Group of IIlenia Barile

Hi Lam,

Thanks for the beautiful photos you sent us. We remember our wonderful trip you organized for us. Everything was as perfect as your company when you accompanied us.

We’ve made so many laughs and so many beautiful cycling. We will never forget you and we hope that one day we will meet again. We also send you wishes for a serene Christmas and a prosperous New Year. You are really a special person.

A hug Marco E Ilenia

Group: Ilenia Barile e Marco Dell’Agelo

Travel date: 17/10/2012 – 8/11/2012

TOUR DETAILS

Day 01: Welcome to Hanoi (-/-/-)

Fly to Saigon. Upon arrival to the airport, you well be met by our guide and transfer to you hotel. Free dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Hanoi, the political capital of Vietnam from 1010 to the present, means in Vietnamese “city in the rivers”, which in this case is Red. Hanoi looks like a typical French town of the beginning of the century, with avenues, parks, monuments and a crowded center of shops and colors.

Day 02: Hanoi visit (B/L/D)

At 09:00AM, our waiting guide and driver will welcome you at your hotel and transfer us to Temple of Literature. Following is a visit to The Presidential Palace (formerly Palace of the Governor-General of French Indochina), Ho Chi Minh’s house-on-stilt and nearby One Pillar Pagoda. Then followed by Tran Quoc Pagoda.

In the afternoon, visit Van Mieu literally translated “Temple of Literature” which is wel-known in Vietnam for a combination of Confucian sanctuary and academy, the centre also housed the country’s first university, founded in 1076. We have time to wander through the stone tablets and soak up a thousand years of learning with our local guide. Lunch break in a local restaurant.

Next is Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake Walking tour. Followed by, we travel by rickshaw cyclo (traditional bike-propelled cart) and foot along tree-lined boulevards and through the 1000-year-old Old Quarter, exploring the markets and taking in some of the city’s great colonial architecture.

We finish day by visiting Ngoc Son Temple.

Dinner with the Vietnamese family: Amo Travel’s special product.

Accommodation in hotel.

Day 03: Hanoi / Ninh Binh -Tam Coc / Hanoi (B/L/-)

Depart for Ninh Binh through the lush vegetation of the Red River. Continuation to Tam Coc. Traditional boat ride over the river lapping the karst hills and paddles. This place, whose beauty somehow exceeds that of Halong Bay, is called “Halong Terrestrial,” where only the song of birds comes to disturb this “other world” scene.

Lunch in a local restaurant.

Depart en biciletta (4km) to visit  Bich Dong Cave. Path to Hoalu through rural villages, limestone rocks and paddles affecting the imagination. View of Hoalu, Vietnam’s Old Capital for 41 years under Dinh and Le dynasties. There are still two beautiful sanctuaries dedicated to Kings Le and Dinh, the first unifiers of the country. In addition to these shrines, the region is worth a detour for its rolling hills and its very picturesque rocky landscapes. Return to Hanoi.

Free dinner. Accommodation at the hotel.

Day 04: Hanoi biking – Train to Lao Cai (B/L/-)

In the morning

Do you think that you could discover Hanoi like the local? A biking product of Amo Travel called “Hidden Hanoi” was created by three young Hanoians in order to show you many other surprising secrets hidden in the zigzag alley ways in Ngoc Ha Flower village and discovering many former traditional handicraft villages around West Lake which are now replaced beautiful villas and to a floating driving range in the Red River with its kumquat and peach blossoms.

Join us with HIDDEN HANOI biking tours.

GET ON A BIKE, SEE THE CITY

OUR CHARITY PROJECT – BIKING FOR BIKES

Experience the city like the locals do!!!

From the mystifying shores of the red river to the dazzling old quarter, our cycling tours will take you through picturesque backstreets, narrow alleys and wide boulevards. Discover the soul of the city and meet real people.

“Hidden Hanoi” surprising secrets hidden in the alleyways round the West Lake & Serene Ngoc Ha Flower Village & Red Riverside

WHAT DO OUR CLIENTS SAY?

Had a great time, enjoyed seeing the ‘off beaten track’ parts of Hanoi – tiny narrow  streets and markets, farm land – all so lively and real.

Fantastic guide! Excellent bike tour. A great way to explore Hanoi!

Excellent quality bike!

In the evening, transfer to the station for the train to Lao Cai.

Overnight in train.

Day 05: Lao Cai – Coc Ly Market – Sapa (B/L/-)

Morning:

Being on an early drive to Coc Ly, which is 130 km far from Sapa, you would walk through colorful market of hill tribe people such as: Flower Hmong, Phu La and Dao Tuyen, … who gather there for goods’ exchange.

