Laos & Northern Vietnam tour 10 days 

Destination: Vientiane - Luang Prabang - Hanoi - Ha Long - Sapa

Code: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, G = Guide

Day 1: Vientiane arrival

Upon arrival Vientiane capital of Lao at Wattay international Airport, you are met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. After that, you値l start to visit the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you値l stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane's own Arc de Triumph. Your next visit will be the National Museum (Revolutionary Museum) where varied antique items and legend of Laos痴 history fighters and leaders displace from the ancient times to new revolution period. Your overnight stay will be in Vientiane.

Day 2: Vientiane/Luang Prabang (B)

After breakfast at your hotel, you値l drive to visit the Central Market call 'Morning Market' where you can find the antique items for collection, well handmade textile and gift away items. Later on, you値l drive to the airport to board a short flight to Luang Prabang, which is perhaps the best - preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. UNESCO registered 1995 as World Cultural Heritage City. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Asia. On arrival, you値l be transferred to hotel. After a short rest you値l visit   Wat Mai, Wat Sene then climb up to the top of Phousi Mount for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as viewing a beautiful panorama sunset over this once royal ancient city and the Mekong River. You are then strolling around to see the Street Night Bazaar, where you can find the lovely collection and handmade textile by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Your overnight stay will be in Luang Prabang.

Day 3: Luang Prabang/Pak Ou Cave (B)

Breakfast at your hotel, you値l be taken to a short-guided tour seeing the city's oldest temple of impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represent the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple. You値l then board a boat embarking upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Along the way, you値l stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. And take a short drive to Ban Phanom, well known for its hand weaving with natural dyes. You値l return to the city by late evening for observing the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath. Your overnight stay will be in Luang Prabang.

Day 4: Luang Prabang/Hanoi (B, D, G) 

After breakfast at your hotel, you'll then be free until you'll be picked up to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Arriving at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, you'll be met and driven to your hotel. 

17.15: You'll be picked up to watch the Water Puppet show. 

18.30: Dinner at one of the local restaurant. 

You'll spend the night in Hanoi.

Day 5: Hanoi city tour (B, L, G)

9.00: Pick up at your hotel

9.30 - 10.30: Visit Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, his simple stilt  house where he lived

10.30 - 11.00: You'll visit the Tran Quoc pagoda, the oldest pagoda located on West Lake

11.00 - 12.00: Visit Temple of Literature - the first university in Vietnam

12.00 - 13.15: Lunch at local restaurant

13.15 - 15.30: Visit the Ethnology Museum for an overview of Vietnam's 54 distinct ethnic

15.30 - 16.15: Visit Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake, the heart of city.

16.15 - 17.15: You'll have around 1 hour to walk around the Old Quarter. You'll drive back to your hotel. You'll spend the night in Hanoi.

Day 6: Hanoi/Ha Long (B, L, D, G)

8.30: You'll leave for Ha Long Bay, one of the most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Areas and the world's largest marine limestone "karst" landscape.

10.00: You'll take a short break at Hong Ngoc Embroidery workshop.

10.30 - 12.00: You'll continue driving to Ha Long Bay.

12.00: You'll board your boat, a wooden junk built from the model of the old Vietnamese court vessels. It will take you first to the World Heritage area where you'll visit Amazing Cave and a famous beach in Ha Long Bay. You'll be able to swim, fish, climb a hill for an overview of the Bay's remarkable seascape. All your meals will be provided on board, usually based on fresh seafood.

You'll spend the night on the boat.

If you don't like seafood during this trip, please let us know what you like so we can arrange for you.

Day 7: Ha Long/Hanoi/Lao Cai (B, L, D, G)

7.30: You'll have western breakfast on boat.

8.00 - 8.30: You'll venture into some of the sea level caves in a small sampan.

8.30 - 11.45: You'll spend the morning cruising Ha Long Bay, followed by lunch just before docking to the harbour.

