Vietnam & Myanmar Wonders with Little Trekking – 29 Days

20-day Vietnam Tour

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

Upon arrival, our guide and driver will be waiting to warmly greet you and escort you to the hotel for check-in. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour – Night Train to Sapa/ Lao Cai (B, L)

Today, you will enjoy a city tour of Hanoi. We will visit Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his Stilt House as well as One Pillar Pagoda. After that, head to Tran Quoc Pagoda by West Lake, and continue to Temple of Literature.

Lunch in a local restaurant and then, visit Ethnology Museum and Hoa Lo Prison. End of the day with a Water Puppet show. After dinner, our guide and driver will escort you to the train station for an overnight train to Lao Cai – Sapa. Overnight on train.

Day 3: Sapa – Lao Chai & Ta Van (B, L, D)

Our guide and driver will meet you at the train station and escort to Sapa town. The day is devoted to a scenic hike through the marvelous vista of Sapa valley. Traverse to Lao Chai village and begin to trek to Ta Van Village. En route, enjoy the scenery along the Muong Hoa Valley. Dinner in a local homestay in Ta Van village (overnight in hotel is available).

Day 4: Ta Van – Giang Ta Chai – Sapa (B, L)

After breakfast in homestay, we start trekking again to Giang Ta Chai Village. From here, back to the main road where the car will be waiting to take you back to Sapa Town. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 5: Sapa – Bac Ha – Can Cau Market (B, L)

Early breakfast and leave at 7.00am to visit Can Cau Market. Overnight in Bac Ha.

Note: *Can Cau Market is on every Saturday only. Alternative option will be available if it’s not Tuesday (Fansipan by Cable Car).

Day 6: Bac Ha – Ha Giang (B, L)

In the morning, we visit vibrant Bac Ha market (if it’s Sunday) attracting different tribes from surrounding areas to come and trade, even make friends. Later, we transfer to Ha Giang. The rest of the day will be yours. Overnight in Ha Giang.

Day 7: Ha Giang – Quan Ba – Yen Minh (B, L, D)

Today, enjoy breakfast and we then drive through the vast limestone mountain range and perpendicular walls of rock. Passing Heaven Gates, meeting some tribe’s people en route, then go to Quan Ba town for lunch. In the afternoon, we continue to Yen Minh. Prepare to catch breathtaking scenery en route. Check-in hotel in Yen Minh and the rest of the day will be yours. Overnight in Yen Minh.

Day 8: Yen Minh – Meo Vac – Dong Van (B, L, D)

In day 8, we leave Yen Minh for Meo Vac. Enjoy lunch in Meo Vac then take time to get one step closer to Ma Pi Leng Pass where we can get into the majestic mountain ranges. Overnight in Dong Van Town.

Day 9: Dong Van – Yen Minh – Quan Ba – Ha Giang (B, L, D)

Today, drive from Dong Van, back to Yen Minh and Quan Ba. We visit the renowned Vuong Palace which is a Hmong family of high rank during French Colonial Rule. Then traverse to Quan Ba and downhill to Ha Giang for the night halt.

Day 10: Ha Giang – Hanoi (B, L)

After breakfast, we will get ready to take a pretty drive back to Hanoi. The rest of the day will be yours. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 11: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B, L, D)

After breakfast, travel to Halong Bay which is one of the Wonders of the Orient (3 hr. drive). Your cruise across Halong Bay begins around at noon on Tuan Chau Island at the doorstep of Vietnam’s most marvelous wonder. You will be greeted by the Paradise Crew & Cruise Manager aiming throughout your stay at giving you with the highest standards of service.

In the afternoon, explore some of the treasures stretching across the Bay of the descending Dragon: fascinating caves, picturesque floating villages, pristine beaches, fantastic rock formations rising up out of emerald water. While onboard, relax at the leisure of the Spa, Beauty & Massage services; surrounded by a beautiful setting in motion. Also, you can attend the chef’s cooking demonstration and try your skills in the art of traditional Vietnamese cooking.

