Exploring North Vietnam

Day 1

Arrival in Hanoi

Welcome to Vietnam! You'll be taking a flight to Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, where our guide will wait to welcome you and take you to your accommodation in downtown. Tonight, you'll meet your fellow travelers and our guide will tell you more about the itinerary of the days ahead. Gear up for a great unfilled evening and share some drinks as you get to know others.

Day 2

Exploring the best of Hanoi

After breakfast, we board our motorbikes and are driven on an exciting adventure through the streets of Hanoi. On the way, we’ll visit places such as Ba Dinh Square, Ho Tay – the West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Long Bien Bridge – the oldest bridge in Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake, St. Joseph's Cathedral and Opera House.

In the afternoon, we’ll head to Thanh Ha market and Dong Xuan market, experiencing the local lifestyle of the people and products. We’ll have plenty of opportunities to taste any street food that we like the look of, take heaps of Insta-worthy photos, and learn how people cook.

And of course, we won't let you miss the vibrant nightlife of Hanoi - so, get crazy as we head off to party in the evening! Mingle and dance with locals as well as other travelers in the alleys of Hanoi, binge on some 'Pho', and join the crowd for some ‘fresh beer’.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Street food Dinner)

Day 3

Heading off to Sapa

Pack your bags and hop into a limousine shuttle bus to Sapa! Yeah, it's time to drive up North and enjoy the real beauty of Vietnam, away from the hustle & bustle. Grab a window seat and soak in the grand views, on the way to Sapa.

Upon arrival in Sapa, we’ll sit down for lunch at a local restaurant to energize before we set off on the trip leading to Y Linh Ho Village where you will start your trekking, and go down to Muong Hoa Valley. We’ll take a rest-stop at a wonderful village to exchange local culture and learn about the life of the local people. Continue our trekking to Lao Chai Village of Black H’mong people where we’ll check-in to our homestay and enjoy a home-cooked dinner. Overnight in a traditional local homestay.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4

Hiking through the Sapa Valley

Wake up to the natural sounds of your surroundings; cockerels, pigs, and the family dogs. It's gonna be a long day today!

After breakfast with the family, we say goodbye and head out to trek to Ta Van Village, home of the Dzay hill tribe group. 

We then keep trekking through bamboo forests to Giang Ta Chai Village - home of Red Dzao and H’mong peoples. Explore this quiet village for half an hour, before we follow the trail to the bottom of the valley to Giang Ta Chai Village where we’ll enjoy a wonderful picnic lunch. After replenishing our energy levels we’ll continue our hike on to Su Pan village and on to Ban Ho. 

Our trek ends at our bus, which will be a welcomed sight and we’ll take a ride to Sapa town where we’ll get checked in to the hotel. 

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 5

Free day in Sapa

You’re probably going to need some time to rest up and recover from your incredible trekking so today you have a free morning to do exactly that. If you have some energy left, you can easily get out and explore the town, grab a massage, visit the local markets, and enjoy the mouth-watering local cuisine. 

This afternoon we’ll depart Sapa and take the trip back to Hanoi, back to the hotel so you’ll know where you are and can choose to have an early night or head out into town for some fun.

(Meals included: Breakfast)

Day 6

Gear up for Ha Long Bay

Your Vietnam trip would be incomplete without this!

Today, we'll depart Hanoi after breakfast and head east through the countryside and the Red River delta. We’ll be welcomed on board by the crew and the captain who will join us for a welcome drink as will tell you all about life on board before we’re served a delectable lunch as we cruise ahead to Ha Long Bay.

This afternoon we’ll be exploring the Surprising Cave – the most beautiful cave in Ha long Bay. It is one of the widest grottoes in Ha Long Bay with thousands of stalactites and stalagmites. From there we’re off to Titop Island for swimming and fun! We can then climb up to the top of the island to take in the best view of Ha Long Bay for those Insta-winners! We continue cruising on to a quiet area whilst soaking in the stunning seascape on the way.

As the sun sets, we’ll have a special party on board the boat to end off what will be a truly unforgettable day.

Day 7

Gear up for Ha Long Bay

This morning, if you’re up in time, take in the stunning sunrise over the bay before you can choose to join a Tai Chi session on deck before breakfast as the boat starts cruising to the Natural Preservation Zone.

Anybody who has some energy to burn can grab a kayak and head out into the bay to get even closer to the natural surroundings.

Around 9:30 am we’ll begin to head back to the marina passing Ba Hang fishing village, Dog Islet, and more. You will also have the opportunity to join a quick-cooking class where you’ll learn how to make the traditional and very tasty Vietnamese spring rolls.

Around midday, we’ll be back to the marina where we’ll leave the boat and begin our transfer back to our hotel in Hanoi.

It's your last evening, so you can go for some souvenir shopping in the evening, or in case there's something left to tick off your bucket list.

Day 8

Time to bid goodbye

Today is the last day of this awesome trip but there will be an opportunity for a final morning group breakfast, a chance to swap contact details with your fellow mates, plenty of time for group photos, hugs and hi5’s all round.