From Ocean To Mountain Halong Bay & Sapa

You will be picked up at your hotel by our guide and driver for a 3-hour drive to Ha Long bay. You will reach the pier in Halong city around 11.30 am and be welcomed on a cruise. Enjoy a welcome drink before check-in at your cabin. A fresh seafood lunch will be served while you begin your 3.5 hours cruising through mystic Ha Long Bay to see the amazing karsts with different formations, and floating fishing villages (there are much fewer of them in the bay now) with its unique way of life. Then head to the Dark & Bright cave area for swimming, sunbathing, and kayaking.

Enjoy another seafood feast for dinner and the night, there is an option of night squid fishing or just relaxing on the top deck with a bar at your service.

Overnight on the cruise.

Rising to the sound of lapping bay waters, you have time for a Taichi class or a Yoga train before having breakfast. Sitting on the upper deck, you can relax while taking in the breath-taking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the emerald water of the bay. After breakfast, you explore Sung Sot cave – the biggest and most beautiful one in the bay. The boat cruises back to the pier while brunch is served. Your cruise arrives at the harbour by noon, disembark and be met back by our guide and driver. Driving back to your hotel in Hanoi.

This night, you will board a night train to Sapa (alternative by a sleeping bus).

Overnight on train (sleeping bus).

You will arrive at the Lao Cai train station in the early morning. There will be a vehicle waiting to transfer you to Sapa. It takes a 1,5-hour drive. Once in Sapa, you will check into the hotel (early check-in is subject to availability). Time to freshen up and have breakfast at the hotel. Free.

At leisure or explore around the city. Lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, your guide will walk you down to a small village - Cat Cat, home to the Black Hmong tribes. As you walk to the village nestled in the valley below Sapa (about 3,5km), you will meet some of the local minority people on their way to and from Sapa. Here you have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families that live in the area and have a chance to learn some of their culture and handicrafts.

Overnight in Sapa.

Following breakfast, you explore the Sapa daily market and then set out on a 3-4 hour trek along mud paths, and trails and through several hill tribe villages to Lao Chai and Tavan, home to Hmong, and Dzay people. This is an absolutely spectacular walk through stunning scenery inhabited by some of the friendliest people you can meet. Stop for a picnic lunch on the way.

When you are at Ta Van village, our car is waiting for you and bring you back to Sapa for another overnight stay.

This morning, you hike up to Ham Rong Mountain, which gives you a great panoramic view of Sapa and its surrounding areas, and you can explore two orchid gardens. Back to the hotel for check-out then you take a drive to visit Ta Phin valley, where the Red Dao people and H'mong minorities live. Transfer to Lao Cai station for the returning train back to Hanoi.

Overnight on the train.

(alternatively changed to a cable car trip to Fansipan peak as you want).

ViTravel goodbye and see you again.

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Let ViTravel explains why you should book this tour:

1. Halong Bay – The Natural Heritage of Vietnam:

Not only declared as The World Heritage Site and One Of the Seven Natural Wonders but Halong Bay has also been praised and written about by many thanks to its magnificent beauty. The bay is steeped in mythical legends, reflected in its name which means ‘where the dragon descends into the sea”. For many years, Halong Bay has received a golden reputation for its emerald water, incredible karst caves, majestic limestone towers, and a wide range of luxury cruises and junk boats.

What to discover in Halong Bay?

A. The intriguing limestone islands & islets:

Ha Long Bay is home to nearly 1900 uninhabited limestone karsts and islets, in various sizes and shapes, which rise dramatically from the emerald-green sea.

The islands in Ha Long Bay are larger than those in Bai Tu Long Bay and riddled with cave systems, several of which can be visited, and whose stalactites and stalagmites can appear to be mythological creatures or fantastical animals.

The evocative shapes of the many islands encountered in the bay have given rise to many special names such as “Trong Mai” (the name of two chicken-shaped rocks facing each other), “Ga Choi” (which means the fighting cocks). Therefore, if travel with the local guide, you will have a chance of enjoying the natural beauty and enriching knowledge of Ha Long Bay’s story.

B. The amazing karst caves:

Many caves have been discovered there and those that are accessible have been opened up and lighting installed to highlight their ethereal beauty. One of the most beautiful caves you shouldn’t miss is the Thien Son Canh Cave. Also known as Grass Cave, this cave comprises three large grottoes appearing to be animals, mythical beings, and flowers. In the reflection of the lights, the walls, stones, and stalactites appear to glisten like stars in the night sky

C. The peaceful floating villages:

There are a number of floating villages in Ha Long Bay, where people have lived a way of life that has changed little over the centuries. The villages are an integral part of the setting, with their colourful wooden houses bobbing and down on the sea. A visit to Vung Vieng floating village in Bai Tu Long Bay entails travelling from the main cruise boat in small traditional bamboo basket boats, just like the ones used by the villagers to move around or the children to attend the floating school.

2. Sapa town - the beauty & tranquillity of “A Town in Cloud”

Sapa, the city with the special nickname “A Town in Cloud”, offers you a good view of colourful hill tribes and fabulous rice terraces. Tucked high in Vietnam’s far north region, close to the Chinese border, Sapa boasts a handful of the former French Military Outposts which will bring you the most colourful experiences. When visiting Sapa, you shouldn’t miss the chance to discover the Fansipan – Vietnam’s highest peak. That 3,143 – meter Mount looms overhead, while the surrounding valleys feature terraced rice paddies and blazing green fields, riddled with fast-flowing streams. In addition, that region is home to several ethnic minority groups, all wearing their traditional and colourful attire.

What to experience in Sapa?

A. Discovering the colourful local markets:

Visitors to Sapa will have the opportunity to discover the unique customs of the local residents by visiting the Bac Ha market, running every Sunday. Coc Ly market is open on Tuesday, Can Cau market on Saturday, Cao Son market on Wednesday and Lung Khau Nhin on Thursday.

B. Sensing the charm of surrounding villages:

Sapa is home to many ethnic minorities such as H-mong, Tay, Xa Pho, and Red Dzao minority. Time seems to forget those villages; therefore, the local people here live the same way as they have done for centuries. You can opt-out for travelling by “xe om” (motor taxi) from the central town, or for the full mountain challenge, you can follow our travel guide and trek there on foot. Then, discover many off-the-beaten-path villages including  Ban Ho Village, Cat Cat Village, Lao Chai Village, or Ta Van Village.

C. Enrich your knowledge of local tradition & culture:

Visiting Sapa is also a great chance to observe Vietnamese ancient traditions and cultural highlights. One of the most interesting activities is joining the “Love Market” which opened on Saturday night where ethnic minority people go to find their partners. Besides, you can visit Muong Hoa Valley by hiking and trekking through the lush and green valley and many small hamlets. Then, meet the friendly locals en route and stay overnight in a homestay in the villages (instead of a hotel).