Vietnam | Sapa & Beyond
A truly enriching experience, the north of Vietnam is home to a diverse array of ethnic minorities, spectacular mountain scenery, and rugged terrain. Discover the contrasts of charming Hanoi, the verdant valleys around Mai Chau, the remote mountains and fascinating history of Dien Bien Phu and the colourful villages around Sapa. There is plenty of time for mountain treks and meeting the friendly locals. This is the ideal journey for the return visitor to Vietnam, or the traveller yearning for an authentic experience.
| Duration: | 9 Days |
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| Tour Code: | ITW224 |
| Trip Style: | Standard |
| Departure Dates: | 05 Nov 2011, 03 Dec 2011, 31 Dec 2011, 28 Jan 2012, 25 Feb 2012, 24 Mar 2012, 28 Apr 2012, 26 May 2012, 23 Jun 2012, 21 Jul 2012, 18 Aug 2012, 15 Sep 2012, 13 Oct 2012, 10 Nov 2012, 15 Dec 2012, 12 Jan 2013, 16 Feb 2013, 09 Mar 2013 |
| Price: | From $1,170 |
| Single Supplement: | From $290 |
| Places you'll visit: |
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| Highlights: |
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Ideal for Solo Travellers
This small group journey is the perfect way for solo travellers to experience Asia. The style of travel means that you will experience Asia as a group of friends, not as part of an anonymous coach-load. Join your western tour leader and fellow travellers for an evening meal or sunset drink, or strike out on your own. The choice is always yours. This tour generally attracts a mix of couples, friends and solo travellers. The group never exceeds 16 passengers, which means you will always have the chance to get to know your fellow travellers.
If you don't want to pay a single supplement you can choose to share and pay the twin-share price. If there isn't one other person of the same sex willing to share on your departure, you will stay in a single room at no extra cost. Alternatively, you can ensure a room to yourself by paying a single supplement.
Trip Details
SEASONAL PRICE RANGE: $1,170 to $1,365
Single Supplement: $290 to $300
GROUP SIZE: 16 max.
Verdant landscapes, stunning mountain vistas and hilltribe cultures await. The remote north of Vietnam offers the dedicated traveller some of the most beautiful scenery in the entire country. For centuries the local ethnic hilltribe minority people have made their livelihoods building beautiful rice terraces that cling precariously to the mountains near the borders of China and Laos. Meet them, visit their markets, and gain an understanding of a culture a world apart from your own.
Accommodation in Hanoi is a centrally located, three-star hotel with private, western style bathrooms, air-conditioning and TV. Rural areas are less developed than the big cities, which means facilities and services will be more basic. Hotels are usually rated two-star, but in the smaller towns the hotels are quite basic. These simple hotels have private bathrooms, hot water, are clean, and are the best available. We also spend one night in a basic but very comfortable, remote eco-lodge.
All road travel is in comfortable minibuses or mid-sized coaches. Your journey is escorted by both a Western tour leader, based on a minimum of seven travellers, and a local English-speaking guide in each location. Groups are never more than 16 travellers in size.
DAY 1 - ARRIVE HANOI
Arrive in Vietnam's capital and transfer to your hotel to meet your tour leader and group for a welcome drink and briefing. Learn all about the life and legend of ‘Uncle Ho' at his former home and mausoleum, visit the Temple of Literature and Hanoi Hilton prison and gain an insight into the hilltribes of Vietnam at the Ethnology Museum. Experience the unique Hanoi Water Puppets at an evening performance
ANISE HOTEL - 1 night
DAY 2 - HANOI TO MAI CHAU
In the morning visit the Museum of Ethnology before driving through the mountains to Mai Chau Valley. Here you will stay with a hospitable hilltribe in their longhouse and enjoy the stunning surroundings.
HOMESTAY - 1 night
DAY 3 - MAI CHAU TO SON LA
Sit back and enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery, keeping an eye out for Black Thai, Meo and Muong people as you travel to Son La.
HANOI HOTEL - 1 night
DAY 4 - SON LA TO DIEN BIEN PHU
Today venture towards the Lao border and the historic outpost of Dien Bien Phu, site of the decisive battle against the French. Visit the museum and nearby historic battle sites to gain a sense of the history of this former battleground.
DIEN BIEN HOTEL - 1 night
DAY 5 - DIEN BIEN PHU TO PASO
Drive along the Da River through little-visited villages with plenty of photo opportunities, to tranquil Paso.
LAN ANH 2 HOTEL - 1 night
DAY 6 - PASO TO SAPA
Stop at remote villages en route to Sapa where you will discover a fantastic local market and unique ethnic minority people.
HOLIDAY SAPA HOTEL - 1 night
DAY 7 - SAPA TO SUPAN
Your journey continues on through pristine mountain scenery to your eco-lodge in Supan. TOPAS ECOLODGE - 1 night
DAY 8 - SUPAN TO HANOI
Explore Lech Valley before driving back to Sapa. You may like to wander the vivid marketplace again before driving down to Lao Cai and the Chinese border. An overnight train brings you full-circle to Hanoi.
OVERNIGHT TRAIN - 1 night
DAY 9 - DEPART HANOI
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your onward journey.
Trip grading: ADVENTUROUS
Suitable for travellers with a good level of fitness, full and independent mobility; a keen sense of adventure is essential. May include a lot of walking, basic accommodation in remote areas and occasional days of intensive travelling. The tour involves plenty of walking, over uneven surfaces and climbing stairs, in the heat. There is one overnight train journey in an air-conditioned carriage, soft sleeper bunk. You will need to be able to handle your own luggage boarding and disembarking trains. There are several long road journeys (up to seven hours) on occasionally rough roads.
While accommodation is two to three-star or best available, this is not ‘sanitised' travel; by day you will walk through markets and villages, meet local people, and sample local food.
English is not widely spoken and a degree of patience and appreciation is required for travel through developing cities and stays in Vietnamese-operated hotels.
Inclusions
- 6 nights hotel accommodation
- 1 night homestay
- 1 overnight train (soft sleeper four-berth shared cabin)
- all road transport by air-conditioned vehicles
- all sightseeing as specified (including entrance fees),
- Western tour leader (7 or more travellers)
- local English-speaking guides throughout
- arrival and departure transfers
- breakfast daily, 1 dinner
Terms & Conditions
Click here for our Terms & Conditions
For more information, availability and pricing and options, please contact our expert travel specialists at Inspired Travel Worldwide on (02) 9449 8598 or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.
