North Vietnam and Luang Prabang - 18 days tour
 

North Vietnam and Luang Prabang – 18 days tour

per person

We offer you a tour to discover Northern Vietnam and the city of Luang Prabang in Laos.

It’s a journey designed for those who want to deeply explore the Northern region of Vietnam and indulge in an excursion to one of the most beautiful cities in Southeast Asia, Luang Prabang.

The Northern Vietnam region offers a plethora of stunning destinations that you will have the opportunity to visit: Lan Ha Bay aboard one of our traditional junks, Ninh Binh also known as the “Inland Halong Bay,” the Pu Luong Nature Reserve, and the mountains of Northern Vietnam including Mu Cang Chai and Sapa. We will also ensure you explore Hanoi in the early days, allowing you to immerse yourself in Vietnamese history and culture.

Finally, you will spend a few days in Luang Prabang to discover a rich and ancient civilization. The surrounding areas of the city are also of great beauty, and your guide will take you to explore places such as the stunning Kuang Si waterfalls.

  • Destination
  • Departure
    Hanoi (Vietnam) / Luang Prabang (Laos)
  • Dress Code
    Comfortable and rainproof clothing, hiking shoes, first aid kit.
1
Arrival in Hanoi and visit of the city center (B)
Arrival at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi. Welcomed by our driver and guide, then transferred to the hotel. You will drop off your luggage at the hotel (room available from 1:00 PM). Lunch at a restaurant in the city. The afternoon will be dedicated to exploring the Old Quarter of Hanoi and Hoan Kiem Lake. You will learn about the history of the Old Quarter, its guilds, and our guide will take you through the narrow alleyways, leading you from one surprise to another. A perfect way to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Hanoi on your first day! Among other visits, you will explore the surroundings of Hoan Kiem Lake, visit Ngoc Son Temple located on a lake peninsula, and explore Dong Xuan Market. You will end the afternoon with a traditional water puppet show. Accompanied by our guide, you will learn about Vietnamese legends! Dinner at your leisure and overnight at the Parfum d'Automne Guest House or a charming 3-star hotel.
  • Included in the day: airport transfer to the hotel, lunch, entrance tickets for visits, car transportation with driver, services of an English-speaking tour guide, accommodation.
2
Hanoi - cultural discovery (B, L)
You will have breakfast at your hotel. Our guide and driver will pick you up to explore the rest of Hanoi. The morning will be dedicated to the history of Vietnam with a visit to the Temple of Literature (symbol of Confucianism) and Tran Quoc Pagoda (the oldest Buddhist Pagoda in Hanoi). After lunch at a restaurant in the city, you will visit the Ethnology Museum, which provides a wealth of information about the 54 ethnic groups inhabiting the Vietnamese territory. In the early evening, we recommend attending My Village (optional), an impressive show combining dance and circus performances! Children will love it! Dinner at your leisure and overnight at the Parfum d'Automne Guest House or a charming 3-star hotel.
  • Included in the day: breakfast, lunch, entrance tickets for visits, car transportation with driver, services of an English-speaking tour guide, accommodation.
3
Hanoi - Cat Ba island - Viet Hai village (B, L, D)
The driver will pick you up at your hotel around 8:00 AM, heading to Cat Ba Island. After the ferry ride to reach the town of Cat Ba (located about 30 km away), where our junk boat is located, we offer you a one-hour off-the-beaten-path motorcycle ride with a driver. Lunch along the way at a local restaurant. Arrive at the pier around 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM. You then board our small fishing boat to reach Viet Hai Island. There, you will bike to the village. Explore the surroundings, have dinner, and spend the night in a bungalow in the village.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, car rental with driver, services of an English-speaking Vietnamese guide, ferry, motorcycle with driver, entrance tickets to the bay, fishing boat rental, bicycle rental, lunch and dinner, overnight stay in a bungalow.
4
Viet Hai village - Lan Ha bay (B, L, D)
After breakfast, free time in the village, return to the pier by bicycle, and embark on the boat of your choice (Majonq or Quatre Saisons) around 1:00 PM. First visit to Hang Ca Cave and exploration of the coves by kayak. Crossing the Bay towards the isolated islands. Lunch and dinner featuring seafood on the junk boat. Overnight on board in the middle of the bay.
  • Included in the day: Junk boat rental and crew services, English-speaking tour guide, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, kayak rental, overnight stay on the junk boat.
5
Lan Ha bay - Cat Ba island - Ninh Binh (B, L)