One of the highlights during your stay on board is the innovative and varied cuisine offered at Lunch and Dinner in the elegant dining-room along with a wide selection of wines and beverages from around the world. Overnight on Board.

Day 12: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Overnight Train to Dong Hoi

Today, wake up early for Tai Chi exercises on the sun deck and continue cruising the bays. Breakfast will be served in the restaurant. Arrive in Halong City and drive back to Hanoi. Transfer directly to airport to take a flight to Dong Hoi. That time, fee and easy before taking night train to Dong Hoi. Driver picks you up and transfers to hotel.

Day 13: Dong Hoi – Phong Nha Cave – Paradise Cave

In early morning, arrive at Dong Hoi Train Station. Our guide and driver will pick you up at the train station and drive heading to Phong Nha with for breakfast. You will discover impressive caves in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park.

The Tour guide will lead you into depths of Vietnamese jungle where you can discover the lost world of old-aged rock configurations, dripping from the ceilings. This is truly a unique opportunity to get into the real wilderness of Vietnam. After 25’ on boat, you will arrive at Phong Nha Cave, take a couple of hours to marvel at the cave. This cave which is called as water cave, is renowned for its rock formation with given names such as the “Fairy Caves”, the “Lion”, the “Royal Court”, and the “Buddha”. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we head to the Paradise cave which was labeled as one of the most stunning caves in the world and currently, is the longest dry cave in Asia. Paradise Cave, with naturally primitive features, looks like a landscape painting, making it immensely attractive to visitors. After discovering Paradise Cave, drive to hotel in town.

Day 14: Dong Hoi – Vinh Moc – DMZ – Hue (B, L)

Today, our tour guide and driver will meet you at your hotel in Dong Hoi. We then transfer to Vinh Moc Tunnel. Stop en route to marvel at a small church showing the signs of mortar attack in the area as well as visit former US Bases. Take an opportunity to go through the DMZ, where some of the bloodiest battles were fought during the period of Vietnam – American War. Walk cross the Ben Hai River by Hien Luong Bridge used to demarcate the division between North and South Vietnam.

Head to museums converging photographs & memorials of the war before taking a fascinating trip of the Vinh Moc Tunnels. Enter into the tunnels and discover the complex. Walk past huge bomb craters, incredible fighting trench and even venture into the tunnels & discover the tiny living rooms, food as well as weapon storage, school where villagers would have survived on. Later, drive to Hue and overnight.

Day 15: Hue City tour (B, L)

This morning, enjoy a boat trip on Huong River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda. After that, head to the Citadel – an important site of the last dynasty in Vietnam. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, make our way to Tu Duc, Minh Mang & Khai Dinh Tombs. Later, back to hotel in the afternoon. The rest of the day will be yours. Overnight in Hue.

Day 16: Hue / Hoi An Walking Tour (B, L)

After breakfast, the guide and driver will lead you to Hoi An via Lang Co Beach, Hai Van pass, Marble Mountain as well as Cham Museum (in Danang). Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

Check-in hotel and in the afternoon, walking tour in Hoi An Town will begin with old temples and pagodas, Japanese Covered Bridge. Later, back to the hotel and the rest of the day will be yours. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 17: Hoi An Relaxation (B)

Relax at leisure.

Day 18: Hoi An – Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh City (B)

Relax at leisure until getting escorted to the airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, our guide and driver will be waiting to warmly greet you and escort you to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day will be yours. Freely discover the city. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 19:  Cu Chi Tunnels – Ho Chi Minh City Tour (B, L)

Today, we will have an interesting trip to Cu Chi tunnels in the morning and a city tour in the afternoon. We will watch a short introductory video, before we enter the tunnels, which will show how they were built, followed by an exploration of the tunnels’ maze, some of which have been widened in order to allow tourists access. Also on display, there are various mantraps as well as the remains of an American tank, numerous bomb craters made by 500lb bombs dropped by B52 bombers during the war. We have lunch at a restaurant before head to Ho Chi Minh City.

