Day 1: Hanoi Arrival. ( D )
Welcome to Hanoi: Vietnam’s bustling colonial capital. Your guide and driver will meet you outside the baggage claim of Noi Bai Airport and take you to your hotel in the city center. In the afternoon, enjoy an orientation walk, visiting some of Hanoi’s main attractions: the Opera House, Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. In the evening enjoy a welcome dinner at one of Hanoi’s finest restaurants.
Meals: Dinner.
Accommodations: Hotel in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour – Night train to Laocai. ( B, L )
Today you have a full day to explore Vietnam’s charming capital. With its wide tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and ancient oriental pagodas; Hanoi is an eclectic mix that offers something for everyone. Your city tour will take you to Hanoi’s key sites: the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and stilt house); the Presidential Palace; the nearby One Pillar Pagoda; the Temple of Literature; West Lake; the Tran Quoc Pagoda & Quan Thanh Temple; and one of the city’s museums (a choice between the History Museum and the Ethnology Museum). In the evening enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Performance – a unique Vietnamese art form hailing from Southeast Asia’s wet-rice culture – before heading to the train station to catch your night train to Lao Cai, in 4 berth air conditioned cabins.
Meals: Breakfast. Lunch
Accommodations: on train.
Day 3: Sapa – Y Linh Ho – Lao Chai – Ta Van (B, L, D)
Arrive in Lao Cai station at 5:00 in the morning . You are welcomed by driver, then transfered to Sapa by bus. The bus ride uphill to Sa Pa takes a little over an hour, giving you a glimpse of the stunning vistas and impressive rice terraces. You will have breakfast at hotel before we start 12 km of trekking to visit Y Linh Ho and Lao Chai villages of the H’mong minority. The trekking route offers some challenges as you balance on the rice terraces and a small trail on the steep mountainside. The vegetation is dense as the trail leads up to a peaceful village perched on the Hoang Lien mountainside. Head down hill and relax by a local stream for a picnic lunch. After lunch , we continue trekking to Ta Van village of the Dzay where we have dinner and enjoy a unique home stay experience.
Day 4: Giang Ta Chai – Ban Ho (B, L, D)
A farewell to the family after breakfast, we will experience our day of trekking that takes you along local paths, up and down rice terraces and into the villages and homes of the local hill tribes, the Dzays, the Dzaos, the Hmongs, the Tays. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the stream before moving on to Ban Ho village, an imagination of down tower steps with a universal view of the house roofs of the Tay minority isolated in a green valley appearing in front of your eyes will mark you an unforgettable trip. Dinner and stay overnight with Tay hill tribe family.
Day 5: Ban Ho – Su Pan – Sapa- Hanoi ( B, L )
In the early morning you will get a wakeup call by our guide and spend time to enjoy a pleasant breakfast. Say good bye to local people and start a new trek with more stunning landscapes and other ethnic minority villages dotted to your eyes sight. You enjoy 2 km to a very nice waterfall discovered and named “the Lavie” by the French during the colonial time in Vietnam. Enjoy swimming then picnic-lunch on the bank. In the afternoon trek 4 km up to the main road to get the jeep to return Sapa. You spend time for shower before getting to Lao Cai train station for the night train back to Hanoi.
Accommodations: Hotel in Sapa.
Day 5: Sapa – Lao Cai – Night train back to Hanoi.
Spend the morning exploring the charming town of Sapa. Visit the market and get acquainted with the local hill tribe peoples – mostly Black H’mong and Red Dzao. Enjoy a free afternoon at your leisure. We recommend a Jeep tour over Tram Ton Pass to Heaven‘s Gate – The highest Pass in Vietnam (over 2000m). Admire the special and spectacular views from the top and visit the nearby Silver Waterfall. In the late afternoon drive back to Lao Cai to catch the night train back to Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast. Lunch
Accommodations: on train.
Day 6: HANOI – HALONG BAY – TITOP ISLAND – CLIMBING & SWIMMING – KAYAKING IN LAN HA BAY (L/D)
07h30 – 08h00: Pick up from your hotel. Depart for Halong city through the countryside, farmlands and Red River delta.
10h15: Stopover on the way for a refreshment break
12h30: Arrive at Halong habour, transfer to the Legacy Legend Cruise by tender, enjoy welcome drinks & check-in your cabin.
– Lunch is served while cruising through Halong bay toward LAN HA bay, passing: Ba hang fishing villages, Dinh Huong islets, Fighting Cock rock.
15h00: Visit Titop island – one of the most beautiful island in Halong bay where you can climb up to the top & enjoy amazing Halong panorama view. Or swimming at the nice beach.
16h15: Kayaking & swimming in the Lan Ha bay, you will do kayaking around the bay. You will have got around 45 minutes to explore the tranquil bay yourself
17h15: Back to the Legacy Legend Cruise, cruising to Luom Bo area for docking and sleeping.
Time for relaxing afternoon, make the most of sunbathing on deck. Taking picture on the way… Enjoy the small party with fresh fruit and Vietnamese tea.
19h00: Dinner is served in the restaurant.
21h00: Leisure time to enjoy a chat around the bar, dancing, karaoke; watch movie or enjoy night fishing… Relax and spend a romantic night on board
DAY 07: HALONG BAY & CAVE – BACK TO HABOUR – Hoi an (B/L)
Start your day with Taichi exercises or a photo hunt. 07h00: Breakfast, coffee and tea and served while cruising ahead to Halong Bay.
08h00: Visit splendid Me Cung Cave. This is one of the most beautiful grotto in Halong bay. You will feel surprise about imposing of stalagmites, stalactites and many legend stories about that
09h15: Back to Legacy Legend boat. Take time to refresh and relax before checking out. Keep sailing back to the Habour through the waters and passing many beautiful islets and island on the Bai tu long Bay.
