Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

On arrival at Noi Bai airport, transfer to Ha Noi for check in hotel.

Day 2: Hanoi - Mai Chau

Visiting the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda and Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum. In the afternoon, we travel to Mai Chau where we will encounter our first experience with ethnic minority people. Overnight in a White Thai village having dinner and sleeping in traditional stilt house. In the evening we will be entertained with dances and songs as well as drink an alcoholic beverage called with long bamboo tube.

Day 3: Mai Chau - Nghia Lo

Commencing our journey to Nghia Lo where we will begin to witness the spectacular mountain scenery of North-West Vietnam. On arrival in Nghia Lo, visiting an ancient Thai village to discover how they go about their daily lives. Overnight in Nghia Lo.

Day 4: Nghia Lo - Sapa

Continuing our journey to Sa Pa. On the way we will stop to visit a Lu minority village as well as climb Tram Ton pass, the highest mountain pass in Vietnam. On arrival in Sa Pa we will check into the hotel. Free to visit Sa Pa township, Ham Rong Mountain or the Botanical gardens.

Day 5: Sapa

Trekking down the mountain to Ta Van village. After an enjoyable picnic lunch, we will continue our trek, walking through a number of minority villages and getting up close to the terraced rice fields. Home stay in Ta Van village.

Day 6: Sapa - Lung Khau Nhin Market - Bac Ha

Travel to Lung Khau Nhin Market which is one of the most untouched markets in North Vietnam with Nung, Flower H'Mong, Black Dao and Dzay minority people buying and selling their local produce. We will visit a Black Dao village called Sin Lung Chai. We then make our way to Bac Ha. Overnight in Bac Ha.

Day 7: Bac Ha - Ha giang

Visit and photograph in Ban Pho, a Flower H'Mong village. Travel to Ha Giang, through stunning countryside with valleys and mountains opening up on all sides and then along the remote Chay River Valley. Overnight in Ha Giang.

Day 8: Hagiang - Quang Ba - Dong Van

Enjoying the way up the amazing Quan Ba Pass eventually providing a spectacular view over Quan Ba town and the surrounding countryside. We end out days journey at Dong Van, an isolated town atop a small hill. We will explore Pho Bang Street with its ancient multi-story clay brick houses.

Day 9: Dong Van - Meo Vac - Bao Lac - Cao Bang

Down Ma Pi Leng pass which is regarded as the most stunning scenery in North Vietnam. We eventually descend into a beautiful valley that encloses Meo Vac before continuing our journey to Cao Bang, via Bao Lac. Overnight in Cao Bang.

Day 10: Cao Bang - Tong Cot Cattle Market - Ban Gioc Waterfall

We will visit the Tong Cot cattle market where 200 to 300 head of cattle are sold every 5 days. Afterwards, we will make our way to the beautiful Ban Gioc Waterfall on the Chinese border. The picturesque, cascading waterfall is 53m high and has an impressive span of 300m. Overnight in Cao Bang.

Day 11: Cao Bang - Lang Son - Halong Bay

Travel to Halong City stopping for lunch and a well earned break at Lang Son. We will travel to the surrounding limestone hills to visit a couple of impressive caves and the remnants of the ruined 16th century Mac Dynasty Citadel. We will then continue our journey to Halong City. Overnight in Halong.

Day 12: Halong Bay - Cat Ba island

Boarding the boat and commence our full day cruise of Halong Bay. We will visit Surprising Cave and photograph the bay, floating villages and fish farms. We will then make our way to Cat Ba where we will check into our hotel. You are then free to explore Cat Ba Island and photograph the sunset over the harbour. Overnight in Cat Ba.

Day 13: Cat Ba - Kenh Ga Floating Village - Bai Dinh Pagoda

Boarding a Hydrofoil for transfer to Hai Phong City, where our buses will be waiting for us. After lunch in Hai Phong City, we commence our journey to Ninh Binh, stopping briefly at Thai Binh. We will then make our way to Kenh Ga Floating Village where we will witness and photograph the unique river life. Visiting Bai Dinh pagoda - the biggest pagoda in Vietnam.

Day 14: Tam Coc - Hoa Lu - Van Long - Hanoi

This morning we will enjoy a 2 hour boat cruise through Tam Coc which boasts some absolutely breathtaking scenery. Afterwards, we will travel along rural roads amongst the rice fields and magnificent rock formations of the Hoa Lu area. After lunch we will visit Van Long Nature Reserve (2 hours) before commencing our journey back to Hanoi.

Day 15: Departure

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.  End of the tours.