In the afternoon, visit the Reunification Palace, the former Presidential Palace for the president of the South of Vietnam. Then, head to War Remnant Museum, where we can observe countless artifacts, photographs and pictures documenting about the second Indochina war. Stop at Notre Dame Cathedral & Old Post office to get good shots for our memory of the big & modern city of Vietnam. For the rest of the day, visit Ben Thanh market and back to hotel at around 18:00. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 20: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Cai Be Floating Market (B, L)

Today, we depart for Cai Be, stopping to take photos of Tan An town overlooking the gorgeous flat rice fields. On arrival in Cai Be, we will take a motorboat heading to the Cai Be floating market & watch the locals trading fruit along with many other commodities on board their vessels. Then, we wander into the small villages to head to the orchard and fruit plantation. We keep cruising to Vinh Long through a series of small canals to discover the charms of the Upper Mekong Delta. Head to a small family business to marvel at how coconut candy and crispy rice popcorn are made. Reach Binh Hoa Phuoc village, the green pearl of Vinh Long town, where you can get into the nature.

Have lunch of fresh river food served in the heart of the garden and enjoy traditional music. Take a delightful walk through the bonsai garden. Meet the guide & driver again in Vinh Long and return to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

9-day Myanmar Tour

Day 21: Ho Chi Minh City – Yangon (B, L)

Relax at leisure until getting escorted to the airport for the flight to Yangon.

Upon arrival Yangon international airport, the guide and driver will be waiting to warmly greet and escort you to the hotel. Then visit Chauk Htatt Kyi (the 6 storied in meaning; however, actually the huge reclining Buddha Image), Shwedagon Pagoda which is well-known worldwide for its golden stupa in which is the ‘Heart’ of Buddhism Myanmar. It is believed to be 2,500 years old and the central stupa in surrounded by dozens of intricately decorated buildings as well as statues. Overnight in Yangon.

Day 22: Yangon – Bagan (B, L)

This morning, after breakfast, you will take a flight to Bagan on the East bank of the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel for check in. Sightseeing tour today will start with a visit to the colorful Nyaung Oo Market, and Shwezigon Pagoda, Ananda Temple, King Kyansittha’s masterpiece as well as the crowning achievement of the early style temple of architecture. We then head to Thatbyinnyu Temple which is the highest building on the Bagan plain. Continue to Htilominlo Temple which is noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations.

After lunch, we observe the process of traditional lacquerware, one of Myanmar’s well-known handicrafts as well as a specialty of Bagan. Our trip keep going with a visit to Manuha Temple, Myingabar Gubyautgyi Temple which is an early period Pyu-style temple of Hindu influence with some of the most ancient mutual paintings in Bagan & then, Dhamanyangyi Temple noted for its remarkable brickwork. Lastly indulge in the sunset over the Ayeyarwaddy River from Buphaya or Shwesandaw Pagoda. Overnight in Bagan.

Day 23: Bagan – Mandalay – Amarapura (B, L)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for domestic flight towards Mandalay. Upon arrival, begin a tour of Mandalay. Head to the scared Mahamuni Pagoda which is one of the renowned and a giant glittering golden Buddha statue in Mandalay. The Shweinbin Monastery and Golden Palace (Shwenandaw Monastery), the only remaining building from the 19th century Royal Palace. This grand teak wood building is famous for its exquisite woodcarving and is a special example of a traditional Myanmar wooden structure. Then, we visit Kuthodaw Pagoda which is home to the world’s largest book, make up of 729 marble slabs onto what Buddha’s teachings carved in old-aged Pali scripts.

