8 Nights / 9 Days.
Day 1: Arrive in Luang Prabang, Laos.
Upon arrival, welcome with the guide and transfer to hotel for check-in and then exploring Luang Prabang, the ancient first capital of Lane Xang kingdom, the center of religious life in Laos and today the World Heritage City.
Transfer to hotel for check-in. Afternoon, take a sightseeing tour of the sacred city of temples, of which nearly fifty still remain in the town and surrounding areas. Visit National Museum, the former Royal Palace which houses the collection of valuables including the famous Prabang Buddha statue, gifts received from foreign dignitaries?etc, Wat Visoun, the 16th century temple served as a small museum for religious artifacts; Wat Aham, the early 19th century temple, whose two guardian figures at the foot of the steps which represent two characters from the Ramayana ? Hanuman, the Monkey God and a fierce Yaksa; Wat Xiengthong, the 16th century temple, which more than any temples in Luang Prabang, epitomizes all the elegance and grace of Luang Prabang architecture.
Overnight in Luang Prabang (no meals).
Day 2: Luang Prabang.
Travel on a long-tailed boat for a few hours on the Mekong River to visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves in the side of a lime stone cliff and opposite of the mouth of the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers. The sanctuaries at Pak Ou consist of two large caves, both repositories for thousands of Buddha images, which range from mere centimeter to two meters in height. En route, Lao typical villages are barely visible behind a screen of foliage. Slender canoes bobbing by the shore and bamboo poles and floats mark the location of nets and fish traps. Visit Ban Xanghai, the well-known village for Lao traditional rice whisky to be distilled and tasted. Lunch at local restaurant on the bank of the Mekong river. Return to Luang Prabang by the same boat, continue by car to visit Ban Xangkhong, the well-known village for its wood paper making and also Lao silk weavings with natural dyes, where you can do shopping there.
Overnight in Luang Prabang (B, L).
Day 3: Luang Prabang.
Breakfast at hotel. Take an excursion by land (30 km South) to visit Kuangsi Waterfall which though not very high, is spectacular and really beautiful with its green surroundings as the preserved National Nature. En route stop to visit Ban Na Oune, a small Hmong village and also visit Ban Tha Pane, a small village of Khmu minority group. Picnic lunch is served near Kuangsi waterfall. From here, we can visit Hmong village called Ban Na Ouane, about 18 km along the way to Kuangsi waterfall as well as another Hmong village called Ban Long Laoh, about 40 km far from Luang Prabang, along this road we will see also Khmu people, another upland Lao, way of life is quite similar to H?mong, but speaking with different language, even different from Lao.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 4: Luang Prabang & Vientiane & Hanoi.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Vientiane and connecting the flight to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi, meet the guide and transfer to hotel for check-in and relaxation.
Overnight in Hanoi (B).
Day 5: Hanoi city tour & Lao Cai & Sapa (Train) & Should be on Friday.
Today's full day city tour of this charming capital Hanoi with ochre-colored colonial style buildings, tree-lined avenues and many lakes. Set out on a visit to the Temple of Literature to have an overview about Hanoi culture and history at the outset of the trip, Quan Thanh Temple, Tran Quoc Pagoda. Afternoon, visit to a very beautiful Museum of Ethnology to enhance your understanding of Vietnam's diverse culture through its unique presentation of objects & dress from daily life. Enjoy a cyclo tour through the Old Quarter of 36 streets and 36 wares to witness the vibrant life along the street sides. This evening attend a traditional water puppet, a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form especially designed for depicting scenes from rural life and many episodes of national history. After that, transfer to the train station for the overnight train to Lao Cai. Late check-out is included today.
Overnight on Train.
Day 6 (Sat): Sapa.
Arrive early morning in Lao Cai near the Chinese border, meet the guide and transfer to a nearby local hotel for fresh-up and breakfast. Then take a scenic drive to the hill station of Sapa. Enjoy the spectacular views of rice-terraced mountains and Black H?mong and Red Dao hill tribe people dressed in their colorful wares walking along the roadside. Drive to the top of Lao Chai village, then start to hike down slope from the main road in Lao Chai to visit Black H?mong village. Continue to hike from Lao Chai to Ta Van where the Zay group, Red Zao tribe live. Picnic lunch in the village. Late afternoon, drive back to Sapa.
Overnight in Sapa.
Day 7: Sapa & Lao Cai & Hanoi (Train).
Morning drive to Bac Ha, with a 30-minute en route visit to the Phong Hai market, 40km from Sapa. On arrival in Bac Ha, 130 km from Sapa, to visit the colorful market of hill tribe people such as Flower Hmong, Phu La and Dao Tuyen gathering here to exchange goods. After lunch, we drive to Trung Do and trek 4km to visit its village - inhabited by Tay minority. From the village we go by boat up the Chay River for 1.5 hours, where we experience the magnificent sight of the beautiful caves, the Raining waterfall. The boat ends at Bao Nhai. Drive back to Lao Cai to visit Tran Hung Dao temple, the century banyan tree, the 12 zodiac-signs park, and the Chinese Vietnamese borderline. Then, transfer to a local hotel near Lao Cai train station for fresh up before taking an overnight train back to Hanoi.
Overnight on train.
Day 8: Hanoi : Early check-in is included today.
Arrive in Hanoi early morning, meet the guide and transfer to hotel for check-in and breakfast. Balance of the day is free at leisure for your own time shopping or further exploring.
Overnight in Hanoi (B).
Day 9: Hanoi : Departure .
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the departure flight home.
Check-out time before 12:00 PM.
B - Breakfast.
L - Lunch.
D - Dinner.
