7D6N HANOI WITH SAPA ON 2 WHEELS & HALONG BAY CRUISE from Chan's World Holidays

Highlights:

Arrival on Friday
Water Puppet Show
Hanoi City Tour
One-hour buggy tour through the streets of Hanoi
Hoan Kiem Lake
Ngoc Son Temple
Overnight train trip to Lao Cai
Free-wheeling to visit villages of the minority
Ta Phin village
Small boat to cruise around Luon Cave area
Soi Sim Island
Overnight on board junk boat
Sung Sot Cave

7D6N HANOI WITH SAPA ON 2 WHEELS & HALONG BAY CRUISE

SINGAPORE - HANOI (DINNER)

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, greet and meet by local guide and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Free at leisure until dinner at local restaurant. In the evening, enjoy one of the bellow 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. Overnight in Hanoi

HANOI CITY TOUR - LAO CAI BY LOCAL TRAIN EXPERIENCE (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER)

After breakfast, visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed on Monday, Friday and during the entire months of September & October) and his former residence with Humble House on Stilts (closed on Monday and Friday), One-Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, known as the first university of Vietnam and built more than 1,000 years ago. Continue the city tour to one of the following museums (note that museums are closed on Mondays). After lunch, enjoy a leisurely one-hour buggy tour through the streets of this fascinating city, come face to face with the daily lives and activities of Hanoi’s streets as you pass through the congested, but delightful, Old Quarter. Ride pass the fascinating streets, which still bear the names of the shops that could be found in them in the 15th to 18th centuries. Then visit the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. This renowned lake was considered the most beautiful lake in Hanoi when Ngoc Son Temple was built on an island in the 19th century. Initially, the temple was called Ngoc Son Pagoda and was later renamed Ngoc Son Temple, since temples are dedicated to saints. Saint Van Suong, considered to be one of the brightest stars in Vietnam's literary and intellectual circles, was worshipped there along with other National heroes. After dinner, transfer to Hanoi train station to board the overnight train trip to Lao Cai (Note: it will be shared sleeping compartments. Sharing with other passengers in 2 lower & 2 upper berths per compartment). Train departs at approximately 21:15 hrs.

Train schedule is subject to change. Private compartments are strictly on request at a surcharge. Train journeys are part of a great local experience. Cabins are shared with other local passengers in a 4 soft berths cabin with air-condition (unless private cabin is requested and all berths paid for - with supplement). Restrooms at either end of the carriages complete the local experience. Train journey approximately about 8 hours from Hanoi to Lao Cai.

LAO CAI - BAC HA - SAPA (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER)

In the early morning, arrive at Lao Cai station located at the border town to Yunnan China. Meet and greet by local guide and after breakfast, depart for the highland town of Bac Ha where you can wander through the district market, considered one of the most colorful ethnic markets in the Northwest. A weekly rendezvous for the locals and men folks can often be seen wending their merry way home at the end of a day at the market. After lunch, drive to Sapa – a 38 km journey on winding roads up the mountains. Sapa is located approx. 1,500 m above sea level. On clear days you can see the highest mountain of Vietnam, the Fansipan. The rest of the day is at leisure. Discover Sapa town on your own, its bustling market, 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 BIKING - NIGHT TRAIN TO HANOI (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER)

After breakfast, a free-wheeling 4km to visit the hospitable villages of the Black Hmong minority people in Ma Tra, ride passes a local school and scenic views. Enroute, a picnic lunch will be served. After lunch we continue our ride to Ta Phin village to visit Red Dao people and handicraft shops. In the afternoon we will biking to the main road where your driver is waiting to transport you back to Sapa. After a short rest (time permitting), transfer to Lao Cai railway station for the night train to Hanoi. Overnight train trip to Hanoi in superior 4-berth compartment. Sharing with other passengers. Train departs at approximately 20:15 hrs.

Train schedule is subject to change. Private compartment are on request at a 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 complete the local experience.

HANOI - HALONG BAY OVERNIGHT ON JUNK (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER)

Upon arrival in the early morning, have breakfast and drive through the countryside from Hanoi to Halong Bay (165 km east of Hanoi) - a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty, you will experience a rural area dotted with villages, rice fields and farms providing the many parts of the nation with rice, fruits and vegetables. Short rest stop en route, you will reach Halong city after 3.5 hours. Arrive at Tuan Chau Wharf and embark on the junk followed by a short cruise briefing. Lunch will be served on board the boat and start to cruise among the limestone islands. Transfer to small boat to cruise around the Luon Cave area and to Soi Sim Island. Go swimming and relaxing at the beach of Soi Sim or climb up to the top of the island for a panorama view of Halong Bay. Dinner will be serve on the junk boat. In the evening try fish for squid, or just laze around. Overnight on board.

HALONG BAY - HANOI (BREAKFAST/LUNCH OR BRUNCH/DINNER)

Start the day with Tai Chi exercises session. After breakfast, continue to explore the amazing Sung Sot Cave - the nicest cave in Halong Bay. Return to the boat. Freshen up and check out of your cabin. Continue your cruise exploring the Bay, passing Ba Hang fishing village, Dog Islet, and more. On the way to the harbor, watch the cooking demonstration before enjoying Seafood lunch. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi, short rest at Dai Viet or Hong Ngoc or ABC shopping en route back. (Journey approx. 3.5 hours) Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

HANOI - DEPARTURE (BREAKFAST)

Free at your own leisure for your last minute shopping before transfer to the Noi Bai International Airport for departure.

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. Lunch and dinner in local restaurant. Hotel official check in at 3pm check out by 12 noon. All commentary will be in English. Tour and hotel rooms subject to confirmation and hotels are subject to ad-hoc rates. Arrival to Hanoi on Fridays to start the tour as Bac Ha ethnic markets are only available on Sundays.

Agency: Chan's World Holidays

7D6N HANOI WITH SAPA ON 2 WHEELS & HALONG BAY CRUISE

Agency: Chan's World Holidays

7D6N HANOI WITH SAPA ON 2 WHEELS & HALONG BAY CRUISE

Agency: Chan's World Holidays