Vietnam Adventure with Vittorio Comiti

Also this year we were entrusted with AMOVIETNAM for a Tour with a bit different from that of 2 years ago. This time, AMOVIETNAM made us ride out of the usual circuits followed by most tourists, in fact throughout the trip we almost never encountered people who were not Vietnamese. I can not say that it was a relaxing trip (indeed), hundreds of miles on paths (roads?) Like mulattoers, homestay accommodations (summary comfort) but we were rewarded by lovely landscapes and unbelievable people, definitely a experience to repeat in other areas of this amazing country … What to say … THANKS TO GEMMA who prepared impeccably the Tour, EXCEPTIONAL guide throughout the Tour, thank you and thank you for the rest of your STAFF … We will be back  for sure.

Group: Vittorio Comiti and friends (4 people)

Travel date: 14/01/2015 – 25/01/2015

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: 14 Jan. Arrival in Hanoi (-/-/-)

Arrival at Hanoi International Airport by flight: VN610 BKK HAN 1155 1410, clearance of border formalities and visa issuance. Welcome from the driver of Amo Travel and transfer to the hotel.

The rest of the day is free.

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.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: 15 Jan. Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Mai Hich (B / L / D)

Guide to Italian

8:00. 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. 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 King Le and Dinh, the country’s first unifiers. In addition to these shrines, the region is worth a detour for its rolling hills and its very picturesque rocky landscapes.

It continues for the valley of Mai Chau, a typical stop on the Diên Biên Phu road. Visit authentic villages where you are greeted by Thai ethnicities in their homes on stilts. Observation of the daily lives of the locals and lunch served directly on the ground. Musical Performance and Popular Dances with Tasting grappa in a jar with bamboo cannucia, specialties of the region (optional for a group of more than 10 people).

Overnight at the residents in traditional houses on Mai Hich piles (summary comfort).

Day 3: 16 Jan. Mai Hich trekking (B/L/D)

Guide to Italian

In the morning, enjoy the pure and fresh atmosphere of the forest – great way to catch the day.

7.00 – 8.00: Buffet breakfast according to Thai minority style.

Trekking through rice terraces, bamboo forest visiting Thai villages.

An unforgettable lunch with local food served at Buoc Village.

Leisure to relax. Return to the village of Mai Hich.

19.00 Traditional Thai dinner served in music and dance.

Overnight at homestay.

Day 04: 17 Jan. Mai Hich – Mai Chau – Hoa Binh – Hanoi (B/L/-)  

Our driver and guide will meet you at your hotel and take you along highway 6 to Mai Chau: a small town nestled in the midst of a lush valley and surrounded by emerald-green rice fields. Enjoy picturesque views of the scenic landscape, sown with pagodas and rural villages. Stop along the way to visit the Muong tribe and then at Thung Khe Pass for a spectacular view of Mai Chau Valley.

Upon arrival make a short visit in the villages of Pom Coong, Na Phon and Lac then drive to Mai Hich where you could have authentic lunch with a local family of the White Thai Tribe and enjoy some free time to acquaint yourself with the villagers and

In the afternoon, biking through terraced rice paddies and small villages, discovering the natural beauty of the valley and encountering the culture of the ethnic minority Thai people.

Return to Hanoi. Overnight at hotel.

Day 05: 18 Jan.  Hanoi – Ba Be (B/L/D) 

Guide to Italian

After breakfast.

07.30- 08.00 Transfer to Ba Be crossing Thai Nguyen. During the journey, short breaks to visit the tribal villages.

Arriving in Ba early in the afternoon. Homestay check in the Pac Ngoi village  of the ethnic minority of Tay. The rest of the time to discover the scenery around the lake.

Dinner at homestay and overnight at homestay.

Day 06: 19 Jan. Ba Be lake (B/L/D)

Guide in Italian

Breakfast.

