Included Features

• Private air-conditioned vehicle as per program
• Local English speaking guide in each city
• Accommodations based on Twin/Double share with daily breakfast
• Meals (excluding drinks) as specified
• Boat fee & sightseeing fee as specified, on a private basis
• Government tax and services charges
• Water puppet show ticket & pedal cab fee in Hanoi
• Complimentary bottled drinking water

Day by Day Activtities

Day 1 Mon Depart USA for Luang Prabang, Laos

Day 2 Arrive in Vientiane Arrive in Vientiane and transfer to hotel.

Day 3 Vientiane city tour (B) Visit Wat Sisaket the oldest temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo before heading to the sacred stupa That Luang. Stop at the Patuxay Monument known as Vientiane‘s Arc de Triumph en route. In the afternoon, drive to Buddha Park, a sculpture park with numerous religious images located on the Mekong Riverside meadow and continue to the Morning Market and the weaving village of Ban Nong Bouathong.

Day 4 Vientiane – Xiengkhouang (B,L) Transfer to the airport for flight to Xiengkhouang. After a short rest at the hotel, visit the old capital of Muang Khoun Province and its' nearby villages, home of the Hmong and Tai Dam people. Stay overnight in Xiengkhouang.

Day 5 Xiengkhouang – Luang Prabang (B,L) Drive to the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site with hundreds of large stone jars scattered throughout the plateau. After lunch, continue to the charming city -Luang Prabang (about 7-hour drive). Arrive in Luang Prabang in the evening and check-in hotel.

Day 6 Luang Prabang (B,L) After visiting the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, we take a short drive to Ban Sailom with a stop at Phosi Morning Market en route. Spend a day learning the process of silk natural dyeing and weaving at Ock Pop Tock. Have a home-style Lao lunch on the Mekong river bank and return to the hotel after the weaving lesson.

Day 7 Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave – Khuangsi Waterfalls (B,L) Early risers have the chance to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from residents, a unique tradition in Laos’s culture. Our morning tour begins with a boat ride upstream on the Mekong River to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves with a stop at Ban sang Hae village for its ‘lao lao’ rice wine. Visit the local hand weaving workshops at Ban Xangkhong village before driving back to Luang Prabang. Tour the morning Phosi Market and local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups before heading to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall to relax. Return to Luang Prabang late afternoon and visit Ban siphouthabath before going back to the hotel.

Day 8 Luang Prabang – Hanoi (B) After checking out, we visit the National Museum (close on Tuesday) at the former Royal Palace and the Central Market before transfer to the airport for flight to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to hotel.

Day 9 Hanoi City tour (B,L) The morning tour begins with the Tay Phuong pagoda built in the 8th century and is known for its magnificent wooden Buddha statues, follows with a visit to Duong Lam ancient village. This village is famous not only for its century-old houses but also home for the two Kings in Vietnam. Lunch will be served at a 300 year- old house. The afternoon tour begins with the Ethnology Museum, the Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake with the Ngoc Son temple and ends with the traditional cyclo ride through Hanoi's Old Quarter.

Day 10 Hanoi – Halong (B,L,D) In the morning take a scenic drive to Halong and transfer by tender to the deluxe junk at BaiChay/TuanChau Island. Discover the treasures of fascinating caves, pristine beaches, picturesque floating villages, dramatic rock formations rising up out of emerald water disseminated as we sail across the Bay of the Descending Dragon. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon on board or kayaking (optional). Dinner is on board.

Day 11 Halong – Hanoi – Train to Lao Cai (B,D) A Tai Chi demonstration is available on sundeck for early risers. Enjoy a delights buffet breakfast while sailing across thousands of islets. Cruise ends at BaiChay/TuanChau late morning. On the way back to Hanoi, stop at But Thap pagoda to visit the 350 year-old, thousand hands and thousand eyes Buddha statue, and Dong Ho folk painting village. Dinner is at a local restaurant in Hanoi and transfer to the station for a night train to Lao Cai.

Day 12 Arrival in Lao Cai – Sapa (B,L) Arrive in Lao Cai early morning and drive to Sapa. After breakfast, enjoy a walk through Sapa's colourful market and scenic valley to visit the Cat Cat village of H’mong ethnic group who are quite handy with the brocade weaving craft and gold/silver jewelry making. Back to town and have lunch at Red Yao restaurant before checking in the hotel. In the afternoon, visit Ham Rong Mountain, an attractive area in the center of Sapa, where visitors may climb up to the San May (Cloud Yard) to enjoy the panoramic view of the Sapa Townlet below or visit the orchid gardens with its exquisite flowers. Stay overnight in Sapa.

Day 13 Lao Chai – Ta Van – Giang Ta Chai villages (B,L) Spend the morning trekking across the scenic valley into Lao Chai and Ta Van villages to meet with local craftspeople and experience their textile art. Have lunch at a home family. After lunch continue walking through a bamboo forest to Giang Ta Chai, a Red Dao ethnic minority village. After resting at a nearby waterfall, we climb uphill to a road where a car is waiting to take us back to Sapa.

Day 14 Sapa – Overnight Train to Hanoi (B,L) Morning is at leisure until lunch at local restaurant. After lunch, we have time to shop or explore the town until transfer to LaoCai late afternoon for the night train back to Hanoi.

Day 15 Hanoi (B) Arrive in Hanoi early morning. Have breakfast and refresh before driving to Bat Trang pottery village. Enjoy the scenic view of country life along the banks of the Red River dykes along the way. Return to Hanoi and check in hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum and Mai Hien Gallery.

Day 16 Hanoi - Departure (B) Morning is at leisure until transfer to the airport. Have a safe trip.

B: Breakfast L: Lunch D: Dinner

Prices are per person based on double occupancy with private services. Minimum 2 passengers.

Hotel Catergory	Low Season (May - Sept)	High Season (Jan-Apr & Oct-Dec)
Superior Class	$ 2999	$ 3099
Deluxe Class	$ 3199	$ 3399
Premium Class	$ 3399	$ 3799

Notes: Excluding surcharge for high season and Compulsory Dinners on Christmas and New Year.

Add on domestic airfare

City Code	Low Season (May - Sept)	High Season (Jan-Apr & Oct-Dec)
VTE/XKH-LPQ/HAN	$ 350	$ 375

Please check with your experienced staff for special rates on INTERNATIONAL air fares for travel originating in U.S. or other gateways. (Subject to availability at the time of booking)

Above airfares are current estimates. Actual airfares will be advised at the time of the booking; taxes & fuel surcharges are additional; determined at the time of ticketing.

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