Going Wild

Three countries active eco-adventure

14 Days
Artboard 18 VietnamLaosThailand
from $2599

Highlights

History in Hanoi
Tradition & Nature in Sapa
Cruise in Ha Long Bay
Trekking & Culture in Mai Chau Valley
Cave Tour & Boat Tour in Luang Prabang
Tradition, History & Nature in northern Laos
Elephant camp in Chiang Mai

Itinerary

Day 1

Hanoi Arrival

Welcome to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Known for its centuries old architecture and delectable cuisine, Hanoi is not only rich in history and culture, but also a buzzing city and a connecting hub to other parts of the country and region. Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport (Noi Bai), you will be transferred to your hotel. Check in and relax before you stroll through the Old Quarter and have dinner in a nice local restaurant. After the dinner, you will then spend the first night in Hanoi.

(D)

Day 2

Hanoi Sightseeing - Night train to Sapa

After breakfast in the hotel, a tour of the city is on. Starting with a visit to the President Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and the next door Ho Chi Minh Palace where lies the modest stilt house of the Vietnam's first president. Next stop is the one thousand year old One Pillar Pagoda, one of the most iconic temples in Vietnam, known for its unique lotus blossom shape sitting on top of a wooden pillar erected from a lotus pond. Then you will explore the Temple of Literature - the first university in Vietnam. Continue to the Ethnological Museum. In the afternoon, enjoy a unique show at the Water Puppetry Theatre near the Hoan Kiem Lake. In the evening you will be driven to the train station to take the overnight train to Sapa. Spend your night swayed to sleep by the train and get rested for the next destination.

(B)

Day 3

Hike along rice fields to the Nam Cang Riverside Lodge

Your train ride arrives at Lao Cai train station in early morning, from where you will be transferred to Sapa. Upon your Sapa arrival, you will enjoy a nice breakfast in a local restaurant before doing a 6 hour hike in the Hoang Lien National Park. During your hike, you will encounter local ethnic villages, native animals such as water buffalo, and great views of the landscape. Enjoy lunch on the way before heading to Nam Cang Riverside Lodge, where you will be staying overnight.

(B, L, D)

Day 4

Hike along rivers and distant mountains

After a rested night and a hearty breakfast at the Nam Cang Riverside Lodge, we continue a full day of hiking today (approximately 7 hours). You will visit different villages and have the opportunity to get to know more about daily life and culture of the local ethnic minorities. After lunch, finish the trek near the Muong Bo River. Then return Lao Cai to take the night train back to Hanoi.

(B, L)

Day 5

Hanoi - Mai Chau Valley

After breakfast in Hanoi, we take you on a scenic drive to the Mai Chau valley. Once you arrive in the valley, you go on a bike tour through paddy fields, villages, and breathtaking mountainous landscapes. You will learn about local lifestyle, customs, and culture. At the end of the day, enjoy a traditional dinner with various local specialties accompanied by a traditional show of the local ethnic minorities. You spend the night in Mai Chau.

(B)

Day 6

Biking in Mai Chau - Back to Hanoi

This morning you go on another bike tour through nearby villages to learn more about different ethnic minorities. In the afternoon, you return to Hanoi by car and spend the rest of the day at your leisure. You stay overnight in Hanoi.

(B)

Day 7

Hanoi - Ha Long Bay

Today you will go to Ha Long and embark on a two-day cruise trip in the amazing Ha Long Bay. After boarding your cruise, you can enjoy a fresh seafood lunch, visit limestone caves, explore the bay by kayak, and swim in the emerald water. Later, join a cooking class on board before enjoying a sunset dinner. You spend the night on board the cruise.

(B, L, D)

Day 8

Ha Long Bay - Hanoi - Luang Prabang

Start your day early with a sunrise Tai Chi session before enjoy your breakfast. Spend the morning at your leisure. You can swim, kayak, or relax on the sundeck and take in the beautiful scenery of the bay. Have lunch on board before returning to the harbor, where we will pick you up and take you to Hanoi airport for your flight to Luang Prabang. After you arrive in Luang Prabang, our local driver will take you to your hotel in the town center, where you spend the night.

(B, L)

Day 9

Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Caves - Nong Khiaw

Today you have an option to participate in the alms giving ritual in the very early morning. After the ceremony, return to your hotel to have breakfast and then we begin our drive to Nong Khiaw. Along the way, we stop and cross by boat to visit the mysterious caves of Pak Ou, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. Continue on to Nong Khiaw and arrive in the late afternoon. You will have dinner and stay overnight in a traditional Laotian style boutique bungalow in Nong Khiaw.

(B, L)

Day 10

Nong Khiaw - Muang Ngoi

This morning you take a boat up to Muang Ngoi, a picturesque little fishing village 1 hour upstream from Nong Khiaw. From Muang Ngoi, you start the hike through paddy fields and beautiful landscape. On the way, you will get a glimpse of local life when passing by the hill tribe villages. You will also visit and take a break at Tham Kang Cave. After a picnic lunch, we will continue the hike to Ban Kioukhan, a Khamu hill tribe village. You will have dinner and stay overnight in a homestay in Ban Kioukhan.

(B, L, D)

Day 11

Ban Kioukhan - Muang Ngoi - Luang Prabang

Today, you continue on your hike until you arrive in the village of Ban Hadsapheai, another Khamu hill tribe village lying by the Nam Ou River. From here, you will take a boat trip back to Muang Ngoi. Enjoy your lunch in a restaurant here before returning Luang Prabang by car. After you arrive, check in to your hotel and relax for the rest of the day. You will spend the night in Luang Prabang.

(B, L)

Day 12

Luang Prabang - Chiang Mai - Traditional Khantoke Dinner

Today you leave Luang Prabang and fly to Chiang Mai, the largest city in the mountainous northern Thailand. After you arrive at the airport, our local driver will take you to your hotel to relax and enjoy the day at your leisure. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Khantoke dinner (a Lanna Thai tradition) accompanied by performances of Lanna dances and songs. Then you spend the night in your Thai-style eco-bungalow overlooking a river.

(B, D)

Day 13

Chiang Mai Elephant Safari

Today you will spend the whole day at an elephant camp and have a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with these majestic but so gentle mammals. You will also visit the Lisu hill tribe village in the mountains. Back to the camp and enjoy a Thai lunch there. In the afternoon, you will go bamboo rafting on the Mae Taeng River. Afterwards, on the way back to Chiang Mai, you will visit an orchid nursery before returning to Chiang Mai to spend the night in your ecolodge.

(B, L)

Day 14

Chiang Mai Departure

Today you can enjoy your free time in Chiang Mai before going to the airport for your flight home. Safe travel and see you next time!

(B)

Gallery

Route

This itinerary will take you from Hanoi to Sapa and into the Mai Chau valley. Continue to Ha Long Bay and then to Laos, where you explore Luang Prabang and Nong Khiaw before heading to Chiang Mai in Thailand.

  • Artboard 18

    Destination

    Vietnam, Laos, Thailand
  • Departure

    Hanoi / Chiang Mai
  • Departure Time

    daily
  • Include

    Included

    Accommodation as described in program
    Bike renting
    Boat trips as described in program
    Cooking class
    Domestic flights
    English speaking private tour guide
    Entrance fees & excursions as per tour program
    Meals as specified in tour program (B,L,D)
    Mineral water during excursions
    private transfer in air conditioned car
    Train tickets as described in the program
    Travel insurance
  • Not Included

    Intl. flights
    Visa fees
  • Optional

    Additional tours & activities
    private tour guide in other languages ​​on request