Afternoon:

After lunch, you keep moving by car to Trung Do and have a short trek of around 4km for Tay people’s village visiting. Then you get on boat of nearly 1.5 hours up the Chay river for experiencing the magnificent sights of natural caves and the Raining waterfalls. Your driver would wait for you at Bao Nhai – the boating stop to take you back to Lao Cai ‘s Tran Hung Dao temple, the long live banian  tree, the 12 zodiac-signs park, and the Chinese Vietnamese borderline. After all, you have time for freshing up at the hotel before moving to train station for overnight train back to Hanoi.

Note: The sample itinerary for Bac Ha on Sunday: depend on your departure. You could visit:

•   Coc Ly market:                 Tuesday
•   Cao Son market:             Wednesday
•   Lung Khau Nhin:             Thursday
•   Can Cau:                          Saturday

Day 06 : Trekking at Sapa: Y Linh Ho – Lao Chai – Ta Van Village – Train to Hanoi (B/L/-)

Breakfast at hotel.

Your guide would wait to see you to start the trekking along the vast Muong Hoa valley with terraced fields lying on, heading to Lao Chai and Ta Van villages of H’mong and Tay people. Here, there are 3 options for you: the soft trek (at only 3 km), medium trek (around 6 km) or long trek (nearly 12 km). For each, you would have chance to imbue the well-preserved unique culture and traditions of the north ethnic minorities.

Day 07 : Trekking at Sapa: Y Linh Ho – Ta Van – Giang Ta Chai Village – Train to Hanoi (B/L/-)

Your guide would wait to see you to start the trekking along the vast Muong Hoa valley with terraced fields lying on, heading to Giang Ta Chai and Ta Van villages of H’mong and Tay people. Here, there are 3 options for you: the soft trek (at only 3 km), medium trek (around 6 km) or long trek (nearly 12 km). For each, you would have chance to imbue the well-preserved unique culture and traditions of the north ethnic minorities.

Day 08: Hon Gai Harbour – Bai Tu Long Bay – Cap La (B/L/D)
07.45  Pick up at your hotel in Hanoi by shuttle bus.
12.00   Embark at Hon Gai International harbour.
13.00   Check-in, enjoy a welcoming drink and cruise briefing.
13.30 Have lunch while cruising in the magnificent Bai Tu Long Bay, admiring the fascinating rock formations in the bay.
15.00   Cruise to Cap La.
16.30   Enjoy paddling around Cap La and Tra San by kayak.
17.45   Back to junk for swimmingor relaxation.
19.00   Have dinner and stay overnight on board.

Day 09: Cap La – Cong Dam – Cong Do (B/L/D)
07.30 Enjoy the bay’s morning landscape with a cup of tea or coffee. Have breakfast in the open air.
08.30 Cruise to Cong Dam while appreciating the rock formations of Halong Bay.
09:00 Kayak through hidden lagoons and Cong Damgeological park.
11.30 Sunbathe, relax or swim at Tra Gioi Beach.
12.30 BBQ lunch followed by relaxation on this deserted beach.
14:30 Visit Cong Dam Fishing Village by a rustic rowing boat, meat the local peopleand pass through the lagoons.
16.00 Cruise back to Cong Do for swimming or kayaking.
19.00 Have dinner and stay overnight on board.

Day 10: Cong Do – Thien Canh Son – Hon Gai Harbour – Hanoi – Flight to Hue (B/L/-)
07.30 Enjoy the fresh air and gentle breezes of the bay in the morning while having breakfast on board.
08.30 Visit Thien Canh Son Cave followed by swimming.
10.30 Cruise towards the harbour while an a la carte lunch is served.
11.45 Disembark. Farewell.
15.45 Arrive in Hanoi airport for flight to Hue.

Upon arrival, welcome by guide e driver. Transfer to hotel.

Accomodation in hotel.

Day 11: Hue visit (B/L/-)

The Hue Citadel is situated on the Northern bank of the Perfume River. It covers an area 500 ha and has a system of three circles of ramparts: Kinh Thanh Hue (Hue Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel) and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel). The Hue royal complex has been officially recognized by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

In the morning, enjoy a scenic boat trip on the Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda or Heavenly Lady pagoda, one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious worship in Hue. Situated 4 km upstream on the banks of the Perfume River, it is an active Buddhist monastery with its origins dating back to 1601.

Visit the Imperial Citadel of Hue with the Purple Forbidden City.

Lunch at a local restaurant then transfer to Minh Mang Royal Tomb, the Emperor of the Imperial City built his own tomb during his reign and today you will visit one of the most beautiful mausoleums.

