|
View Route Map
Day 1: Kunming (no meals)
Today you will be landing in Kunming, the captial City of China’s southwest Yunnan province. As one of China’s most diversified provinces, Yunnan is certainly one of China’s most alluring destinations. Yunnan is home to more than one third of China’s ethnic minorities and over half of the country’s plant and animal species. The province is blessed by its mixture of traditional folk cultures as well as breath-taking scenery. Kunming, Yunnan’s capital, resides at an elevation of 1890m and boasts a milder climate than most other Chinese cities. Celebrated as the "Spring City," Kunming has neither severe winters nor extremely hot summers and can be visited at any time of the year. You will be greeted by the local guide and the private bus will transfer you to your hotel. After a short break in the hotel, you will visit two major sites: Yuantong Temple and Yunnan provincial Museum.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Kunming - Shilin - Jianshui (B)
After breakfast you will be visiting the famous Forest of Stone (1.5 hrs drive) which lies about 80 kms to the southeast of Kunming. A geological phenomenon, the Stone Forest was a vast expanse of sea during the Paleozoic era--some 270 million years ago. Later, the movement of tectonic plates altered the earth's crust, causing the sea to recede and its limestone bottom to appear, thereby forming land. Due to the constant seeping of rain through the cracks in the limestone, some of the stone formation dissolved and the fissures broadened, producing a group of great sculptures of different shapes, all molded by nature. Visiting to this site needs at least 3 hours. Finally in the afternoon, you will be driven to Jianshui (3 hours) which lies in the south of Yunnan province,on the north bank of Hong He River. It is a national cultural town of more than 1200- year-old history. Since the Tang Dyansty (7th century AD), Jianshui has been the political, economic, cultural and military center of Southern Yunnan.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 3: Jianshui (B)
Among numerous historical and cultural sites, we will choose the most famous for you to see: the Confucius Temple which is originally constructed in the year 1285 in the Yuan Dyansty. After more than 40 large-scale renovation, Jianshui Confucius Temple becomes one of the famous three confucius temples all over China (the other two are Confucuis temple in Beijing and Qufu) whose architecture follows the traditional north-south symmetrical axis style, all main buildings are on the line of this axis.The next site you will see here is the local architecture complex - Zhu Jia Garden which was constructed in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1910). The construction work lasted for more then 30 years - the combined traditonal Chinese Han architetural and local ethnic architecture made this garden one of the most typical in Southern Yunan. It is also called the “Grand view Garden” in Southern Yunnan. Rest of the day you can walk in the ancient town of Jianshui yourselves.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 4: Jianshui - Yuanyang (B)
This morning you will be driven to Yunyang (2-3 hrs drive) which lies to the south of Jianshui. The unique natural sites here attracts numerous tourists all over the world,you will visit a local Hani village lies in the moutain, more than 150 families are living here, birds sing in thick forest, original country atmosphere surrondes every tourists who came here. Forest, villages, terraced fileds and Water (river) are hence the core of Hani culutral. Another main site you will see is the world-famous terraced-fields by this village, those fields covers an area of 170000 acres, they are a huge ecological system, root of Hani people’s live and product of nature and culture, worhing visiting and strongly recommended.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 5: Yuanyang - Hekou (China border)/ Lao Cai (Vietnam border) - Sapa (B)
Breakfast and leisure until transfer to Hekou (5 hours drive you will be arrving the China-Vietnam border). Customs clearance and formalities
Our representative will be waiting for you at Lao Cai border (Vietnam side)
and ready to drive uphill Sapa to check in at hotel
Leisure time
Overnight at hotel.
Day 6: Sapa – Lao Chai/Ta Van - Sapa (B)
Having breakfast before exploring Sapa Town. At a elevation of 1600 meters, Sapa is a delightful old French hill station situated in the mountainous region of Vietnams' northwest, close to the Chinese border. The region is home to many ethnic minorities groups all wearing their traditional and colourful attire.
Hike down to Lao Chai village to visit the Tay and Day tribes. Continue along the bottom of the Sapa valley to get to Ta Van village, which is supposed to be the most beautiful one in the area. Today you will spend abt 4 hours hiking. It depends on you if you want to hike more or less. At least you can see one village - it is a must (!), once in this region! Return to Sapa by motorbike or jeep.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 7: Sapa – Ta Phin - Lao Cai (B, L)
After breakfast check out and get ready for the trip. Drive to the direction of Ta Phin village (abt 40 minutes)- home to the Red Dao people. Here you have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families of Black Hmong and Red Dao that live in the area. This will be about a 2 hour hiking experience. Picnic lunch.
