This concise tour of northern Vietnam allows you to discover and explore some of the most remarkably scenic regions in South East Asia. Beginning in the national capital, Hanoi, we uncover the charms and curiosities of this graceful old city and its fascinating Old Quarter on foot before setting out to cruise amongst the towering limestone karsts of awe - inspiring Halong Bay.  Last, but definitely not least, we take the China - bound train to the northern border town of Lao Cai. From here we’ll trek through the breathtakingly beautiful mountain scenery around the northern hill tribe minority town of Sapa, and spend the night in a village longhouse, before returning to Hanoi where our trip ends.   Highlights: Hanoi - Halong bay - Sapa Itinerary   Day 1: Hanoi Our trip starts today with your arrival in Hanoi. No activities are planned, so you may arrive at any time. There will be a pre -departure briefing with your tour around 6pm this evening.   Day 2: Hanoi After breakfast, visit to Historical museum, Literature Temple, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One-pillar Pagoda. Lunch. Afternoon, visit Quan Thanh Temple, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple and shopping in the old quarter. Evening enjoy water puppet show. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi. (Breakfast and lunch included) Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay After breakfast, Vietnam TripAdvisor's tour guide and car pick up and transfer to Ha Long Bay during 3 hours. Arrive Halong Bay. Check in boat and have lunch. Then visit Halong Bay during 4 hours. Overnight on boat. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included) Day 5: Ha Long - Hanoi After breakfast, take another 4 -hour boat trip on the bay. Lunch at local restaurant. Return to Hanoi. Dinner on guest ‘s account. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi. (Breakfast and lunch included) This evening we begin our exciting journey up to Sapa when we board the overnight train for the Vietnam - China border town of Lao Cai. (Breakfast and lunch included) Days 5-7: Sapa - Overnight Trek We’ll catch a glimpse of China over the other side of the river this morning as we disembark from the overnight train and begin our drive into the mountains and on to the picturesque minority hill tribe town of Sapa. Set amidst some magnificent mountain scenery and in the shadow of Vietnam’s tallest peak, the 3,143 - metre - high Mt. Fansipan, the former French colonial hill station town of Sapa is home to some of Vietnam’s most colourful minority hill tribes. Like Dalat in the south, the French developed Sapa in an effort to replicate parts of the Alps and the Pyrenees. A number of their villas remain but many were lost in 1979 when the Vietnamese army evicted the invading Chinese. We’ll spend the afternoon discovering the charms of this magic little town and set out the next morning on an adventurous two - day trek up the Muong Hoa River Valley with its lush vegetation and rice terraces. There are no hotels up here so we spend the night at a minority village in the cosy longhouse of one of the village’s families. The next morning, after a hearty hill tribe breakfast, we trek back into Sapa. In the evening, Vietnam TripAdvisor's guide pick you back to Lao Cai station, where we once again board the overnight train, for the return trip to Hanoi. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included).  Day 8: Hanoi Gecko’s Northern Escape comes to an end with our arrival back in Hanoi at approximately 5 a.m. Additional accommodation is available on request. (Breakfast included)

Size of Group	2 pax	3 - 4 pax	5 - 9 pax	Single Supplemental
01 Jan 2009 - 30 Sep 2009
Standard 2*	500	460	420
Mid-range (3*)	590	250	500
Superior (4*)	740	700	660

Place	First class (3*)	Superior (4*)
Ha Noi Hotels	Thien Thai hotel, Namhai 1 hotel Majestic Salute, Hoa Binh Palace, or similar	Sunway Hotel,Guoman Hanoi Thang Loi Hotels or similar
Sapa hotels	Royal View Hotel, Bamboo hotel	Chau Long Hotel " New Wing "

 

Package includes:

• Pick up & drop off at hotels at the tour places
• Accommodation based on twin sharing at 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
• Professional English speaking tour guide at places
• Boat cruise on Halong Bay (shared boat)
• Purified water & wet towel
• Train Ticket with soft sleeper

Package excludes:

• Visa application fee to Vietnam
• Personal expenses
• Other meals and drinks
• Late check out & early check in for accommodation at the places
• Airport tax and departure tax
• All other service not made on the written form
• Insurance
• Tips and gratuities