Vietnam Trips, Hiking Trekking Tour, Hilltribe Tour, Historical Tour, Local Life Style, Nature Tour , Asia Tours & Hotels

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NORTHERN EXPOSURE

NORTHERN EXPOSURE - 11 Days Tours

Valid : 01/11/2007 - 31/10/2008

Destination

Vietnam (Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Mai Chau, Ninh Binh)

Activity

Hiking Trekking Tour, Hilltribe Tour, Historical Tour, Local Life Style, Nature Tour

Difficulty

Start City

Duration

Tour Type

Trip Code

Price

- Please scroll down for price details -

Trip Overview

	- Number of Persons -
Hotel Class	1	2	3-6	7-10	Single Surcharge
Standard Class	1,718	963	815	608	143
First Class	1,848	1,028	879	673	200
Superior Class	2,249	1,235	1,086	880	381
Deluxe Class	2,421	1,333	1,184	978	466

*	All prices inclusive of taxes and hotel service charge, unless stated otherwise in the Exclusions below No extra charges and no minimum for credit cards

For Full Board Supplement**
- Standard = USD 86 / Persons
- First class = USD 97 / Persons
- Superior = USD 106 / Persons
- Deluxe = USD 117 / Persons

+ Vietnam is a developping country whose infrastructure may differ from what you expect from your home land. Road conditions are poor and accommodation may be basic.

+ Weather conditions in this region can be very cold from December to March . We recommend you to bring rain jacket, walking boots, warms clothes (in winter) and lamp torch.

+ The itinerary is corrected at the time of viewing. occasionally, our itineraries change as we make improvement that stem from our past travellers' comments and our own research or due to local conditions or circumstances beyond our control. this includes festival, public holidays, weather and flight delay that may effect the itinerary.

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What do you get after you buy a tour from us?
Click here for a sample Your Tour complete with a receipts, country guide, hotel info, packing list and contact details
Click here for sample Trip Vouchers

Departure Date :
September to May
Private Tour - You can choose your own departure date.

Inclusion : What all is included in this trip
Accommodation in hotels, guesthouses (twin shared room), village huts Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver in delta and local transport in mountain English or French speaking guide and local guide for trekking Meals as mentioned: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner Entrance fee to indicated sights Water puppet show Permit and porter for trekking Boat trips in Tam Coc and Halong Bay Cyclo trip

Exclusion : What is not included in the trip price
Other meals Tips Drinks Airport tax Single room Personal expenses Insurance International flight

Remarks :
Viet Nam is a developing country whose infrastructure may differ from what you expect in your homeland. Road conditions are poor and accommodation may be basic in mountain region. At village, we stay overnight 7nbsp;in dormitory type or tribal huts, there are no western toilet, no current water nor electricity. There are no air-conditioning transport available in and around Sa Pa. Good weather for trek in Sa Pa from September until June. We recommend you to bring rain jacket, inner sleeping sheets, walking boots, warm clothes ( in winter), lamp torch, toilet papers. Occasionally, this itinerary may be amended for reasons beyond our control such as weather and roads conditions.

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Itinerary : Your Tour Program

Day 1 ARRIVAL - HANOI On arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you are met and transferred to hotel. Ha Noi, Vietnam's capital, is a stylish and gracious city that retains an unique old world charm and some Asia's most striking colonial architecture. The many lakes and parks make for relaxing atmosphere. If time permits, we enjoy a short cyclo excursion through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places.
Overnight : at hotel

Day 2 HANOI Today we spend a full day exploring the charming Hanoi City. The first stop is Ho Chi Minh Complex containing the mausoleum of the nation�s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh�s house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow it with a visit to the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam and the History Museum with an excellent collection of artifacts illustrating the Vietnamese history. The sightseeing also includes the outlaying Ethnologic Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. Afterwards we drive back to the town center, stopping at the Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple. They are some major highlights set by the beautiful West Lake. We see these sights before continuing to the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem with its sacred temple. In front of this lake is the famous water puppet theatre where we will see a fantastic performance.
Overnight : at hotel
Meals : Breakfast

