Vietnam Northern Trail

Day 1 : Hanoi arrival

You are warmly welcome at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi by our tour guide & driver. You then move downtown to do the hotel check-in; You are free at leisure for the first amazing experience in Hanoi - the city for peace. You stay overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2 : Hanoi City tour- a night train to Lao Cai (B)

After breakfast, you meet your guide at your hotel and depart on tour to visit Hanoi with the following highlights: the Temple of Literature - Vietnam's first university; Visit the serene Museum of Ethnology where you observe Vietnam's diverse culture through the Museum's unique presentation of artifacts and dress used in daily life. (Museum of Ethnology is closed on Mondays).

You also come to visit the Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple before driving back to central Hanoi for a walking tour through the Old Quarter to enjoy the bustling local life. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It's a great place to explore with plenty of photo opportunities all around you.

You take a night train from Hanoi to Sapa. You spend a night in a SHARE solf sleeper cabin on the train.

Day 3 : Sapa arrival - trekking to villages (B)

You get off at Lao Cai Railway Station at 6:00 a.m. Our tour guide picks you up to move to Sapa town for the hotel check in.

After breakfast, you start trekking down to Lao Chai village to visit the Black H'mong. You have a picnic lunch on the way then keep going along the valley to get to Ta Van village to visit the Dzay people, who are supposed to be the most friendly ones in mountainous area. The next is Giang Ta Chai village of Red Dzao tribe, where you will see the amazing scenery and beautiful waterfall.

In the afternoon, you get back Sapa Town for free to discover Sapa Market & stay overnight in Sapa Town.

Day 4 : Lao Cai- Bac Ha Sunday Market - Night train back Hanoi (B)

After breakfast in Sapa, you leave Sapa Town for Bac Ha Town to join Sunday Market with local people. Bac Ha is considered one of the most wonderful and colorful markets in extreme north Vietnam where thousands of local people in their traditional attire buy and sell the local products. Dogs, cats, pigs, horses, etc. are all on sales. This is a golden opportunity to take your best photos.

In the afternoon, we will take a pleasant walk to Ban Pho village, home to the flower H'mong people. This is a great opportunity to interact with the friendly locals and have pleasant walk amongst tribal villages. Leave Bac Ha Town at 3:00pm for Lao Cai Railway Station. You take a night train, which departs about 7.30am. You stay overnight on the train.

Day 5 : Excursion to Halong Bay and Stay overnight on Board (B, L, D)

You reach Hanoi Railway Station at 5:30 a.m. You do the hotel check-in for a short rest & breakfast.

At 8.30 a.m. you are departing for one of the most magnificent scenic destinations in the world, Halong Bay. Halong Bay covers 577 square miles filled with more than 3,000 limestone "peaks" or karsts that jut from the deep blue water as far as the eye can see;

Upon arrival, you are going to get on a Junk cruising around Ha Long Bay with a delicious local seafood lunch, passing Dog island, Incense Urn island, Ga Choi island, Finger island, Hoa Cuong Island and Surprise Cave and enjoy short swimming at Titov beach (if weather is nice enough).

You have a nice dinner on board and enjoy the night fishing. You have a memorable overnight stay on board.

Day 6 : Halong Bay Cruise - Hanoi (B, Brunch)

Rising to the sound of lapping bay water, you can enjoy an early morning dip followed by breakfast. Sitting on the upper deck, you can relax while taking in the breath-taking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the emerald water of the bay. After breakfast, you are going to explore Sung Sot cave, swim and relax. You then cruise back to the jetty while brunch is served. Along the way you will see more of the fascinating formations.

Cruise check-out. You come back Hanoi. You do the hotel check-in at 3:00 p.m. You have free time to go sightseeing in the Old Quarter. You stay overnight in Hanoi.

Day 7 : Hanoi Departure (B)

You have the morning free to relax before you get to the airport for your home flight with memorable days with 3959 Miles Experience.