Cultural and Natural Wonders of Vietnam & Indonesia

DAY 1 HANOI ARRIVALE

Welcome to Hanoi. The Old Quarter, known for its ‘36 streets of 36 wares’, is also home to a number of passionate artisans who continue to practice their age-old crafts.

DAY 2 HANOI – HISTORY & CULTURAL TALK

Vietnamese history, culture, and ethnic peoples will be shared during the trip to visit the Museum of Ethnology which houses an extensive collection of traditional costumes and artefacts from Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minority groups. Then we will take you to The Thang Long Imperial Citadel which was built in the 11th century by the Vietnamese Ly Dynasty, marking the independence of the Đại Việt.  It was built on the remains of a Chinese fortress dating from the 7th century, on drained land reclaimed from the Red River Delta in Hanoi.  It was the centre of regional political power for almost thirteen centuries without interruption. The trip will be ended at Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple.

DAY 3  HANOI – LAN HA BAY OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE 

From Hanoi, head East for more than 2.5 hours to Lan Ha, the pride of the Gulf of Tonkin. The road will pass by the Red River delta with green paddy fields and rural villages, where hard-work farmers are busy with their farming jobs, ploughing buffaloes or planting seedling. Upon arrival in Lan Ha, we’ll take a big boat to cruise the Bay to discover the magnificent beauty of the bay, created by thousands odd-shaped limestone rocks and karst grottoes. After a lunch of fresh seafood on board, we can visit the cave, stop for swimming, passing floating villages and approach islets to enjoy their beauty in close distance. Evening attend activities on the boat or relax at your own leisure. Overnight on the boat.

DAY 4 LAN HA – HANOI - NIGHT TRAIN TO SAPA 

In the morning, doing exercise morning on Sundeck, enjoy light breakfast with coffee, tea, seasonal fresh fruit and bread before keep going to visit Lan Ha Bay, passing by many other rocks, Islets as well as fishing villages. Brunch (lunch) will be served on board before disembarking time. Return to Hanoi, take a rest and enjoy your free time. Back to Hanoi and take a rest in hotel. We will arrange transfer for night train to Sapa. Overnight on train. 2-4 people/cabin based on request. 

DAY 5 SAPA, EXPLORE MINORITY VILLAGES (LAO CHAI & TA VAN) 

Arrival Lao cai, local guide & driver will waiting you at the exit gate of Lao cai train with a sign board written your name then transfer you go up hill to Sapa town, where we arranged breakfast and shower places for you before start your trekking tour.

Trekking from Sapa to the Black H’mong village of Y Linh Ho and Lao Chai where excellent panoramas of the larger valley, paddy terraced fields and the H’mong village are offered. We take a small local path leading into the bottom of the valley, where some stalls are available that serve tea and fruits; a perfect spot to take a rest and have lunch. After lunch you will visit the Zay people of Ta Van, which lies in the middle of the Muong Hoa valley.

DAY 6 SAPA, OFF THE BEATEN TRACK (BAN KHOANG & TA GIANG PHINH) 

Met up at your hotel in Sapa by local guide and driver for a short road transfer heading northwards of Sapa along national road 4C to O Quy Ho with several stops for magnificent landscapes of Fansipan, Sin Chai valley and especially amazing flower and vegetable farms. Then turn right to follow a narrow road for half an hour getting through the wild region with thick rain forest covering walled-up mountains, passing several waterfalls before arriving to Ban Khoang, a village of the Red Zao ethnic peoples who live their unique way of life and well maintain their traditional values. The village looks prosperous thanks to the combination of wet rice cultivation on the terraced fields with cardamom farming under the shade of trees in thick forest. Spend over an hour walking to explore this remote village for a brief understanding of local life. Leaving Ban Khoang and process along the road for about 10km to Ta Giang Phinh valley inhabited by the Black Hmong who live in some small villages scattering along a peaceful stream.

Enjoy an hour lunch break on the bank of a stream before walking along village path which connects village to village to witness daily activities of local life such as plough and harrow the fields, growing, harvesting or doing some house work. In leisure months men often gather to built new houses or repair parts of old ones while women stay home making their traditional costumes. The walk ends in mid afternoon, picked up for the road ride back to Sapa. Overnight in Sapa.

DAY 7 SAPA - DRIVE BACK TO HANOI 

8:00 am, driver pick up and drive to Hanoi via Lao Cai – Hanoi. Arriving Hanoi around 2:30 pm (Drop off at airport or your hotel). Free time at leisure. Note: Stop at rest stop on the way back for toilet & lunch on your own expenses. 

DAY 8 FLIGHT TO BALI 

Upon the arrival at Ngurah Rai Intl’ Airport, Bali. Meeting service & Direct transfer to the hotel. Check-in Process. Overnight in Bali.

DAY 9 UBUD TOUR – BARONG DANCE – TAMPAK TEMPLE – TEGALALANG RICE TERRACE 

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning to see Barong dance performance, and continues to visit Batubulan village for batik painting. Then continue to visit Tampak siring holy spring water temple. Next visit tegalalang rice terrace and Crispy duck lunch Ubud style. And finally, visit Monkey Forest Ubud.

DAY 10 COOKING CLASS – A DAY IN BALI 

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning pick up and transfer to Rumah Desa in Tabanan regency. Arrive in Rumah Balinese, explore daily Life:(offering, Herbal medicine “Boreh”), Balinese Calendar, Balinese Alphabet and write at Lontar leaf, Coconut oil making, cooking introduction, Coffee Break (Coffee, Tea or water and Balinese Cake), Lunch (family style). And finally visit Tanah lot temple, one of Bali icon. Back to hotel & free program.

DAY 11 TABANAN TOUR – ULUNDANU FLOATING TEMPLE – ROYAL TEMPLE 

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning starts to visit Jati Luwih, Bali UNESCO world heritage of beautiful view of rice terrace, soft trekking in Jatih Luwih. Next visit the Ulundanu floating temple with the surrounding of Beratan Lake. Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch visits Royal Temple of Taman Ayun in MEngwi village. Back to the hotel.   

DAY 12 BALI DEPARTURE 

After breakfast . Preparing for leaving bali. Enjoy your stay at our resort. Afternoon picked up and Transfer to the AIRPORT. Go Boarding. End of Services. Thank You.

To request for this customized tour, please reach out us via email sales@despacetravel.com