Hiking and Helping in Vietnam

(Tour code: Adventure - 11)

Fourteen-day Vietnam tours to remote ethnic minority areas. Exotic holidays off the beaten track - unusual holidays for seasoned travellers

This is an example of one of our tailor-made Vietnam exotic holidays - we'll be pleased to design a similar Vietnam vacation with dates and itinerary customised to your personal preferences.

Your Vietnam vacation commences with …..
…. your arrival, a performance of Vietnam’s unique Water Puppets, a ‘Welcome’ dinner, a good night’s sleep and a full day to explore Vietnam’s capital city before an overnight sleeper train takes you northwards.

Meals: one breakfast, one lunch and one dinner
Guide: pick-up, transport in the first evening and a full day

Three days in Sapa
Don’t expect a leisurely sightseeing stroll! Although you’ll get plenty of sights and pauses to relax, you’ll spend most of your time hiking and meeting ethnic minority people. ‘Meeting’ doesn’t mean just chatting – you’ll be involved in the villages’ activities, getting your hands dirty in the fields, helping with domestic tasks, joining in traditional games and so on.

Don’t expect ritzy accommodation either! You’ll spend your two nights on a thin mattress on the floor in a large communal room in a local stilt house. The facilities extend to a bucket for showering and an al fresco toilet. On the credit side, you get stunning scenery, crisp fresh air, friendly hosts and unlimited rice wine for exceedingly jolly evenings – our customers love it!

Meals: three breakfasts, three lunches and three dinners
Guide: all the way!

A much needed day in Hanoi
After your exertions, you deserve a rest, so spend the day as you wish!

Meals: one breakfast
Guide: not necessary

Four days in Pu Luong
About 160km south-west of Hanoi is Mai Chau, a popular Thai ethnic minority village. It’s easy to reach and thus commercialised – it’ll be your entrance to Pu Luong, a thickly forested valley between limestone ‘karst’ hills and mountains. A sampan takes you down the river away from the tourists. From there on, it’s hiking to visit small ethnic minority hamlets and enjoying fresh air, splendid scenery and stunning views.

Like your time in Sapa, this isn’t a tour for ‘softies’. Pu Luong only became accessible recently, so its tourism infrastructure is even less developed than that in the north. However, you’ll find the same enthusiastic welcomes and desire to please you. As before, we work direct with the local people to ensure they benefit from your visit.

On the fourth day, you emerge at the lower end of the valley and a modicum of civilisation via Thanh Hoa where you’ll see the Mong peoples’ spectacular waterwheels and a shoal of remarkably friendly fish. From there, it’s a night in Hanoi to recharge your comfort batteries.

Meals: four breakfasts, four lunches and three dinners
Guide: all the way!

Three days in Hoi An
By now, you’ll probably ready for a more conventional holiday experience, so we put you on a plane to Danang and drive you to Hoi An, a charming Ancient Town tucked away in the centre of a larger conurbation. It has a multitude of good restaurants, fascinating wooden houses, shops and pagodas, decent hotels and one of Vietnam’s white sand beaches just 5km away. Enjoy!

Meals: three breakfasts and one lunch
Guide: pick-up and half-day tour

Departure day
Sadly, all good things come to an end, so we’ll fly you to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to connect with your international flight.

Meals: one breakfast
Guide: not necessary

Interested? Do you like the tour as it, or would you prefer tailor-made? Use our enquiry form for information and a full itinerary sent to you in 24hrs

Prices in US$ per person, minimum group size 2 people This tour is 14 days/13 nights, including all transfers, accommodation and meals as specified in the full itinerary. If you want the tour customised, the prices below will vary according to changes you request. With every change, you'll receive an updated price Number in group 2 3-4 5-8 9-12 13-16 *Single room supplement Luxury             First Class 2,433 2,310 2,138 2,060 2,021 1,100 Deluxe 1,754 1,630 1,458 1,380 1,342 643 Superior 1,635 1,511 1,339 1,261 1,222 430 Mid-range 1,431 1,307 1,135 1,057 1,019 273 Currency converter These prices are valid until December 31, 2007. Please note that bank transfer fees are not included. * ‘Single room supplement’ refers to the accommodation element of the programme only, and applies to someone who is travelling with others but requires an additional room for him or herself. Single traveller prices are available on request. Our prices include: Breakfast and accommodation sharing a twin or double room. Pick-ups and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle as specified in the itinerary above (Please note: pick-ups will be by a guide and driver or, where a guide is not necessary, a driver only. All unaccompanied drivers will be briefed in advance, and will carry a mobile phone to ensure smooth transfer arrangements) Domestic flight tickets: Hanoi – Danang, Danang – Pleiku, Buon Ma Thuot - Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City – Con Dao, Con Dao – Ho Chi Minh City, including domestic airport taxes. Boat cruises as specified in the programme. Travel in an appropriate private air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced safe driver. The services of experienced English-speaking guides as indicated in the itinerary (please note: guides will be on hand from pick-up until guests’ return to their hotel or reaching their destination). Free days or part days will not include the services of a guide unless requested and included in the final itinerary. Where necessary, entry fees for all visits as mentioned in the programme. Lunches and dinners (as specified in the itinerary) in the best local restaurants, or picnics where no suitable restaurant is available. VAT and other taxes Our prices do not include: Other international flight tickets and airport tax Visas Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses Camera fees (if any) Insurance

Accommodation

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