Rocky Limestone of North Vietnam

The Mountains of the North, territory of about sixty ethnic groups who savagely assert their own traditional cultures. Their astonishment in seeing the first "foreigners" arrive on their land is remarkable! The bay of Halong, its crystal emerald waters, its thousands of small islands and its floating villages, Tam Coc bay and its whole of limestone's peaks are also magic moments of this trip.

• Day 1/  Arrive in Hanoï
• Day 2/  Hanoi - Ba Be National park
• Day 3/  Ba Be visit (Thaï minorities, sampan) - transfer to Cao Bang, trek
• Day 4/  Cao Bang - Ban La, trek
• Day 5/  Ban La - Ban Sao, trek 
• Day 6/  Ban Sao - Dong Khe - Lang Son 
• Day 7/  Lang Son - Halong
• Day 8/  Halong bay discovery (junk, kayaking) 
• Day 9/  Halong - Tam Coc 
• Day 10/  Tam Coc (sampan and biking discovery) - Hanoi
• Day 11/  Hanoi visit 
• Day 12/  Depart from Hanoï.

If the northwest is dazzling with its mountainous landscapes and colorful hill tribes, then the northeast is fascinating with its unusual limestone landscapes.
This original geological formation originates from Yangshui-Guilin in China to Cao Bang before ending up in the crystal emerald waters of Ha Long bay. This area, accessed by crossing the famous colonial road No. 4, offers a wonderful natural show as in Ba Be National Park. The park has a lot to offer, including waterfalls, rivers, valleys, lakes and caves - all set amidst picturesque landscapes.
3 days of trekking in the remote areas of Cao Bang, close to the Chinese frontier offer us a full discovery of how hill tribes live, in a dreamy landscape.
An overnight in a homestead will allow us to get closer to the local cultures and customs.
We then visit Halong Bay, the jewel of Asia, with two and a half days on kayaks and junk. Tam Coc and its forest of rocky stone is are discovered on bike.
A trip of variety, of encounters, of feelings and emotions will bring our soul back to ourselves.

Day 1/  Arrival Hanoï
Arriving in Ha Noi, you will be welcome by your guide at Hanoi airport and transferred to your centrally located hotel in a comfortable vehicle. Ha Noi is one of Asia's most charming cities. Its relaxed ambience is a joy, with exploration best on foot or bicycle. This day is set aside for relaxation and rest after a long flight. You will have the opportunity to explore the city on your own. Your guide, however, will be available at your request. You will have dinner in a local restaurant and stay overnight in your hotel (Sofitel Plaza Hanoi ***** or similar).

Day 2/  Hanoi - Ba Be
Route to the northern mountains where Ba Be is located. Ba Be is Viet Nam's largest natural mountain lake and an extensive National Park. The park and the surrounding area is full of limestone, lakes, waterfalls, caves and unusual rock formations. The whole area is richly forested and home to many ethnic minority groups.
We take a short transfer by sampan to Pac Ngoi, a village of Tay minorities that sits next to a lake. First experience of a homestead, where we enjoy the ambiance and merge into their local culture.
7 hours of road - sampan. Homestead in house on stilts

Day 3/  Ba Be visit - tranfer to Cao Bang
We discover this beautiful national park on a three hour boat trip on the lake to Puong grotto, the home of more than one million bats and the Dau Dang waterfall. Lunch in a simple restaurant and we will take a 3 hour transfer to Cao Bang. The landscape is stunning with huge mountains. Arrive in the late afternoon in  Cao Bang.
3 hours of sampan and 3 hours of bus transfer. Accommodation : Thanh Loan hotel or similar.

Day 4/  Cao Bang - Ban La
Departure early morning with our local trekking support team ( porter, cook,  local guide). After two hours, we arrive at Ta lung, an important border village between Vietnam and China. We begin our trek into the remote areas. The trail climbs beneath some rain forests and we encounter many villages of Tay and Nung minorities. After some soft gentle up and down climbing, we arrive in a large valley of paddy fields and meet our host for the night. The house is on stilts and offers a great view over the valley. Similar to the previous homestead, but the local people here are more authentic and reserved as they seldom see foreigners.
2 hours of bus transfer and 5 hours of walking. Accommodation : Homestay in house on stilts

Day 5/  Ban La - Ban Sao
After a simple breakfast prepared by our cook, we walk on a easy route for a while before arriving at a challenging mountain to overcome. We enter a real rain forest, the path is quite difficult. In the afternoon, we cross a huge rice field, scattered with many rocky lime stones. Magnificent beauty. A lot of local activities along the way. Our trip ends at Ban Sao village inhabited by Tay people. They are curious to see us. An unforgettable evening of exchange with the children!!!
5 hours of walking.    Accommodation : Homestead in house on stilts

Day 6/  Ban Sao - Dong Khe - Lang Son
We leave the village in the morning on a gentle, long ascension. After two hours, we arrive at the top of a mountain. The view over the Dong Khe valley is incredibly stunning. Thousands of mountains and lime stones are spread throughout the large valley. We gradually descend to the town of Dong Khe where we will enjoy our farewell lunch with our local team.  Bus to Lang Son.
3 hours of walking and 3 hours of bus. Accommodation : Dang Ninh  hotel or similar.

