Private transfer: Upon arrival at Hanoi airport, you will be welcomed to Vietnam by your guide, and transferred to your hotel in a private chauffeur driven car.

Afternoon tour of Hanoi: Start today's tour with a visit to the Temple of Literature, which was built in the 11th century and was the first university established in Vietnam. Follow this with a walking tour through the old quarter of the city. Also known as the "36 Streets District", this was once the thriving commercial centre of the city. Each of the 36 short lanes used to specialise in a particular trade represented by one of the guilds. This is still reflected in the names of certain streets, like Silk Street, Gold Street and Fish Street. Among the ancient homes and attractive temples there are a multitude of tantalising souvenir shops. You can visit a local house and take your time talking with the hosts and learning about their family’s life and history. Embark on a leisurely ride on a cyclo around Hoan Kiem Lake. If time permits, pay a visit to a local coffee shop and enjoy Hanoi’s specialty, egg coffee, which is tastier than it sounds!

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the La Siesta Premium Hang Be (Deluxe Room)

Morning tour of Hanoi: After breakfast, your guide will take you to see some more sights in the capital. First you will head for the Soviet style Ba Dinh Square where Ho Chi Minh read out the declaration of the nation's independence in 1945, and which is now home to his mausoleum (entry is not included). After looking around the square you will be able to walk through the gardens of the Presidential Palace before seeing Ho Chi Minh's house, the modest dwelling he built based on a rural Vietnamese stilt house and where "Uncle Ho" lived for the last years of his life. You will also be shown the One Pillar Pagoda which is nearby, and Tran Quoc Pagoda. Finish the tour with a visit to the fascinating Museum of Women which will provide an insight into the role played by women throughout Vietnam’s history. After ample time exploring the museum return to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the La Siesta Premium Hang Be (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey from Hanoi to Ba Be National Park:  After an early breakfast, depart Hanoi on the long drive (around five hours) to Ba Be. Initially you will pass through the Red River Delta, travelling north along Highway 3, bound for Thai Nguyen. Here you will make a stop to visit the Museum of the Cultures of Vietnam's Ethnic Groups. After seeing the museum you will have lunch in a local restaurant and then leave the delta area behind to begin climbing into the mountainous area of Ba Be National Park. 

Exploring Ba Be Lake: On arrival in Ba Be National Park, head out with your guide on a small boat to enjoy a cruise on Ba Be Lake. Enjoy the stunning scenery of limestone mountains and catch a glimpse of local fishman going about their daily life working on the lake or surrounding fields. Continue the cruise down the Nang River before disembarking to check in to your accommodation.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Saigon Ba Be (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Trekking around Ba Be Lake: After breakfast, take boat to Khau Cum, the starting point for today’s trek. Together with your guide trek through several small trails within Ba Be National park to visit some of the local ethnic villages, such as Coc Toc village where Tay people live by fishing or Nam Dai village of Cash Dao people. Return to your accommodation in the afternoon to enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Saigon Ba Be (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Road journey to Hoang Su Phi: After breakfast, say goodbye to your host family and depart for Hoang Su Phi, a rural district of the stunning Ha Giang province. The total journey time today will be around seven hours including sightseeing and a lunch stop. The drive will take you through some breathtaking scenery as you make your way to the mountainous Ha Giang province. On arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Ecolodge Panhou Village (Bungalow)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Hike around Hoang Su Phi: Set out after breakfast on a guided hike in the beautiful countryside around Hoang Su Phi. Pass through a Yao Village where the locals wear long tunics and have built their houses on pillars on the mountainside. Continue walking through rice fields and past bamboo forests, until you reach a Red Dao House. Here you can meet the local host family and enjoy a cup of local tea, before a delicious home-cooked lunch. You can take a rest or help with the meal preparations if you like! The walk will continue in the afternoon to a Tay village in the valley, before following the river to return to Panhou Village.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Ecolodge Panhou Village (Bungalow)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Road journey to Sapa: After breakfast, leave Hoang Su Phi and travel along the Chinese border towards Sapa. En-route there will be optional stops to visit local Flower Hmong, Tay and Nung villages. The journey will last around five hours and you will arrive in Sapa in the early afternoon.

