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Explore the remote ethnic villages in the Vietnamese highlands; Discover the incredible temples and complex of Angkor Wat; Marvel at the cascading rice terraces in Sapa; Explore the colourful local markets in Hanoi and Siem Reap; Local guides throughout for expert knowledge and insights.
Prices below are per person, twin-sharing costs in US Dollars (USD). Pricing does not include airfare to/from the tour and any applicable taxes. For single supplement rates and taxes (if any), please refer to below Prices & Dates table.
Select a date below to reserve your spot:
Optional Single Supplement: $410 USD (number of singles limited).
Day 1 Arrival in Hanoi
Welcome to Vietnam!
Today we arrive in Hanoi with the remainder of the day at leisure.
Hanoi is an attractive city with lakes, fine boulevards, and flourishing parks, as well as a public center that is an architectural museum piece. Hanoi is situated on the right bank of the Red River (Song Hong) which is spanned by two bridges, the old Long Bien Bridge and the new Chuong Duong Bridge. This evening we convene for a welcome dinner to kick of our exciting journey.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Included Meal(s): Dinner
Day 2 Hanoi City Touring
Today we depart on a full day tour of Hanoi, which will have sections on foot, and visits requiring vehicles.
We begin today’s tour with a walk past the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, a site of pilgrimage. The building was constructed from materials gathered from all over Vietnam. Modeled closely on Lenin's Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh lies at rest in this Vietnamese version. We continue to the House on Stilts, where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked from 1958 to 1969 CE. Its construction and decor illustrate the importance of simplicity and modesty to this Vietnamese revolutionary. The building is elegantly crafted with lacquered and polished wood, following the model of a traditional communal house on stilts. We will also admire the elegance of the One Pillar Pagoda, originally built in 1049 CE. The temple is lotus-shaped and is situated in the middle of a water-lily pond. From here we visit Museum of Ethnology, which brings to life the astonishing ethnic diversity in Vietnam, with art and artifacts from the 54 different ethnic groups that inhabit the country. Inside the museum are detailed descriptions of minority groups, with examples of their traditional clothing and way of life. Outside are faithful reconstructions of traditional longhouses, cemeteries and other distinctive ethnic buildings.
In the afternoon we visit Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple and an islet with the tiny Tortoise Pagoda. En route, we pass other colonial landmarks such as the magnificent Opera House (from outside only) and St Joseph's Cathedral. After our tour we return to the hotel; due to the length of our full day (and tomorrow) and the lingering effect of jetlag, we include lunch instead of dinner this evening.
Walking summary: We expect to be on our feet a good chunk of the day, walking about 10km (6 mi) overall. Surfaces are mostly flat and paved and feature some stairs and uneven surfaces.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
Day 3 Hanoi - Mai Chau via Hoa Binh, Mo Luong Cave, White Villages
This morning we board our coach and depart for Mai Chau, a scenic town about 4hrs west of Hanoi, where the Ben Lac people, originally from Thailand, have settled. The route takes us through some of northern Vietnam’s most picturesque scenery, with mountain roads carved through lush foliage, overlooking stunning panoramas. We stop in Hoa Binh to visit the Muong Cultural Space, dedicated to the heritage and culture of the Muong -- Vietnam’s third largest ethnic group. On arrival in Mai Chau, we check-in to our hotel with some free time to arrange our own lunches.
In the afternoon, we visit the enormous main chamber of Mo Luong Cave. In this dramatic setting we hear the legend of the cave as well as a little of the history of Vietnam. We then take a walking tour through local White Thai Villages set in tranquil Mai Chau countryside. This is a chance to learn something of the life of Vietnam’s White Thai ethnic minority and experience their warm hospitality and get a rare glimpse inside their traditional stilt houses. We will also explore the local rice fields and learn about traditional rice growing methods that are still used today.
Walking summary: 7km (4 mi), 1.5-2 total hours of leisurely walking on paved and natural surfaces, mostly flat with some stairs.
