DAY 01: HANOI - HOA LU - TAM COC - HANOI - Night train to Lao Cai (L)

8.00 pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi to Ninh Binh. After 2, 5 hours driving southward, we arrival Tam Coc wharf, get on the boat row while this area is still not busy, we will enjoy nice and quiet riding long river through 3 tunnel cave, consisting of the Hang Ca, Hang Hai and Hang Ba grottoes. These caves are adorned with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites of different shapes and colors that sparkle like gemstones. After 2 hours boat ride we get back on the shore, have lunch in local restaurant close by, afterwards we will go to visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital with 2 temples of the Kings Dinh and Le before heading back to Hanoi.
Evening, pick up at your hotel then transfer to the station for a night train to Lao Cai.
Overnight on soft sleeper berths cabin to Lao Cai.

DAY 02: SAPA - CAT CAT VILLAGE (B)

We arrive Lao Cai train station in the early morning. Pick up and driving to Sapa, it takes us around one hour to make our way up the mountains. Once at Sapa, we have breakfast (we will have room if it is available - but the check in time after 12:00). We embark on a lovely walking tour to the hill tribe village of Cat Cat, home of the H'Mong hill tribe minority people. As we walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa we will meet some of the local minority people on their way to and from Sapa. Here we have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with families that live in the area.
Overnight in Sapa.

DAY 03: SAPA - MUONG HOA VALLEY - Night train to Hanoi (B, L)

Get up in the early morning and enjoy the fresh air and the daily life at Sapa market. Back to hotel for breakfast. At 9.00 we embark on a lovely trek that will take us along buffalo paths and trails and through several hills tribe villages Lao Chai & Ta Van, home to Black H'mong, and Dzay people. This is an absolutely spectacular walk through stunning scenery inhabited by some of the friendliest people you can meet. Once on the valley floor you can really appreciate the wonderful scenery that surrounds you. The walls of the valley are covered with multi-layered rice terraced fields and scattered villages. We back to Sapa in the afternoon and wait for your transfer to the station for night train to Hanoi.
Overnight on train.

DAY 04: HANOI - HA LONG BAY (B, L, D)

Arrive Hanoi in the early morning, having breakfast and we will pick you up around 08:00 am for a transfer to Halong Bay, listed as a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. "Dragon descending to the sea" as it is known in Vietnamese, picturesque Halong Bay has more than 1.000 limestone islets rising from the sea, many of them containing beautiful grottoes
Upon arrival at Halong Bay we embark on a boat trip to cruise discovering this magnificent UNESCO World Wonder. This is a great journey among surreal islands rising from a tranquil emerald sea.
In the late afternoon, we anchor for the night on the bay and enjoy a delicious seafood dinner on board. Overnight on a junk boat in Halong Bay.

DAY 05: HA LONG BAY - HANOI (B, L)

Early morning coffee and tea will be served on the sundeck followed by a Tai Chi class. After breakfast we take a Sampan boat to explore Luon Cave. We may have a chance to see the wild monkeys that gather around waiting for food from the tourists. After that we continue to cruise around the bay. Lunch is served on the boat on our way back to the docks then we return to Hanoi. Arrive Hanoi around 16.30.
End of all the services here.