Mandalay is well-known for its skilled craftsmen, who were historically commissioned by the royal families. Make our way to a selection of these shops, admire the incredible techniques of wood carving, gold leaf making as well as kalaga tapestry sewing. The tour will end with a visit to U Bein Bridge. This 200-year-old teak bridge was constructed in 1782 when Amarapura was the Royal Capital. Once there, you can marvel at the panoramic sunset view on the Taung Tha Man Lake. Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 24: Mandalay – Heho – Kalaw (B, L)

Breakfast at your hotel and then transfer to the Mandalay airport for domestic flight to Heho. Upon arrival, our guide and driver will escort you to Kalaw which is a town amongst the pine trees. Like Pyin Oo Lwin, Kalaw was a former colonial British hill station.

Begin to visit Nee Paya (Bamboo Strip Lacquer Buddha Image) and lively Kalaw local market as well as some colonial old buildings like 100-year-old Catholic Church, old Kalaw railway station along with clock tower in the centre of city. Later, transfer to the hotel for check-in. Lunch and dinner will be served at local restaurant. Overnight stay in Kalaw.

Day 25: Kalaw (Trekking Starts) (B, L, D)

After breakfast, you will meet the trekking guide and then, start walking tour to the local villages. It takes 2 hrs. to reach Lout Pyin village and then enjoy lunch at there. After lunch, we walk through to Shar Pin village (1 hr.). Once there, keep touring another 1 hr. to the Nan Tha Lae Thae village. Upon arrival, we will stop and overnight at a monastery.

Day 26: Nan Tha Lae Thae – Hti Thein (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we trek from Nan Tha Lae Thae to Baw Nin Kone. Then take another 30’ of walking to the village of Tun Kone and proceeding (1 ½ hrs) to Kone Hla village for enjoying lunch. Later, continue trekking tour (1 ½ hrs) to Pae Tu Pauk village. Once there, proceed 30’ to Hti Thein village. Upon arrival, we will stop and overnight at a monastery.

Day 27: Hti Thein – Indein (B, L, D)

After breakfast; continue trekking tour (45’) to Kyauk Su. Then, we take another 30’to Nan Yout village and proceed trekking (2 hrs.) to Taung Kha Mauk village. Proceed 30’ trekking to Indein. Upon arrival at Indein jetty, we transfer to Inle Lake by boat. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we visit the Shwe Indein Pagodas complex where you can admire the old-aged Shan style pagodas enshrined white color stupas. In the late afternoon, we drive to one of the Buddhist monasteries en route.

Back to the hotel. En route, passing through villages with stilted houses, cruise by floating gardens constructed from strips of land & anchored to the bottom along with bamboo poles. Be on the lookout for fishermen using unique leg-rowing technique in order to propel their boats while casting their nets. Arrive at the hotel and the rest of the day will be yours. Overnight in Inle Lake.

Day 28: Inle Lake (B, L)

After breakfast, get on a boat for discovering sightseeing around Inle Lake. We visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda enshrined by King Alaung Sithu, and it has 5 glittering small Buddha statues covered by gold. Other stops consist of Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery which is one of the traditional Shan Style Monastery with its renowned old-aged Buddha images. We then make our way to the Nam Pan Village to witness the cheroot & wooden boat making workshops.

Finally, visit the weaving village of Inpaw Khone Village. Take an opportunity to see the silk, lotus and cotton weaving shops here. Later, back to the hotel and the rest of the day will be yours. Overnight in Inle Lake.

Day 29: Inle Lake – Heho – Yangon – Departure (B, L)

After breakfast, you will be escorted to the Heho airport for domestic flight to Yangon. En-route, make a stop to visit the Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery. Upon arrival in Yangon, if time permit, we will explore Yangon. Head to the Sule Pagoda which is situated at the heart of Yangon downtown area. Later, it is time to say goodbye. Transfer to the airport for a flight coming back home. The trip ends. Hope you enjoyed the trip and hope that we will have another opportunity to go with together.