Real Travel - Vietnam's Northern Villages

Argentina- Bolivia- Peru

Small group departure

14 Oct 2011

This exciting 19-day adventure crosses the continent. Commencing in Buenos Aires, the city of tango, and finishing in Lima, founded in 1535 and known then as the ‘City of the Kings’.
After visiting the sites of Buenos Aires and experiencing this cosmopolitan city, transfer to the magnificent Iguassu Falls for two nights. Then, by air, transfer to Salta, located in the centre of the Argentinean winelands. After seeing this colonial city and tasting some of the exquisite wines of the region, the journey continues north into Bolivia, a landlocked country high on the Andean Altiplano. Here the soaring, snow-capped mountain peaks, the desolate salt lakes and incredible landscapes of the Altiplano are sure to leave lasting memories. After visiting La Paz, the world’s highest capital city, we cross Lake Titicaca to Copacabana, Puno and on to Cuzco, the major centre of the Incas. A full day excursion by First Class train and bus takes you to Machu Picchu. After returning to Cuzco with a leisure day to explore the Indian market, fly to Lima for your return or onward flight.

Vietnam's Northern Villages

10 Days

Tour Cost

from 1Sep2010 to 31Mar2011
AUD$1613 pp t/s
AUD$346 SRS

Departs every Sunday with min two persons

Vietnam is home to a very diverse array of ethnic minorities. These groups live, mostly, away from the cities in scenically beautiful, mountainous or jungle locations in the remote north of the country. On this 10-day tour you will experience the contrasts of both scenery and culture. The tour commences with two nights in Hanoi, then travels westwards along the remote SuXung ChaoChai Mountains and the rural villages of MaiChau and SonLa to Dien Bien Phu. Turning north we follow the Da River to PaSo, then to the hill tribal region of Sapa. This route is best suited to those with an adventurous spirit.

Includes: All airport-hotel transfers, 7 nights hotel accommodation, o1 night home-stay, 1 night overnight train, meals as indicated, English speaking local guides, entry fees to included sites, a/c coach touring.

Not included: international and domestic air tickets, visas, tipping, personal expenses, travel insurance.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Hanoi [D]
You are met on arrival and transferred to a hotel close to the Old Quarter for 2 nights.

Day 2: Hanoi [BD]
During the morning visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Stilt House and One-Pillar Pagoda. After a break for lunch your guide will accompany you to the Temple of Literature, dedicated to Confucius in 1070, and the Ethnology Museum.

Day 3: MaiChau [BD]
Drive westwards to the pretty village of MaiChau where you overnight in a Tai family home. The region is home to several communities, amongst them Black Thai, Meo and Muong.

Day 4: SonLa [BD]
As we drive the 200km to SonLa, you’ll see ethnic groups busy at daily tasks in the villages of MocChau and CoNoi. Overnight.

Day 5: Dien Bien Phu [BD]
We visit local sites, gaining an insight into recent history, as we continue westwards through one of the major sites of the war. Overnight in Dien Bien Phu.

Day 6: PaSo [BD]
The road north passes through remote mountains and villages of Lai Chau Province to the peaceful village of PaSo, located on the banks of the Da River.

Day 7: Sapa [LD]
After arrival in Sapa we visit the hill-tribal Hmong and Red Dzao people. Check-in at the remote Topas EcoLodge for two nights.

Day 8: Local Villages [BL]
A day excursion includes the CanCau Sunday market , and lunch in LaoCai. We visit some local scenic sites before transferring to the train station for the overnight train to Hanoi.

Day 9: Hanoi [BD]
Morning arrival is followed by breakfast at a cafe and later check-in for one night.

Day 10: Departure [B]
Leisure time until transfer and onward flight