Explorient Travel

"I hope you’re doing well. I wanted to let you know that Kate and I had a wonderful time on our trip through Indochina. Thank you so much for all the work you did organizing the trip. The guides were wonderful and everything went according to schedule, with was amazing considering how many cities we visited. We were extremely impressed with Explorient and would be happy to provide a recommendation to any prospective customers if you would like us to."

"We can’t thank you enough for our wonderful trip to Vietnam, it was absolutely perfect from beginning to and! All of the arrangements, tours, guide, and hotels were fantastic. Our guides in Hanoi and Saigon were just fabulous. We had a great time and will certainly tell our friends about your service."

"We are still putting together a few pictures and small videos that I’d love to sent you when completed to just show our appreciation. Vietnam put its hook and us and based on the service from you and Explorient, our next trip to Asia will definitely go through you. Thank guys!"

"Just quick note to let you know that we had a wonderful trip visiting Vietnam and Cambodia! We enjoyed staying at the hotels you’ve suggested, and our guides were knowledgeable. Also, getting through Hanoi airport’s immigration was easier than anticipated."

"I expect your ears were burning over the last two weeks, we spoke very kindly of you in each of the destinations we visited. We had a fantastic time and all of your arrangements were flawless! Every hotel was very special, every guide was gracious and well qualified, we especially enjoyed Nam in Vietnam and Chunan in Cambodia. Every one of the flights was even on time, all in all an amazing trip."

Overall, it was a great trip. Explorient was well organized and true to their word. The guides were knowledgable and accomodating. The tour included a private min-van driving from DaNang to Hanoi (15 hours) with the giude accompaning us all the way. The guide made the long hard trip very interresting. We got to see the country first hand, but would not recommend driving unless you overnight along the way and take time to enjoy the beaches.

"I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and happy New Year to you. I returned from my trip and must say that is was amazing! The guides were fabulous, everything organized so perfectly and I had the time of my life, thanks again for your wonderful services. Vietnam is such a beautiful and interesting country; I hope to return there sometime soon."

"I especially appreciated your helping me purchase blue jeans. It was cold and wet in SAPA and I would have been very uncomfortable without my blue jeans. We had a safe trip home and Vietnam will always be a special memory for us."

"Everything worked out perfectly, not even one problem or concern. Your arrangement was perfect: the train, hotels, planes, guides, transfers, tours and hotel were the greatest and all helped us have a fantastic adventure! 14 days of pure memories."

"My wife and I would like to send this letter to express our appreciation and to thank to your staff member for all the services and supports she had provided us during our stay in Vietnam. Please send our special and sincere thanks to Ms. Thu Anh"

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BEST OF THE NORTH VIETNAM

Vietnam Tours - Vietnam Classic

Trip code: VET.CL-01
Type of trip: Private
Trip Duration: 8 Days
Starting: Hanoi capital city, Vietnam
Finishing: Hanoi capital city, Vietnam
Destinations: Hanoi – Halong – Sapa

Description: This tour offers the best attractions in a short time span. Starting out in the capital city, you will visit many wonderful sites. Visit Sapa and trek along the spectacular landscapes & colorful hill tribe people. Cruise the spectacular Halong Bay on a romantic old style Vietnamese Junk boat.

BRIEF ITINERARY:

day 1: Hanoi arrival
Day 2: Hanoi City tour
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong by traditional Junk cruise
Day 4: Ha Long – Hanoi – Night train to Sapa.
Day 5: Sapa - Cat Cat Village
Day 6: Sapa - Lao Chai - Tavan – Giang Ta Chai
Day 7 Sapa - Ta Phin village - night train to Hanoi
Day 8 Arrival Hanoi – airport transfer

ITINERARY:

Day 1: Hanoi arrival (Dinner)

Up on arrival, you are welcome by our tour leader and will be transferred to your hotel in Hanoi.. If time permits, we will have a brief city tour in Hanoi visit: the Old Quarter, and Hoan Kiem Lake (Restore Sword lake).
Welcome dinner in a fine restaurant hosted by Explorient Travel .
Evening highlight will be a Water Puppet Performance – the unique form of Vietnamese art derived from wet rice civilization of South East Asia.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi City tour (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Morning meet our guide and driver at the hotel, (Breakfast is at the hotel)Before starting tour guide take guest to the church.

