Along Red River 12days – 11 nights
Itinéraire
Day 1: Arrival in Kunming
Arrive at Kunming Airport. Pick up and transfer to a hotel. Kunming is the capital of Yunnan province bordering on Vietnam to the southwest. An afternoon city tour comprises the flower & bird market and Yuantong Temple, the largest Buddhist complex in Kunming. O/N in Kunming.
Day 2: Kunming - Lunan (B)
Before leaving for Lunan (50km), visit a herbal medicine and acupuncture hospital. Visit the Stone Forest, a massive collection of limestone pillars (the tallest being 30m high) with an array of fanciful rock formations. Transfer to Seven-Star Village of the Yi tribe where ancient houses made of rammed soil can be found. Return to Lunan. O/N in Lunan.
Day 3: Lunan - Jian Shui (B)
Leave for Jian Shui (280km). Enjoy marvelous landscape on the way. On arrival, visit the Confucius Temple of Wen Miao, which is the second biggest temple dedicated to Confucius in China, and the Zhu Family House, typical of Qing Dynasty architecture. Then transfer to the Two Dragon Bridge and the old citadel of Jian Shui, built over 1,200 years ago, which used to be the cultural and economic centre of South Yunnan. O/N in Jian Shui.
Day 4: Excursion to Yunnang (B)
Depart for Yuanyang, 100km from Jian Shui. Enjoy a fascinating view of tea terraces and mountains en route. Visit a Hani village, famous for its local dress and architecture. Return and O/N in Jian Shui.
Day 5: Jian Shui - Hekou - Lao Cai - Sapa (B)
Leave for Hekou (300km) via a scenic route over hills and past villages along the Red River. On arrival at the Hekou border crossing, pick up and transfer to Sapa (40km). Nestling on Mount Fansipan, Sapa offers spectacular scenery and is home to different hill-tribes. O/N in Sapa.
Day 6: Sapa (B)
Explore Red Yao and the Black H�mong villages at Ta Phin. Socialize with the villagers, wander around villages (2km) and get to know their simple lifestyle in harmony with nature. The rest of the day is leisure or shopping for delicate embroideries and batik at Sapa Fair. Climbing the steps to Mount Ham Rong with a panoramic view of Sapa is recommended. O/N in Sapa.
Day 7: Sapa - Lao Cai - Hanoi (B)
Transfer to the Lao Cai Railway Station (40km) by coach. Return to Hanoi (370km) by railway. View the rustic scenery of forested hills and rice fields stretching along the Red River. On arrival in Hanoi, transfer to a hotel. O/N in Hanoi.
Day 8: Hanoi - Ninh Binh (B)
A morning sightseeing tour features both cultural and historical highlights, comprising the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One-Pillared Pagoda, the Ethnology Museum, the Temple of Literature and the old quarters. In the afternoon, transfer to Ninh Binh (90km), stop by the Dinh & Le dynasty temples in Hoa Lu, an ancient capital of Vietnam (968 - 1009). O/N in Ninh Binh.
Day 9: Ninh Binh - Hai Phong (B)
The morning highlight in Ninh Binh is a sampan ride to Tam Coc, known as Vietnamese inland Halong Bay. Then onwards to the Bich Dong cave pagodas dating from the 17th century. In the afternoon, drive through the Red River Delta to Hai Phong (135km) and stop over at Tuc Mac Temple and Pho Minh Pagoda in Nam Dinh, the native land of the Tran Dynasty (1225 �1400). O/N in Hai Phong.
Day 10: Hai Phong - Cat Ba - Halong (B, L)
Depart for Cat Ba Island (50km) via a newly-built road on the southern edge of the island, passing straits, salt marshes, lush valleys and breath-taking cliffs. On arrival at Beo Jetty, board a private boat for a cruise (6 hours) in Lan Ha Bay, famous for its pristine islands, crescent beaches and crystal waters. Explore Halong Bays magic caves and limestone formations. Lunch of fresh seafood is served on board. The cruise ends at sunset, a spectacular view in Halong Bay. O/N in Halong.
Day 11: Halong - Bac Ninh - Hanoi (B)
Transfer to Hanoi (170km). Stop over at the Dong Giao wood-carving village, the Dong Ho printing village and But Thap Pagoda. On wards to Hanoi. The sightseeing day winds up with a water puppet show - a theatrical genre reflecting the agricultural civilization of thousands of years ago. O/N in Hanoi.
Day 12: Departure from Hanoi (B)
Spend last minutes for downtown shopping (ceramics, silver-carvings, silk,...) or at leisure before check-out. Transfer to the airport for departure.
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