Day 1 – Arrival

– Arrival at Hanoi Airport. Depending on your arrival time, we’ll start by visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ho Chi Minh’s house.
– Thereafter we’ll go to the Hanoi Army Museum, Air Force Museum and Hoa Lo Prison to get a perspective on the conflict from the northern side. – Guided tour of the Old Quarter and shopping. The Water Puppet Show may be possible depending on your arrival date.
– Dinner in a local restaurant and overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2 – Halong Bay

– Travel to Halong Bay and board our private junk to begin a one-night cruise through spectacular Halong Bay and see the amazing limestone karsts: Sung Sot caves, Cap De Islet, Trong (Drum) Cave and many others.
– You will have time to swim and the opportunity to take part in an optional activity of kayaking or to climb the peak of the mountain for some breath-taking views of the Bay.

Day 3 – Last day cruise & return to Hanoi

– We will continue cruising through the bay to our return point which arrives in the harbour at noon. We will then take the coach back to Hanoi.
– En-route back to Hanoi we will stop off at the Bat Trang Ceramic Village, where you will have the opportunity to learn and make a small vase or bowl.
– Hanoi: dinner in a local restaurant before your transfer to the railway station for the night train to Sapa.
The group will be in 4 berth wooden cabins with air conditioning.

Day 4 – Meeting the locals

– Upon arrival, walk to Catcat village, home of the Black H’mong hill tribe.
– Continue to Ta Van village, home of the Dzay and Black Mong hill tribes. Meet the local tribesmen to learn about their everyday life and customs.
– You will also partake in visiting the local schools, planting trees and meeting the students for your CAS project. – Back to Sapa Town for dinner and overnight.

Day 5 – Red Dao & H’mong minority groups

– Cycle journey to the Red Dao village of Ta Phin. From the winding roads on the hillside there are some excellent views over the rice paddy fields below.
– Explore the villages of the Red Dao and the Black H’mong minority groups. – Return train journey to Hanoi.

Day 6 – CAS Project

– Spend time in Hanoi interacting with the disabled children of a local school. The CAS project is open to change depending on your requests and focus.
– Dinner at local restaurant.

Day 7 – Hanoi

– Explore Hanoi and do some shopping. After a busy week you will have time to pick up any last minute gifts, explore the shops and have some time to yourselves.

Day 8 – Departure

– Transfer to the airport for your flight back home.
The program will vary depending on departure time.