Day 3 HA NOI - MAI CHAU - HANG KIA The journey northwards begins as we depart Hanoi and drive through the scenic landscape of rice fields, tea plantation and traditional stilt houses to Mai Chau. This mountainous region is home of many ethnic minority groups including Muong, Hmong, Dao and Thai people. They may be our fellow-passengers since we will use their local footpath in coming expedition. After a lunch at Poong Coom Village near Mai Chau Town, we wind our way for an hour to Xa Linh to begin our trekking. We walk through the breathtaking mountain scenery and some hill villages before arriving at Hang Kia in a picturesque valley of peach orchards. This remote village is conquered by the Hmong hill tribe people. They are very poor, but have an interesting local history and a colorful culture.
Overnight : Overnight at Hang Kia village
Meals : Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 4 HANG KIA - CUN PHEO - VAN Upon leaving the village of previous night we blaze a trail with our local guide and walk through tropical rain forest to Cun Pheo. The trekking is difficult at times, with some steep uphill and downhill walking; however some physical preparation will enable you to fully appreciate the walk. We pass several villages of the Thai People, and are sure to attract attention since this part of the country receive very few visitors. By mid afternoon we reach Van village which is home to the White Thai people. Tonight we are toasted as honored guests of a Thai family and sample some of their homemade foods! The accommodation is very simple and dormitory style, no western facilities but the experience is definitely unique.
Overnight : Overnight at Van village
Meals : Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 5 VAN - SAM KHOE - POONG COM The verdant and rugged mountain scenery combined with the colorful local population make for an unforgettable adventure. Today we continue our trek along the local footpath past many different hilltribe villages and terraced rice fields. A part of the pleasure of our adventure is the simple joy of seeing the scenic mountain scenery and the varied customs of local people. The trekking expedition ends once arriving at the small village of Khoe. We catch a short drive back to Pong Coom village and have time to stroll around , enabling us to understand a little more about the lifestyle of villagers. The perfect way to celebrate your achievement in completing the trek is a traditional music show followed with the local rice wine. This performance is held by the young White Thai minorities, reflecting the rich culture of this ethnic group.
Overnight : Overnight at Pong Coom village
Meals : Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 6 MAI CHAU - CUC PHUONG Today we spend our time for a short walk on valley floor surrounded by rice fields and stunning mountain backdrop. Along the way we see many mountaineers doing their daily works such as logging, herding buffalo, tilling the field or weaving brocade. Here is a chance for the shoppers to try their hands at bargaining. Upon leaving Mai Chau we embark on a drive along the winding roads towards Man Duc. There are some possibilities to do a short trekking into the homeland of the Muang ethnic minorities. They have settled there long time ago and make for the main local population. We continue our overland trip to Cuc Phuong National Park and pass through the breathtaking countryside.
Overnight : Overnight at Cuc Phuong village
Meals : Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 7 CUC PHUONG - NINH BINH The preserved tropical forests of Cuc Phuong is home to many species of plant and rare animals, some of which we may see on our trek. Today we take a short drive to the parkcenter for a half day walk into the jungle. The local guide will give information on wild herbs and vegetables, and show some flying animals. The rich variety of birth life is also remarkable in this park. We drive back to the park entrance, stopping en route at Nguoi Xua cave which still retains some vestiges of primitive man. The next stop is Hoa Lu. This ancient capital has left its legacy in form of two temples, the first one dedicated to Dinh Tien Hoang Emperor and the second one to the rulers of the Le Dynasty. We visit these sites and drive a short distance to Ninh Binh Town. The remainder of day is free for your own exploration.
Overnight : Overnight in Ninh Binh
Meals : Breakfast/Lunch

