Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

When you arrive at the Noi Bai International airport you’ll be met by our friendly guide. We’ll get you to your hotel and see that you’re comfortable, plus we’ll give you an introduction to the city at the same time. Then the rest of the day is yours to settle in, relax, and explore the area.

Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital city and home to seven million people. Traditional and refined with French colonial architecture, tree-lined boulevards, scenic lakes and a bustling Old Quarter, Hanoi has a sophisticated charm. Observe locals practicing Tai Chi by the lake, with barbers and food vendors plying their sidewalk trade. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Sightseeing of Hanoi (B, L)

You’ll have your breakfast at the hotel and then the local tour guide will pick you up to take you into the capital city of Vietnam. Hanoi is over 1,000 years old and during your day tour, you’ll get to explore many of its fascinating cultural and historical sites. You’ll visit the imposing Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where the preserved body of “Uncle Ho” has been laid to rest, the delicate One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc Temple, and the Quan Thanh Pagoda.

 

After lunch you can go to the Temple of Literature where you’ll get to see ancient Vietnamese relics, then you choose to go to Hoa Lo prison or Art/Women/ History Museum before experiencing railway street. You’ll end your day with a show at the water puppet theater – a beautifully unique cultural performance from northern Vietnam.

Day 3: Hanoi – Pu Luong – Village life and Water wheels walk (B, L, D)

AM: You enter Pu Luong Nature Reserve by road via a breathtaking mountain pass giving you a panoramic view of the whole valley. You arrive at your accommodation in time for a delicious lunch, followed by free time to explore the beautiful retreat, with its captivating panoramic views and tranquil setting.

PM: You will be transferred to a place, it about 12 km from the Retreat, where you will start your walk to suspension bridge over the Cham River, afterward you will walk follow the river, the landscape of the river, rice field and the village were widened in your eyes, walk from village to village in search of stunning water wheels. Get up close to each wheel and discover how water is moved from river to handmade bamboo aqueducts via simple constructions of all sizes.

Arriving at Chieng Lau village, where you can take a rest and enjoy tranquil streamside scenery. Walk to the main road to be transferred back to Pu Luong Retreat for dinner.

Day 4: Pu Luong Discovery – Enthralling trekking routes (B, L, D)

AM: Start early to descend into the beautiful valley facing the Retreat where you walk around tumbling rice terraces. Trek through small paths shrouded in vegetation to slowly reveal a picturesque village sitting at the base of a towering mountain. Your camera will not be able to sit still! Continuing to the base of the valley, you weave between roads and farmland, villages and wild fields, ponds and rivers, mountains and open land. Savor the ever-changing scenery as you trek to a beautiful spot to enjoy a simple picnic lunch.

PM: After enjoying delicious food, you have free time to explore the refreshing water to the nearby river, before moving to our pick up point to be transferred back to the Retreat.

Day 5: Pu Luong – Village life and the community (B, L)

AM: You have the chance to get close to village life and interact with locals living in the hills above the Retreat. A glimpse at daily life, walk around working farmland and rice fields and learn about making weaving colorful textiles, followed by lunch at the Lodge.

PM: Check out the Lodge. We leave Puluong for Ninh Binh. Upon arrival, check-in hotel & rest. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Hotel in Ninh Binh

Day 6: Ninh Binh discovery Hanoi (B, L)

After breakfast, our tour guide takes you to Tam Coc. Boarding the sampan to go along the Ngo Dong river to visit 3 caves. Biking around Tam Coc (optional with surcharge applied-around USD 5/bike).

12h00 – 12h15: Having lunch. Going to visit Hoa Lu ancient capital of Viet Nam.

We will visit Ding king temple and Le king temple in the 10th century, finding out the heroic histories of these two king in Chinese Wars. Keep going to visit Mua cave. The place attracts visitors with its many interesting stories. Climb 500 stone steps, here you can see all the way to Tam Coc, enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the countryside and Ngo Dong river.

 

Get on the car to return Hanoi. Arrive Hanoi, free at leisure.

Day 7: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B, L, D)

We’ll pick you up at hotel in Hanoi and drive through the verdant Red River Delta to make our way to the famous UNESCO World Heritage site, Halong Bay. You’ll board a luxury junk ship for an overnight cruise– while you relax on-board you can marvel at the incredible limestone karsts that jut out of the sea and the thousands of jungle-covered islands that seem to float on the waves. The turquoise waters of the Gulf of Tonkin swirl around hidden grottoes and ancient caves to create an enchanting, timeless world.

We’ll serve you a fresh seafood lunch while you sit back and relax as you enjoy the incredible view with a drink in your hand. We’ll take you to a traditional fishing village where the locals have created an entire town on the decks of their boats, then you can explore Tien Ong Cave before returning to the cruise for cocktails, canapés, and a spectacular sunset. End your day with a romantic, candlelit dinner. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Overnight on cruise

Day 8: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B, L)

Begin the day with a Tai Chi class on deck in the early morning mist or just admire the beautiful scenery as the sun rises over the azure waters. Choose between an excursion to a secluded island with a sandy beach for a swim or join the chef for a cooking demonstration to learn more about Vietnamese cuisine.

Enjoy a leisurely brunch while your cruise Halong Bay, passing islets and caves as you make your way back to the dock. Your driver will meet you when you disembark and transfer you to Hanoi.

What's Included

– Hotel accommodation

– Tours and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicles

– Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)

– English speaking guide

– All entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary

– Halong Bay Cruise

– Boat trips as mentioned in the itinerary

– Coldwater and towel during tours

What's Not Included

– Visa stamp fee

– International flight arrival and departure

– Other meal, drink

– Tip to guide and driver, personal expenses