HEART OF ASIA

Xin Chao and welcome to Vietnam!

On arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel in Hanoi, where you'll meet your Kaoma Travel Tour Leader and fellow travellers for a welcome dinner this evening.

Meals: D
Accommodation: La Sinfonia Del Rey Hotel & Spa **** or similar.

The Jewel of Asia

With its tree-lined boulevards and lakes, a blend of French, Chinese and Vietnamese architecture, Hanoi is the jewel of Asia. From the 1000-year-old history at the Citadel to the superb Vietnamese Women’s Museum, you will get enjoy getting to the heart and soul of the city on a private, expert-led full-day tour.

We will visit the monumental marble mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh on the way to the Temple of Literature, the oldest university in the country that also functions as a place of prayer. Then we will head to the Citadel and Flag Tower, a true testament of Vietnam’s strength, resilience, and beauty.
We will browse the superb exhibits at the Vietnamese Women’s Museum, an essential stop on any visit to Hanoi. Learning about the heroines of Vietnamese society, especially in regards to ethnic minorities, war, and modern exhibitions. We will head back to the Old Quarter for a tasty lunch in one of the Old Quarter’s most picturesque houses, with tiled flooring, ancient wooden beams, and antique furniture.
We'll admire elegant French Colonial architecture during a cyclo ride through the narrow streets of the evocative Old Quarter which was once a thriving centre for craftsmen. We will visit a traditional coffee shop. From decades-old coffee houses serving up the classic Vietnamese brew to chic cafes crafting artisanal cappuccinos, Hanoi is a coffee-lovers dream. We will enjoy a taste of Vietnamese egg coffee, a sweet drink made with egg yolk and condensed milk.

Back to the hotel, you'll enjoy your free time this evening to spend however you like or choose one of our optional food & drink experience.

Meals: B, L
Accommodation: La Sinfonia Del Rey Hotel & Spa **** or similar.

Emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands

Enjoy your breakfast before departing for a 2-hour drive east to the port city of Hai Phong.

We will board the cruise for an epic voyage through Lan Ha Bay, the smaller, quieter and altogether more serene neighbour of Halong Bay. Limestone outcrops blanketed in lush vegetation rise from the still, jade-coloured water. We will spend the afternoon deep within Cat Ba National Park, hiking through Trung Trang Valley to Trung Trang cave, a 2000-year-old cavern filled with stalactites and stalagmites.

Returning to the ship, we will enjoy a traditional Vietnamese cooking class before admiring the sunset over the bay.

Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Luxury Boat or similar.

Somewhere in the midst of jungles

Early risers will join a t’ ai chi exercise on the deck as the sun rises over the bay.

We will enjoy breakfast as the boat docks at Viet Hai pier. Just like Sleeping Beauty, Viet Hai village is surrounded by high mountains, thick jungles, and vast ocean. We will cycle along well-made paths for 3.5 km to reach the village. Just a few years ago, Viet Hai was almost isolated from the outside world due to its distant locality. More and more people realize its hidden beauty but, the locals here still retain their “primitive” features as the ancient.

We will have the lunch before setting off for Van Boi, the water here is shallow and calm, it is also an ideal destination for visitors to snorkel or enjoy a swim. The pristine landscape here is quite unspoiled and peaceful with cliffs surrounding the beach.

After dinner in the ship’s restaurant, you will retire to your cabin or stay for a showing of Top Gear: Vietnam Edition, to see a familiar sight at the episode’s finale.

Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Luxury Boat or similar.

Reviving the Golden Age of Travel

The boat glides smoothly across the glassy surface, the shapes and shadows of the islets changing as you navigate this watery paradise.

We will savour our last morning in the Gulf of Tonkin with an excursion via bamboo boat to the Dark and Bright Cave, one of Halong Bay’s most atmospheric water caves. Just at the base of the islands, there is an arched entrance leads to the grotto right at the water level. Passing through the natural entrance, we will see a tranquil round lake, surrounded by luxuriant trees and different sized stone walls.

