Halong Bay and Sapa November 28 - December 4, 2008

November 28 - December 4, 2008, 7 day tour, after the culinary tour

No visit to Vietnam is complete without trip to Halong Bay and Sapa.

Halong Bay is located about 160 kilometers from Hanoi. Magnificent Halong Bay, with its thousands of islands rising from the clear emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, is one of the natural marvels of Vietnam, and one of the UNESCO Heritage Sites. The islands of this mysterious, beautiful, and unique bay are full of caves, coves, and tunnels, built by wind and tide

After Halong Bay experience a fabulous time at the Victoria Sapa Hotel and Resort. Sapa is in the northwestern part of Vietnam, nestled in the Tonkinese Alps close to the Chinese border, 1650 meters above sea level. Enjoy one of the many activities available at the Victoria Sapa Hotel. Offered are indoor-outdoor heated swimming pool, a Spa Center with massage, Jacuzzi, sauna, fitness center, tennis court, badminton, mountain bike rental, excursions and treks with English speaking guides to the foothills of Fansipan Mountain, the tallest peak in Vietnam. Or, just stroll through the streets of this quaint and historic town where the surrounding area ethnic minority people, dressed in their traditional style, display and market their handicrafts.

Here is the Itinerary:

DAY 1
After breakfast at the Sofitel Metropole Hotel, your tour guide will pick you up for the 3 hour trip to Halong City. The Metropole Hotel will store any luggage that you don't want to take with you to Halong Bay. In Halong City you will board a private boat for your voyage through Halong Bay. Your boat trip is very scenic as the captain navigates the boat through the emerald waters of the bay that is dotted with thousands of small islands. Lunch is served on the boat and will consist of the fresh catch of the day and vegetarian dishes. On your way to Cat Ba Island you will stop at the Hang Sung Sot cave, one of the most popular caves, which consists of three vast and beautiful chambers. Arriving in Cat Ba Island, you will check in to the newest resort on the island, the Cat Ba Sunrise Resort, nestled in a cove, with a complete view of the bay. You can take a stroll through Cat Ba town, until it is time to have dinner at the resort restaurant.

DAY 2
After breakfast you will visit the Cat Ba Island National Park. The park is the home of many different types of mammals, and numerous species of birds and plants. Lunch will be at the park, picnic style. In the afternoo you will take a boat ride around the island, back to Cat Ba Town. Dinner will be at the fashionable Green Mango Restaurant.

DAY 3
When you have finished breakfast at the Sunrise Resort, you will begin your return trip to Hanoi. You will leave Cat Ba Island from the other end of the island at Phu Long port from where you will take the ferry to Cat Hai Island, and from there the ferry to Haiphong, the most important port city in northern Vietnam. In Haiphong you will have lunch at the roof top restaurant of the Huu Nghi Hotel. After lunch you will be given a quick city tour, before returning to Hanoi and the Sofitel Plaza Hotel on Westlake.

DAY 4
This day is pretty much free for you to explore Hanoi until about 8 PM when you are picked up and taken to the Hanoi Train station, where you will board the comfortable, air conditioned Victoria Carriage for your overnight trip to Lao Cai. The Sofitel Plaza Hotel will store your extra luggage.

DAY 5
Arrive in Lao Cai at about 6 AM, where you are welcomed by the friendly staff of the Victoria Sapa Hotel, who will take you on an exiting journey up a curvy road, surrounded by steep mountains and terraced rice fields, to the Victoria Sapa Hotel for a buffet breakfast. Relax and enjoy the hotel facilities in the morning. In the afternoon the Victoria Sapa Hotel van will drive you to Tavan Village, where you will see the H'mong and Dzao minority people, and observe their culture and customs. In the evening the Victoria Sapa restaurant is waiting to serve you dinner from a four-course menu.

DAY 6
You have a free morning in Sapa to explore the town and shop for souvenirs that are handcrafted by the minority tribes. Or visit Cat Cat Valley, the Orchid Garden, and the Thac Bac 50 meter water fall. Or just relax at the indoor swimming pool at the hotel. Lunch is on your own. Later in the afternoon you will taken to Lao Cai train station for the overnight train to Hanoi. Dinner is served in the Victoria Carriage Restaurant car.

DAY 7
You arrive at the Hanoi train station early in the morning. The Victoria Express Train staff, will let you sleep until about 6:30 AM. You will depart the train by 7 AM. For those that are departing Hanoi by air that morning we will transport you to Noi Bai airport.

This is the end of this tour, and we gladly will help and assist you with any additional arrangements or hotel reservations.

Tour cost:
November 28 - December 4, 2008, $1095
Single Room Supplement: $550

Tour prices are based on double occupancy, with the superior sleeping compartment(sleeps four) on the Victoria Express Train. It is $40 extra, per person, for the deluxe sleeping compartment (sleeps two)
Minimum of 4 participants

Halong Bay Only, November 28 - December 1, 2008:
For those that are short on time and can not do the full Halong Bay/Sapa trip, you can depart the tour in Hanoi on the morning of March 31 after visiting Halong Bay and Cat Ba Island.
Tour Cost: $695, double occupancy
Single Room Supplement: $295