Family Fusion

Day 3: Lao Cai - Sapa (Hiking & Homestay)

We'll depart early this morning with a transfer to Sapa. The drive is approximately one hour, switchbacking along a winding uphill road that offers breathtaking views of terraced rice paddies below. We'll first stop for breakfast at a local restaurant and then start trekking to the Golden stream Valley. Here we'll visit the Lao Chai village to meet the Black H’mong and then the Ta Van village to meet the Dzay hilltribes. We'll dine and overnight with the Dzay people for an authentic homestay experience. (B,D)

Day 4: Sapa (Hiking)

After breakfast we'll set out on another trek, about 3 hours meandering through the valley back to the main road where our driver awaits for the return trip to Sapa. The remainder of the afternoon is free to explore the town and its colourful market. If we're feeling energetic, we can also visit the Cat Cat waterfall and Hmong village, which is about 3 more hours of hiking or alternatively to Ham Rong Flower Garden Mountain. Overnight at Chau Long Hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Sapa - Hanoi (Train)

After breakfast at the hotel, we'll gear up and start riding along a paved road to Ta Phin village. At the village we switch to hiking and trek 8km around this verdant valley, visiting the homes of the H’mong and Red Dzao hilltribes. We'll travel back to Sapa by jeep in the afternoon and then have the rest of the afternoon at leisure to relax and wander through the town. It's an early dinner before taking the bus to Lao Cai for the night train back to Hanoi. Overnight on the train. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Hanoi (Free Day)

The train arrives into Hanoi at 5:30 am and a driver will be awaiting us at the station to transfer us back to the same hotel for an early check-in. The day is at leisure to explore this bustling city and in the afternoon we'll go see the famous Water Puppet Show. (B)

Day 7: Hanoi - Halong Bay (Boat Trip)

After a leisurely and late breakfast we'll transfer to the tourist wharf in Halong City. Here we'll board the Lagoon Explorer Junk, our home for the night. The crew of the boat will greet us with a welcome refreshment, and then show us to our cabin. Lunch is a buffet of fresh and delicious seafood served at 1 pm. The boat sets sail for a 3.5 hour cruise into misty Halong Bay, meandering in between craggy limestone karsts that rise from the earth. The sea is alive and dotted with fisherman casting lines from their wooden oar boats, and floating fishing villages displaying a unique way of living. We'll then explore Luon cave, take time for swimming and sun bathing at Titop beach, and if we have time climb up to the peak of the mountain for a breath-taking panorama view of Halong Bay. After our BBQ dinner, we'll cruise to a fishing site for a glance at how the fishing is done and try our hand at catching squid. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Halong Bay (Boat Trip & Sea Kayaking)

Early risers can enjoy a morning view of Halong Bay’s dramatic landscape from the upper deck of the boat. Breakfast is served at 8:00am and afterwards we'll cruise to the start point of the kayak adventure. Expert guides will give a safety and instruction talk on paddling techniques. The next few hours will be spent paddling the crystal clear waters amidst sheer limestone cliffs and caves. There will be time for swimming, visiting hidden beaches or a lagoon cave (depending on tidal condition). Lunch will be a BBQ on the beach or on the boat. The remainder of the day is back on the big boat, cruising to explore Dark & Bright cave before cruising back to Drum cave area for dinner & overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Halong Bay - Hanoi (Boat Trip)

Today we have a half-day of cruising through Halong Bay amongst the dramatic limestone karsts. We'll pass the Amazing Cave and Tea Pot Islet. Brunch will be served on board and then we'll return to the Halong City Harbour by noon. From here it's a drive back to Hanoi for the night. The remainder of the evening is at leisure. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Hanoi - Mai Chau (Hiking)

We refortify with a healthy breakfast and then depart for the village of Mai Chau, which is inhabited by many ethnic groups, including Thai's. We'll have an authentic Vietnamese lunch in a local stilt house. Afterwards it's a short drive to the Ma River where we'll catch a rowboat to the trailhead that leads to the Muong Hill Tribe village. From the trailhead it's about a 2 hour trek. We return to a Thai ethnic village in Mai Chau for dinner and a second homestay experience. (B,L,D)

Day 11: Mai Chau - Tam Coc (Biking)

We'll have an authentic hilltribe breakfast in the stilt house and then set off for a 3-hour cycling trip around the beautiful Mai Chau valley to visit Muong and Thai minority villages. We'll arrive back at the homestay in time for lunch prepared by our Thai hosts. Afterwards we have a 4-hour transfer to Tam Coc. The landscapes are dramatic with switchbacks that wrap around mountain roads above fertile terraced rice paddies. We'll stop at some local shrines to stretch our legs before dinner. Overnight in The Long Hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 12: Tam Coc - Hanoi (Biking)

After breakfast we ride our bikes on backcountry roads to visit Bich Dong pagoda, one of the most beautiful caves in Vietnam. From here we'll switch to a water taxi, known as a sampan, and travel along a peaceful river into the heart of the “Halong Bay on land” karst formations. One section of the trip is right through a cave. Once the trip is complete we'll get back on our bikes and pedal to Tam Coc village for lunch. There's about one hour left of riding after lunch, on backcountry roads that wind through villages, past rice fields, rushing rivers and unique rock formations. We finish the ride in Hoa Lu, the historic capital and then return to Hanoi for our final night in Vietnam. Overnight at the same hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 13: Hanoi - Departure

You'll be transferred to the Hanoi airport to catch your flight back home or onwards for extensions. (B)

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