After breakfast, the boat will continue to explore Lan Ha Bay. Free time on the boat. Lunch on board. Disembarkation on Cat Ba Island is around 12:30 PM. You'll then head to Ninh Binh. Arrival at your hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner on your own and overnight stay at the hotel.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, junk boat rental and crew services, English-speaking tour guide, car transportation from Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh, overnight stay at the hotel.
6
Ninh Binh (B, L)
After breakfast, a bike ride to visit the Jade Pagoda, Thai Vi Temple, and the rice fields of Tam Coc. You will climb to the top of Mount Mua for a splendid view of the entire Tam Coc region (450 steps to climb). Lunch at a restaurant in Tam Coc. In the afternoon, you will explore the Tam Coc area by boat. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner on your own and overnight stay at the hotel.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, bike rental, entrance tickets, services of an English-speaking tour guide, car rental, overnight stay at the hotel.
7
Ninh Binh - Pu Luong (B, L, D)
You will depart by car with your guide after breakfast. Lunch at the eco-lodge in Pu Luong. In the afternoon, you will go on a short hike to the Cham River where you will board a bamboo raft for a peaceful ride. Allow yourself to unwind in this relaxing natural environment. Return to your accommodation in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodging.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, car rental with driver, services of an English-speaking tour guide, overnight stay in an eco-lodge.
8
Trekking in Pu Luong (B, L, D)
After breakfast, you will start descending into the beautiful valley facing the eco-lodge, where you will stroll around terraced rice fields. Then, you will walk through small trails covered in vegetation, gradually revealing the picturesque village of Uoi nestled at the foot of a high mountain. Continue descending the hill to the village of Uoi, and then to the village of Lan. If time permits, you will visit a local family where you can learn about traditional brocade weaving (subject to availability). Return to your accommodation in the late afternoon.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, car rental with driver, services of an English-speaking guide, overnight stay in an eco-lodge.
9
Pu Luong - Hanoi (B, L)
Free time in the morning to rest from the hike. Breakfast and lunch at the eco-lodge before heading back to Hanoi. Arrival in the late afternoon. Dinner on your own and overnight stay at your hotel.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, car rental with driver, services of an English-speaking tour guide, overnight stay at the hotel.
10
Hanoi - Duong Lam - Nghia Lo (B, L, D)
After breakfast, the driver and your guide will pick you up from your hotel. You will hit the road and make a first stop at Duong Lam Village (Mong Phu), a very typical village that showcases the culture of the Red River Delta inhabitants. It's considered the birthplace of the Vietnamese civilization (Kinh) and is famous for having several houses owned by the same family for over 300 years. You will visit some of these houses and have lunch in one of them. You'll also explore the communal house and Mia Pagoda. In the afternoon, you will continue your journey northward, entering a landscape of increasingly taller hills covered with tea plantations. You'll cross the Khé Pass and arrive in the evening at the Thai town of Muong Lo, situated in a vast rice field surrounded by high mountains. This is the second-largest rice field in the North, after Dien Bien Phu. Dinner and overnight stay with a local family in Muong Lo.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, car rental with driver, English-speaking tour guide, entrance ticket, accommodation, a small bottle of water per person, overnight stay with a local family.
11
Nghia Lo - Mu Cang Chai (B, L, D)
After breakfast, you will hit the road for Mu Cang Chai, passing through the Hmong village of Nga Ba Kim. By car, you will ascend surrounded by peaks over 2000 meters high, overlooking terraced rice fields. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will embark on a hike and visit La Pan Tan village (well-known for possessing the most beautiful terraced rice fields in the north), then proceed to Cau Ba Nha village (2 hours of walking). You will return to the car there to continue towards Mu Cang Chai. You will discover stunning landscapes along the way, with the opportunity to walk depending on the weather and your desire (especially around Phing Ho village). You will arrive in Mu Cang Chai in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay with a local family or at Mu Cang Chai Ecolodge.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, car rental with driver, English-speaking guide, entrance ticket, accommodation (ecolodge or with a local family), a small bottle of water per person.