Today features the most highlights of Hanoi including Ho Chi Minh Complex, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, His House-on-Stilts, One Pillar pagoda…

You enjoy an hour Cyclo Tour through the Old Quarter of Hanoi, heading to Ho Chi Minh complex, the old quarter is also known as the 36 streets and guilds, this bustling area of narrow streets is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. Originally each of the street’s names was related to the products being sold there.

After that we will visit the Temple of Literature - a temple to Confucius, this is also known as Vietnam’s first University dating back to 1070.

Lunch today features a feast of the best known authentic local cuisines of Hanoi Noodle soup with beef, Pho Bo at the most famous Pho eatery in Hanoi, and the best Bun Cha Hanoi, also known as Noodle with grilled pork serving with delicious special Hanoi spring roll serving with Hanoi local cold beer.

After having lunch you enjoy a drive out to the outskirt of Hanoi to visit Museum of Ethnology, widely acknowledged as the best museum in the country and it has an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic minority peoples. As well as the comprehensive array of exhibits inside, there are also traditional tribal houses reconstructed within the ground. Then, we go back to the centre of Hanoi to visit Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake. If time permit, enjoy a walking tour through the old quarter to explore the old town on foot with numerous shops and photo opportunities.

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

hanoi24

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong by traditional Junk cruise (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Being picked up from Hanoi at 7:45 – 8:30 by SHUTTLE VAN; depart Hanoi to Ha Long Bay by road through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta.

12.15 pm: Arrive in Ha Long city, board our traditional wooden junk boat, Huong Hai Junk, for an overnight journey. Sip on a refreshing welcome drink upon check in before you begin your cruise through the bay. Feast on a delicious lunch as you cruise among hundreds of islets (Dinh Huong islet, Ga Choi – Fighting Cock islet, Dog islet, Finger islet, etc.) to discover unspoilt pockets of Halong Bay and visit Sung Sot cave, one of the most imposing grottos of the Bay. Swim at Soi Sim beach or Titov beach or a short trek to the top of Titov Mountain for a magnificent panorama scenery.

7.30pm: Enjoy your dinner with fresh seafood on board.

9.00pm: Squid fishing or relax and chatting with your partner, friends, family.
Overnight on Ha Long Bay aboard Huong Hai Junk.

For those who book kayaking option: After visiting Amazing cave, you can go kayaking from Soi Sim beach to Luon Cave to enjoy the quiet atmosphere of the bay (or from Bo Nau cave, to Soi Sim beach to TiTov).

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch, Dinner on board.
Accommodation: Overnight on board

halong3

halong14

Day 4: Ha Long – Hanoi – Night train to Sapa (Breakfast, Lunch)

7.00am: Enjoy the early morning tea, coffee.

8.00am: Visit Luon cave on small bamboo boat paddle by out crew staff and enjoy the quiet atmosphere enclosed by high islets and mountains. Be back to our Huong Hai Junk. Sail past rock formations such as Man’s Head islet, Tortoise islet, Butterfly cave, Lion islet, Bai Tho mountain, enjoy the tranquil scenery as the boat meanders its way through the bay on the way back to Ha Long city, etc. Arrange your luggage and do the check out onboard at around 9.00 am. Enjoy a wholesome brunch as your boat weaves through strange-shaped limestone rock formations.

11.45am: Arrive back at Ha Long city for disembarkation where your driver waits to take you back to Hanoi. Transfer back to Hanoi by SHUTTLE VAN. Arrive your hotel in Hanoi at around 4.00pm( no check in today, but drop off your luggage at the hotel, and you are free at leisure until later this afternoon Vietnam Explorient Travel guide will meet you at hotel lobby to transfer you to railway station for boarding the night train to Sapa. Four berth air-conditioned superior cabin with clean sheet, western toilet facilities, you can request us to upgrade your ticket to a private cabin for your convenience.

