Sapa Hiking and Halong Bay Cruises with Canoeing Tour 6 days
The 6-day tour includes the most important travel highlights of the northern Vietnam are Sapa and Halong bay. Take the overnight train to Lao Cai, travel to Sapa where you enjoy the 3-day hiking through terraced rice fields, ethnic villages, mountain hill sides. Sharing the house with family at night (homestay) for the real life experience. You will meet up with different ethnic groups including H’mong, Red dzao, tay, Giay, Xa Pho. They still keep their customs and traditions. The overnight cruise to Halong bay is more relaxing as you spend most of your time on board junk. Optional water sports are available including sea canoeing, scuba diving. Contact your travel consultant for more details.
Day 1: Overnight train to Lao Cai.
Take the night train to Lao Cai. Departure at around 20h30. Overnight on the train.
Day 2: Arrival in Laocai Railway Station. Transfer to Sapa. Sapa trekking.
Upon your arrival in Lao Cai Railway Station early in the morning, you will be greeted by another Lotussia Travel local guide and driver and transferred uphill to Sapa. Your breakfast will be provided at a local restaurant in town. Then, you will travel by car to Su Pan Hmong village from where you will begin walking downhill through the breathtaking scenery. On the way you will pass through the Ban Ho village where you will be able to witness the stunning views of the valley and rice paddy terraces. You will have the opportunity to explore the Ban Ho village of Tay minority before crossing the suspension bridge over the river. The walk then continues uphill to the Red Dao minority village of Nam Toong where your lunch will be provided.
After lunch, you will descend to a beautiful valley inhabited by Xa Pho ethnic minority, one of the smallest ethnic group in Northern Vietnam. From there you take a short walk to Thanh Phu where you will spend the night in traditional house of the Tay.
Day 3: Continue trekking Sapa.
Today’s trek will be relatively short and soft. Once leaving Thanh Phu village, you will follow the trekking route built in the bottom of the valley, which offers the best view to the surrounding mountains. Stop at a nice spot for lunch.
After lunchtime, you continue the walk toward Sin Chai Red Dzao village where the night will be spent in bamboo huts.
Day 4: Continue Sapa trek. Travel to Lao Cai. Overnight train back to Hanoi.
After good nights sleep in bamboo hut, you wake up for an early breakfast and repack your luggage for the long trek heading towards Lao Cai. Once you leave Sin Chai, the trip takes you into a fabulously mountainous area, the most remote part of Sapa. Red Dao ethnic minority inhabits the entire area. Your lunch will be provided on spot. After lunch, your trek will be mostly downhill. After about half an hour, you will have an opportunity to enjoy one of the most beautiful views of days over a green valley lying along the Red River. You eventually arrive in Ta Thang village of Tay minority. Here you will be transferred by car to Lao Cai.
Day 5: Arrival in Hanoi. Travel to Halong Bay. Boat cruise. Kayaking.
Arrive in Hanoi in the early morning, transfer to a local restaurant for early breakfast then depart to Halong. Enjoy the journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life.
Arrive in Halong around noon and board the Bai Tho traditional sailing junk (or Bhaya junk). Whilst cruising the exquisite waters sample the regions fresh seafood. Visit the recently discovered Surprise Grotto with its great views, and on the next island see the yawning mouth of Bo Nau Cave. Alternatively journey to Dau Go Cave and nearby see the famous stalagmites and stalactites of Thien Cung Cave. Take a kayaking trip to explore the Bay. Watch the sun set over the bay whilst enjoying a delicious dinner. Overnight on board junk.
Day 6: Halong Bay – Hanoi.
Wake up to fresh coffee and a wholesome breakfast before cruising back to Halong City. En route the junk weaves through strange-shaped rock formations that invite comparisons from fighting cocks to dragons. After another wonderful fresh seafood lunch (early) on board disembark at the dock at Halong City at around 11h00am. Transfer back to Hanoi. Trip ends.
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