You'll then return to Hanoi for your refeshment before taking an overnight train to Lao Cai. You'll spend the night on the train.

Day 8: Lao Cai/Sapa (B, L, D, G)

5.15 - 6.30: You'll be met by your tour guide at Lao Cai Station and have a breakfast at the local restaurant.

6.30 - 11.30: You'll be picked up to visit a market frequented by ethnic minority peoples. You'll enjoy the customs of the minorities people. You'll have time for shopping in the market.

11.30 - 12.30: You'll have picnic lunch at local restaurant.

12.30 - 15.30: Drive to Sapa, a scenic mountain area with high peaks, rivers, valleys and hillside terracing. The villages are traditional and are typically tucked away at the bottom of the hill slopes. Most of the villagers wear traditional costumes. Rest of the day will be free to explore Sapa town by yourself. You'll spend the night in Sapa.

Day 9: Sapa/Lao Cai (B, L, G)

8.00 - 8.30: Breakfast at your hotel

8.30 - 11.30: You'll hike down a scenic valley calling in at the H知ong ethnic minority villages on the way. You'll then be driven by Jeep to visit Lao Chai village - the village of Black H'mong people.

11.30 - 12.30: You'll have picnic lunch.

12.30 - 14.30: You'll take a Russian Jeep to visit Ta Van village - the village of Day people and then visit Giang Ta Chai village - a village of Red Dzao people.

14.30 - 15.00: You'll return to Sapa to refresh at a local standard hotel.

16.00 - 17.00: Escorted to Lao Cai station. You'll have dinner by yourselves. You'll then take an overnight sleeper train at 20.00 back to Hanoi. Your accommodation will be on the train.

Day 10: Hanoi departure (B, G)

On arrival at the station in the early morning, you'll transfer to the hotel for breakfast. You'll then be picked up to the airport for your departure flight.

 Prices per person in US$: 

Valid until December 31, 2008

Surcharge for peak season of hotels are not inclusive in the prices above.

Contact Us for more details

Prices include:

• Breakfast and accommodation sharing a twin or double room.

• International flight tickets: Luang Prabang - Hanoi, excluding airport tax.

• Return train ticket: Hanoi - Lao Cai - Hanoi, air-condition soft four berth cabin.

• Boats cruise as programme.

• Travel by private, air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced, safe driver.

• English-speaking guides as indicated in the itinerary

• Where necessary, entry fees for all visits as mentioned in the programme.

• Lunches and dinners, as specified, in the best local restaurants and full board on the boat in Ha Long Bay.

• Government taxes

Price do not include:

• Other international flight tickets and airport tax.

• Visas.

• Dinners except as specified above.

• Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses.

• Insurance.

Hotel list for Five Stars standard

• Vientiane: Lao Plaza Hotel (**** city centre) or similar

• Luang Prabang: Villa Santi  Hotel (**** the former residence of Lao Royal Princess) or similar

• Hanoi: Nikko Hotel (***** overlooking the Thuyen Quang, indoor swimming pool) or similar

• Victoria Hotel (**** the best hotel in Sapa with separate building)

Hotel list for Four Stars standard

• Vientiane: Novotel Hotel (**** city centre) or similar

• Luang Prabang: Muang Luang Hotel (***) or similar

• Hanoi: Sunway Hotel (**** near the city centre) or similar

• Victoria Hotel (**** the best hotel in Sapa with separate building)

Hotel list for Three Stars standard

• Vientiane: Asean Pavilion (***local standard) or similar

• Luang Prabang: New Luang Prabang (***local standard) or similar

• Hanoi: Army hotel (*** city centre with swimming pool) or similar

• Sapa: Sapa Hotel (*** overlooking Sapa Lake)

Hotel list for Two Stars standard

• Vientiane: Dansavan Hotel (local standard) or similar

• Luang Prabang: Sanakeo (city centre) or similar

• Hanoi: Nam Hai Hotel (** in the Old Quarter) or similar

• Sapa: Hoa Sua Hotel (local standard)