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North West Loop |
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North West Loop
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Price: $125 (included taxes & service charge)
Router: Hanoi-Mai Chau-Son La-Dien Bien Phu-Tam Duong-Lai Chau-Sapa-Bac Ha
Duration: 6 day/5 nights
Depart from: Hanoi
Return to: Hanoi
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The mountainous North West provides spectacular scenery and perfect terrain for trekking routes. Winding roads through mountain ranges take you past communities with varied lifestyles. The final two days are spent trekking to stay in ethnic minority villages around Sa Pa with warm, friendly people in their stilt houses.
Highlight: Minority villages, Home stays, Highest mountain pass in Indochina
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Day 1: Hanoi - Mai Chau - Son La (B) |
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The journey northwards begins as we depart Hanoi and pass through the undulating terrains of tea plantations and the many timeless villages linked to the road which is the main artery of trade between the northwestern region and the capital city. This is our first glimpse of rural Vietnam and sets the tone for the days ahead. Depending on road and traffic conditions our drive will deliver us in Son La by mid or late afternoon. After checking into hotel we take a walk around this mountain town. There is a little traffic on roads and many Black Thai in traditional costume scurry in all directions. |
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Day 2: Son La - Dien Bien Phu (B) |
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Son la, was the once the site of French penal colony in which anticolonial revolutionaries were incarcerated. Visit Old French Prison and museum before depart for Dien Bien Phu. You'll enjoy the picturesque scenery as you pass the villages of Black Thai, White Thai, Meo and Muong peoples. The winding roads cross over the Pha Din Pass before reaching Dien Bien Phu, the site of the decisive battle in Vietnam’s struggle for independence in 1954. After checking into our central located hotel we enjoy a walk around to see this fast growing town. Our main stop is Dien Bien Phu’s Museum which details the event in place. We also pay a visit to the old battle field where the lush vegetation grows behind many war relics including old French tanks and artillery pieces. |
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Day 3: Dien Bien Phu - Tam Duong (B) |
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Heading out of the town, we spend a full day travelling into Vietnam’s most mountainous region. The roads are difficult at times, but the spectacular landscape with a mixture of terraced fields and hill villages makes the hardship all worthwhile. On the way, we have some opportunities to encounter the Red Hmong, Kho Mu, Mang, Dao people who still retain their age old cultural traditions and are recognizably distinct from each other by their dress. We arrive in Tam Duong by late afternoon and have time strolling around to catch our first glimpse; a small town surrounded by breathtaking mountains and tea plantations. O/N in Tam Duong. |
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Day 4: Tam Duong - Sapa (B) |
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The scenery of the north is unequalled although the conditions are very simple. After breakfast we set off on a half day drive following the mountain roads to Sa Pa, our final destination. At an elevation of 1, 500 meters, Sapa was founded in the early years of the last century as a hill resort for French administrators when the heat on the plain became unbearable. We arrive in Sapa by mid afternoon and can soak up the fresh climate as much as we want by spending our time wandering this famous hill town. The ethnic people are frequently seen on the main street of Sapa and small vendors along the street sell local textiles and handicraft. |
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Day 5: Sapa - Bac Ha (B) |
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After breakfast we continue venturing into northern Vietnam, travelling through the Chinese border town of Lao Cai to the colourful Sunday Market at Muong Khuong. This market also attracts a wide variety of ethnic minority groups including the Variegated Hmong, Dao, Phu La, La Chi, Tay who still retain their age old cultural traditions and are recognizably distinct from each other by their dress. The experience of this congregation is unique. Upon leaving Muong Khuong, we drive to Bac Ha. As option, we can embark a walk this afternoon, visiting the Hmong King’s former residence and Ban Pho where the villagers make the potent local maize wine. |
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Day 6: Bac ha - Hanoi |
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The return journey begins as we depart Bac Ha Town and pass through the verdant and rugged mountain scenery to Hanoi. These back roads are a great way to explore the real Vietnam. We see very few other travellers, mostly rural dwellers who are just as interested in finding out about our lives as we are of theirs. The drive is very long, but we can make many stops along the way to stretch our legs and take some wonderful photographs. | |
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Trip includes:
- Private tour
- Pick up & drop off at hotels at the places
- Welcome dinner & fairy well dinner with Vietnamese demonstration cuisine
- Accommodation based on twin sharing in places as indicated in program
- Food as mentioned in the itinerary (B- breakfast, L- lunch, D- dinner)
- All transfers and transportation
- All guided sightseeing fees and entrance fees as per itinerary
- Local professional English speaking tour guide at places
- Boat cruise on Ha long Bay (private junk)
- Private boat on Perfume River in Hue and sampan Mekong Delta river
- Internal air tickets (Economy class with Vietnam airline): Saigon – Danang and Hue – Hanoi
Trip excludes:
- International flights
- Airport tax and International departure tax (14 USD/ person, accept US dollar and Vietnam dong)
- Visas and visa fee to Vietnam
- Personal expenses such as shopping, telephone, laundry and bar bills etc.
- Other meals and drinks
- Late check in & early check out for all accommodation at the places
- Al other service is not made on the written form
- Travel Insurance
- Tips & gratuities
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