10h30: Vietnamese Cooking Class.
11h00: An early lunch is served.
12h00: Arrive at the pier, and transfer you to Noi Bai airport to catch a short flight to Danang. On arrival, transfer to your hotel in Hoi An.
Meals: Breakfast. Lunch
Accommodations: Hotel in Hoi An.
Day 8: Hoi An Walking Tour ( B, L )
Enjoy some time for relaxation as you immerse yourself in the tranquility and charm of this riverside town, where from the 16th to 18th centuries Hoi An was a thriving international port frequented by Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab traders, who came to trade in the high quality silk that is still produced in the region. Today, Hoi An is a relaxing resort popular with tourists for its eclectic architecture, skilled tailors and cafes. Take a half-day walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the ancient quarter, visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, the Chinese Assembly Hall, the 200-year-old Tam Ky ancestral house and the famous covered Japanese Bridge. In the afternoon, enjoy some free time to shop, discover the town or relax on the white-sanded beach.
Meals: Breakfast. lunch
Accommodations: Hotel in Hoi An.
Day 9: Hoi An – Danang – Hue.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel then check-out and drive northward to Hue over the 500m high Hai Van pass, that has spectacular views. Enjoy a stop at the scenic Lang Co Beach for a drink before continuing on to Hue – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend the afternoon on a leisurely walking tour through Vietnam’s ancient capital city, visiting the Royal Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda and the Mausoleum of King Tu Duc – a replica of the king’s palace built for the next reincarnation of the king.
Meals: Breakfast. lunch
Accommodations: Hotel in Hue.
Day 10: Hue – Fly to HCM City ( B )
Have breakfast at the hotel then drive to the airport to catch your flight to Vietnam’s modern metropolis: HCM City. Arrive in the late morning and enjoy an orientation tour through Ho Chi Minh city’s busy streets en route to the hotel. Have lunch at a downtown restaurant of your choosing then set out on a guided city tour. This afternoon we will visit the sites of the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, the City Post Office and the bustling Ben Thanh Market.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in HCM City.
Day 11: HCM City – Mekong Delta – Chau Doc ( B, L )
Today you leave HCM City and travel to the Mekong River Delta. After an early breakfast at the hotel, drive to the riverside town of Cai Be. Along the way, stop at a candy factory and an orchard garden, where you have an opportunity to listen to traditional music. Enjoy your lunch at a riverside restaurant, then cross the Mekong’s calm waters in a rustic row boat to visit an island in the middle of the river delta. Spend time exploring the small islands and rural way of life. Your driver will be waiting for you on the other side of the river to take you to Chau Doc – a small town near border of Cambodia. Check in at your hotel then spend the late afternoon on an orientation walk around the small town.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodations: Hotel in Chau Doc.
Day 12: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh by speed boat. ( B )
After breakfast, check-out the hotel then travel by speedboat up the Mekong to Cambodia’s capital: Phnom Penh. The total trip takes about four and a half hours (including visa formalities). Visas are easily obtained at the border between Vietnam and Cambodia and cost $22 (including the processing fee). Your guide will meet you at the dock in Phnom Penh and take you to your hotel. Despite its recent dark history, Phnom Penh’s wide tree-lined boulevards and faded colonial mansions hold an undeniable charm. After lunch at a local restaurant, take a leisurely tour to visit the National Museum, Royal Palace – home to the royal family and the Russian Market.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Phnom Penh.
Note: The option to stay an extra night in Phnom Penh is available. Contact our travel consultants for more details regarding price and itinerary.
Day 13: Phnom Penh – Drive to Siem Reap. ( B )
After breakfast your driver will meet you at your hotel and drive you on the 5 hour journey along the Mekong River. The journey offers an excellent opportunity to observe rural Cambodia up-close. Stop along the way and visit a market, where every assortment of street food is available, including the Khmer favorite: fried spiders! Once you arrive in Siem Reap, check in at your hotel, then enjoy your lunch at a downtown restaurant.
In the late afternoon, stare in wonder at the intricate carvings at Angkor Wat and then ride in a tethered balloon for an aerial view of the temple and its surroundings. Soar skyward and admire the picturesque Cambodian countryside with its rice fields and villages, the highlight of your sightseeing in Angkor!
Optional: In the afternoon head to the Happy Ranch Horse Farm (located 10min outside of the city center) and take a trail ride through Siem Reap’s serene countryside. Horse cart rides are also available as an alternative option.
* During the rainy season (May – October), you can also choose to take a speedboat up the Mekong from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. Or for an extra $75 per person travel by air *
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Siem Reap.
Day 14: Siem Reap – Angkor Temples. ( B )
Enjoy a day devoted to exploring the mystical and ancient Angkor Temples. After an early breakfast at your hotel you set out to Angkor Thom’s imposing South Gate, topped with the four serenely smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara. Next, visit Bayon temple, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Leaving Angkor Thom by the North Gate, you travel to Preah Khan (Sacred Sword), one of Angkor’s largest temples, constructed in the 12th century by Jayavarman VII. After a lunch of delicious traditional Khmer food, you head to the mystical, jungle-entwined Ta Prohm temple and then on to the most famous Khmer temple: Angkor Wat. Originally constructed as a Hindu monument it was later dedicated to Buddha. Angkor Wat is the largest temple and finest example of Angkorian art and architectural features. The temple is so revered that it appears on the national flag.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Siem Reap.
Day 15: Siem Reap Departure. ( B )
Today is free time, at your leisure, for last minute shopping or sight-seeing before driving to the airport to catch your departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: N/A.
END
