Randonnee Vietnam

Trip spirit: This tour takes you into the most remote areas of the high mountains of northern Vietnam, to meet ethnic minorities the most authentic and legendary landscapes. He is walking day after day on the roads muddy and sometimes at night to stop falling into a village to spend the night in a private house. Wealth of contacts and discoveries will quickly forget the comfort conditions often sketchy. During the walk we decouvront a real genuine Tonkin, its people who live in the arbri modernization. Meetings permanently with these tribes like the H’mong, Dao, Tay, Phu La, will be the highlights of this fine program

Day 01: Hanoi arrival
Welcome to Vietnam! In Hanoi, after immigration and customs formalities, you’ll be met by your personal Guide and driver, then transfer into the city. Afternoon, your guide will take you on a tour of the city’s Old Quarter aboard bicycle rickshaws called cyclos (1h). You will be pedaled amongst the quaint French buildings along shoe Street, Silk Street and Banner Street (to name just a few) and enjoy a Water Puppet Show in the evening.
Overnight in Hanoi at hotel

Day 02: Hanoi sightseeing (B, L, D)
Full-day tour of Vietnam’s capital by private vehicle, including Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum and traditional stilt house (closed on Monday), and the revered One-Pillar Pagoda. Pay visits to typical Vietnamese places of worship, Quan Thanh temple and Tran Quoc Pagoda, along the shore of West Lake. Just before noon, tour Vietnam’s first university, the thousand-year-old Temple of Literature. In the afternoon, we visit the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Monday), featuring a wonderful collection of art and objects from throughout the country and different tribes. In the evening, enjoy a performance of the traditional Water Puppet show.
Overnight in Hanoi at hotel

Day 03: Hanoi - Viet Quang  (B, L, D)
From Hanoi to Viet Quang, Ha Giang (260 km from Hanoi) through a nice mountain road, lunch en route. Arrival in Viet Quang in the afternoon, transfer to hotel. Preparations for the day hike that will follow.
Overnight in Viet Quang at hotel.
(Approximately 9 hours drive).

Day 04: Viet Quang - Tan Nam  (B, L, D)
Breakfast and then drive to the start of trek (30 km from Viet Quang). We start with a small path and 3-hour climb. 300 m above the sea, we reach 1000 meters in the village of Pa Then ethnic people in a very colorful. Our passage arouses curiosity. After a short descent, picnic on a beautiful lawn. The path descends gently in the hills covered with tea and then leads in Tan Nam, Tay village.
Overnight in Tan Nam at Tay stilt house.
 (1 hour drive, including 6 hours of walking up to 3 h with 700 m vertical).

Day 05: Tan Nam - Phieng Lang  (B, L, D)
After crossing a suspension bridge, we enter a region of growing wild. Climbs and descents alternate on a pleasant path. It passes through many small hamlets inhabited by Dzao people with long jackets. The women of this ethnic group is laquent teeth and bear their long jackets even at work in the fields. Lunch in Tay stilt house. The host, a friend of ours, we warmly welcome... It would be churlish to refuse a glass of rice wine he proposes.
Late in the afternoon, we climb on a hill shaded by large palm trees. The scenery is fantastic, a small hamlet, perched in the middle of the rice terraces carved well is our haven in the evening. Our presence may cause a big surprise to the youth of the village.
Overnight in Phieng Lang at local house.
(6 to 7 hours walking).

Day 06: Phieng Lang - Quang Nguyen  (B, L, D)
Early start to gain altitude. Small houses are scattered Dao Ta Pan on the slopes. The surprise is great to see Westerners come here! At noon, we crossed a high pass to reach Quang Nguyen, a remote village near a river. A cold beer is welcome. The children rushed to meet us with big smiles. Well deserved rest before the long stage tomorrow. A beautiful river basins forming a pleasant runs behind our accommodation do not hesitate to take a bath.
Overnight in Quang Nguyen at local house.
(4 to 5 hours of walking with 1h30 to climb).

Day 07: Quang Nguyen - Coc Dong  (B, L, D)
New early start to climb the Col de Nam Li at about 1500 meters. One of the most extraordinary step of rainforest that you will ever go. Atmosphere "Indiana Jones" guarantee. The trail creeps into an inextricable labyrinth forest turns into a wide channel of 50 cm at most, to climb the slope leading to the neck, wave replat lost amid the vines. We need to come down again for 1 h on the opposite side to get a clear view of a beautiful valley. The H'mong who inhabit the valley are clad in richly embroidered clothes.
Overnight in Dong Coc at local house. The house is rustic, but the welcome exception.
(5 -6 hours of walking, about 1100 m of elevation).

Day 08: Dong Coc - Xin Man  (B, L, D)
We follow the trail amount of higher and higher in the middle of terraced rice fields. H'mong girls, dressed in long red dresses are lovely. After 30 minutes of walking, we descend into smooth Coc TPP, the daily market. Lunch. The path is then easy to join Xin Man.
Overnight in Xin Man at local house.
(7 hours walking).

