner is on your own. Overnight in Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation  at a selected hotel in Hanoi 

DAY 13: HANOI SIGHTSEEEING(B,L)
Private driver & Tour guide
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel
Depart at 9:00 AM. We will begin our day by visiting Uncle Ho, learning about his great life at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Presidential Palace, and his residential place. Next stop is the nearby Temple of Literature. The site of Vietnam´s first University, built in twelfth century, to teach Confucius’s theory to royals. Here we will also have a chance to see a traditional music performance. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant for a taste of authentic Hanoi Pho (noodle soup).
In the afternoon, choose one from the numerous museums or temples around Hanoi (Museum of Ethnology, Women´s Museum, History Museum or Quan Thanh Temple). In the late afternoon walk around Hoan Kiem lake and Hanoi´s fascinating Old Quarter for some great fun, shopping, and street side traditional food, may be to try one “Hanoi bia”. This is your chance to be part of typical Hanoi style and its traditional Vietnamese culture. We stop to visit a local wet market before enjoying a Water Puppet show – a uniquely Northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from the rural life and episodes of national history. Overnight in Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation  at a selected hotel in Hanoi 

DAY 14: HANOI  DEPARTURE (B)

Private driver

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel
Free and easy until you will transfer to airport for flight home.
Saying goodbye to Vietnam & Xuan Son Travel see you again.
Meals: Breakfast

Since this can be private or group tour, the price per person varies and depends on many aspects, such as your group size, the hotel ratings and your departure date. If you want to get a custom price quote for this tour, please fill out the online inquiry form and give you as much information as possible about your trip. Your online travel consultants will be at your service and help you make the most of your travel time and dollars!

NOTES
1/ He weather & our latest advice on the weather

Light clothes regardless of the season in the south but for the visit of temples and pagodas, make sure you have a top with sleeves (shoulders must be covered) and bottoms going at least up to the knee. From November to March it can get pretty cold in the North, make sure to have warm clothes for mornings and evenings.

Northern Vietnam:

  • Dec – Feb: 10°C to 25°C, mostly dry, grey.
  • March: 15°C to 30°C, season change, dry.
  • April – June: 25°C to 35°C, some heavy showers.
  • Sept – Oct: 25°C to 35°C, clear weather, occasional showers.

          Note: from 5°C to 10°C less in the mountains; make sure you have warm clothes.

2/ Visa
  • To go to Vietnam you must have a valid passport valid at least 6 months after the date of return.
  • The Government of Vietnam promulgates the Resolution on Vietnamese Entry Visa Waiver for Citizens of Five European Countries: UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy. This exemption is applied for a maximum period of 15 days regardless of passport categories and purpose of entry into Vietnam, and is valid until June 30, 2021.
  • For any stay lasting more than 15 days, or for a multiple entry stay in a period of less than 15 days, a visa is required. A period of 30 days is required after the last exit from Vietnam in order to once again benefit from the visa waiver measure for a stay not exceeding 15 days.

To get more info => Click Here

3/ International flight
  • Our offer does not include international flights between your country and Vietnam for two reasons:
  • International flights from your country are more expensive if purchased in Vietnam. It is therefore more beneficial for you to buy them from a ticketing agency in your country.
  • The payment and booking conditions for international flights are strict while it is difficult for us, a local agency, to apply the same conditions to you (full payment before travel). Since international financial transactions give rise to significant bank charges, you will be led to pay unnecessary surcharges.
4/ Which language?
  • The official and most widely spread language is Vietnamese.
  • English is spoken in all touristic areas.
5/ Cancellation Policy:
  • More than 30 days before arrival: no cancellation charge will be done (Client’s non-refundable deposit will be forfeited)
  • 14-29 days before arrival: 10% of the cost of the tour is forfeited
  • 10-13 days before arrival: 40% of the cost of the tour is forfeited
  • Within 10 days before arrival: 100 % of the cost of the tour is forfeited
6/ What to Bring
  • Sun Glasses, Sun Block, Wide Brim Hat, Insect Repellent, Swimming Suits
  • Warm Clothes (in winter from November to April)
  • Original Passport
ACCOMMODATION

LIST OF OUR HOTELS:
The hotels offered by Xuan Son Travel classified from 02 to 05 stars at international standard, comfortable with all the required services.

