Vietnam Highlights Tour

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Maximum Group Size: 18
Arrival Transfer: Not included
Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of qualified guide in the Mekong Delta
Transport: Public and private bus, Reunification Express, local boat
Activities: Snorkelling, Mekong Delta homestay
Accommodation: 8 nights simple hotels, 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
• Delicious Vietnamese cuisine
• Imperial city of Hue
• Optional cruise on the Perfume River
• Hanoi and its beautiful colonial past
• Explore the buzzing streets of Saigon
• 2 days on blissful Whale Island or Nha Trang
• Friendly and welcoming locals

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 1, HANOI: Arrive in this fascinating city, the capital of Vietnam. Free day. Tonight you will meet up with your fellow travellers and your tour leader.

Day 2, HANOI: Free time until we board the Reunification Express train to Hue. (B)

Day 3-4, HUE: Arrive and transfer to our hotel. We have one and a half days in Hue, famous for its stunning architecture and the Perfume River, which flows slowly through the centre of the city. It was recently given prestigious World Heritage status by UNESCO. (Day 4 - B)

Day 5, HOI AN: Travel to Hoi An via the spectacular Ocean Cloud Pass, Danang and China Beach. (B)

Day 6, HOI AN: A full day at leisure in Hoi An - a favourite among travellers for its laid back atmosphere. (B)

Day 7-8, WHALE ISLAND: Transfer by road and boat to secluded Whale Island, so named because of the sperm whales which can sometimes be spotted off its shores. Two days to swim, laze on pristine beaches or go snorkelling amidst lovely coral gardens. In the evening, there is time to relax at the beach bar - the perfect place to watch the sun go down with a cocktail in hand. (Day 7 - BD, Day 8 - BLD)

Day 9, NHA TRANG: Late departure from this paradise island and travel south towards Nha Trang, a laid back beach resort. (B)

Day 10, NHA TRANG: There's time to check out the town or the beach before we board the overnight train to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). (B)

Day 11, SAIGON (HO CHI MINH CITY): Arrive in Saigon and transfer to the hotel. There's a host of things to do in this exciting city and some interesting excursions for those who want to venture further afield.

Day 12, MEKONG DELTA HOMESTAY: Head south to the Mekong Delta. Here the mighty river splits into a labyrinth of channels before disgorging into the South China Sea. We spend the day exploring the area by boat and on foot. This is a great opportunity to learn about life in the delta. Tonight we are guests of a local family. (BLD)

Day 13, MEKONG DELTA - SAIGON: This morning we visit an authentic floating market before returning to Saigon. (B)

Day 14, 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]