Afternoon guided tour around Sapa: This afternoon, you wil be taken to visit the Thac Thien Waterfall, where you will take a 1.3km walk and stop at the Tram Ton Pass to enjoy the spectacular view. Return to Sapa and take a walk around the town and visit the local market, before returning to your hotel for an evening at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Silk Path Grand Sapa (Classic Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Light trekking around Sapa: Your exploration of the area begins with a drive to Lao Chai village, and then a 2km walk through rice fields, passing by traditional Black Hmong houses. Continue on to Ta Van Village (a further 2km) to visit a Giay minority community and then walk up up to Giang Ta Chai village. This part of the trip is fascinating because of its beautiful scenery and vibrant minority cultures such as that of the Red Dao. On arrival in Giang Ta Chai your driver will be waiting and will transfer you back to Sapa. En route you will stop to explore Cat Cat village, then have the rest of the afternoon at leisure to relax and explore Sapa town.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Silk Path Grand Sapa (Classic Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Visit to local market: After an early breakfast, depart for the local ethnic markets where you will see members of different hill tribes, colourfully dressed, selling handicrafts and products. Depending on the day of the week, markets may be held in different locations. Following the market visit, complete a short walk to a local village nearby and learn more about the daily life of the hill tribe communities as well as their living environment. Return to Sapa to enjoy the afternoon at leisure before boarding the evening train to Hanoi.

Private transfer to Lao Cai railway station: This afternoon, you will be transferred back to Lao Cai in time to board the overnight train to Hanoi.

Overnight train journey from Lao Cai to Hanoi: This evening, you are booked onto the Chapa Express in a private cabin. The train will depart from Lao Cai at around 9.10pm. The Chapa Express is a comfortable train service linking Hanoi with Lao Cai, the closest train station to Sapa. The elegantly refurbished train has two sleeping carriages with 7 superior cabins of either 4- or 2-berths, each with air-conditioning, wood panelling, individual reading lights, baggage storage, a simple bathroom and oversized windows.

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey to Ky Son: On arrival at Hanoi station, you will be met by your guide and private driver and together depart for Ky Son, a journey of around 1 hour.

Afternoon cycling around Ky Son: In the afternoon, you will be provided with bicycles for a gentle 12km cycling tour around the village to discover the Ky Son, Tam Son, Van Minh, and Cham farming communities. Visit the Duong Lam Ancient Village, the Mia Pagoda, and the Mong Phu Communal House, before cycling back along the ritual paths of Thang Thac Village to discover the Ngo Quyen Tomb and the Phung Hung Temple. return to the homestay where you can enjoy a traditional steam bath before dinner. The route and length of this cycling tour are flexible and can be changed according to your fitness levels.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Moon House Garden Homestay (Wooden Ancient)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Full day exploring Ky Son: In the morning you have the option to join in with some Yijinjing traditional exercises before having breakfast. After breakfast you will be taken on a walk around Ky Son to see some more of the picturesque countryside and interact with some of the locals to learn about their daily life. You can visit the village bee house, or help with some of the farm work, such as plowing, transplanting seeds or harvesting rice or vegetables. You may also have the opportunity to visit the village kindergarten and the village market. Return to the homestay in time for lunch and a short rest. In the afternoon you can go fishing, take a cooking class at the homestay, or simply relax in the garden. Dinner will be included at the homestay tonight.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Moon House Garden Homestay (Wooden Ancient)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Road journey to Pu Luong: After breakfast, you will be met by your guide and transferred to Pu Luong in Thanh Hoa province. This is a journey of approximately 3 hours depending on traffic. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel to check-in.

Afternoon rafting tour:  After lunch, you will be transferred to the rafting site. Sail along the quiet stretch of river, taking in the beautiful scenery as you go. Arrive in picturesque Hieu Village, where you will be welcomed to the Pu Luong Retreat and settle into your private bungalow with valley views for the evening.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Pu Luong Retreat (Valley View Bungalow)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Guided trek around the Pu Luong Nature Reserve: After breakfast, set out with a local guide for a walk through the various villages of the Pu Luong Valley, including Doc, Lung Cao, Lan, Uoi and Lac minority villages. Visit a family who specialise in traditional weaving. Today’s walk will take you through some truly spectacular scenery, with small villages hidden on hills, and nestled among waterfalls and terraced fields. A picnic lunch will be taken during the walk, and in the afternoon you will return to the retreat for a chance to rest your tired legs. Today’s walk will cover around 10-15km. The remainder of the day is left free at leisure for you to relax at the lodge or to continue to explore the surrounding area independently.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Pu Luong Retreat (Valley View Bungalow)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities in Pu Luong Valley: You have a further day at leisure to enjoy a selection of activities which are included as part of your stay at the Pu Luong Retreat, these include trekking, rafting and cycling. Please discuss what you would like to do today with staff when you arrive in Pu Luong. The surrounding countryside and villages are very beautiful and certainly worth exploring.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Pu Luong Retreat (Valley View Bungalow)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Private transfer to Hanoi Airport: After breakfast, you will be picked up from the hotel by your driver & guide and head back to Hanoi, a journey of around 4 hours. En route stop at Mai Hich, a small village located amidst lush green mountains and jungle. It is home to many White Thai ethnic villages. A stop will also be made at the Thung Khe Pass for some fantastic panoramic photo opportunities of the breathtaking Mai Chau Valley. After sightseeing, you will be taken straight to the airport in time to check in for your onward flight.

Meals: Breakfast