Vietnam Explorer Tour

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Maximum Group Size: 18
Trek Grade: B - Moderate
Arrival Transfer: Not included
Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader / trekking guide, services of qualified guides while trekking, kayaking, and in the Mekong Delta
Transport: Public and private bus, Reunification Express, local boat, cruiser on Halong Bay
Activities: Hilltribe trek to ethnic minority villages, sea kayaking in Halong Bay, snorkelling, Mekong Delta homestay
Accommodation: 11 nights simple hotels, 2 nights village houses, 1 night on board boat, 2 nights sleeper train, 2 nights island hut on Whale Island, 1 night homestay
Meals: As per itinerary. B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner On days where meals are not included, allow US$12 per day
Entrance Fees: Not included. Allow US$30 for all sites listed as part of the itinerary
Local Payment: Must be paid in cash on day 1 of your tour

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Mekong Delta homestay
• The historical trading town of Hoi An
• Imperial city of Hue
• Optional cruise on Hue's Perfume River
• Hanoi's beautiful colonial streets
• Sea kayaking in spectacular Halong Bay
• Hilltribe trek through mountain villages
• 2 days on Whale Island

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 1, HANOI: Arrive Hanoi.

Day 2, HANOI: A free day in this elegant city. You can visit the fascinating Ho Chi Minh museum, amble through the winding streets of the Old Quarter or relax in a café by Hoan Kiem Lake. (B)

Day 3, HILLTRIBE TREK: Travel west to Hoa Binh province. We visit the White Thai village of Sa Linh and then take a 3 hour trek to the village of Hang Kia. Our hosts for the evening are the Hmong minority people. Their hospitality allows us to find out a little more about their lives and culture - and they will want to learn about you too. (BLD)

Day 4, HILLTRIBE TREK: Following breakfast we set off on foot for Van village, inhabited by White Thai people (7 hrs walking). Our hosts this evening will treat us to a fine meal and stories of life in Van. Watch out for their home-brewed rice wine! (BLD)

Day 5, HILLTRIBE TREK: Trek to Khoe Village from where we drive back to Hanoi (3 hrs walking). (B)

Day 6, HALONG BAY KAYAKING SAFARI: In Halong city we board a private boat to cruise through Halong Bay to the isolated Ho Ba Ham Island. Lunch will be served on board as we cruise we have the rest of the day to explore the area by kayak or on foot. Tonight you can sleep below deck or under the carpet of stars on deck. (BLD)

Day 7, HALONG BAY KAYAKING SAFARI: More kayaking this morning as we head towards Cat Ba Island. We continue to Hai Phong by local ferry then return to Hanoi. (BL)

Day 8, HANOI: Free time until we board the Reunification Express train to Hue. (B)

Days 9-10, HUE: We spend a day and a half in Hue, famous for its stunning imperial architecture and the Perfume River. (Day 10 - B)

Day 11, HOI AN: Travel to Hoi An via Ocean Cloud Pass, Danang and China Beach. (B)

Day 12, HOI AN: Free day in Hoi An. Travellers love Hoi An's laid back atmosphere. (B)

Day 13-14, WHALE ISLAND: Transfer by road and boat to secluded Whale Island. Two days to swim, laze on pristine beaches or go snorkelling amidst lovely coral gardens. (Day 13 - BD, Day 14 - BLD)

Day 15, WHALE ISLAND - NHA TRANG: Late departure from this paradise island and travel south towards Nha Trang, a laid back beach resort. (B)

Day 16, NHA TRANG: There's time to check out the town before we board the overnight train to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). (B)

Day 17, SAIGON (HO CHI MINH CITY): Arrive in Saigon and transfer to the hotel. Free day.

Day 18, MEKONG DELTA HOMESTAY: A day exploring the area by boat and on foot provides a great opportunity to learn about life in the delta. Tonight we are guests of a local family. (BLD)

Day 19, MEKONG DELTA - SAIGON: This morning we visit an authentic floating market before returning to Saigon. (B)

Day 20, SAIGON: Tour ends. (B)

DEPARTURE DATES

TRAVEL STYLE

You love the sometimes tough but ultimately rewarding nature of adventure travel and you want to spend more time enjoying every experience rather than wasting time on travel arrangements.

Maximum Group Size - 18: You love the whole concept of travel. Getting there is as much fun as being there and you love using public transport, local restaurants and small family run hotels where you get the best chance to really get under the skin of a destination. You love the sometimes tough but ultimately rewarding nature of adventure travel and you love spending more time enjoying every experience rather than wasting time on travel arrangements.
Included: All accommodation (usually twin share but occasionally multi share), transportation
Not included: Most meals, entrance fees
Single Supplement: Not available. [Read more about Imaginative Traveller travel styles]