Day 7/  Lang Son - Ha Long
Road to Halong bay (4 hour long transfer). Arrival in Halong, we embark on a beautiful sailing junk and cruise the ‘bay of dragon'.  We pass over 2000 limestone islands and rocky outcrops jutting out of the bay.  It is nothing short of spectacular. We visit some of the most beautiful caves in the area and climb Mount Ti Top where we enjoy a panoramic view of the bay. Weather permitting, the views at sunset are incredible. A seafood lunch and dinner including shrimp, squid, fish and other delicious bites will be served onboard (non seafood items are also available). You will stay overnight on the junk, deluxe cabin with the standards of a 3 star hotel. It is a wonderful experience to spend the night on the bay.
4 hours of transfer by bus and 5 hours of cruising. Accommodation : Anh Duong deluxe  boat

Day 8/  Ha Long bay discovery
The complex nature of Halong bay needs several days to be discovered.  Today, we have one more full day to explore it. With the kayak (life-vests provided), we sail to Tunell grotto, Van Gia fishing villages and some wild sandy beaches.
Second night in our junk.
5 - 6 hours of cruising and 4 - 5 hours of kayaking

Day 9/  Halong - Tam Coc
We return on land in the morning and transfer by bus to Ninh Binh, via the heart of the Red River delta. A visit to Keo pagoda, an ancient wood house known as the most typical pagoda of Northern Vietnam. Overnight in hotel in Tam Coc.
4 hours of cruising and 5 hours of transfer by bus. Accommodation : The Long  hotel  or similar.

Day 10/  Tam Coc - Hanoi
After breakfast, we take a small boat to visit Tam Coc, which is situated in a wonderful and spectacular setting of limestone rocks rising between the magnificent green rice pads. This place is also called the ‘Ha Long bay of the Land'. By small boat, we sail through stunning tunnel grottos where you can enjoy the serenity of the environment.  Lunch in a local restaurant.  We then embark on a biking excursion through a stunning area a forest of spectacular limestone, merging throughout are many typical rural Vietnamese villages. Arrival in Kenh Ga where we then return to Hanoi by bus.  
3 hours of cruising by small boat, 3 hours of biking. Accommodation : Sofitel Plaza Hanoi ***** hotel or similar.

Day 11/  Hanoi visit
This morning,  we take a guided tour of Hanoi. We begin our trip at Hoan Kiem lake, famous for the "Tortoise and the Lake of the Restored Sword" legend, in the 15th century. We continue with a visit to the Temple of Literature, dedicated to Confucius and his disciples. We also pay a visit to Tran Quoc Pagoda and the Quan Thanh Temple. We finish our city-tour by participating in a one-hour ride in a traditional rickshaw (bike) around Hanoi's Old Quarter.
Afternoon is free for your leisure. Accommodation: Sofitel Plaza Hanoi ***** hotel or similar.

Day 12/  Depart from Hanoï
Transfer to the airport for flight home.

- The walking time schedules are given only as an estimate.
- For different reasons involving trip organization, daily schedules and planned altitude gains (ascent or descent) may be modified without any prior notice.

Each participant walks with a light back pack, carrying only the personal items necessary for the day (water bottle, camera, protective clothing, etc). We are using the service of porters during hiking days (one porter per participant).

The guide
- an english speaking Vietnamese professional Mountain World Travel guide.
The local team
- during hikes, a cook for the group and a porter per participant
- a driver in charge of the bus.

The airport/hotel transfer and all other transportation is organized through private tourism Bus vehicles with air conditioning
Nautical transfer by boat

Hanoi
Hotels of 5 star quality, based on double occupancy.
In the small cities (Coa Bang, Lang Its and Tan Coc):
the best available hotel (two - three star), based on double occupancy.
In the villages of the north:
odging at the inhabitant's stilt house. Minimal comfort. Sleeping mat on the ground and animals on the lower level. Men and the women sleep communally. Water is outside (it is not always possible to wash yourself ). Toilets in full nature. Very rustic but fully authentic. We provide you with a sleeping bag and a sheet.
Bay of Along:
We travel on a very comfortable private junk: double rooms of good standing with private toilets, showers and hot water. Meals consist of excellent fish and other seafood; all are served on the boat.