We will return to Hanoi until our overnight train departure to the valleys and mountains of Sapa. You will settle into your cozy bunk bed letting the clickety-clack of the railroad tracks lull you to sleep.

Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Victoria Express Train or similar.

The real and remote Vietnam

The train will arrive in Lao Cai Station in the early morning hours, around 5 am. From here, a car will transfer us the remaining 30 minutes up the mountain to the hill-station of Sapa, where you will have breakfast. The day will be dedicated to discover the real and remote Vietnam beyond the well-trodden tourist paths of Sapa and witness the friendliness and warm hospitality of the local minority people. We will trek downhill from Hang Da, a Black Hmong Village, enjoying views of the mountains and rice terraces along the way to Hau Chu Ngai. We will browse their hand-embroidered textiles and visit their homes before moving on to Thanh Phu of the Tay minority group in the valley.

The trek will continue to My Son, where the Xa Pho, one of the most isolated groups in Sapa, live. The trek will end in Nam Cang, a Red Dzao Village. The Red Dzao practice and are experts in the field of herbal medicine. They use many treatments in medicinal baths and, know which plants from the forest to use to treat many illnesses.
A great opportunity to try traditional methods such as herbal baths made with herbs plucked from the mountainside, either before or after dinner.

Note: Due to the high altitude, the morning walk may shift to the lower valley of Lao Chai and Ta Van if the weather is too foggy to see anything.

Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Topas Riverside Lodge or similar
Activities: 13 km trek

One of the best place to stay, if you care about the Earth

You will enjoy your breakfast before discovering the jungle on a gentle hike. We will see where the villagers plant cardamom along with other herbs and spices that can fetch a good price in the local markets and will make your way to the local stream, dipping your toes in or going for a final swim.

We will admire the scenery, which is notably wilder than yesterday’s before heading back to the lodge through the forest for lunch. Then, we will say good-bye to our host family and, we will depart for Topas Ecolodge by private transfer. You will enjoy the afternoon at leisure at this certified Unique Lodge by National Geographic.

Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Topas Ecolodge or similar
Activities: 8km jungle hike

You will enjoy your early breakfast before departing for Dien Bien Phu.

Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Muong Thanh Dien Bien Phu Hotel**** or similar
Distance: 290 km - 7 hours drive

A journey along the stunning Nam Ou River

After breakfast, we will transfer to the Tay Trang border for customs formalities of entry to Laos and direction Muang Khua about 80km. Muang Khua with its pastel-coloured houses, still has oodles of small-town charm, set amid starburst palms where the Nam Ou and Nam Phak (Phak River) meet.
We will embark on a private boat and navigate downstream Nam Ou, along karst peaks and lush subtropical forests. We will reach Muang Ngoi, a picturesque hamlet only accessible by boat, as no roads are leading to it. Further we will cruise an hour downstream the mythic Nam Ou River. This stretch offers stunning scenery and remote villages, including Ban Sob Jaem a Khmu and Hmong village that can only be accessed by boat. We will reach Nong Khiaw by late afternoon, nestled on the west bank of the Nam Ou, spanned by a vertiginous bridge and bookended by towering limestone crags, it's surely one of the most photogenic spots in Laos.

Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Mandala Ou Resort*** or similar

Legendary caves and stunning sunset

After breakfast, we will depart to Luang Prabang. At Pak Ou, a stop will be made to visit the legendary caves of Tham Ting where thousands of Buddha images and statues have been deposited here over centuries. These caves remain a privileged place of pilgrimage for Laotians, especially during the Lao New Year in April when the caves become crowded with pilgrims who gain merit by ceremonially washing the Buddha statues.

We will visit the village of Ban Xang Khong weavers where traditional paper made is produced. The Sa is made of mulberry tree (with its fresh flowers, leaves and bark). The Lao people use this paper to create bags, photo frames, book covers, lanterns and postcards for travellers.