The trip also offers you the opportunity to visit the local houses as well as visit the local caves. Continue drive to Lao Cai station for night train to Hanoi by 4 berth compartment train. Overnight trip.
Overnight train.
Day 8: Hanoi arrival - Halong Bay (B, L, D)
Our car will pick you up from the train station.
Transfer with guide to your hotel in Hanoi and you will have refresh and bathing at 3* hotel
PROGRAM WITH BAI THO TRADITIONAL WOODEN JUNK
08h30: Pick up you at your hotel in Hanoi. Travel to Ha Long city for about 3 hour drive. Upon arrival, checking in registration and then get on Bai Tho Traditional Wooden Junk and have lunch with welcome drink.
13:00: Experience our fresh sea food set lunch while cruising
Heading to Bai Tu Long Bay
15:00: Visiting Vung Vieng floating fishing village
Unique trip by traditional rowing boat to visit one destination with two great sites as Vung Vieng – floating fishing village and Thung Cave (Cao Cave)
16:00: Free to swim at blue and clear sea water
Heading to Ho Đong Tien (Fairy Lake) area to anchorage.
17:30: Enjoy trim class of flowers from fruits and roots
18:30: Relax and enjoy sunset with cocktails.
19:15: Enjoy set fresh sea food dinner
20:30: Film collections.
Overnight on boat
PROGRAM WITH BHAYA CLASSIC CRUISE
12.00 - 12.30 Check-in at Bhaya Café, Halong City. Embark on Bhaya Classic for a Welcome Cocktail followed by a cruise briefing.
13.00 - 15.30 Savor a delicious Vietnamese buffet lunch as Bhaya Classic heads to Bai Tu Long Bay passing the towns of Hon Gai and Cam Pha, Oan Lagoon, Mat Quy (Monster Head) and Am Tich (Teapot) Islets and Vung Vieng fishing village.
15.30 - 17.00 Visit the fishing village by tender (30 minutes each) then return to the vessel for free time at your leisure or join one of the following optional activities: Discover the fishing village by local rowing boat
Kayak into the village or swim near the boat
Optional onboard activities: Sunbathing, traditional massage, etc.;
Trip by tender to an isolated pristine beach for swimming, snorkeling, etc.
17.00 Bhaya Classic cruises through the Bay to its overnight anchorage near Ho Dong Tien.
Happy Hour & Vietnamese cooking demonstration on the Sundeck.
19.30 Sumptious Seafood Set-dinner onboard.
21.00 Retire to your cabin or join the fishing program.
Overnight aboard Bhaya Classic
Day 9 : Ha Long Bay - Hanoi
PROGRAM WITH BAI THO TRADITIONAL WOODEN JUNK (B/L)
07:30: Breakfast.
08:30: Visit Sung Sot Cave (Cave of Surprise) with English speaking guide
Book and magazines collections
10:30: Transfer to Cua Vang restaurant for set asian lunch
11:00: Enjoy lunch
Return to Hanoi by private car, arrive in Hanoi about 16h00 and drop off at your hotel in Hanoi.
PROGRAM WITH BHAYA CLASSIC CRUISE (Brunch)
06.15 Start your day with Tai Chi on the Sundeck while complimentary tea & coffee are served.
07.00 Bhaya Classic weighs anchor to cruise through the Bay passing beautiful spots like Trong (Drum), Trinh Nu (Virgin) and Me Cung Caves, Coc Ngoi (Toad) Islet, etc.
08.30 Explore the Surprise Cave (Sung Sot).
09.30 Return to Bhaya Classic. Buffet brunch is served onboard. The vessel cruises leisurely back to harbor.
11.00 Disembark at Bhaya Café
Return to Hanoi and drop off at your hotel
Overnight at hotel
Day 10: Hanoi halfday visit - leisure (B)
Hanoi, a city between the rivers, built from lowland, Hanoi has many scenic lakes and sometime is called "city of lakes". Among its lakes, the most famous are Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, Halair Lake, Bay mau Lake, ... As the capital of Vietnam for almost a thousand years, Hanoi is considered to be the cultural centre of Vietnam, where every dynasty has left behind their imprint. Even though some relics have not survived through wars and time, the city still has many interesting cultural and historic monuments for visitors and residents alike. You will visit Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem lake with Ngoc Son temple (the lake of the Restored Sword), our architectural and our way of with small street and its name and explore Hanoi old streets by one hour cyclo ride.
Rest of time free at leisure or shoppings.
Overnight in Ha Noi.
Day 11: Departure Hanoi to your home country or next destination
(B)
Transfer to airport (no guide) for departure flight.
|
Español
Français
Summer Promotion 2010