Tour
Itinerary
Day 1: SYDNEY –
HO CHI MINH CITY - HA NOI (D)
On arrival at Ha Noi, we will be transferred to our
hotel where we will freshen up before venturing out
to explore the night life of the city. We will have
a brief discussion about the tour during dinner before
returning to the hotel for the night.
Day 2: HANOI –
NGHIA LO (B/L/D)
We will arise early to go to Hoan Kiem Lake where we
will be able to photograph early risers meditating,
doing tai chi, exercising and playing badminton. After
breakfast we will board our bus and make our way to
Duong Lam Village, famous for having approximately 300
houses build three to four centuries ago. We then continue
our our journey to Nghai Lo where we will begin to witness
the spectacular mountainous scenery of North-West Vietnam
and colourful ethnic minority people.
Day 3: NGHIA LO –
THAN UYEN (B/L/D)
We will arise early to explore the township of Nghia
Lo as the locals commence their daily activities as
well as the local markets. After breakfast we commence
our trip to Than Uyen with numerous stops along the
way to photograph the local minority people and the
golden coloured terraced rice fields.
Day 4: THAN UYEN –
SA PA (B/L/D)
We will arise early to photograph the town of Than
Uyen as it awakes. After breakfast we commence our journey
to Sa Pa stopping to visit a Lu minority village and
Black Dao minority village. After lunch we will visit
a tea plantation before commencing our drive up Tram
Ton pass, the highest mountain pass in Vietnam.
Day 5: SA PA (B/D)
After an intensive start to the tour, you will have
a free day to explore the township of Sa Pa, a town
that offers numerous photographic opportunities as well
as great cafés and bars to relax. For those who
are really energetic, climb Ham Rong Mountain (Botanical
Gardens) to photograph Sa Pa in the early morning light.
At the top of the mountain you can discover and photograph
unique rock formations discovered in 1925.
Day 6: SA PA (B/L/D)
Today we will trek down the mountain to Ta Van village.
Along the way we will photograph the magnificent terraced
rice fields and local minority people going about their
day-to-day activities. After an enjoyable lunch at our
homestay, you are free to explore the village. We will
photograph the sunset over the terraced rice fields
at our leisure.
Day 7: SA PA –
LUNG KHAU NHIN MARKET – BAC HA (B/L/D)
This morning we will arise early to commence our 3
hour journey to Lung Khau Nhin Market which is one of
the most untouched markets in North Vietnam. Here we
will observe and photograph Nung, Flower H’Mong,
Black Dao and Dzay minority people buying and selling
their local produce. After spending the morning casually
strolling around and photographing the markets, we make
our way to Bac Ha, where we will visit a Flower H’Mong
Village.
Day 8: BAC HA –
HA GIANG (B/L/D)
We will arise early to commence our long journey to
Ha Giang, through stunning countryside with valleys
and mountains opening up on all sides and then along
the remote Chay River Valley. During the trip, we may
see Flower H’Mong, Nung, Co Lao, Red Dao, Dao
Ao Dai, La Chi Pa Then and White H’Mong minority
people going about their daily lives. Stops will be
provided along the way for photography. We will enjoy
another homestay in a Tay minority village, regarded
as one of the best in the world.
Day 9: HA GIANG –
QUAN BA – DONG VAN (B/L/D)
Today we will experience a spectacular day of driving
through amazing mountainous landscapes nestled up against
the border with China. About 50km’s out of Ha
Giang, the road zigzags its way up the amazing Quan
Ba Pass eventually providing a spectacular view over
Quan Ba town and the surrounding countryside. Opportunities
to take photographs will be provided along the way.
We end our day’s journey at Dong Van, an isolated
town atop a small hill. Dong Van is very beautiful with
mountains, forests, hidden grottoes and multi-coloured
orchid forests.
Day 10: DONG VAN –
MEO VAC (B/L/D)
We arise early to visit and photograph Dong Van market.
After a late breakfast we commence our journey down
Ma Pi Leng pass, providing us with what is regarded
as the most stunning scenery in North Vietnam. We eventually
descend into a beautiful valley that encloses Meo Vac
where we will visit the local market before having lunch.
In the afternoon we visit a local Lo Lo minority village.
Day 11: MEO VAC –
CAO BANG (B/L/D)
We arise early to visit and photograph Meo Vac as the
town awakens. After breakfast we will commence our journey
to Cao Bang, stopping to photograph the mountainous
scenery and minority villages.
Day 12: CAO BANG –
BAN GIOC WATERFALL – CAO BANG (B/L/D)
This morning we will make our way to the beautiful
Ban Gioc Waterfall on the Chinese border. The picturesque,
cascading waterfall is 53m high and has an impressive
span of 300m. The drive there and back also offers unique
landscapes with limestone karst formations soaring from
the rice paddies of the surrounding farms of local ethnic
minorities. We will stop on our return trip to photograph
waterwheels, which are only found in this part of Vietnam.
Overnight in Cao Bang.
Day 13: CAO BANG –
LANG SON - HA LONG CITY (B/L/D)
We will arise early to photograph Cao Bang as it awakes.
After breakfast we will commence our long journey to
Ha Long City stopping for lunch and a well earned break
at Lang Son. After eating at a local restaurant we will
continue our journey to Ha Long City. Photographic stops
will be provided as opportunities present themselves.
Day 14: HA LONG BAY –
CAT BA ISLAND (B/L/D)
We will arise early to visit and photograph the local
fish market. After breakfast, we board the boat and
commence our full day cruise of Ha Long Bay. We will
visit Surprising Cave and photograph the bay, floating
villages and fish farms. In the afternoon, we will climb
up to the peak of Ti Top Island for a panoramic view
of Ha Long bay. We will then make our way to Cat Ba
where we will check into our hotel. You are then free
to explore Cat Ba Island and photograph the sunset over
the harbour.
Day 15: CAT BA –
HANOI (B/L/D)
We will arise early to photograph the sunrise over
Cat Ba harbour. After breakfast, we board our boat and
casually make our way back to Ha Long City where our
buses will be waiting for us. We then commence our journey
to Hanoi. At night will be entertained by a traditional
Ca Tru show.
Day 16: HA NOI –
HO CHI MINH CITY – SYDNEY (B/L)
After breakfast we will commence a 2 hour walking tour
of the old quarter, photographing the shops, street
life and people going about their day-to-day activities.
We then visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnams first
University dating back to 1070 AD. A model will accompany
us this morning. We then proceed to a local restaurant
for lunch.. After lunch we will transfer to Noi Bai
Airport for our flight to Ho Chi Minh City and connecting
return flight to Australia. |
Details
• Duration: 16 days total, 15 in Vietnam
• Departure dates:
Friday 23rd September 2011
Friday 28th September 2012
• Because of the special nature of this tour,
the number of participants will be limited to 12 people
• Price: AU$4399 per person twin share as of July 2011.
• We will make every effort to match up single
travellers who wish to travel at twin share rates. For
anyone requiring a single room, there will be an additional
charge of AU$440.
Included
Return airfare from Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City, two
domestic flights within Vietnam, an experienced Australian
tour leader, local Vietnamese tour guides, arrival/departure
transfers, in country ground transport by private air-conditioned
vehicle with driver, private boat cruises as indicated
in itinerary, meals as specified in itinerary (B/L/D),
drinking water, clean twin share accommodation (3 star
or best available in isolated areas) plus taxes and
admission fees.
Not included
Departure taxes if required, visas, personal travel
insurance, meals not indicated in program, additional
beverages such as soft drinks and alcohol, activities
during free time, items of personal nature, tips and
gratuities, excess baggage fee. |