12
Mu Cang Chai - Sapa - Ta Phin (B, L, D)
After breakfast, departure for Sapa. Discover beautiful landscapes and meet with ethnic minorities along the way. Lunch in Sapa. Afternoon hike to visit the villages of Ma Tra, Lu Khau, and finally reach Ta Phin village (Red Dao). Possibility to take a soothing herbal bath after dinner (at your own expense).
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, car rental with driver, English-speaking tour guide, accommodation.
13
Ta Phin - Bac Ha (B, L, D)
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the starting point of the hike. The trail is a bit more challenging than the previous day, but with beautiful off-the-beaten-path landscapes that will rejuvenate you. Picnic lunch. Then, depart by car for Bac Ha. You will arrive there by late afternoon. Dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, English-speaking tour guide, car, entrance fee, accommodation.
14
Bac Ha market - Hanoi
After breakfast, visit to the ethnic minorities market.
  • Saturday: Can Cau market;
  • Sunday: Bac Ha or Muong Khuong market.
Return to Hanoi by car (350km - 5 hours drive), arrival at your hotel in the early evening. Dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, car, English-speaking tour guide, entrance fee.
15
Hanoi - Luang Prabang (B, L)
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival at Luang Prabang Airport, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. Check-in, settle in, and have lunch. In the afternoon, visit Vat Xieng Thong, the most beautiful temple in the city built in the 16th century; Vat Visunarat and its Melon Stupa, next to Vat Aham. Then, ascend to Mount Phu Si to witness the sunset over the city. On the way back, make a stop at the colorful night market. Dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel.
  • Included in the day: Transfer from your hotel to Hanoi Airport, transfer from the airport to your hotel in Luang Prabang, lunch, car transportation with an English-speaking guide (1/2 day), entrance tickets, overnight at the hotel.
16
Luang Prabang - Pak Ou cave (B, L)
After breakfast, embark on a boat cruise to visit the Pak Ou Caves, located 32 km upstream. Along the way, make a stop at the "whisky village" to witness the production of Lau Lao (rice whisky). Continue to the caves for a one-hour visit, where thousands of Buddha statues are stored. Then, you will drive to the weaving village of Ban Xang Khong, located 12 km from Luang Prabang, to see the process of silk paper making. Return to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon. Dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, transportation (boat, car), activity tickets, presence of an English-speaking guide (1 day), overnight at the hotel.
17
Luang Prabang - Kuang Si waterfall (B, L)
After breakfast, you will travel by car to the Kuang Si Waterfalls, located 29 km from Luang Prabang. Enjoy the picturesque countryside landscapes along the way, and make a stop in a village of the Hmong ethnic group. At Kuang Si Waterfalls, you are allowed to swim in the cool and turquoise waters. Have a picnic lunch on site. Return to Luang Prabang in the mid-afternoon.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, picnic lunch, transportation, activity tickets, presence of an English-speaking tour guide, overnight at the hotel.
18
Luang Prabang - end of the tour (B)
Very early in the morning, around 5:45 AM, you will depart for Ban Vat Sean to witness the morning almsgiving ceremony of Buddhist monks, a long procession of saffron-robed monks. Return to the hotel for breakfast and check-out. Then, visit the Royal Palace Museum before transferring to the airport.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, transportation, activity tickets, presence of an English-speaking guide (half-day), transfer to the airport.

TOUR LOCATION

Quelques destinations visités pendant votre voyage au Nord Vietnam

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  • Here is the list of hotels we are proposing for your 18-day journey in Vietnam and Laos.
  • Of course, everything is customizable, and if you have other hotel preferences, we can incorporate them into your itinerary.
Destination 3 stars hotels 4 stars hotels
Hanoi Hôtel Maison d’Orient ou équivalent La Siesta Classic
Baie de Lan Ha Majonq or Four Seasons junks
Ninh Binh Bungalow Chez Loan Bai Dinh Garden Resort and Spa
Pu Luong Pu Luong Village Pu Luong Retreat
Nghia Lo Nuit chez l’habitant Nuit chez l’habitant
Mu Cang Chai Nuit chez l’habitant Ecolodge Mu Cang Chai
Ta Phin Nuit chez l’habitant Nuit chez l’habitant
Bac Ha Nuit chez l’habitant Sao Mai Hôtel
Luang Prabang Villa Chitdara Villa Santi Resort and Spa

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