Sapa & Beyond - 9 days

2012 - Your Journey starts Hanoi, ends Hanoi

DAY 1 - HANOI
Arrive in Vietnam’s capital and transfer to your hotel to meet your tour leader and group for a welcome drink and briefing. Learn all about the life and legend of ‘Uncle Ho’ at his former home and mausoleum, visit the Temple of Literature and Hanoi Hilton prison and gain an insight into the hilltribes of Vietnam at the Ethnology Museum. Experience the unique Hanoi Water Puppets at an evening performance
Hotel: Anise

DAYS 2-4 - MAI CHAU, SON LA & DIEN BIEN PHU
Travel west to beautiful Mai Chau and stay in a family house. Explore the rural surrounds and soak up the warm hospitality of the Thai hilltribe people. Sit back and enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery, keeping an eye out for Black Thai, Meo and Muong people as you travel to Son La. From here, venture towards the Lao border and the historic outpost of Dien Bien Phu. Gain a sense of the history of this former battleground on a tour of local sites.
Hotels: Home-stay, Hanoi, Muong Thanh

DAYS 5-7 - PASO & SAPA
Continue through the remote mountains and villages of Lai Chau province to peaceful Paso, situated on the Da River. En route to Sapa, stop and visit some of the villages occupied by different hilltribes, then explore the surrounding areas which are home to colourful Hmong and Red Dzao hilltribes, and spend a night at the remote Topas Ecolodge.
Hotels: Lan Anh 2, Bamboo Sapa, Topas Ecolodge

DAYS 8-9 - OVERNIGHT TRAIN & HANOI
Explore the beautiful valley surrounding the ecolodge before returning to Sapa for some free time and a chance to shop in the local market. In the evening, board an overnight train to Hanoi, where your journey ends with an airport transfer on day 9.
Hotel: Overnight train