Trails of Vietnam

Day 1  Hanoi          
Arrive into Hanoi and transfer to your hotel. Spend the remainder of the day exploring at leisure, in the evening meet with your tour leader and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing and an optional group dinner.

Day 2  Hanoi to Ta Bac      
This morning transfer to Hoa Binh Province (4 hrs) and travel up and over the Troung Son Mountain Range. Upon arrival enjoy a cooked lunch before an afternoon trek and a visit to a limestone cave and an ancient tea plantation.

Day 3  Ta Bec    
Most of today is spent trekking amongst hilltribe villages and rice terraces. Enjoy the peaceful countryside and take in the splendid views of the Da Reservoir and its turquoise waters.

Day 4  Ta Bec to Hanoi    
A short trek back to the roadside via another culturally colourful village. Head onto Hanoi for your city tour and visit Hao Lo, the Temple of Literature and the Old Quarter, the Centuries old soul of Hanoi. The afternoon is free, perhaps sit back and enjoy the views from a lakeside café?

Day 5  Hanoi to Halong Bay        
Early start today as you transfer to Halong Bay, A boat awaits you ready to cruise along the legendary Halong Bay. Soak up the enigmatic atmosphere this karst scenery creates. A seafood lunch is served on board and the evening is yours to unwind upon tranquil waters.

Day 6  Halong Bay to Hue        
Return to port and transfer to the Hanoi train station, board the Reunification Express for the overnight train ride to Hue.

Day 7  Hue        
Arrive into the cultural and historical centre of Vietnam, Hue mid-morning. Hue has impacted several poets in its time and serves as a reminder of Vietnam’s imperial glories. In the afternoon, jump on one of the local bikes and cycle to the Imperial Citadel and Thien Mu Pagoda.  Explore the palaces, halls of the Mandarins and the remains of the Forbidden Purple City.  With walls six miles in length, the Imperial Citadel is the most outstanding sight in town.

Day 8  Hue to Hoi An    
After breakfast visit Emperor Tu Duc's Mausoleum before driving to Da Nang. Pass through the beautiful Lang Co peninsula and travel the Hai Van Pass.

Day 9  Hoi An    
This morning you will take a walking tour of Hoi An. Often described as a living museum, Hoi An boasts more than just grace and atmosphere. Wooden merchant houses and pagoda-style temples line the streets, architecturally reflecting the Japanese, Chinese and European influences on the town. The afternoon is free to spend at leisure.

Day 10  Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City          
Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, known for its French colonial landmarks. A 1½ hr drive takes you to Cu Chi tunnels. Crawl through the infamous and intricate system of tunnels and experience the spirit of guerrilla warfare!

Day 11  Ho Chi Minh City to Cai Be    
Drive to the small market town of My Tho, hop on to your bikes and follow the Mekong River through quiet back roads towards Cai Be, sample some of the local produce before your transfer back.

Day 12  Cai Be to Mekong River        
Start early today for a boat trip along the Bassac River towards Cai Rang, the largest and liveliest floating market in the Delta. Float through a maze of boats, rife with fruits, vegetables and plants and watch the techniques locals use to make a living. Return back to the hotel for breakfast before you begin your cycle ride to Vinh Long through scenic landscapes. Later transfer by motor boat to an island in the middle of the Mekong River where you’ll be staying the night.

Day 13  Mekong River to Ho Chi Minh City        
Cruise by boat along the Cai Be Floating Market before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for a city tour including the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum and the Catholic Notre Dame Cathedral.

Day 14  Ho Chi Minh City    
After breakfast your tour comes to an end.