Overnight in Mai Chau.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4 Activities from Mai Chau: Mai Chau Valley Walking Tour, White Villages
Today we depart on a full-day walking excursion to the Mai Chau Valley. Our exploration is unhurried and leisurely, visiting more of the peaceful White Thai villages, first Na Phon and then Na Meo. Our walk will take us among farmers working the fields, alongside enormous black buffalo, and through scenic mountain landscapes. As we walk through the villages, there are opportunities to interact with friendly locals, and perhaps peek inside their homes. En route we will take a light lunch.
Walking summary: This is our biggest distance day thus far, at a total of +/- 10km (6 mi) with 300/400m ascent/descent – approx 3 hours of actual walking, leisurely-though-steady, with stops for refreshment, lunch, sightseeing.
Overnight in Mai Chau.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5 Mai Chau - Son La: H’Mong Hilltribe Walk, Visit Tea Plantation, Prison
This morning we drive to Son La via a 2-hour fairly easy hike through two Hilltribe Villages, Sa Linh and Pa Co, which are inhabited by H’mong hill tribes. Located 1000m (3,300 ft) above sea level, the villages are surrounded by fruit trees. Watching for occasional glimpses of wildlife as we traverse the green mountains, it takes about 40mins to drive up to the higher elevation of Sa Linh. From here it is a 5km (3 mi) walk to Pa Co. The villages are located in the Black and Flower H’mong tribal areas. On finishing our hike, we take lunch in a local restaurant en route on our return to Son La. On the way we pass by Moc Chau, where we stop to visit a Tea Plantation for more understanding about Vietnamese traditional tea. Upon arrival in Son La City, if time permits, we can visit the site of Son La Prison, built by the French colonists in 1908 to jail Vietnamese revolutionaries.
Walking summary: 5km (3 mi), total +/-2 hours on paved and reasonably smooth, undulating natural paths.
Overnight in Son La.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6 Son La Tribal Walking Tour - Drive Lai Chau via Pu Sam Cap Cave
After breakfast we depart by coach to our morning tribal walking tour, where we explore more of the minority groups in the Son La area and view the amazing mountain system as it sweeps towards Lai Chau. After our walk we take lunch in a local restaurant, then depart by coach for Lai Chau. En route we visit Pu Sam Cap Cave, the most famous caves in Lai Chau, discovered in 2006. These caves consist of a complex system with three main chambers which will surprise the visitor with their pristine beauty. After our visit we transfer to our hotel for check in and dinner.
Walking Summary: 4km (3 mi), 150m (500 ft) descent – approx 2 hours walking, leisurely pace.
Overnight in Lai Chau.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7 From Lai Chau - Full-day Sin Suoi Ho Waterfalls Hike
We have an early start this morning as we drive 1hr to Sin Suoi Ho, a Hmong village located 1500m (4,900 ft) above sea level. The village is famous locally for the planting of about 20,000 orchids. We start our day's hike from the village accompanied by a local guide. We then hike, first to the Heart Waterfall, then to nearby Love Waterfall These beautifully situated and picturesque waterfalls are a popular sight for locals and visitors alike. After our walk, we continue our drive to Lai Chau and our hotel for check in. Dinner is served at the hotel this evening.
Walking Summary: 9.6km (6 mi) – 100m (330 ft) ascent/descent, approx 5 hours leisurley walking on mostly well-maintained, undulating natural surfaces.
Overnight in Lai Chau.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8 Lai Chau Walking - Drive to Sapa via Heaven’s Gate Pass
This morning after breakfast we depart by coach to Hon Village, populated by the Lu ethnic minority, who have preserved their tradition and lifestyle intact. Here we take a walk to explore the region. After our visit, we continue to Sapa via Tram Ton (Heaven's Gate) Pass, the highest mountain pass in Vietnam at 2047m (6,715 ft). From here on a clear day we can enjoy breathtaking views of the Fansipan Mountain Range, including Mount Fanispan, at 3143m (10,300 ft) the highest mountain in Vietnam. From here we proceed to Ta Giang Phinh Valley inhabited by the Black Hmong tribe, which we briefly explore. Finally, we arrive at Sapa, famous for its towering peaks and steep terraces, and check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Walking summary: 4.2km (2.5 miles) – 150/50m (500/164 ft) ascent/descent – approx 1.5 hours walking: leisurely on undulating paved and natural surfaces.