Day 12: Hue – Danang – Hoi An visit (B/L/-)

Morning transfer to Hoi An.

Stop to visit the pass of Hai Van (Cloud Pass) where the sky, the mountain and the sea reach. Visit the Sculpture Village under Marble Mountain with Linh Ung Pagoda.

Arrival in Hoi An. Free dinner and accomodation in hotel.

Day 13: Hoi An – My Son – Hoi An visita (B/L/-)

Breakfast then transfer to My Son. The main temples in My Son sanctuary worshiped a set of Linga or an image of Siva – a genie who protect the king lineages of Champa. The god who is worshiped at here is Bhadresvara, the king who founded the first ruling dynasty of the Amaravati region in the late fourth century.

Return to Hoi An. We take a walking tour through the narrow streets, visiting a number of attractions in town: the PhucKien Assembly Hall, the Chua Ong Pagoda, the Japanese Covered Bridge, the hundred-year old merchant house … and colorful local markets. Hoi An is also famous for its large number of tailor shops, so if you want to have a new wardrobe made up, this is the time to do it.

Overnight in hotel.

Day 14: Bicycle Tour at the Tra Que Village Village – Hoi An (B /L/-)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Then take a bicycle ride to the Tra Que Village (5km) for the discovery of the rural life that takes place there. When you arrive at a family home in Tra Que we will have the chance to refresh ourselves before we begin the lesson. We work together with our Family Chef to learn the best and traditional Vietnamese cooking. Lunch at homestay. A foot massage before leaving Tra Que.

Return to Hoi An. Free dinner and accomdation in hotel.

Day 15: Hoi An – Danang – Flight to Hanoi (B/L/-)

Free time. 08h45 Transfer to the airport to take flight to Saigon. On arrival, reception and transfer to hotel (Without guide).

The rest of the day is free.

Day 16: Saigon – Tay Ninh –  Cu Chi Visit – Saigon visit (B/L/-)

Breakfast at hotel.

At 08:30. Transfer to Cao Dai Temple which is very beautiful at 12h00 with its special mass.

Stop for lunch at local restaurant.

In the afternoon visit Cu Chi Tunnel, located about 70km northwest of Sai Gon city. The incredible underground tunnel network of Cu Chi stretches for more than 250 km and becomes legendary during the American War. The entire tunnel architecture has been built by providing it with habitable areas, food storage stores, gun factory, command center and dormitories. During the excursion you will visit a large tunnel section to experience the thrill of the underground life. Return to the city.

Accomodation in hotel.

Day 17: Saigon – Cai Be – Vinh Long – Can Tho (B/L/-)

After breakfast, transfer along the panoramic path between the countryside and the huge paddles, in the direction of Vinh Long (140km). The program begins with a visit to the colorful Cai Be floating market and local shops where you can see how rice pies, coconut candies and popcorn and pop rice are made. Particularly interesting is the visit to the villages where daily life today as in the past coincides with all its tradition and wisdom in preparing and packaging handicraft products: spring rolls, fish sauce and soy sauce , kitchen facilities and coconut leaves for cottages. Lunch will be served in the shade of fruit on An Binh Island, enjoying the famous Fried Mekong Elephant Ear Fish. After lunch, a rowing boat will take you through the countryside through the smallest canals to open moments of peace. It is interesting to see the traditional houses made with wood and palm leaves and some of the local farmers’ activities, such as catching fish or collecting the fruits ancestrally. Stay at the Nursery Garden where to learn how to pick the best quality fruits followed by Mr.Tiger’s advice and his son who have been very successful in farming in Vietnam. You will taste some of the fruits of your garden and home-made wine, listening to traditional music. With the boat you continue for another floating village where you will be able to catch the fish under the houses. Meeting with the private car at Vinh Long and transfer to Can Tho.

Arrival at Can Tho. Free dinner and accomodation in hotel.

Day 18: Can Tho – Cai Rang Market – Flight to Phu Quoc (B/L/-)

Early in the morning, after breakfast, you will enjoy a pleasant boat ride to explore one of the tributaries of Low Mekong (the Bassac River), then go to the Cai Rang floating market, which is perhaps the most lively in the region.

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Phu Quoc.

Upon arrival, transfer to hotel. Free dinner and accomodation in hotel.

Day 19-22: Phu Quoc Free (B/-/-)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Free Day to relax in the beach.

Free meals. Accommodation at the hotel.

Day 23: Phu Quoc / Saigon departure (B/-/-)

Breakfast at hotel. Free time before transfer (without guide) to the airport for flight to Saigon then departure flight.