The North East mountainous areas of Ba Be Lake, Cao Bang and Ha Giang offer breathtaking views and interesting subcultures. It is the least travelled area of the north and attracts hardier travellers craving a glimpse of some of the more remote ethnic minority people.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (Meals : D)

Arrival at Noi Bai Airport. Meeting with guide and transfer to the hotel. Welcome dinner featuring Vietnamese specialties. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Ha Noi - Thai Nguyen - Ba Be National Park (240km/6hrs) (Meals : B/L/D)

7:30am - Start for a drive through the Red River Delta north along Hwy 3 to Thai Nguyen. Of interest here is the Museum of the Cultures of Viet Nam's Ethnic Groups. Leaving the delta behind, you'll start climbing into the mountainous area of Ba Be National Park. Take a short boat trip (30 minutes) to a Tay village for dinner and home stay in a local house.

Day 3: Ba Be - Cao Bang (120km/4hrs). (Meals : B/L/D)

Ba Be Lake, surrounded by rugged limestone mountains, is Viet Nam's only natural mountain lake. This important eco-system is well known for over 330 species of butterflies! Have breakfast with your Tay hosts before exploring the lake with lush forest clinging to the surrounding mountains. Reach the end of the lake and trek to Dau Dang Waterfall before heading north through the mountains to the city of Cao Bang. Overnight in a hotel.

Day 4: Ban Gioc Waterfall (85kms/2.5 hours). (Meals : B/L/D)

Take a scenic day trip north of Cao Bang to the beautiful Ban Gioc Waterfall on the Chinese border for a picnic lunch. This picturesque, cascading waterfall is 53 meters high and has an impressive span of 300 meters. The unique landscape includes limestone karst formations soaring from the verdant rice paddies of Tay, H'Mong and Dzao ethnic minority groups. On the way back to Cao Bang, explore the expansive 2,144 meter Nguom Ngao Cavern to discover its brilliant stalactites. Overnight in the hotel in Cao Bang.

Day 5: Cao Bang - Lang Son - Ha Noi (300km/7hrs). (Meals: B/L)

The famous Highway 4 winds its way through steep mountain passes with spectacular vistas! Lang Son, the capital of this mountainous area, is an important crossing and trading route with China. The area is home to Dzao, Man, Tho and Nung ethnic minority groups. Lang Son has two markets, the Old Market and the Dong Kinh Market, where shoppers can find everything from electronics and gadgets to textiles and house wares. Just a couple of kilometers from town are two large, beautiful caves and the ruins of the Mac Dynasty Citadel that are worth a visit, time permitting. Tam Thanh Cave contains a pond and offers great views of the surrounding farmlands. Nhi Thanh Cave, formed by the river that flows through it, has poems carved into the entrance by the man who discovered the cave in the 18th century. The late afternoon trip back to Hanoi from Lang Son is along a modern 4-lane divided highway.

Day 6: Hanoi City Tour (Meals: B/L)

At 9.00 AM, we start the city tour to visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple. Then continue to visit the Temple of Literature well known as Vietnam’s first university and the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem with its sacred Ngoc Son Temple. Free afternoon for shopping. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 7: Hoa Lu Tam Coc Cycling/rowing boat Trip (Meals: B/L)

7am - Departure by private coach to Hoa Lu (2.5 hrs). Visit the historic capital of Viet Nam and the famous ancient temples of Le and The Dinh Dynasties. Cycle for an hour on picturesque quiet roads through villages, rice fields, rivers and rocky outcrops to Tam Coc (12km) for lunch.
At 1.30pm - 15 minutes cycling on a country road takes you to Sunny Wharf, a small dock, for a sampan boat journey (1 hour) in the heart of “Inland Ha Long Bay”. Take in the beauty of the karst formations as you pass along their base and row into one of the many caves carved through the limestone. Stop for a short rest near a small shrine before returning to the boat and making your way back to the dock (1 hour). Cycle back to Tam Coc village. 4pm - Drive back to Ha Noi. Overnight in Hanoi

Day 8: Hanoi - Ha Long bay (Meals: B/L/D)

Morning depart for Halong Bay, we go through the scenic countryside. The wondrous Halong Bay is truly one of Vietnam’s most impressive scenic sights. Heading out of the town we embark on a boat for an exploration of the legendary Halong Bay. This exciting five hour cruise will provide us a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone islands rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. The limestone karsts formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. Along the way we will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. Stay overnight on the Junk Cruise.

Day 9: Ha Long bay - Hanoi (Meals: B, L)

Drive back to Ha Noi with a stopover at Dong Trieu pottery village. Free afternoon at Ha Noi for own activities with guide at disposal. Hotel: Overnight in Hanoi

Day10: Hanoi departure (Meals: B)

At leisure until transfer to Noi Bai Airport for departure flight (check out hotel before 12h00).