Overnight in Sapa.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9 Activities from Sapa: Hmong & Tavan Villages
After breakfast we are met by a local guide and driver for a short transfer to Cat Cat Village. Our walks today are the longest of our tour, and starts from Cat Cat and follows the trail by way of a waterfall and local hydroelectric project before continuing through picturesque rice terraces. We eventually arrive in Y Linh Ho, a prosperous village of the Black Hmong minority. Here we pause for a light lunch. In the afternoon we head toward the Muong Hoa Valley, passing through Lao Chai, then Tavan village which houses a population of the Giay tribal minority. Return to Sapa by road.
Walking Summary: Total 12km (8 mi) in sections – 400/200m (1300/650 ft) ascent/descent – approx 5 hours actual walking: leisurely on undulating paved/cobbled and natural surfaces.
Overnight in Sapa.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10 Sapa - Morning Red Dzao & Black H’mong Walk - Drive Hanoi
This morning we drive a short distance southeast of Sapa town to Ta Phin, a large valley, surrounded by high mountains covered by pine forest. Ta Phin commune is home to the Red Dzao and Black H’mong ethnic tribes. Although living close to each other for decades, these two ethnic peoples are very different. The H’mong are thought to be cheerful and open minded while the Red Dzao have a reputation for being economical and reserved.
We take an easy walk on the inter-village paths around the valley, paying visits to H’mong hamlets scattered from the bottom of the valley to higher mountain slopes. We walk to a Red Dzao village in which we meet groups of women making handicrafts includes embroidered clothes, handbags, and more. We then return to Ta Phin, regain our coach and drive back to Hanoi. On arrival we check into our hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure. Due to the length of our day and possibility of an early start tomorrow, dinner is on your own this evening.
Walk Summary: 4.8k (3 mi) – 120/50m (400/165 ft) ascent/descent – approx.: 1.5 hours leisurely walking, surfaces much like previous walks.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
Day 11 Hanoi, Vietnam - Siem Reap, Cambodia: Afternoon Walking Tour
This morning we transfer to Hanoi airport for our flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. On arrival, we are met and transfer to our hotel for check-in and a break for lunch.
This afternoon we depart on a Siem Reap walking tour. We first stroll to the centre of town and the glorious Wat Damnak Buddhist Monastery. This magnificent pagoda and its lush surrounding grounds offer peace and tranquillity in the heart of the temple complex. With huge historical significance, the grounds of Wat Damnak contain Cambodia's largest public library outside of Phnom Penh. We see monks, students, and locals studying in contemplative silence. Next we visit the ancient and beautiful Wat Preah Prom Rath. Built more than 500 years ago, this pagoda has huge grounds filled with numerous statues and sculptures. The oldest part of the site is the impressive front gate with Bayon style carvings similar to those found in Angkor Wat -- a taster of the Angkor ruins without leaving the city. Next, we visit the Royal Residence, set in lush parkland grounds running alongside the river, which also contain Yeay Tep Shrine and Preah Ang Chek. These verdant royal parklands are home to hundreds of towering, ancient trees which provide shelter for numerous butterflies and huge fruit bats that wake at dusk to search for food. Later we explore the bustling Psar Chas (Old Market), constructed in the 1920s. This colourful and expansive market has a wonderfully frenetic pace and is the perfect place to pick up Cambodian artworks, information about the country’s Khmer heritage, and a multitude of souvenirs. After our tour we return to the hotel with the balance of the day leisure.
