Bangkok - Northern Vietnam Exploration

06:00 South of Bangkok is Damnoen Saduak, where a huge floating market is held every day in the khlongs. It is one of the most photographed markets in Thailand. So very touristy. To avoid the largest groups of tourists, it is best to get there as early as possible.

The market is named after the main channel, Khlong Damnoen Saduak. Most tourists go to the floating market on a canal just south of it, khlong Hia Kui. If you go even further south you will find a market where almost no tourists come, on the khlong Khun Pitak. Discuss this with your private guide.

Around 16:00 flight to Hanoi. Meet and greet with your new guide who will also arrange transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day free.

08h30: The guide will pick you up at the hotel and take you to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, this is a great memorial in Hanoi, it is located in the center at Ba Dinh Square, just next door is Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts where he used to live. On one side of the Mausoleum is the One Pillar Pagoda: Built by King Ly Thai To in 1049. The structure is an important symbol for the people of Hanoi.

10:30 am:Then you will visit the Tran Quoc Pagoda, known as the oldest pagoda in the city, originally built in the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De, so 1400 years old. Then we continue walking to Quan Thanh Temple.

13h00: Lunch at a local restaurant.

2:00 pm:Afterwards, you will visit the Ethnology Museum, which focuses on the 54 officially recognized ethnic groups in Vietnam. It is widely regarded as the finest modern museum in Vietnam and a tourist attraction in Hanoi.

3:30 PM: Then travel to Hoan Kiem Lake, enjoy a bicycle tour, one of the most typical vehicles in Hanoi, it is a human-powered means of transport with a seat in the front for the passengers and the driver sits in the back. Enjoy a 1-hour bike tour around the Old Quarter to discover the bustling city and vibrant neighborhoods.

4:30 pm:Arrive at your hotel. Free time to relax or you can book a ticket for the popular traditional form of the water puppet theater. Which is shown for example in the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater.

Up early – top deck – Tai Chi - light breakfast – disembark for easy exploration of the cave close by – return to your boat - check out your cabins – enjoy a nice brunch while sailing back to land. The vehicle is waiting for your transfer to Hanoi. Trips end upon the group arrives Hanoi central or your hotel. (Estimate arrival time 15:00 – no room use). You can leave the luggage at hotel and stroll around. Have dinner on your own way.

In the evening, our guide will escort you to Hanoi train station for night train to Lao Cai. Stay overnight on train.

Today you will arrive Lao Cai train station early morning. You will meet our guide and transfer to Sapa town for breakfast and short rest.

After breakfast, you will drive to Sin Chai village. This is a beautiful village, located right at the foot of Hoang Lien mountain range and inhabited by Black Hmong minority. There we start our trekking journey uphill. Once we reach to the top, you will take a small trail descending to Catcat village. Your lunch will be provided near a waterfall.

In the afternoon, we will take another trail sneaking through mountain. The scenery is also spectacular. Take a short break upon arriving Y Linh Ho village before climbing up to the main road where our vehicle will be waiting for us for the journey back to Sapa.

Approx: 0,5 hour driving/ 5 hours walking/ 1 hour lunch

You will commence your short journey by driving south toward Muong Hoa valley. You will then start your walk by descending into the valley, which is the largest rice paddy terraced among Sapa area. The guide can provide you interesting information about rice. If you visit the valley sometime in between May and October, you will be able to observe and experience how the local do planting and harvesting, one of the most important activities in the daily life. The walk takes you from Lao Chai village of Black Hmong minority to Ta Van village of Giay minority. Have lunch at local restaurant.

After visiting Ta Van the car will return you back Hanoi. You will arrive Hanoi in the evening. Stay overnight in Hanoi.

Your trip begins with a 2 hrs drive to Ninh Binh to visit the ancient capital of Vietnam from 968 AD to 1010 AD during the Dinh and early Le Dynasties. You’ll visit two small temples of the Kings, each of which is nearly a thousand years old. You continue to explore Tam Coc caves by a traditional boat rowing among the limestone mountains... you may need to prepare a hat, sun cream, and camera to shoot some memory pictures of the trip. After the boat trip, you will visit Bich Dong pagoda – climb up to the top of mountain and see the panoramic view – enjoy the fresh air and taking the memorable photos.

Later, you will transfer back hotel in Hanoi.

08h30: Departure to Mai Chau. On the way, you will stop visiting Huong Pagoda (Old Cave Pagoda) and learn more about popular Buddhism

12h30: Lunch in a restaurant

13h30: Transfer to Mai Chau.

Take the time to discover Lac Village. Walk through White Thai villages to see how local people make dresses.

19:00: Tonight you have dinner and sleep in a homestay.

07h30 – 08h00: Time to get up and enjoy a good breakfast.

08h00: Visit several rural villages such as Na Meo and Na Mo. Villages that will give you a better insight into their typical culture.

12h00: Back to the Homestay for a nice typical lunch.

13h00 – 15h00: Free time for shopping and relaxing in and around Mai Chau.

3:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Say goodbye to the Homestay family and return to Hanoi

6:30 PM – 7:00 PM: Arrive in Hanoi and check in at your hotel.

Today you will say goodbye Hanoi and transfer to the airport for flight to Bangkok.

Arrival Bangkok, you will be picked up and transfer to hotel. Time is yours to explore the city on your own way. Stay overnight in Bangkok.