Vietnam Hiking

Discover this beautiful land by foot

Vietnam is one of the most delightful places in south-east Asia, a land of idyllic beaches, tranquil bays, coral islands, spectacular mountains, valleys and primal forests, and is home to a warm-hearted and hospitable people. The striking and varied landscapes, from high rolling hills to undeveloped beaches, are a traveler's paradise and cover a wide range of climates. There is plenty to see from a long, varied history, and the French colonial inheritance is visible in many ways, not least in a serious interest in food.

Vietnam consists of two river deltas, the Red River in the north (Tonking) and the Mekong in the south, and these are connected by a narrow, hilly coastal strip (Annam) about 800 km long. Much of the country is very fertile, and it has attracted a succession of invaders, including the Chinese, Japanese and French. Over the last few years Vietnam has opened its doors voluntarily to outsiders. Private initiatives and businesses are being encouraged (although still often drowned in red tape), and tourism is high on the agenda for development. Almost all travel restrictions have been dropped, and we can now visit the whole length of the country.

Whether you are mountain biking or hiking, Vietnam offers a variety of colours, cultures and scenery to ensure you get a different scene for everyday.

This is one tour with a difference, from the quiet mountain villages stuck in a time warp to the hustle and bustle of the heaving cities the extremes are never more apparent. A superb mixture of the old and the new this tour has it all, great accommodation, over night train rides, diverse culture, good food and amazingly friendly locals.

We start the hiking tour in the north and work our way south on foot, vehicle and train. The scenery on hiking is such you forget about time and distance as the surroundings become so enthralling. The ability to interact with the locals in the local markets and villages is a highlight of the tour and you will be left with an amazing feeling towards the Vietnamese for they have so little which they share so freely.

ITINERARY:

(subject to change without prior notice)

Rice fields

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi

You will be met by your tourguide at the airport and transferred to the centrally located hotel "Huyen Trang". After a little rest you will explore the city by foot and have the opportunity to change some money. The first evening meal is a great way to get to know each other.

Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel. Meals: D

Day 2: Hanoi

After a nice breakfast you are going on a sightseeing tour, where you see the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the museum, as well as the "Literature Temple", Vietnam's first university. In the afternoon you explore the old quarter with more than 36 roads by foot, in which you can find an interesting mixture of French and Chinese architecture and do your first shopping.

Accommodation: Hotel Meals : B/L/D

Day 3: Hanoi - Sapa

On a long journey along the red river you can see a fascinating landscape of many rice fields. You reach Lao Cai early evening. On the drive up to Sapa (1,600 m) you have a view of Fansipan, the highest mountain in Indochina. In the evening you walk through the village. You overnight at the "Cha Long" Hotel, which looks like a castle with lots of local art displayed.

Accommodation: Hotel Meals : B/L/D

Day 4: Sapa

In the morning you can stroll along the market and further to the orchid gardens. You will be driven to the mountain station of Sapa, which used to be a French vacation spot.

On this 32 km journey you will have a fantastic view over the valley. After lunch in a local restaurant you go on your first 3-hour hike down the Muong Hoa Valley. Visit two mountain tribes the Dzay and Black Hmong, who live here more than 1,000 years and have hardly changed their lifestyle. You will be picked up by Jeep and driven back to your hotel in Sapa.

Accommodation: Hotel. Meals: B/L/D

Mountain landscape

Day 5: Mountain village Ban Ho-Thanh Phu

A short drive per Jeep will take you to Su Pan. Here the walk begins to the mountain people of the Tay, who live in a small village named Ban Ho-Than Phu (walking time 3-4 hours). You experience the simple way of life and you will be amazed by their hospitality. If you are interested in cooking, your guide will teach you Vietnamese cooking. The result will positively surprise you.

Accommodation: Traditional longhouse on stilts at a guest family. Meals: B/L/D

Day 6: Ban Ho-Thanh Phu via Sapa - Bac Ha

You leave your "host family" and hike approximately 2 hours through rice fields up to the road. From there a jeep brings you back to Sapa and connects with a bus to Bac Ha. You stay at the hotel "Sao Mai" which is built on stilts and situated in a big garden with plum-trees.

Accommodation: Hotel. Meals: B/L/D

Day 7: Bac Ha - Can Cau

Today you will be driven to the small village of Can Cau (20 km). Saturdays is always market day and you can experience the multicoloured life there. The highland trek of about 3-4 hours will take you to the flower villages of the Flower Hmong, who wear the most colourful of Vietnam's dresses. In the afternoon transfer back to the hotel "Sao Mai".

Accommodation: Hotel. Meals: B/L/D

At a market

Day 8: Bac Ha - Hanoi

Visit the big market of Bac Ha. You cannot resist those Vietnamese markets. A 4 hour hike will follow, where you will see the plum gardens of Ban Pho and Na Hoi. You have the opportunity to see the farmers doing their daily work and visit the mountain tribe of the Nung. In the afternoon you will be driven to Lao Cai, where at 8.20pm the night train to Hanoi leaves. There are always 2 people in a sleeping wagon first class, where there are usually 4 people.

Accommodation: First Class night train. Meals: B/L/D

Day 9: Hanoi - Departure

After your arrival in Hanoi you will have breakfast. At lunch time transfer to the airport.

Meals: B