4WD North West Vietnam Adventure with Mrs.Ellen Chamber

4 WD North West Vietnam Adventure and Central Vietnam

With: Ms.Ellen Chambers
Travel Date: 19 April 2014
Travel Duration: 25 days

Photo of the trip:  

DETAILED ITINERARY:

Day 1: 19/04/14 : Hanoi Arrival:
Upon arrival, meet with your guide at airport for a private transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Hotel.

Meals:  N/A
Hotel:    Angle Palace

Day 2: 20/04/14: Hanoi Free Time
Free time at leisure

Meals:  N/A
Hotel:    Angle Palace

Day 3 – Day 4: 21/04/14 – 22/04/14: Hanoi Free Time
Free time at leisure

Meals:  N/A
Hotel:    Angle Palace

Day 5: 23/04/14: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Mai Hich (/L/D)
Depart from Hanoi to Mai Chau – the peaceful valley to the West of Hanoi. Drive from Hanoi to Luong Son, and then turn onto a hidden road to Kim Boi which passes through great scenery of lime stone mountains and terraced rice fields. This route is longer but much more beautiful than the regular route to Mai Chau via Hoa Binh.  Then drive up to top of Cun steep, pass by Cao Phong and Man Duc to Thung Khe and Thung Nhuoi passes. This is one of the most scenic drives of the day. Upon arrival at Mai Chau, check in and have lunch at a local house of the Thai people in Pom Coong village. This afternoon we will take a walk around the valley to visit some nearby villages, carpeted green rice fields and Mai Chau town. Dinner and overnight in the long house of Thai people.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hotel: Homestay

Day 6: 24/04/14: Mai Hich – Son La (B/-/-)
This morning we will drive to Son La. On the way we will take a short trek through the jungle to visit the hidden village of the Muong people on the beautiful plateau overlooking the Da River. Then back to the car to drive to Son La through the areas of the Mong and Thai people.  Then we drive over some beautiful passes, then along the river with villages of the Thai people located on the bank. Cross a typical suspension bridge on the river to visit a village of Thai people before arriving at Son La.  Overnight in Son La.

Meals:  breakfast, lunch
Hotel:    Hanoi Hotel, 01 Twin

Day 7: 25/04/14: Son La – Tuan Giao – Dien Bien Phu (B/-/-)
The morning we visit Old French prison of Son La old Prison then depart for Muong Lay. Drive over Pha Din, one of the most famous pass in the North of Vietnam. Enjoy the great scenery and visit Red Mong village on the pass. That can explain the name of the pass in Thai language is the place where Heaven and Earth meat. After lunch at Tuan Giao, keep driving to Dien Bien Phu over the beautiful area of White Mong people on unpopular

You will reach Dien Bien Phu early in the afternoon and spend the rest of the day visiting the historical site of the Vietnamese French war. Dien Bien Phu Museum and A 1 Hill are on the list to see. Dinner and stay overnight in Dien Bien Phu.

Meals:  breakfast, lunch
Hotel:    Muong Thanh Hotel, 01 Twin

Day 8: 26/04/14: Dien Bien Phu – Sin Ho – Lai Chau (B/-/-)
Upon leaving Sin Ho, we spend a full day traveling through Vietnam’s most mountainous region. In the morning, the road will take us through the cloud from Sin Ho to Lai Chau the beautiful town located in green terrace tea plantation. You will have change to integrate to Red Mong, Dao and Lu people along the way.

Meals:  breakfast, lunch
Hotel:    Muong Thanh Hotel, 01 Twin

Day 9: 27/04/14: Lai Chau – Sapa (B/-/-)|
After a bumpy morning drive through the most beautiful hidden landscapes of the north region, from Tam Duong to Binh Lu, we will pass over Hoang Lien Son Pass, where you can admire the most spectacular mountain scenery in the whole of Vietnam before arriving in Sa Pa. At an elevation of 1,500 meters, Sa Pa is a former French hill resort and home to some of Vietnam’s most colorful ethnic minority groups. After an orientation walk around the town, you will have a free afternoon to discover the town with its villas of French architecture, Church and Ham Rong Mountain.

Meals:  breakfast
Hotel:    Bamboo Sapa Hotel, 01 DBL Deluxe

Day 10: 28/04/14: Sapa Light Trekking (B/-/-)
This morning we have a chance to explore the villages of different ethnic groups around Sapa. First, we take a very beautiful drive from Sapa to the villages along the valley of Muong Hoa. H’mong girls appear here and there with baskets on their backs, strolling to the market to trade their domestic products. Our trek starts from Y Linh Ho to Lao Chai, village of the H’mong people. It is said that the H’mong were some of the first immigrants to this area. They are famous for their hand weaving and their terraced rice fields. We take a walk around the village and then walk to the village of Ta Van of the Giay people via the terraces and the trails, experiencing the diversity of the hill tribe people there. After that, you will be transferred back to Sapa by car. This afternoon, visit Ta Phin, the village of Dzao people.

