VIETNAM AND LAOS TOUR 11 DAYS

Destination: Hanoi/Ha Long/Sapa/Dien Bien Phu/Tay Trang/Muong Khua/Oudomxay/Luang Prabang/Pakou Cave/Khoungsi waterfall

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner, G=Guide

Day 1: Hanoi arrival (D, G)

Arriving at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, you’ll be met and driven to your hotel. You’ll have time to relax after your journey before a welcome dinner at a colonial building. In the evening, you’ll have tickets for a performance of traditional Water Puppetry (an art form unique to northern Vietnam, and a good, light-hearted introduction to its rural culture). Your overnight stay will be in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi “Back Street Art”/Hanoi City tour (B, L, G)

In the morning, visit the Temple of Literature, (the first university in Vietnam dating back to the 11th C) and the centre of Hanoi, including the Hoan Kiem Lake, the Ngoc Son temple and the bustling Old Quarter with a complex of architecture – traditional tube houses, religious buildings and the colonial houses. In the evening, you’ll have tickets for a performance of Cheo (an traditional music typical for the northern Vietnam). Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3: Hanoi/Ha Long/Lao Cai (B, L, D, G)

At about 8:00 you’ll be driven to Ha Long Bay (one of the most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Areas – the world’s largest marine “karst” landscape). Then you’ll board a traditional-style boat for 5 hour cruise on the bay and visit some of the less well-known grottoes and caves. Includes swimming and hill (not mountain) climbing for Bay overviews. Your seafood lunch will be on the boat. In the late afternoon, you’ll return to Hanoi for refreshment at a local hotel before board a overnight train to Lao Cai. Overnight on the train.

Day 4: Lao Cai/Sapa (B, L, G)

Overnight train from the previous night and arrive in the early morning. You’ll be picked at the station to travel to a remote ethnic market. Afternoon return to Sa Pa town for overnight stay.

The trips to ethnic markets are a fascinating experience but must be on Tuesday (Coc Ly Market), Saturday (Can Cau Market) or Sunday (Muong Hum and Bac Ha Markets).

Day 5: Sapa (B, L, G)

Morning stroll to the town busy market and then easy trek to ethnic villages of H’mong in a scenic valley. After stream-side picnic lunch, you’ll be picked up to visit other ethnic villages of the H’mong, Day and Red Dao people. Return to Sa Pa for accommodation.

Day 6: Sapa/Dien Bien Phu (B, L, G)

Leaving Sapa for Dien Bien Phu old battlefield with stops en route to enjoy O Quy Ho Pass and visit the biggest Reservoir of hydropower plant of Vietnam. Overnight in Dien Bien Phu.

Day 7: Dien Bien Phu/Tay Trang/Muong Khua (B, L, D, G)

Discover the historical site at Dien Bien Phu including A1 Hill, Dien Bien Museum, the Shelter of General De Castri and War Memorials. Transfer to Tay Trang Bordergate to cross to Laos. Pick-up at Laos side and transfer to Muong Khua for overnight.

Day 8: Muong Khua/Oudomxay/Luang Prabang (B, L, G)

A big expedition in Northern Laos with rugged mountain scenery, villages of colorfully-dressed montagnards. Enjoy landscape en route before arriving in Luang Prabang for overnight.

Day 9: Luang Prabang/Pakou Cave/Khoungsi waterfall/Luang Prabang (B, L, G)

Visit the city’s oldest magnificent temple of Wat Xiengthong, take cruise on Mekong River to Pak Ou Cave, visit local village and try local rice wine. Go on to Khuangsi Waterfall where we can go swimming or hiking along forest’s trails. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 10: Luang Prabang/Laos spirit adventure/Luang Prabang (B, G)

Transfer to the outskirt of Luang Prabang to enjoy an elephant ride in the rainforest, then take a relaxing rafting on the river. Join the night market in Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 11: Luang Prabang departure (B, G)

Visit The National Museum at former Royal Palace and Central Market. At your leisure until transfer to the airport for departure.

Price in US$ per person:

Our price includes:

• Breakfast and accommodation sharing a twin or double room
• Pick-ups and transfers by private air-conditioned car as specified in the itinerary above
• Travel by private, air-conditioned car with an experienced, safe driver
• One-way train ticket: Hanoi – Lao Cai, air-conditioned soft four-berth cabin, good local standard four-berth cabin
• Boat cruise as mentioned
• The services of experienced English-speaking guides as indicated in the itinerary except leisure time
• Lunches and dinners, as specified, in the good local restaurants, picnics where suitable restaurants are not available
• Where necessary, entry fees for all visits as mentioned in the programme
• Government tax & service charge

Our price does not include:

• International flight ticket and airport tax
• Visas
• Other meals not mentioned
• Drinks, gratuities, tips and personal expenses
• Insurance.

Hotel list for Five Star standard:

• Hanoi: Melia Hotel (***** modern high-rise building in one of Hanoi’s leafy boulevards in the city centre) or similar
• Sapa: Victoria Hotel (**** the best hotel in Sapa with separate building)
• Dien Bien Phu: Muong Thanh Hotel (local hotel, center of Dien Bien Phu town) or similar
• Guesthouse in Muong Khua
• Luang Prabang: La Residence Hotel (***** positioned atop a hill, with stunning mountain views) or similar

Hotel list for Four Star standard:

• Hanoi: Silk Path Hotel (**** modern boutique hotel in the old quarter) or similar
• Sapa: Chau Long Hotel (*** overlooking Muong Hoa valley & Mount Fansipan) or similar
• Dien Bien Phu: Muong Thanh Hotel (local hotel, center of Dien Bien Phu town) or similar
• Guesthouse in Muong Khua
• Luang Prabang: Villa Santi Hotel (**** established in 1992 by Lao businessman Mr. Santi Inthavong in a royal residence) or similar

Hotel list for Three Star standard:

• Hanoi: Thang Long Opera hotel (*** city centre, walking distance to Hoan Kiem Lake) or similar
• Sapa: Holiday Sapa Hotel (*** city centre, overlook the beautiful valley) or similar.
• Dien Bien Phu: Muong Thanh Hotel (local hotel, center of Dien Bien Phu town) or similar
• Guesthouse in Muong Khua
• Luang Prabang: Manoluck Hotel (*** combine modern international luxury with traditional Lao styles) or similar

If, at the time of booking, any hotels or rooms in the list above are fully booked, we will endeavour to find accommodation of a similar standard elsewhere. If the only available accommodation is of a higher or lower standard, we will revise the price accordingly and consult you immediately.