We will arrive in Luang Prabang, a picturesque beauty in northern Laos and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located at the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers, Luang Prabang is brimming with Buddhist temples, surrounded by waterfalls and home to a colourful night market and fantastic food. We will explore the rich culture and history of Luang Prabang enjoying the rest of the afternoon freely. Late afternoon, we will climb Mount Phousi to witness the entire city bathed in the sunset light.
Free dinner tonight: Luang Prabang has its own distinct food culture and dishes. You’ll find some of the best green papaya salads in the country, a variety of stews that make use of unique Mekong river ingredients, mind-blowing chilli dips, and an abundance of fresh river fish, and one the best dishes – koi. Your Kaoma Travel Tour Leader will be more than happy to recommend and book the restaurant.

Meals: B, L
Accommodation: 3 Nagas Luang Prabang - MGallery**** or similar

The former cradle of Lao kings

We will rise early to witness the morning ritual of "Tagbat", when monks make a daily collection of alms through the town. We will visit a local market before returning to the hotel for breakfast. Then we will head to the Royal Palace Museum, Wat Xiengthong, with its traditional roofs sweeping low to the ground, the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, Wat Sene, the oldest temple, and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai.

We will depart in the early evening from the hotel and, we will head to Luang Prabang's famous night market, offering the most extensive collection of handicrafts in the country. With around 250 handicraft vendors who sell their hand-made products nightly, the market showcases a wide variety of handicrafts made by local ethnic groups. On display are many types of textiles, exquisite ceramics, antiques, paintings, coffee and tea, quilts, shoes, silver, bags, ornaments and cutlery made from recycled bombs. Walking through the market, we will head towards the small streets dedicated to local food. We will enjoy the sights, sounds and smells. Our local Kaoma guide will help explain the different foods shown. After looking and trying some local specialities, we will head to a traditional restaurant for dinner.

Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: 3 Nagas Luang Prabang - MGallery**** or similar

Land of misty mountains and colorful hill tribes

After breakfast, we will transfer to the Airport for a short flight to Chiang Mai. The capital of the cultural north, Chiang Mai is home to over 300 Buddhist temples, a thriving night bazaar and is best known for its access to hill tribes and elephants. We will visit the historic heart of Chiang Mai City and explore many of its most interesting sites by bicycle or samlor (a typical, old-style cart). We will admire the Three Kings Monument, the famous temples of Wat Pra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang. Tonight’s dinner will be served Khantoke style, a traditional northern Thai style with ancient dance performances and hill tribe songs.

Meals: B, D
Accommodation: Tamarind Village **** or similar

Temples, culture, and dramatic mountain scenery

After an early breakfast, we will enjoy a scenic drive through the Northern Thai mountains and jungle-covered valleys admiring the area’s most stunning and culturally rich places. We will arrive in Chiang Rai, the birthplace of the most revered artists, the city is a hub of heritage Thai arts. The stunning White Temple, Blue Temple, and Black House will show you a colourful mixture of cultures. On the way you’ll wind along mountain roads and through verdant valleys stopping along the way to visit some of the region’s colourful hill tribes in their villages.

Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Tamarind Village **** or similar

A primary center for the highest quality of handicrafts in Thailand

Free time in the morning: Relax in the pool, spend half a day at the heartwarming Elephant Care Centre or learn how to create Thailand’s renowned dishes in a hands-on cooking class.
After a free lunch, we will take a half-day tour to explore Borsang and Sankampaeng, Thailand’s famed centre for handicraft products, factories, and shops. We will learn about the art of hand-weaving silk and witness exhibitions of local furniture, costumes, jewellery, and more. We will see the process of making Saa paper umbrellas from scratch, just like a true local. Back to the hotel, you will enjoy your free time this evening to spend however you like.

Meals: B
Accommodation: Tamarind Village **** or similar

Transfer to the Chiang Mai International Airport for your return flight or you may choose to extend your holiday.

Meals: B