Walking Summary: A light day in distance and time, with in-town walking, paved surfaces, some steops, and plenty of stops.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 12 Full Day Temple Touring: Ankor Thom, Bayon, Terrace Elephants, Ta Prohm, Angkor Wat
Today we depart on a full day temple tour (with vehicle support) to visit the most important of the many temples that surround Siem Reap. We spend much of the day on foot exploring Siem Reap's jungle-bound edifices, a major highlight of tour.
We start with a visit to the South Gate of Angkor Thom, where statues of the gods of good and evil line the entrance. Our next stop is Bayon, known for the hundreds of smiling faces that grace the towers. The bas reliefs are impressive and tell stories of daily life and great battles fought between the Khmers and ancient Thais. We move on to Phimeanakas, shaped a bit like a pyramid with two ponds in the rear, which were once used for religious rituals, and today serve as swimming pools for Khmer children. Walk to the top of the temple for impressive views of the Angkor complex and see the rows of trunks that form the wall of the Terrace of the Elephants, a platform from which King Jayavarman surveyed his army. Close by is the Terrace of Leper Kings.
Then it’s a short drive to one of the most loved temples of all -- Ta Prohm. This small crumbling temple is held together by giant tree roots giving it a magical feel. We return to Siem Reap for lunch and to escape the hot sun. Then later in the afternoon we explore the magnificent Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument. This spectacular temple is a massive three-tiered pyramid, rising 65m from the ground and crowned by five towers. It's the national symbol of Cambodia and proudly appears on the country’s flag. We end our day with sunset views over the jungle from the top of Pre Rup Temple before returning to Siem Reap. Due to the fullness of our day, we will leave dinner up to you this evening.
Walking Summary: An ambitious full day of flat ground leisurely walking, with some steps/stairs on paved, cobbled, and natural surfaces. 9.6k (6miles) total for the day – approx 5 hours walking total, broken up by guided sightseeing stops and free time at the various sites, and breaks for refreshment.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
Day 13 From Siem Reap: Full-day Excursion to Sap Lake & Chansar Village
This morning we drive to the shore of the Tonle Sap Lake, where we embark on a cruise to Kompong Phluk, an isolated Khmer community of three villages built on wooden stilts rising from six to eight metres high. The community has about 3,000 inhabitants who farm fish and vegetables on floating platforms. During our visit, our boat traverses mangrove forests, a unique ecosystem that survives on flooded soil for some months of each year. Mangroves also play host for a variety of wildlife -- keep an eye out for birds, especially the rare crab-eating macaques!
Back on land we continue driving to the small village of Chansar, which we explore on foot. (3.2k/2miles – approx.: 2 hours walking: leisurely).
After our visit, en route back to Siem Reap, we stop at a Buddhist temple. On arrival at our hotel, the balance of the day is at leisure. Farewell dinner in local restaurant. This evening we gather in the foyer and depart for a local restaurant for our farewell dinner. We then transfer back to the hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner.
Walking Summary: At Chansar Village, 3.2km (2 mi) – approx 2 hours leisurely walking, flat and varried surfaces.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 14 Departure from Siem Reap
Transfer to Siem Reap airport for international departures.
FOND FAREWELL!
Included Meal(s): Breakfast
Inclusions
Breakfast daily and most dinners (we leave some evenings free due to some long active days days and possibly early starts the next day); most lunches are also included at both local restaurants and hotels (see detailed itinerary for full meal plan). All transport (including local flights), accommodation, sightseeing and entrance fees for sites noted as 'visited' in the detailed itinerary. Gratuities for drivers, restaurant staff, porters, local guides. Airport transfers for land & air customers arriving/departing on tour dates and early arriving land & air customers who also book their extra nights through us.
Exclusions
International airfare to/from the tour. Tour Leader gratuities, some dinners, personal items (ie your bar bill), domestic and international (if applicable) air taxes, visa fees, and any excursions referenced as 'optional'. Airport transfers for Land Only customers. Optional trip cancellation insurance. Our post-reservation trip notes offer further guidance on shopping, not included meals, visas, and any locally-paid departure taxes.