Meals:  breakfast
Hotel:    Bamboo Sapa Hotel, 01 DBL Deluxe

Day 11 – Day 12: 29/04/14 – 30/04/14: Sapa Free Time (B/-/-)
Free time at leisure

Meals:  breakfast
Hotel:    Bamboo Sapa Hotel, 01 DBL Deluxe

Day 13: 01/05/14: Sapa Free Time – Night Train to Hanoi (B/-/-)
Free time, pick-up and transfer to station to take night train to Hanoi

Meals:  breakfast
Train:    Orient Express or Livitrans Train 02 soft berth in cabin of 4 berths

Day 14: 02/05/14: Hanoi Arrival
Upon arrival, transfer to hotel 

Meals:  breakfast
Train:    Chezlinhlinh House

Day 15: 03/05/14: Hon Gai – Bai Tu Long – Cap la (B/L/D)

07.45  Pick up at your hotel or at Water Puppet Show in Hanoi by shuttle bus. Halong Bay Cruise is join-in basis tour.
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 swimming or relaxation.
19.00   Have dinner and stay overnight on board.

Note:  Ha Long Bay is join-in basis tour and normally tour-guide is not on board.

Meals:  breakfast, lunch, dinner
Cruise: Dragon’s Pearl Cruise Type 11 cabin, 01 Twin

Day 16: 04/05/14: 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 Dam geological park.
11.30 Sunbath, 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 people and pass through the lagoons.
16.00 Cruise back to Cong Do for swimming or kayaking.
19.00 Have dinner and stay overnight on board.

Meals:  breakfast, lunch, dinner
Cruise: Dragon’s Pearl Cruise Type 11 cabin, 01 Twin

Day 17: 05/05/14: Cong Do – Thien Canh Son – Hon Gai – 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 harbor while an a la carte lunch is served.
11.45 Disembark. Farewell.
15.45 Arrive in Hanoi. End of trip. Flight to Hue

Your cruise will end at noon and you will meet your guide & driver for the trip back to Hanoi and then transfer to Chezlinhlinh House on your own.

Meals: breakfast, lunch
Train: Chezlinhlinh House

Day 18: 06/05/14: Hanoi Free Time
Free time at leisure! Pick-up and transfer to Noi Bai airport for your flight to Hue where your driver will await you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free and easy

Meals: breakfast
Hotel: Hue Queen Hotel, 01 twin

Day 19: 07/05/14: Visit Hue – Hue The Imperial City (B/-/-)
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.

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.

Lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Tu Duc 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.

Back to hotel, dinner is on your own and overnight in Hue.

Meals:  breakfast, lunch
Train:    Hue Queen Hotel, 01 twin

Day 20: 08/05/14: Hue – Hoian – The Traditional Ancient Town (B/-/-)
Depart for Hoi An. On the way, we will stop to visit Cham Museum – The Finest collection of Cham art in the world. Dinner tonight is on your own, allowing you to explore and sample the culinary specialties of Hoi An at your own pace. And don’t forget that this is the town famed for its great tailors; so if you brought anything with you to be replicated—or want to have some traditional Vietnamese dresses made—this is the spot.

Next, your guide will offer to lead you around Hoi An’s historic Old Town The picturesque riverside town of Hoi An, a major international trading port from the 15th to 19th centuries, has an enchanting Old Quarter full of mansions built by prosperous Japanese, Chinese, and European merchants. Enjoy a vivid sense of history as you walk the narrow streets, visiting houses, artisan workshops and the bustling fish market along the quay.

Meals: breakfast, lunch
Train: Phuoc An River Hotel, 01 twin                                                                                                                                      

Day 21 – Day 23: 09/05/14 – 11/05/14: Hoi An Free time (B/L/-)
Free time at leisure

Meals: breakfast
Train: Phuoc An River Hotel, 01 twin

Day 24: 12/05/14: Hoi An – Hanoi
Free time, pick-up and transfer Da Nang airport to take flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, pick-up and transfer to your hotel in Hanoi

Meals: breakfast
Train: Chezlinhlinh House

Day 25: 13/05/14: Hanoi Departure
Pick-up and transfer to Noi Bai airport to take flight home

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING AMO TRAVEL
XIN CHAO VA HEN GAP LAI!