Vietnam - Jungles and Junks
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1: Rendezvous at the group hotel in Hanoi. A single group transfer is provided timed to meet the arrival of the preferred group flights. KE Land Only package services start with the overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: We have a full day sightseeing tour of Hanoi including all the major sights. In the evening we enjoy a water puppet show before boarding the overnight sleeper train train to Lao Cai.
Day 3: Arriving in Lao Cai we have the use of a day room in a hotel to freshen up before starting the walk. We pass through several villages of the Black Hmong and Giay hill-tribes. Overnight homestay.
Day 4: Today we travel through bamboo forest and visit more villages, this time of the Red Dao tribe. We transfer back to Sapa where we again use the day room at the hotel before boarding the sleeper train back to Hanoi.
Day 5: Arriving in Hanoi we transfer to the hotel for breakfast and to freshen up before heading out to Halong Bay. Here we board a junk and settle in to our comfortable cabin for a two day cruise.
Day 6: We continue the cruise, visiting islands in the bay, and with opportunities for Kayaking. After a seafood lunch on board, we drive to Hanoi Airport, take the evening flight to Danang and then transfer to Hoi An where we check in at a hotel.
Day 7: After a leisurely breakfast, we head out for a day of sightseeing. We visit the central fish market and the handicrafts centre where we can see live silkworms in all stages of their growth. We also take a boat trip to nearby villages. In the afternoon, we transfer via Cloudy Pass to Hue, where we check in at a hotel.
Day 8: The World Heritage Site of Hue is one of Vietnam's cultural centres and we explore this beautiful city in part by bicycle. We will see the Imperial Citadel, ride along the banks of the Perfume River, visit the traditional Thuy Bieu Village, as well as taking a boat trip to Thien Mu Pagoda. We spend a second night in Hue.
Day 9: After an early breakfast, we transfer to the airport and fly to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). We then drive to Cai Be on the the Mekong Delta and cruise to An Hoa Village. In the afternoon, we walk or bike amongst the orchards of this enchanting region and also visit the ancient house of Ba Kiet. Overnight at a riverside lodge.
Day 10: In the morning, we have a boat trip to the famous Cai Be Floating Market, a riot of colour with its rice, fresh fruits, fish and handicrafts. We then drive back to Saigon and have a short city tour which will include the Ben Thanh Market, the Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral. Overnight in a Saigon hotel.
Day 11: We have a morning visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, constructed by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. There is also an interesting museum. Then, it's time for some R&R and we set out to drive to a beach resort near Phan Thiet, stopping for lunch en route. Arriving in the late afternoon, we check in at our beach-side hotel.
Day 12: A full day at the beach for relaxing or optional activities. Situated at the mouth of the Ca Ty River, Phan Thiet is well off the tourist map. It has a pleasant beach and is the perfect place to take it easy.
Day 13: A second day to enjoy a relaxed beach life and to watch the comings and goings of the local fishermen in their colourful boats. We spend a third night at our beach hotel.
Day 14: A free morning, followed by a midday group transfer to Ho Chi Minh City Airport where KE Land Only package services end.