Day 8 NINH BINH - HA LONG BAY Upon leaving Ninh Binh Town, we set off on a short drive to Tam Coc which is surnamed � Inland Halong Bay�. On arrival we board a sampan for a leisurely trip through the quiet and peaceful landscape of rice fields surrounded by towering limestone cliffs to the grottoes of Tam Coc. The following destination is Halong Bay via a half day drive from Ninh Binh. The journey is long but it is still an interesting day as we travel across the Red River Delta and pass the spectacular rural landscape. En route we can make stop as we please, to stretch our legs and take some wonderful shootings. The thrilling drive will deliver us to Halong Bay by mid or late afternoon depending on traffic conditions.
Overnight : at hotel
Meals : Breakfast

Day 9 HA LONG BAY - CAT BA The legendary Ha Long Bay is truly one of Vietnam's most impressive scenic sights. We spend this day out on a boat cruising around Ha Long Bay towards Cat Ba. Views of sailing junks navigating past over 3,000 limestone islands and out crops jutting out of the clear and emerald water of the bay are nothing short of spectacular. These limestone karst formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. Along the way we will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an interesting visit to one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. The extra enjoyment is a wonderful seafood lunch served on board. You spend the rest of time after lunch for your own pleasure; admiring the landscape, lazing around the deck or simply soaking up the sunshine. On arrival in Cat Ba pier we catch a short drive to the town center.
Overnight : Overnight in Cat Ba
Meals : Breakfast/Lunch

Day 10 CAT BA - HAI PHONG - HANOI The interesting national park makes Cat Ba a highlight in Vietnam tourist map. Today you have a half free day to explore Cat Ba Island on your own. There are various options to choose from, some of which are biking, kayaking or exploring the national park. These optional activities are not included; however our guide is on hand to advise you with invaluable information. We regroup at our hotel in early afternoon and travel by ferry to Hai Phong, the biggest port town of northern Vietnam. Once arriving in Ha Phong we meet up with our waiting vehicle and drive back to the capital city. The ideal way to spend your last evening in Vietnam is a dinner at one of the town famous eating spots.
Overnight : at hotel
Meals : Breakfast

Day 11 HANOI - DEPARTURE There is a free time to relax or further explore Ha Noi. The trip ends after your transfer to Noi Bai Airport for departure.

Meals : Breakfast

Minor program changes are sometime necessary, depending on confirmed flight, road conditions, weather and availability of room.

FAQs: Sightseeing

Q. What are the differences between PRIVATE TOUR and JOIN-IN TOUR?

A. PRIVATE TOUR:
- You can choose your own travel date.
- The pick up location is only at your hotel.
- The trip is exclusive to you and your party.

B. JOIN-IN TOUR:
- You can choose your own travel date, based on seat availability
- The pick up location is at major city hotels
- You will join other travelers for the trip.
Q. How can I booked?
- Click "Online booking" and complete the Reservation Form.
- Payment will be charged directly from your credit card.
- An e-mail will be sent to confirm your reservation.
- A Tour voucher will be sent within 1-2 working days.
Q. How do I make payment?
The payment will proceed
The payment will be preceded either by Credit Card (VISA, MASTER CARD) or Bank Transfer (we cannot accept this for urgent bookings).
Please click here for our bank account details.
Q. Can I book/pay directly on spot?
No. The rates displayed on PassionAsia.com are available only through online service. All reservations must be paid for in advance upon receiving confirmations from us. This is the only way to guarantee trip occupancy and keep our rates competitive.
Q. How many days in advance should I book?
You should book the sightseeing tour at least 2 days before the tour date (Monday - Friday). However, it will depend on the tour availability too.
Q. Do you need my credit card details at the time of making a reservation?
Yes. However, you will not be charged at the time of reservation. Your credit card will be charged only if and after your booking is confirmed.
Q. How to meet our guide or our representative?
Print your tour voucher and present it to our guide who will pick you up at the hotel lobby on your travel date.
Q. What is your Cancellation Policy?
Cancellation & No Show Charges Policy of Sightseeing Tours:
- 3 Days before the Tour:There is a 7% banking and handling fees applied.
- Less than 2 days before the Tour or No-show:
100% charge of package price (No refund).

**For authentication purposes, only written cancellation notices (e-mail or fax) will be accepted