Highlights of Northern Vietnam

Day 1: Arrive Hanoi

Rendezvous at the group hotel in Hanoi. A single timed group transfer is provided for the 1 hour transfer to our hotel in the heart of the capital. This transfer is timed to coincide with the arrival of the preferred Malaysian Airlines flight. KE Land Only package services begin with dinner in a local restaurant. Meals included, Dinner. (D)

Day 2: Transfer to Viet Quang

After breakfast at the hotel, we leave Hanoi and drive north to Viet Quang - a highly scenic drive on mountainous roads. The journey will take around 8 hours taking lunch at Doan Hung en route. We should arrive mid-afternoon in time to prepare for our trek the following day. Overnight in a local guest house in Viet Quang. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Begin trek to Tan Nam village

We meet with our local guide and porter team and transfer 25 km to Yen Binh. We begin trekking following a narrow villagers track. We pass a village of the Pa-Then ethnic group and descend through tea plantation fields to Tan Nam, a village of Tay people. The Tay are the most populous of the hilltribes of northern Vietnam. They are mostly farmers cultivating rice and tobacco, fruit and spices. They are Bhuddists and have a strong tradition of local arts including folk music, dance and poetry which is passed on down the generations through their own script. In Tan Nam we enjoy a homestay with our hosts, spending the night in a traditional Tay stilt house. Approximately 6 - 7 hours trekking. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Trek to Phieng Lan

After breakfast prepared by our cooks, we cross the river on a footbridge and enter the jungle. The path is quite easy with some undulations and gradual ascents. We pass through villages of the Man Ao Dzai tribe. The women here dye their teeth black and wear long robes even when working in the fields. We take lunch in a traditional stilt house of the Tay people, before continuing our jungle trek. At the end of the afternoon, we arrive on a hill covered with palm trees with views over a charming valley lined with terraces of rice, and dotted with the scattered houses of the Man Ao Dzai. This is well away from the tourist trail and our homestay tonight will be a real meeting of cultures. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Trek to Quang Nguyen

Today our trail contours around the hillsides, allowing us to enjoy the views of hills in the distance. At the end of the day we arrive in Quang Nguyen, a small remote market town beside a river and 700m/2300ft above sea level. Tonight we stay again in a traditional Tay house. A total of around 4 - 5 hours trekking today. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Trek over Xin Man summit to Coc Dong

We begin by ascending above Quang Nguyen to reach Nam Li from where we have a stiff ascent through primary rain forest to reach the summit of Xin Man (2000m/6560ft). Here we are entering the territory of the Hmong people, one of Vietnam's largest minority ethnic groups. Tonight we will stay in Coc Dong, a village of the Nung people. Spititually and socially similar to the Tay people the Nung are also renown farmers and also famous for their handicrafts, particularly bamboo weaving and paper making. The traditional dress of the Nung women is black and indigo with bright red head-dresses. 8 hours trekking. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Trek to Xin Man Village

Our trek continues on local paths through rice paddies with a backdrop of wooded hills. Today we will mostly encounter Hmong. The girls dress very colourfully as they work in the fields or go to the market. After stopping for lunch in Coc Re we continue on a fairly level track to Xin Man, a small mountain town where we stay overnight in a local guesthouse. 5 - 6 hours. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Jeep to Bac Ha

We drive by jeep to Bac Ha, time permitting we stop off on the way at the Can Cau market. Arriving in Bac Ha we will have the afternoon free to explore the market here which is full of people with a variety of traditional dress from several hilltribes that live in the area including the Flower Humong, so called because of the brightly coloured embroidered flowers on the skirts of the women. We will spend the night in a local guesthouse. 2 hours jeep plus several stops. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Trek and boat to Lao Cai, overnight train

In the morning we visit Bac La or Lung Phin market before we trek for 4 - 5 hours to reach Coc Ly. From here we travel by boat on the Chay River to Bao Nhai, and then transfer to the train station at Lao Cai, close to the Chinese border. All aboard for the overnight train journey south to Hanoi! (B,L,D)

Day 10: In Hanoi

We arrive in Hanoi early in the morning, while the city streets are still peaceful. The rest of today is free for everyone to spend exploring this magical city. The hotel is located near to the central Hoan Kiem Lake and within walking distance of the Old Quarter. It is perfectly positioned to explore this charming city on foot. The Old Quarter, home to more than 1000 traditional houses, dates from 1010, when King Ly Thai To moved his capital from Hoa Lu in northern Ninh Binh Province to Hanoi. The Old Quarter became the trading centre of the metropolis and its 36 streets are named after the merchants’ crafts and trades. For example Hang Gai Street is full of silk shops, Hang Giay overflowing with shoes and Hang Bac with small silversmiths. It is fascinating to walk around the labyrinthine streets. Alternatively, taking a cyclo (motorcycle rickshaw) is a great way to get a sense of the city. Overnight in the group hotel. (B)

Day 11: By boat and by bike to Tam Coc

After breakfast we transfer to Kenh Ga floating village which we explore by boat. Then it's all action as we enjoy a bike ride of 2 – 3 hours to Tam Coc, sometimes referred to as ‘Halong Bay without the water’ since here the giant limestone outcrops rise not from the sea but from rice paddies. There is water here however and the best way to see the area is by boat along the Ngo Dong River. Tam Coc means ‘Three caves’ although there are considerably more than this, and we take another boat for a journey around some of the caves and through the breathtaking scenery. We stay overnight in a local hotel. (B,L)

Day 12: Halong Bay

Today we drive for around 4 hours to the beautiful Halong Bay, a UNESCO world heritage site. The bay which is part of the South China Sea is probably the most well known part of Vietnam. We arrive at this famous port around mid-day, and here we board a traditional junk for a cruise among the 3,000 spectacular limestone islands that rise from the emerald green waters of Halong Bay. We will enjoy a fresh seafood lunch on board while the captain heads out into the bay and there will be time in the afternoon to do some kayaking and swimming at Titov beach. Tonight we take our dinner on board and have our first overnight on the junk. (B,L,D)

Day 13: Exploration in Halong Bay

After spending some time relaxing on board, we leave our belongings in our cabin on the junk and take a smaller and faster boat for a tour around the bay. There is so much to see that it is impossible to do everything but our captain will pick some of the highlights. We will also visit some fishing villages in the middle of Lan Ha Bay. Returning to our traditional junk there will be time in the afternoon for swimming and snorkeling, or we can choose to take the kayaks out into the bay for some further exploration. We spend our second evening and night on board rocking gently beneath the stars. (B,L,D)

Day 14: Return to Hanoi

We have a final morning of cruising on our junk through the remarkable scenery of Halong Bay. We return to the harbour around lunchtime, and drive back to Hanoi. The rest of the day is free and in the evening we will visit the famous water puppet theatre and enjoy a celebratory dinner on our last night in this fantastic city. (B)

Day 15: Depart Hanoi

KE Land Only package services end after breakfast. A single timed group transfer to Hanoi International Airport departing the hotel at mid-day is provided. (B)