This trip will offer heavy but fantastic treks in the mountainous areas and sightseeing in Hanoi and Halong Bay. You will enjoy the scenic landscapes and colorful cultures of the hill tribes.

Time duration: 17 days

Day 1: Home – Hanoi 

Arrival in Hanoi, the 1000-year-old capital city of Vietnam, met with the guide and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Afternoon: enjoy 1 hour rickshaw ride around the town center to be amazed by the unique hustle and bustle of the city. Overnight in Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi

Full day for exploring the fascinating city of Hanoi where old and new things blend together and Vietnamese, Chinese and French cultures mix together. Activities: a pleasant walk around the peaceful Ho Chi Minh area, another pleasant walk at the beautiful Temple of Literature, a fascinating walk through the famous 36 busy streets of the Old Quarter, and a good visit at the interesting Ethnology museum. The day is ended with an interesting water puppet performance. Overnight in Hanoi

Day 3: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Trekking to Sam Khoe village 

Morning check out the hotel, transfer to Mai Chau by coach. From Mai Chau, put on your backpack and start the adventure of trekking about 12 km to Sam Khoe village. Have picnic lunch on the way and enjoy the beautiful sceneries of green fields and the hospitality of the Thai and Black H’mong peoples. Overnight at home stay of the Thai people.

Day 4: Sam Khoe – Trekking to Pieng Ve village (14 km)

Breakfast and then the whole day trekking (6hrs) to more villages of H’Mong and Thai, lunch at the local stall, then passing the fields and villages to make our way to Pieng Ve village of the H’mong people, enjoy beautiful photo stops and nice chats on the way. Relax and overnight at home stay of H’mong people.

Day 5: Pieng Ve village – Trekking to Pa Co village – Transfer to Son La by coach 

Have breakfast and then trek (3hrs) to Pieng Ve village where you will have lunch and get back to the coach to be transferred to Son La. Overnight in Son La.

Day 6: Son La - Transfer to Dien Bien Phu by coach Have breakfast and then transfer to Dien Bien Phu city by coach. Enjoy the scenic ride along mountainous areas and long zigzag passes. Upon arrival in Dien Bien Phu, check in a hotel and have lunch. In the afternoon, visit the famous historic sites of the former battle field. Overnight in Dien Bien Phu.

Day 7: Dien Bien Phu – Transfer to Lai Chau by coach 

Have breakfast and then transfer to Lai Chau town located in a valley by coach. Enjoy the scenic ride along mountainous areas and long zigzag passes. Upon arrival in, check in a hotel and walk around in the valley. Overnight in Lai Chau.

Day 8: Lai Chau - Transfer to Sin Ho village by coach then trek to Phong Tho 

Have breakfast and then transfer to Sin Ho village by coach. From here we will trek to Phong Tho small town along dirt paths, green fields, and villages. After arrival in Phong Tho, have lunch, check in a hotel and enjoy more trekking to local villages in the neighbourhood in the afternoon. Overnight in Phong Tho.

Day 9: Phong Tho – Transfer to Sapa by coach 

Have breakfast and then transfer to Sapa by coach. Enjoy one of the most beautiful rides in Vietnam, covering the long zigzag Tram Ton pass (54km). Stop at the Silver Waterfall on the way.Upon arrival in Sapa, check in a hotel and relax. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 10: Sapa – Trekking to Ta Van village (10km) 

Have breakfast and then start another heavy trekking loop to Y Lin Ho village, Lao Chai Village and Ta Van village of the H’mong, Day peoples. Full day enjoy the breath-taking landscapes, the hospitality and interesting cultures of the hill tribes. Wash off the dirt at the river and relax at a home stay at Ta Van village. Overnight in Ta Van.

Day 11: Ta Van – Trekking to Thanh Phu village (12km) 

Leave Ta Van village and go along rice terraces to cover the heavy slops to and from Giang Ta chai village of the black H’mong group. Back to the main road and trek on to Thanh Phu village of the Tay people. Full day enjoy the beautiful landscapes, interesting cultures of the hill tribes, and have picnic lunch on the way. Overnight at a home stay in Thanh Phu village.

Day 12: Thanh Phu village – Trekking to Ban Ho village (10km) 

After breakfast, enjoy trekking to Nam Sai Village and Ban Ho village. Be impressed by the ways the H’mong, Dao, Day, and Tay peoples live and their hospitality. Check-in a very nice home stay in Ban Ho. Relax at the home stay or swim at the river. Overnight in Ban Ho village.

Day 13: Ban Ho village – Back to Sapa (14km) 

After breakfast, challenge yourself by taking a steep short - cut to the main road.Continue trekking to the lunch stop. After lunch, trek back to Sapa. Relax in the hotel. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 14: Sapa – A colourful market – Yen Binh 

Morning check out the hotel, drive to either Muong Hum market or Muong khuong market on Sunday. Enjoy the colorful market and interesting daily life and culture of the hill tribes. Then drive further to Lao Cai, have lunch, and have a look at China border. And then drive further to Yen Binh, check-in a hotel and relax. Overnight in Yen Binh.

Day 15: Yen Binh – Halong Bay Cruise and Kayaking 

After those days of sweaty treks, you will enjoy the coming wonderful cruise in Halong Bay. Morning check out the hotel, transfer by coach to Halong Bay, check-in aboard in the afternoon and enjoy the scenic cruise through thousands of islands. You now can relax on the sun deck, admire the sceneries, swim and kayak in the sea, and enjoy delicious seafood meals. If lucky, you will admire a beautiful sunset as well. Overnight aboard.

Day 16: Halong Bay Cruise and Kayaking – Hanoi 

You are waken up in the morning either by the early sun lights or sounds of the cruisers. Enjoy breakfast, sightseeing, cruising, kayaking, or swimming. After lunch, we will go back to Hanoi by coach. Dinner and overnight in Hanoi.

Day 17: Hanoi – Departure for Home Sweet Home 

Free time in Hanoi for shopping and relaxation till departure for Home Sweet Home. End of service.