Your train will arrive to Lao Cai town at around 5.30 Am the next day

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch on board.
Accommodation: Overnight on the train. (Soft Sleeper Cabin with AC)

Day 5: Sapa - Cat Cat Village (Breakfast, Lunch)

Upon arrival at Lao Cai Railway station in the early morning, our awaiting guide and driver will meet you right at the exit of the station. Transfer you for an hour drive up hill to Sapa town. Check in hotel, freshen up and enjoy breakfast at the nearby local restaurant, (Check in time is 1.00 Pm, free early check in is subjected to availability). Then stroll around Sapa town, visit Sapa market and chatting with H’Mong, Dao people who come to market for trading. Colorful tribal dress, purses, aluminum bracelet, silver necklaces, horn comb at all sorts can be found from stalls on the second flour of the building.

Downstairs flour of the market is lively with all sorts of green vegetables, fruits, foods cultivated in Sapa. We have scheduled a special lunch of typical Sapa foods at a popular local eatery in Sapa town.

After lunch, you enjoy walking down hill to the nearby Cat Cat village of the Black H’Mong people. Visit a local H’Mong friendly family and enrich your tribal knowledge with our local guide’s passion. Transferred back to Sapa, and you enjoy your time at leisure. Dinner tonight is on your own.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa

Day 6: Sapa - Lao Chai - Tavan – Giang Ta Chai (Breakfast, Lunch)

Enjoy your time at leisure and late breakfast at hotel.

9.00 Am: Meet our tour expert and driver at hotel lobby to depart for the 4 hour trekking journey. Our driver will stop en route for Kodak moments on the way go downhill to Muong Hoa valley. You begin the trekking on a fairly rocky road (you need a good walking shoes for today), though Lao Chai village, a Black Hmong’s ethnic village.

Then continue to Ta Van village of Giay ethnic minority people. Terrace fields are great for photographing, and cold soft drinks, beer, water can be found along the way of your trek. You will also visit local people’s house and schools en route. Continue the trek through a bamboo forest to Giang Ta Chai, a Red Dao ethnic minority village. Visiting the village and nearby waterfall, then we trek uphill to a road where your car is awaiting to transfer you back to Sapa.

Late afternoon you are free at leisure or enjoy foot massage at a local stall near your hotel. Dinner tonight is on your own arrangement.

Meals: Breakfast, take-away lunch
Accommodation: Hotel n Sapa

Day 7 Sapa - Ta Phin village - Overnight train to Hanoi (Breakfast, Dinner)

9:00 Am: meet Vietnam Explorient Travel guide and driver at hotel lobby and drive to Ta Phin village, and meet another interesting tribal who dress up nicely in their respective traditional costumes and wearing a bright red turban. They are the colorful Red Dzao people - the people of interesting legend. We also visit a family for learning local culture and life style. Transfer back to Sa Pa by lunch time. You are free at leisure until being transfer to Lao Cai railway station. We will also visit China border, 3 km from Lao Cai station before boarding the night train. Lunch today is on your own arrangement.

Accommodation: Overnight train back to Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

sapa-town

Sapa Town

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Cat Cat Village

tavan-village

Ta Van village

Day 8 Arrival Hanoi – airport transfer (Breakfast)

Arrival Hanoi around 5:00am, meet Vietnam Explorient Travel driver at the railway station to be transferred to a boutique hotel (will book from 6am to 6pm) in the old quarter for check in, then see off to the airport for boarding your flight to next destination.

End of trip.

PRICE & INCLUSION

This is a sample itinerary so the cost really depends on your hotel choice, number of people in your group and time of travel.

This rate is quoted in USD per person, based on Double/Twin occupancy at 3-star hotel standard.

Apply from 1.January - 2012 to 31.December - 2012

Group Size	2 persons	4 persons	6 persons	Single Supp*
Price / pp	649	523	469	207

Price Inclusions:

• All land transportation by private air conditioned vehicles
• Tour arrival and departure airport transfers
• Hotel accommodation on a double or twin-share basic
• Double or twin-share bedroom on Halong bay
• Soft sleeper in cabin 4 berths with A/C
• Meals as mention in the program
• Local English speaking guides
• All entrance and sightseeing fees
• Mineral water
• Travel insurance
• Visa approval fee

Price Exclusions:

• International airfare and airport tax in & out Vietnam
• Drinks and other meals do not indicate in the program
• Early check-in and late check-out at all hotels
• Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, shopping...)
• Tipping/ Gratuities
• Additional expenses in case of force majeure

Notes:

• All the points of interest are open for visit based on current updating. In case of closing for construction or any reason, we will replace with similar point of interest.