6D5N PICTUREQUE HANOI WITH HALONG & SAPA DISCOVERY (MUSLIM FRIENDLY) 2 TO GO from Chan's World Holidays

Highlights:

Min 2 person, Daily Departure
City tour of Hanoi
Mosques visits
Traditional Vietnamese Water Puppet Performance
Halong Bay Cruise
Overnight train to Lao Cai*
Sapa
Lai Cai Village
Muong Hoa Village
Ta Van Village
Halal Meals*

6D5N PICTUREQUE HANOI WITH HALONG & SAPA DISCOVERY (MUSLIM FRIENDLY) 2 TO GO

SINGAPORE - HANOI (Halal Dinner)

Depart from Singapore Changi Airport for Hanoi. Arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, meet by local guide then transfer to the hotel for check in. Free at your own leisure until pick up to visit the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake - the most beautiful lake in Hanoi before enjoy a performance of the famous water puppet show. The Vietnamese traditional art of water puppetry has roots that date back to the 10th century when it originated in the Red River Delta area of northern Vietnam. The farmers in the region celebrated festivals and harvests by performing this unique art form. Learning to manipulate the puppets is usually a tradition that is passed on as a family secret. It takes a great deal of skill and because the puppeteer?s hands are underwater, it is easy for them to hide their methods. The fascinating part is that the central stage is below the water line, and the puppeteers stand in the waist-deep water. A rattan curtain hides them, but they can see the stage and the audience through the bamboo slats. Overnight in Hanoi.

HANOI - HALONG (Breakfast in Hotel/ Halal Lunch/ Halal Dinner)

This morning explore Hanoi city to visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (N.B. Museum is closed on Monday, Friday and during the entire months of September & October) and his former residence with Humble House on Stilts, One-Pillar Pagoda. Tour continues to visit Al-Noor Masjid Mosque. Note: During the closure of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum on Every Monday & Friday and whole month of September, October, Vietnam Military History Museum shall be replaced. After lunch drive through the countryside from Hanoi to Halong Bay (165 km east of Hanoi) - a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty, experience a rural area dotted with villages, rice fields and farms providing the many parts of the nation with rice, fruits and vegetables. (Estimate about 3.5 hour journey). Arrival Halong, check in the hotel and free at your own leisure until dinner time. Overnight in Halong bay

HALONG - HANOI - Overnight Train to LAO CAI (Breakfast in Hotel/ Halal Lunch/ Halal Dinner)

After breakfast in the hotel (6 -7AM), transfer to the pier. Embark and start a relaxing in a wonderful cruise through Halong Bay, passing bizarre rock formations. Discover more about Halong Bay, listed as a World Heritage of outstanding natural beauty, known in Vietnamese as ?Dragon descending to the sea?. The picturesque Halong Bay has more than 3,000 limestone islets rising from the clear emerald water, many of them containing beautiful grottoes. Next, visit Thien Cung situated on the south-west side of the bay, 4 km from the wharf outside of Halong City. The way to Thien Cung grotto is covered on both sides by thick forest. After entering narrow gate, the grotto?s 130-meter-long girth opens up. Getting in you will be more astonished in front of the very animated and splendid beauty which is made from the stalactites. On the east wall of the grotto, there is a grandiose and imposing picture with characters of tales. Going out of the Thien Cung grotto, you will have a sensation of just watching a unique, meticulous, interesting fine-art museum which is made by nature. This grotto is one of the most beautiful ones in Halong Bay. Legend has it, that beautiful young lady named May (cloud), caught the eye of the Dragon Prince and he fell in love with her. They were betrothed, and their wedding lasted seven days and seven nights in the very center of the grotto. During the boat trip fresh seafood lunch will be served for your delights. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi city, short rest at Dai Viet or Hong Ngoc or ABC shopping en route back. Arrival Hanoi, you will explore the famous Hanoi old quarter on 36 streets & enjoy your shopping. In the evening after dinner around 20:00 hrs you will be transferred to Hanoi Railway Station. Take an overnight train trip to Lao Cai in superior 4-berth compartments sharing with other passengers. Train departs at approximately 21:50 hrs. Notes: Train schedule is subject to change. Private compartments on request at surcharge. Cabins are shared with other local passengers (unless private cabin is requested and all berths paid for - with supplement). Restrooms at either end of the carriages complete the local experience.

LAO CAI - SAPA - LAO CHAI - TAVAN - SAPA (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Arrive at Lao Cai in the early morning (approximately 06:30 hrs), the border town to Yunnan, China. The journey starts with a 38 km drive on winding roads up the mountains to Sapa, located approx. 1,500 m above sea level. On clear days you can see the highest mountain of Vietnam, the Fansipan. After breakfast, drive from Sapa town down to Lao Chai village. Views of the Muong Hoa Valley and magnificent surroundings of mountains and rice terrace fields can be seen from this road. Along the road, people from many ethnic minority groups (H?mong, Zay, and Red Dao) are likely to be met, and there are stalls along the way that serve tea, fruits and sweets. Soon after turning off the main road and taking a local path, we will arrive in the Black H?mong village of Lao Chai, where you will experience the daily life of the villagers. Continue walking from Lao Chai to Ta Van village, where the Zay hill tribes live. Here you take a rest and enjoy a simple lunch prepared by your local guide in a local house. After lunch, continue walking to the meeting point for your transfer back to Sapa town. The rest of the day is at leisure. Discover Sapa town on your own, its bustling market, and the colourful dresses of the ethnic people, tea and coffee shops as well as the local life in this mountain town. Overnight in Sapa.

SAPA - MA TRA - TA PHIN - LAO CAI - Overnight Train TO HANOI (Breakfast in Hotel/Lunch/Dinner)

Enjoy a full day of trekking. Visit Suoi Ho village with tea plantations and cardamom gardens. Follow the buffalo trails to visit the hospitable villages of the Black Hmong minority people in Ma Tra. After passing a school and scenic views en route, a picnic lunch will be served. After lunch, continue trekking to Ta Phin village where you will meet Red Dao people who are famous for their weaving skills. Proceed to the meeting point and transfer back to Sapa. After dinner transfer to Lao Cai railway Station where you will board the overnight train to Hanoi at around 20:15 hrs (shared sleeping compartments, sharing with other passengers in 2 lower & 2 upper berths per compartment). Notes: Train schedule is subject to change. Private compartments on request at surcharge. Train journeys are part of a great local experience. Cabins are shared with other local passengers (unless private cabin is requested and all berths paid for - with supplement). Restrooms at either end of the carriages.

HANOI - SINGAPORE (Breakfast)

Arrive in Hanoi early this morning, pick up from the train station and transfer for breakfast & special Vietnamese coffee at local restaurant. Head to the airport for your flight home.

Remarks: Sequence of itinerary is subject to change without prior notice. If a place of visit is closed to visitor, it will be replaced with an alternative. Breakfasts in hotel and is non Halal. Halal Meals may be Asian, Middle East or Indian Halal food. Seafood or local vegetarian meals will be arranged if Halal food is not available, especially outside the city area. Hotel official check in at 3pm check out by 12 noon. All commentary will be in English. Tour and hotel subject to confirmation and hotel are subject to ad-hoc rates.

Agency: Chan's World Holidays

6D5N PICTUREQUE HANOI WITH HALONG & SAPA DISCOVERY (MUSLIM FRIENDLY) 2 TO GO

Agency: Chan's World Holidays

6D5N PICTUREQUE HANOI WITH HALONG & SAPA DISCOVERY (MUSLIM FRIENDLY) 2 TO GO

Agency: Chan's World Holidays