14 Days Off The Beatern Tracks Tour

DAY 01: ARRIVAL IN HANOI

Arrival in Hanoi. Transfer to your hotel. Orientation tour: The Hoan Kiem Lake, the Ngoc Son Pagoda, dedicated to the genius of Literature. Visit the Quan Thanh Pagoda, dedicated to the Tran Vu genius. Strolling in the old quarters of 36 corporations, the heart of the Old Hanoi. Visit of the temple of Literature. Dinner, back to your hotel.


DAY 02: HANOI – HALONG BAY

Heading to Halong Bay that was registered at the World Heritage by UNESCO since 1944. Boat excursion in Halong Bay. Sea food lunch on board – visit of the marvelous caves. Dinner and overnight on board.


DAY 03: HALONG BAY / HANOI / LAO CAI

Landing after lunch. Back to Hanoi. Transfer to the railroad station for Lao Cai. Night on board.


DAY 04: LAO CAI / FANSIPAN MT. – 4 hours trekking

Picked up at Lao Cai Station by private bus to Sapa (round 8.30 AM). Breakfast and start the trip to conquer the roof of Vietnam and Indochina – Fansipan peak. At about 9h30 Am, take bus to the highest pass in Vietnam – TramTon Pass located at 2100m above the sea level (17 kms by bus). Visit Silver waterfall before reaching the pass. Spend your time enjoying marvelous nature and then start the strenuous trek to the peak. After roughly 4 hours through the primitive rain jungles, many small streams and bamboo forests… You will have managed to reach a top of 2200m and at this point, make tents, prepare for dinner and spend the first night in the mountain.


DAY 05: FANSIPAN Mt. – 8 hours trekking

Breakfast at the camp and then continue climbing to the summit by way of pine and yellow bamboo forests. After 4 hours, you will successfully conquer the roof of Vietnam. Spend 1/2 or 1 hour enjoying the splendid landscapes from around the mountain, at this virginal roof of Vietnam and Indochina is a specious chance for you to enjoy watching the surroundings: to the North-West is small village areas belonging to Lai Chau province, the splendid rolling mountains; to the North East is the overall picture of Sapa town which is only seen from here. Have lunch and then return down to the same point for 2nd night in the mountain. Dinner at the tents.

DAY 06: FANSIPAN / LAO CAI - 4 hours trekking

After the last breakfast in the mountain, take another way to go down to the foot of Mount where to visit and get understandings of the lifestyles, the traditional customs of the people in a village of the Black H’mong called SinChai, then take bus back to Sapa (18 km by bus). Tranfer to Lao Cai station night train to Hanoi.


DAY 07: LAO CAI / HANOI / HUE

Arrival at Hanoi in early morning. Transfer to the airport for the flight for Hue. Transfer to your hotel to enjoy breakfast. We start to visit HUE, that still keeps the imperial charm. Boat trip on the Perfume River and visit the Thien Mu Pagoda. It is the oldest and most beautiful religious construction of HUE, the Imperial City, surrounded by large moats, with the South Gate, the palace of Supreme Harmony, the Forbidden City, where the Emperor used to live with his close family. In the afternoon, we visit Minh Mang’s mausoleum. Dinner with local specialties.


DAY 08: HUE / DANANG / HOI AN

Heading to Hoi An, passing through’ the “pass of he clouds”, Arrive in Danang, visit the CHAM museum, that gathers the most beautiful collection of CHAM sculptures. Our journey continues to Hoi An. Lunch, visit of Hoi An City, previously called Faifo, classified at the world heritage by UNESCO. HoiAn is a perfect example of Vietnamese classic architecture, with the covered bridge, the houses of precious wood, dating from the 17th century, the communal houses of the congregations of Canton and Phuc Kien, and the numerous silk shops; bicycle rides through the cozy old little streets. Dinner in town. Overnight in our hotel.


DAY 09: HOIAN / KONTUM

Through the Ho Chi Minh trail, national road 14. Early morning departure through the national road 14, old Ho Chi Minh trail, testimony of the Vietnam war. This new road, called Transnational, should make more space to the national 1, famous coastal road, called “Mandarine Route“. We pass through Kham Duc, winding through primary forest and rapids. This is true jungle! Continuing the transnational road, by passing through the mountain pass of LOXO: nice minority villages are gathering along the road. Further, it is the boundaries of the 3 countries: Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Visit of the DAKRIPENG village (Sedang minority) and the “Phoenix“ airfield. Arrival in Kontum in late afternoon. Dinner and accommodation.


DAY 10: KONTUM

Heading to the village of KONKETU, crossing the hanging bridge KONKLOR for a pedestrian visit of the Konjuri village. Trekking in the jungle to reach the village of KONBAH. Picnic lunch and bathing in the clear, unspoiled waters of the DAKBLA river. Back to Konteku village. Unforgettable experience in a pirogue trip on the river…! Show of Banar danses and songs, we will dance with the villagers around a big wood fire. Tasting rice alcohol from a big jar, with a long bamboo straw. Overnight in the village, in the communal house.


DAY11: KONTUM / PLEIKU / BAN ME THUOT

Continuing our visits of KONTUM: the wooden church, the very nice house of the archbishop, considered as a museum, then the village of Pleitonghia. Lunch at Pleiku, then continuing to Ban Me Thuot, visit of the ethnographic museum. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel.


DAY 12: BAN ME THUOT / SAIGON

We can find large coffee plantations in central highland. Visit of Ban Me Thuot by road, we go to the JUN village. Elephant ride, then we cross the river to visit another village called M’Lieng. Little walk to meet the villagers, lunch, then back to Ban Me Thuoc. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Saigon /Ho chi Minh City.


DAY 13: SAIGON / BENTRE

From Saigon, we drive to Ben Tre. Visit of the Turtle island. This island remains still original with its country houses, its little canals edged with water coconut trees. Cart trip, driven by a horse, tasting local tea with honey, and listening to typical folkloric songs of South Vietnam. Lunch in an orchard, then return to Saigon. Visit the Binh Tay Market , full of all kind of consuming goods, the temple of the Heaven Lady Thien Hau.


DAY 14: SAIGON - DEPARTURE

Visit Saigon city in the morning: the “Notre-Dame” Cathedral, the Post Office building, transfer to the international airport, end of our services.


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