  1. Homestay/local homestay: we have developed fair tourism, through contacts with the local population, the possibility of sleeping with locals and sharing their daily lives. The conditions of these accommodations that we offer you are well assured and with the best possible conditions
  2. Standard Category: 2 stars. The rooms are decent, clean, equipped with bathroom, satellite TV and air conditioning.
  3. Superior Category 3 stars. The rooms are generally spacious and the services and facilities are more numerous.
  4. Deluxe category: 4 stars. The rooms are luxurious and spacious, with a wide choice of quality services have swimming pool, spa, Jacuzzi
  5. Luxury Category: 5 stars. Hotels with excellent comfort and a wide range of excellent services. Swimming pool, spa, Jacuzzi…)
CITIES /AREASHOME STAYHOTEL-STANDARD
HOTELS-SUPERIOR
HOTEL-DELUXE
HOTELS- LUXURY
HANOI….Maison d’Orient Hotel..Hong Ngoc Dynastie/ Icon 36/ Flower / Hanoi Era/Gondola hotel..La Siesta Classic Premium / Golden Silk/ Pearl/ Thang Long opera/Flower GardenSofitel Legend Metropole / L’Opera/ Movempick Hotel
CRUISE….….Oriental Cruises/ V’Spirit Cruises….Swan Cruises/ Renea cruise/Calypso cruise/ Victory cruise ….Dragon Legend cruise/ Heritage/Dynasty/Orchird/ Genesis cruise……
SAPASapa homestay….Sapa Aroma hotelSapa charm/Lotus Arora hotel/Amazing/Bamboo Sapa hotel/ Pistachio..Silk path Grand resort
BA KHANHomestay ….Ba Khan village resort….
SON LA….Sao Xanh Son La Hotel….….….
DIEN BIÊN PHUHomestay

 

 

Him Lam hotel or similarMuong Thanh Hotel or similar….
TAM DUONG….Putaleng Tam Duong Hotel….….….
SERVICES & PRICE

TRAVEL PRICE: SOFT TREK- BEST OF NORTHWEST 14DAYS 13NIGHTS
From…. To… usd /per

Excluding international flights

Inclusion

  • Accommodation based on double/twin sharing with daily breakfast.
  • 2 days 1 night overnight on Ha Long cruise.
  • Water puppet show in Hanoi
  • Meals as indicated (B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner).
  • All transfers with the air-conditioned private vehicle
  • Experienced English speaking tour guide on location
  • Water & cool towels.
  • Government taxes & service charge.

 

Exclusion

  • International Airfares.
  • Early check in/ late checkout.
  • Meals not indicated.
  • Drinks & beverage.
  • Vietnam visa stamp fee.
  • Personal travel insurance (Compulsory).
  • Personal expenses such as Telephone and Laundry bills.
  • Tips and gratuities.

 

Children Policy:

  • Child from 0 – 4 Years old is = 50% Adult`s cost.. Sharing the same bed with parents
  • Child from 5 – 11 years old = 75% Adult`s cost. Private Bed (extra Bed) within the same room as parents
  • Child from 12 – up = 100% Adult`s cost. Private Bed (extra Bed) within the same room as parents
  • Triple room = 3 Persons sharing one room (01 Double Bed + 01 Single Bed)

Customize this tour

This tour is designed with balanced activities and pace. If you want to customize it, you may always change its itinerary and accommodations according to your needs.

PARTICIPANTS AND DATE OF TRAVEL

Your group includes: *

The date of your trip: *

2. Your personal information and contact details

Contact us

  • +84 914374251
  • xuansontravel@yahoo.com.vn

My name is Nicky, English & French speaking advisor at Xuan Son Travel. I have been the specialist in tailor-made trips to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia for 18years. I love the charm of the small streets of Hanoi as well as the charm of the countryside, with magical landscapes, warm and smiling inhabitants in all regions of Vietnam. As a Travel Consultant, I put it at your disposal and will assure you that your wishes and desires are perfectly suited to your trip to Asia.

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