The names of accommodations (hotels, lodges, etc...) when they are indicated, are only indicative.
Depending on availability, accommodations (hotels/Lodges, etc...) may be replaced by another equivalent type.
It is possible that accommodations may change without prior notice due to a number of factors.

Meals
- During our trekking days, local cooking. The Vietnamese food is rich and varied. We bring from Hanoi, cereals, cheese and jam for breakfast.
- In the cities and during the transfers: meals eaten at restaurants. Southeast Asia cooking is one of the most sophisticated in the world.
Drinks
mineral water and tea included
To note: you can request to taste the local specialties: to test the local specialties: snake, dog and medicinal drinks. You have to taste them at least once in your life!
The meals are served with sticks (they are always new and protected by a packing). If you are not comfortable with the sticks, you will obtain a spoon easily.

Although we are an experienced adventure travel company doing our best to respect the itinerary schedule as presented on this detailed itinerary, there is always the possibility that we may need to modify it for different reasons beyond our control. Please read the Registration Conditions: Terms and Booking conditions - Limitations of Liability.

• International flights in/out Hanoï
• All services mentioned in extensions / options
• Personal medical & Travel Insurance
• Cost of foreign country entrance visa
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included".

• Drinks (except mineral water - tea)
• Personal expenses.
• Tips for guide and local team
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included".

As airfare is NOT included in our adventures, please check if your trip is "a guaranteed departure" before confirming your own airline travel arrangements. You can check your trip status at the Mountain World Travel website or contact the Mountain World Travel office at 1-970-544-WALK (1-970-544-9255) or at 1 888-MWT-TREK (698-8735).

Our preferred airlines to fly to Hanoï

• Vietnam Airlines, in cooperation with American Airlines operates daily flights to Hanoï from anywhere in the States.
• Star Alliance (United) in cooperation with Thaï Airlines operates daily flights to Hanoï from anywhere in the States.
• Skyteam (Delta) in cooperation with Korean Airlines, Air China and Air France operates daily flights to Hanoï from anywhere in the States.

Formalities for US, Canada, Australia, NZ passports travelers: a valid passport and Vietnamese visa are required.
For US citizens, please check with  US Government Travel Entry Exit Requirements.
For other nationalities, please contact the Vietnam embassy of your country.

No vaccine is obligatory. We advise you, however, to be up date with traditional vaccinations: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, typhoid fever, hepatitis.
A treatment against Malaria is strongly recommended for those traveling to Vietnam. Ask your Physician for advice. We highly recommend that you carry an anti-mosquito repellant.
For more information visit the website of the US Department of Health.

Avian flu
An endemic state prevails in the intensive poultry breeding sites at the border with Kampuchea.
The risk of contamination is very weak. Your guide, well informed, will take all necessary precautions to help you avoid any contact with animals likely to be carrying the disease
For more information visit the website of the US Department of State.

Dentist and doctor: A check up before your departure is recommended.

LEVEL 2
2 months prior:  Hike 7 to 9 miles every weekend or on two consecutive days.  

 

Basic equipment
- A warm fleece hat
- A cap or a hat to protect from the sun
- Sun glasses (minimum index 3 or 4 for high mountain)
- Thermal top and bottom, short and long) underwear (fast drying).
- Fleece turtle neck top
- A warm fleece jacket (light weight/well insulated).
- A waterproof/breathable shell jacket (Gore-Tex).
- A pair of gloves
- A rain poncho
- Hiking shorts
- Lightweight hiking long pants
- A Camelback or a water bottle.

Shoes and technical material
- Hiking socks
- Light ventilated hiking shoes with a good traction on different type of terrain, for people with fragile ankles: waterproof ankle hiking boots and a sole offering good traction.
- A pair of telescopic walking poles

Luggage
- A back pack equipped with broad straps, with an adjustable anatomical back reinforcement, and a capacity of 7 to 9 gallons, for your daily belongings
- A soft travel bag, which can hold between 18 to 23 gallons that will be transported by the porter team or by vehicle during the day.

Miscellaneous
- A change of clothes.
- A pair of replacement shoe laces
- A dop-kit and a bath towel.
- Toilet paper.
- A pocket knife (not in carry on luggage).
- Some plastic bags to protect your belongings.
- A bathing suit.
- A small pocket anti-theft protection device, to always keep on yourself, along with your identity papers, money, certificate of insurance.

Some advice
During your flight your back pack should contain fragile and useful items that you might need while on the plane (camera, memory cards, jacket, books, magazines, medication, dop-kit etc).