Seasonality and Weather
Our late October departure is just outside of the coolest time of year and the end of rainy season in Northern Vietnam; it still rains now and then, but not too much to seriously affect our trip. The scenery is green and lush, and the weather is generally pleasant at this time of year. We will likely still experience some heat, but our October visit avoids the possibility of being caught in cold weather outbreaks that tend to descend from the north Nov-Jan, which can uncomfortably chilly.
Our March date also skips the cool and cloudy winter period and the heat of summer, which begins in May. March may be somewhat less green overall as things begin to dry out; that said, it's an interesting time as it coincides with the harvest of various crops.
Down south in Cambodia, we will definitely experience some serious heat as this region known for hot and humid conditions throughout the year.
Overall you should prepare for warm-hot, sometimes sticky weather with the possibility of rain and some chilly nights/mornings in a few locales.
Transport and Travel Conditions
Land transport throughout will be by private air-conditioned bus. Most of the driving days are not long, but progress can be slow due to the nature of the roads and traffic. Internal flights via scheduled regional carriers.
This is a busy program with lots of moving around, though distances in this relatively compact region are not huge. While the trip is well-paced overall, we will have some full days of travel/activities with sightseeing/comfort stops along the way. This is a hotel-based trip with no camping; all you need to carry is a small backpack with what you will need for the day.
Our difficulty rating "Level 3" refers to our full days of travel and sightseeing and, especially, our on-foot activities. This itinerary features some town/city on-foot explorations, but most of our walking takes place on well-maintained mountain/hill terrain and "natural" surfaces. Some of our routes involve modest elevation gain/loss. For further details specific to each days' activities on this tour -- approximate walk durations, distance, elevation gain/loss, and surface type (ie paved or "natural") -- please refer to the "Walk Summary" included on each day of the full itinerary.
Overall, our walks can vary widely, but generally range from 2km (1.5 mi) to 7km (4.3 mi) and may be done in segments for the sake of variety and opportunities for breaks and sightseeing. Our pace is leisurely but steady, and you should be comfortable walking about 3km (2 mi) per hour, and up to 7km (6 mi) in approximately 2 hours of actual walking, plus time dedicated depending on photo/refreshment stops and guide commentary. Because some walks can/may be adjusted at the discretion of your Tour Leader depending on things like weather and group interest, the final distances/durations of our hikes as indicated in our itinerary should be taken as guidance only.
Porters should be available at most hotels but you must be able to manage with your baggage if baggage handling is not available and at airports.
For a general overview of all four of our rating categories, please click/tap on the "Activity Level 3" button located on this page.
Am I suitable for this tour? Please refer to our self-assessment form.
Accommodation
Hotels used on tour are comfortable, well-located, air-conditioned, mostly 4-star properties with en-suite bath/toilet. Some are resort-style boutique properties with plenty of charm and atmosphere. Single rooms are limited in number and possibly smaller than twins. Laundry facilities are available at some hotels for a reasonable price.
Most hotel rooms are well-equipped and likely include hairdryers and irons, minibar fridge, TV. Most hotels provide complimentary purified drinking water. Some hotels have swimming pools.
Click on "Map & Hotels" tab elsewhere on this page for more information.
Staff and Support
Tour Leader throughout, local drivers, local guides at various locations.
Group Size
Maximum 16 plus Tour Leader
Regions visited: Africa; Americas; Europe; Asia; Oceania; South America; North America; North Africa; Middle East; Southern Africa; East Africa; West Africa; Eastern Europe; Western Europe; Southeast Asia; South Asia; Central Asia; Caribbean; Down Under; South Pacific Islands; Far East; Caucasus; Gulf States; Central Europe; Central America; The Adriatic and The Guyanas
Countries visited:
*The red tour trail on the map does not represent the actual travel path.
The following is a list of sample hotels at some locations included on this tour. The hotels shown here are meant to provide a general sense of the standard of hotel we usually aim for; they are not necessarily confirmed for your chosen departure.
We encourage you to get trip cancellation and interruption insurance to protect against unforeseen events.