How this trip is put together
The city tour does not open this trip. You are on the boat by the second day and back in the capital on the third, then straight out again by road into the mountains for two nights, rather than flying south or heading for the coast.
The mountain day takes in Silver Waterfall, Heaven Gate at 2,047 metres and the cable car to the highest point in Indochina; after that comes the drive back and, on the last morning, half a day in the capital before your flight. Each road leg runs about six hours, so the trade is straightforward — time in the car for scenery none of the other capital-opening routes can show you.
Trip highlights
- Overnight Ha Long Bay cruise, boarded directly on day two
- Two whole nights in the mountains instead of a finish on the coast or in the south
- Heaven Gate and Tram Ton Pass at 2,047 metres
- Fansipan cable car to Indochina's highest peak
- Hanoi city tour saved for a half-day finish before departure
Day by day
Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi (about a 45-minute, 25 km transfer from the airport)
Boulevards under trees, buildings from the colonial period and pagodas beside still lakes form the first impression of the capital. Flights tend to land in the afternoon or evening, which leaves room for a walk among the shophouses and food stalls of the Old Quarter if you are not ready to stop.
Day 2: Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, board overnight cruise (about 3 hours / 170 km one way)
Collection is at 8am for the drive out across the rice fields and villages of the Red River Delta. On board the junk you pass Dinh Huong, Ga Choi, Dog and Sail Islands, call at a pearl farm and paddle into Luon Cave, with a swim off Ti Top Island before sunset and dinner served on deck.
Day 3: Ha Long Bay to Hanoi, Surprise Cave (about 3 hours / 170 km one way)
The morning starts with Tai Chi on the sundeck, then the boat calls at Surprise Cave, reached up roughly 100 steps and walked through in about an hour. Brunch follows, and after a pass by Ga Choi Island, Binh Phong Mountain and Tortoise Island you step ashore at Tuan Chau port for the drive back.
Day 4: Hanoi to Sa Pa by road (about 6 hours / 315 km one way)
Heading north on the Noi Bai–Lao Cai highway, the road climbs steadily past terraces cut into the northwestern hillsides, with one break along the way. Check-in and lunch at a local restaurant follow, and the rest of the afternoon is yours, with the town easy to walk in the early evening.
Day 5: Heaven Gate, Silver Waterfall and Fansipan by cable car
Rose farms and chayote frames line the climb, with Silver Waterfall the first stop. Beyond it lie the Tram Ton Pass and Heaven Gate, at 2,047 metres the highest road pass in the country, where half an hour on foot opens views over both flanks of the Hoang Lien Son range — one side frequently clear while the other sits under cloud.
Coming back down there is a stop at O Quy Ho, where vegetables, flowers and medicinal plants are grown on terraces. Then the Fansipan cable car, among the longest and highest anywhere, covers 6.5 km to the 3,143-metre summit — the roof of Indochina — in around 25 minutes. The transfer back begins in the late afternoon.
Day 6: Sa Pa to Hanoi by road (about 6 hours / 315 km one way)
The same Lao Cai–Noi Bai highway carries you back down through the terraced northwest, with a break on the way. Arrival is usually by early evening, and the rest of the day is free.
Day 7: Half-day Hanoi city tour, departure (about a 45-minute, 25 km transfer to the airport)
Half a day covers the Mausoleum and stilt house, One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, then you transfer to Noi Bai International Airport — the capital's monuments saved for the closing morning rather than used to open the trip.
What's included
- Accommodation with twin/ double/ triple sharing room basis with daily breakfast in the category chosen or similar (subject to availability).
- Meals as mentioned in the Tour Itinerary.
- Sightseeing & Transfers according to the above Tour Itinerary Details only.
- Transportation by vehicle with A/C
- Local English-speaking guide’s assistance.
- All Entrance fees for attractions included in the program
- All activities and cruises clearly mentioned in the program
- Government taxes & service charge
- Air Fare / Train fare.
- Personal Expenses such as Laundry, telephone calls, tips & gratuity, mineral water, soft & hard drinks, porterage, water sports.
- Early check-in, late check-out
- Additional sightseeing or extra usage of vehicle, other than mentioned in the itinerary.
- Room Up gradation Charges.
- Any cost arising due to natural calamities like, landslides, road blockage, political disturbances (strikes), etc (to be borne by the client, which is directly payable on the spot).
- Travel Insurance.
- Bank Charges
- Tip to Driver & Guide (Compulsory)
- Airport Taxes
- Visa and Visa arrangement
- Anything which is not included in the inclusion.
Not included
- Air Fare / Train fare.
- Personal Expenses such as Laundry, telephone calls, tips & gratuity, mineral water, soft & hard drinks, porterage, water sports.
- Early check-in, late check-out
- Additional sightseeing or extra usage of vehicle, other than mentioned in the itinerary.
- Room Up gradation Charges.
- Any cost arising due to natural calamities like, landslides, road blockage, political disturbances (strikes), etc (to be borne by the client, which is directly payable on the spot).
- Travel Insurance.
- Bank Charges
- Tip to Driver & Guide (Compulsory)
- Airport Taxes
- Visa and Visa arrangement
- Anything which is not included in the inclusion.
Book this trip
- Days
- 6 nights / 7 days
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