DETAILED ITINERARY.

In the morning, we start from Hanoi to Duong Lam village – a purely agricultural village of the Northern Red River delta that still preserves many hundred-year-old houses. It will be your unique experience as you walk along tiny ancient alleys It will be your unique experience as you walk along tiny ancient alleys, visit Communal House in Mong Phu hamlet - the only hamlet whose original village entrance gate remains intact, dedicated to national heroes.

Enjoy the great home hosted lunch in traditional atmosphere in the oldest house in the village of Mr.Hung date back to 1635. After lunch, take another bike ride around the village then drive to Mai Chau over the great scenery of mountain area. Upon arrival to Mai Chau, enjoy the great home stay in the traditional house of Thai people in Pom Coong Village.

Dinner and overnight at house on stilt of Thai people.

After breakfast, we will drive to the central of the valley for 20 kms trekking back to the house on the stilts. We start to trek mountainsides to Xam Khoe Village. The trekking is difficult at times with some steep uphill and downhill walking, but the views are incredible however some physical preparation will enable you to fully appreciate today's trek. Then we will hike along the path over villages of Thai people.. Picnic lunch in a family of Thai people on the way. After lunch we trek up 4 kms over the bamboo forest over the mountain towards to our village.Get back to Pom Coong Village in the afternoon. After dinner, enjoy the great music and dance performance of Thai people in the village.

Overnight at the long house of the Thai people.

This morning we will drive to the beautiful jungle then take a hike to village of Muong people on the beautiful plateau overview to Da river. Then visit Xa Linh, the village of Mong people before coming back to Mai Chau for lunch. After lunch we will drive back to Hanoi. Upon arrival to the city, enjoy the dinner at local restaurant before transferring to Hanoi Railway Station for the night train to Lao Cai.

O/N on train.

Arriving in Laocai early in the morning, you will take one and half hours drive to Sapa – the former French Hill Station. It is said that you will find four seasons in a day here, but Sapa is normally seen in a thin mist. Upon arrival, enjoy breakfast in very cozy atmosphere of the local restaurant then start trekking to Muong Hoa valley. The first part is on the road but we soon turn to the right and walk on a small path down the valley to the Black H’mong village Lao Chai. Black H’mong is one of the biggest minority groups in the Sapa area. They are proud of their culture and keep their traditions and way of living.

They have their own language and wear traditional indigo blue clothing. Then you continue to Ta Van village (1.200 m) to visit Zay people. Zay is a fairly small minority group of about 38.000 people who live mainly in the mountains in Northwest Vietnam. The development has meant that some of their old customs have been lost but many women still wear traditional shirts with a purple, blue or green color. The Zay houses are built of wood and bamboo with a clay floor.

We stay overnight with a local family in Ta Van and have our dinner here.

After the breakfast we take a trek to visit Red Dao people at Giang Ta Chai where we also see a waterfall. The Red Dao women have very colorful red embroidery and coins on their clothing. On their head they wear a red scarf. Some of the women have shaved off their eyebrows because of a nice Red Zao Legend. We continue along small paths in the rice fields, cross the Muong Hoa River and trek up to Su pan. After picnic lunch on the way, we trek up to Ban Den then to Ban Ho - the village of Tay people.

Overnight in the local house of Tay people in the village.

This morning we take a short trek to Thanh Phu then transfer to Ecolodge resort, very impressive and romantic resort above Muong Hoa Valley. From the lodge there are breathtaking views across the scenic valleys below, which are home to villages of the Tay and Red Dao minorities. You will have great time to relax and recover in white stone bungalow; it was built based on ecological principles. You will have full day to enjoy your stay in this resort, so quiet and calm, totally pure atmosphere.

O/N in ecolodge.

After breakfast, you will be at leisure at Ecolodge until transferred back to Sapa. After lunch at local restaurant, you will have free time to discover Sapa town on your own before transfer back to Lao Cao station for the night train to Hanoi.

Overnight on the train.

The train will arrive at Hanoi station early in the morning. End of the trip.

PACKAGE COST:

Rates are in USD per person, based on twin shared, valid from Jan 1^st 2012 to Dec 31^st 2012

INCLUSIVE OF ABOVE PRICES:

v  Private tour

v  Pick up & drop off at hotels at the tour places

v  Accommodation based on twin sharing at places as indicated in program

v  Food as mentioned in the itinerary (B- breakfast, L- lunch, D- dinner)

v  All transfers and transportation

v  All guided sightseeing fees and entrance fees as per itinerary

v  Professional English speaking tour guide at places

v  Boat cruise on Mekong river

EXCLUSIVE OF ABOVE PRICES:

v  Visa application fee to Vietnam

v  Personal expenses

v  Other meals and drinks

v  Late check-out & early check in for accommodation at the places

v  Airport tax and departure tax

v  All other services not made on the written form

v  Insurance

v  Tips and gratuities

WHAT TO BRING: 

v  Sun block

v  Camera + Film

v  Insect repellent

v  Original Passport

v  A wide brimmed hat

v  Sun glasses.

v  Proper shoes