ITINERARY:
HANOI – LAO CAI (-/-/-)
DAY 1SAT 20:05 hrs pick up at hotel in Hanoi and transfer to Hanoi train station. Overnight train trip to Lao Cai in shared sleeping compartments of regular train (sharing with other passengers in 2 lower & 2 upper berths per compartment). Train departs at approximately 21:15hrs.
Please note that the train is a local experience. Cabins are shared with other local passengers (unless private cabin is requested and all berths paid for - with supplement). Communal rest rooms at either end of the carriages complete the local experience.
LAO CAI - MUONG KHUONG - SAPA (B/L/-)
DAY 2 SUN Early morning (approx. 06:00AM), arrival at Lao Cai, the border town to Yunnan. Transfer to local restaurant for refreshment & breakfast. A 2-hour drive through scenic mountain areas brings you to Muong Khuong, a small settlement bordering Chinas Yunnan province. Every Sunday the otherwise sleepy town is transformed into a bustling place full with various ethnic minorities. Here visitors can meet more of Lao Cai’s colourful Flower H’mong people, plus Nung, Dzao Tuyen, Tu Di and a number of other ethnic groups such as the Thu Lao, the Pa Di, the La Chi and the highly-photogenic Lo Lo. Drive back Laocai. Lunch at local restaurant then continue to drive (38km) on winding roads up the mountains brings you to Sapa. Arrival & check in hotel. Overnight in Sapa.
SAPA - HAM RONG MOUNTAIN - TA PHIN - SAPA (B/L/-)
DAY 3 MON In the morning, short hike to visit it’s mystic rock formations (HAM RONG MOUNTAIN), rare orchids and flowers. Enjoy a minority show performed by the young minority ladies and men. On clear days you also get a good view over Sapa town. Visit the so-called “stone forest”, then walk back to Sapa. After lunch at a local restaurant, drive to Ta Phin village. Lying in a hillside meadow, it is home to Red Dzao and Hmong people. Return to Sapa for overnight.
SAPA - LAO CAI - HANOI (B/L/-)
DAY 4TUE At leisure for own activities (check-out time at hotel is 12:00 noon). Late afternoon, pick-up and transfer to Lao Cai. Explore the Lao Cai market, then transfer to train station. Overnight train trip to Hanoi in shared sleeping compartments of regular train (sharing with other passengers in 2 lower & 2 upper berths per compartment). Train departs at approximately 20:15hrs.
Optional tour to Coc Ly tribal market - Lunch included (surcharge applies):
Depart Sapa for Coc Ly tribal market which offers the chance to see H’mong and Dzao minority people in their most colourful costumes. Take a boat trip downstream on Chay river with picnic lunch. Enjoy scenic views from the river and trek to visit villages of Dzao and Tay minorities on the way. Disembark and drive back Lao Cai.
Explore Lao Cai market, then transfer to train station Overnight train trip to Hanoi in shared sleeping compartments of NORMAL TRAIN (sharing with other passengers in 2 lower & 2 upper berths per compartment). Train departs at approximately 20:15hrs.
HANOI (-/-/-)
DAY 5 WED Early morning (at approximately 06:00AM), arrival in Hanoi. Transfer to hotel in Hanoi (accommodation in Hanoi is not included) or to airport for departure flight (with surcharge).
SPP05
|
ALL RATES ARE NET IN US$ (01/11/09 - 31/10/10)
|
Tour by private car/coach with private guide per person in a party of
|
HOTEL CATEGORY
|
1 pax
|
2 pax
|
3-5 pax
|
6-9 pax
|
10-14 pax
|
15 +1 Pax
|
20 +1 pax
|
Sgl-Sur
|
Tourist
|
556
|
332
|
273
|
218
|
190
|
189
|
185
|
32
|
Superior
|
634
|
377
|
318
|
264
|
235
|
233
|
230
|
64
|
First
|
794
|
450
|
392
|
337
|
319
|
RQ
|
RQ
|
150
|
Deluxe
|
828
|
468
|
408
|
355
|
336
|
RQ
|
RQ
|
167
|
Surcharge Coc Ly
|
76
|
43
|
30
|
28
|
24
|
24
|
24
|
-
|
Surcharge for German SG
|
15
|
8
|
5
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
Our tour prices are inclusive of transfers and tours with English, German or French speaking guide, accommodation in shared twin rooms with air-condition and private bath room, meals as specified in the program (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner), local train ticket Hanoi - Lao Cai in shared compartment with 4 soft berths, entrance fees.
Not included are surcharges for other language guides, optional tours, compulsory gala dinners during festive seasons and peak season surcharges, which will be advised at time of booking.
Notes: The train trip is a local experience. Cabins are shared with other local passengers (unless private cabin is requested and all berths paid for). Communal rest rooms at either end of the carriages complete the local experience. Train schedule is subject to change without prior notice.
Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.