Day 09: Xin Man - Bac Ha  (B, L, D)
Departure by jeep from Xin Man to Bac Ha via Can Cau market. Visit the hamlets around Bac Ha: Ban Pho village occupied by the ethnic H’mong colorful.
Overnight in Bac Ha at hotel.

Day 10: Bac Ha - Lao Cai – Night train to Hanoi  (B, L, D)
The morning, visit the colorful market freely Bac Ha, which takes once a  week at Sunday and attracts all ethnic minorities in the vicinity of Bac Ha. We leave Bac Ha by a mountain road towards the Tay village at Trung Do, take the sampan for a trip on Chay River to Bao Nhai. At Bao Nhai, resumed the road to Lao Cai.
Overnight aboard the train to Hanoi.

Day 11: Hanoi - Ha Long (B,L,D)
Arrive in Hanoi early morning. Pick up by your driver, then transfer to flowers market “one of the beautiful markets in Hanoi, opened very early in the morning”. After breakfast at local restaurant, you’ll be driven about 3hrs to famous and magnificent Ha Long Bay. Upon arrival, you will board on a charming junk for 24 hours cruise where you’ll have lunch as you set cruise for Titop Island. Spend the afternoon cruising through the 3,000 limestone pinnacles piercing the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most incredible natural wonders and was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You’ll anchor at Titop this evening before an on-deck candlelight dinner featuring gourmet cuisine.
Overnight aboard the junk in Ha Long bay

Note:
•     The cabins on board are simple, comfortable, clean, air-conditioned, and outfitted with their own and hot shower.
•     This is a join-in cruise.

Day 12: Ha Long - Ninh Binh (B, L, D)
You will begin this morning with a sunrise breakfast before your exploration of Luon Cave (Tunnel cave) by sampan. Then continue to visit another part of Bay (Bai Tu Long Bay). Lunch on board. You will disembark the Junk and the car will transfer you to Ninh Binh province. Stop en route for visiting Pho Minh pagoda, arrive in Ninh Binh late afternoon and drop off at hotel.
Overnight in Ninh Binh at hotel

Day 13: Ninh Binh - Kenh Ga floating village – Hanoi (B, L, D)
Morning, cycling to Hoa Lu, one of the ancient capitals of Vietnam. Enjoy the gorgeous limestone karsts and rolling green fields, which gave the area the nickname “Ha Long Bay of the rice paddies” as you explore 10th Century Dinh and Le Dynasty relics. Then, drive to Kenh Ga area, a secluded floating village in Ninh Binh with a dramatic landscape of limestone cliffs and caves. Travel serenely by boat witnessing scenes of fishermen, children going to school, and everyday life along the riverfront.
Overnight in Ha Noi at hotel

Day 14: Hanoi - Duong Lam - Tay Phuong Pagoda - Hanoi (B, L, D)
Morning, drive to Son Tay city in the North of Hanoi and the ancient village of Duong Lam. On arrival, you will begin cycling around the Mong Phu village and Mia pagoda. Discover rural communities unaffected by the outside world. This is a great opportunity to witness the calm and tranquility of everyday country life. After lunch, continue by car to Thay & Tay Phuong pagoda. Return back to Hanoi in the afternoon.

Day 15: Hanoi Departure  (B)
Free at leisure until transfer to Hanoi airport for your international flight.
End of Services,

Hotel during this trip (Click on the hotels for more details)

Note:
•     The tariff may differentiate according to number of participants and the high or low seasons in Vietnam. Please contact our Sales Staff for the price of this trip.

Optional services: Upon your request
•     Visa on arrival to Vietnam. The visa processing will be arranged by our company with simple formality and quickly time. You will obtain the Visa upon arrival in Hanoi or Saigon airports. Click here to have more information

Services includes:
•     Accommodation in hotels with daily breakfast (hotels can be upgraded upon request).
•     Transfer and transportation with private vehicle. Click here to have more information.
•     English/French/Italian/German/Spanish speaking Guide upon your request.
•     Private boat cruise on Trung Do and Kenh Ga village.
•     Boat cruise in Ha Long bay with deluxe junk: private cabin with air-con, small bathroom, hot water. Click here to have more information.
•     Authorization to visit sites in Ha Giang
•     Sightseeing and entrance fees.
•     Sleeping bags, mosquito nets, sheets and pillows.
•     Meals as indicated (B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Diner)
•     Mineral water during the trek and the cycling trip.
•     Train tickets (Hanoi - Lao Cai // Lao Cai - Hanoi): cabin with 04 soft sleepers with air-con. Click here to have more information.
•     International Airticket reconfirmation.

Services excludes:
•     International air-tickets and airport departure tax.
•     Meals and drink not mentioned
•     Tip and personal expenses
•     Travel Insurance
•     All the others not mentioned in the program.