07.30 -08.00 Boat on  Babe lake. The “tremari” lake, which extends over 9 km long and wide from 100 to 1800 m, lies at 145 m altitude. It is at the outlet of 3 valleys that rejoin the circle. Babe is not just a place for those who love to dream, but also for nature lovers. There are about 40 species of mammals, and more than a hundred species of birds and numerous butterflies. Visit the Dau Dang waterfalls and hike in the surroundings. Boating on the Nang River flowing in a cultivated countryside before entering a landscape of limestone Babe cliffs. On the sides of these cliffs are hanging small wild gardens hanging lane and long roots in search of the earth. The other attraction of navigation is the fishing spectacle. Nasse follows the course of the river, men throw nets, others strike the rocky valleys to toss their tiny shrimp. You enter the tunnel-cave Puong. The river flows only on one side leaving a space allowing you to admire the cave stalactites on foot. Lunch served at Hien tribe Tay’s home, one who lives on the bank of the river.

Return to the boat to return to homestay. On foot we visit the Bac Ngoi Village where the Tay live – a minority with about 1.1 million members and live more in the valleys of North East Vietnam.

Dinner and overnight at homestay

Day 7: 20 Jan. Ba Be – Bao Lac (B/L/-)

Guide to Italian

Breakfast at homestay.

08.00 Transfer to Bao Lac. Arrival to Bao Lac town in the afternoon. Check in hotel and in the afternoon, eruption at the village of Khon Khuoi where there are about 70 Lolo families and still hold the economy self-reliant. In the past, Lo Lo and so ‘as many other tribes’ practice cuts and burns the gods. They fled to Vietnam for China’s civil war.

You will not be able to visit this village without a special permit. This community is unique and unique in Vietnam because it is not affected by consumption in Vietnam.

Living in a closed community and depending on the rainy season for rice cultivation, Lo Lo’s life seems to come back to an era, and as if living in a unique oasis.

They fear malignant spirits, tigers, wolves and wild animated ones. At nightfall, they hide in the darkness of their home by joining around the kitchen light and listening to the popular antique stories.

Return to hotel in the afternoon.

Day 8: 21 Jan. Bao Lac – Dong Van. (B/L/-)

Guide to Italian

Breakfast at hotel.

8:00. Transfer directly to Dong Van, a mountainous district of Ha Giang province. Travel along the incredible Ma Pi Leng Pass which is well-known for its spectacular scenery. You will make lots of stops for viewing the scenery and for a short walk along the way before paying a visit to a village of the Hmong people.

After arriving in Dong Van, the northernmost town of Vietnam at about 10:00, enjoy an hour walking through the valley and exploring the market and ancient streets. 

Day 9: 22 Jan. Dong Van Market – Lung Cu – Pho Bang – King’s House of H ‘Mong – Ha Giang (B/L/D)

Guide to Italian

After breakfast, 08.00 visit the market. Departure for Lung Cu, the peak of North Vietnam.

Transfer to Lung Tam and stop to visit H’Mong’s ancient palace before returning to the other side of Dong Van and head for 4C national road to Ha Giang. During the trip, stop at Pho Cao and Quan Ba ​​to take photos. Short breaks in the countryside and on the road are possible depending on the travelers.

Arrival late in the afternoon to homestay at Ha Giang. Dinner and Homestay at night.

Note: The Dong Van market takes place only on Sundays.

Day 10: 23 Jan. Ha Giang – Sapa (B/L/-)

Guide to Italian. Breakfast at hotel.

7:30. Transfer to Sapa.

Free time to discover Sapa. Free dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 11: 24 Jan. Sapa – Hang Da – Sau Chau – Hau Thao – Lao Cai – Hanoi (B/L/-)

Guide to Italian

8:00. Trekking around nearby villages to Sapa admiring landscapes. It is possible to talk with locals and tribes. Check out hotel and transfer to Hanoi return train station. The train starts at about 7pm.

Overnight on the train.

Day 12: 25 Jan. Hanoi arrival – departure (B/-/-)

Arrive at hanoi about 5am in the morning. Walk to New Moon hotel for relaxation.

Breakfast at hotel.

8:30.Transfer to the airport for the departing flight.