07 Days - Valley to Sea: Journey through Vietnam

Highlights:
- Explore the historic heart of Vietnam on a cyclo tour of the country’s capital, Hanoi
- Check a UNESCO site off your bucket list with a cruise through spectacular Ha Long Bay and exploration of the famous Sung Sot caves
- Get a taste for the authentic during an overnight stay with a family in their traditional stilt home
- Immerse yourself in rich history and culture visiting a list of must-see sites

Day by Day Itinerary
Day 01: Hanoi
Touch down in Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, where your private car will be waiting for you. After hotel check-in, rest and refresh before embarking on your first adventure: a cyclo (Vietnamese rickshaw) tour through the ancient streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Embrace the frenzied juxtaposition of old and new, urban bustle and nature’s beauty with a tour around Hoan Kiem Lake and the ancient temple it surrounds. The city’s historic center hosts several galleries, museums, temples and gardens for your exploration. Round-off your first day with some relaxation and divine dining.

Day 02: Hanoi - Mai Chau
Traverse westward to the province of Hoa Binh. In perfect contrast to yesterday’s experience, today, you will observe a calmer side of Vietnam. Your destination, the Pom Coong village, is nestled in the valley of Mai Chau. Here, you will meet your homestay family. You will be enveloped by their hospitable warmth and grace. Break bread and spend time learning about the locals and their lifestyle. You will surely never forget the night you spent in a traditional Vietnamese stilthouse in the rolling green valleys of Hoa Binh.

Day 03: Mai Chau - Hanoi
After a good breakfast and goodbyes with your host family, hop on a cycle and explore the villages of Northern Vietnam’s highlands. Immerse yourself in the simplistic purity of the vibrant local culture. Relish the serenity of the countryside before returning to the rush of Hanoi. Enjoy an enchanting evening of entertainment as you take in a water puppetry performance, a unique Vietnamese tradition that dates back to the 11th century.

Day 04: Halong Bay
Today you will visit UNESCO World Heritage site, Ha Long Bay. The impressive limestone bay and its crystal-blue waters are nothing short of breathtaking. Take in the site while enjoying a lunch buffet aboard a cruise. Following this, you will have the opportunity to visit an authentic fishing village. Take time to appreciate the unique beauty and ingenuity of the floating homes and way of life in small water-based communities. Then it’s back to the cruise for a sunset mocktail, cooking class, dinner and a movie.

Day 05: Ha Long - Hanoi
Do as the locals do and greet the sun with a morning Tai Chi class on a rooftop deck. After an early breakfast take a boat-ride to the enchanting Sung Sot cave. Living up to its alternative names “Amazing” cave and “Cave of Surprises” this ancient system of grottos and their chambers filled with stalactites and stalagmites reaching up to 100 feet are simply spectacular. Enjoy your last evening in Hanoi and check-out for the day ahead.

Day 06: Hanoi - Kenh Ga - Cuc Phuong
A scenic southbound drive will bring you to the province of Ninh Binh where you will enjoy lunch and prepare for a boat trip through the village of Kenh Ga. Set amongst an impressive, mountainous landscape of limestone cliffs, winding rivers and tranquil lakes the Kenh Ga village-tour offers a glimpse into the peaceful patterns of these rural communities. A short drive to where the mountains meet the sea will bring you to Truong An, home to the 17th century temples of Dinh and Le, built in honor of monarchs long-past. Check in to your hotel and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 07: Ninh Binh - Hanoi
For the final day of your guided tour enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel and travel by car to Cuc Phuong National Park. Vietnam’s first National park, Cuc Phuong is a pristine window into Vietnam’s rich biodiversity. A unique opportunity to observe hundreds of mammal, bird, reptile, and fish species, keep an eye out for everything from primates to porcupines. Alas, all good things must come to an end, it is time to check-out and return you to Hanoi.