Luang Prabang to Tonkin Mountain via border 14 days

For adventurous travelers, if you are looking for an adventure where you can explorethe depth of Vietnam and Laos, hidden gems of Southeast Asia, check out our "Luang Prabang to Tonkin Mountain via Border 14 Days" tour. Besides the popular sites, our 2-week itinerary will also take you to remote areas to discover the hidden treasures of these nations.

13 days 12 nights

Laos

Multi-Country Tours

Attractions

Luang Prabang - Muang Khua - Dien Bien - Sapa - Ha Noi

Duration

13 days 12 nights

Code

LMUT1

Overview

If you like traveling adventure, you will have new real experiences with Luang Prabang to Tonkin Mountain tour. Besides the famous tourist sites in Luang Prabang, the trip offers you the interesting boat trip upstream of Mekong River to explore the remote village in Nong Khiaw, Muang Ngoi, Muang Khua to have depth understand about culture, daily life of ethnic minorities as well as to view the beautiful scenic landscapes and stunning mountains of Northern Laos. Across the border to Dien Bien Phu of Vietnam, better known as the wellspring of Vietnam's storied rise to global prominence in the mid-twentieth century. Spectacular landscape with a mixture of terraced fields will appear along the way between Dien Bien Phu to Tam Duong and make you absolutely impressive. Sa Pa is a typical rugged northern Vietnamese area with lots of terraces, large rolling hills, deep valleys and rice fields. Your trek takes you along the best trails and off the beaten path. This is great opportunity for travelers who want explore the customs, traditions and way of life of the Vietnamese hill tribes. You have once more chance to enjoy the significant nature during driving from Sapa to charming Hanoi. End the trip, you will be relax on board in Halong Bay

Highlights:
- Taste of charming Luang Prabang and the stunning countryside around the city.
- Take the traditional long tail boat up to Mekong River to visit mysterious Pak Ou Cave
- Explore the ethnic villages in beautiful areas off the beanten track in Nong Khiaw, Muang La and Mua Khua of Laos
- Across the border between Laos and Vietnam to enter the Vietnamese Northwest of Vietnam
- Visit the Red Hmong, Kho Mu, Mang, Dao people on the way from Dien Bien Phu to Tam Duong
- Trek to the colorful ethnic minorities in Sapa
- Discover the charming & ancientness of Hanoi through shimmering lakes, shaded boulevards and verdant parks
- Take a cruise on Halong Bay to enjoy mystical and incredible feat of nature.

Itinerary

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On arrival in Luang Prabang transfer to hotel. In the afternoon after a brief orientation tour of the spiritual capital of Laos before climbing the 328 steps to the top of Mount Phousi to enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding countryside. Stop at the evening hilltribe market. Overnight at the hotel in Luang Prabang

Breakfast at hotel, we are exploring this charming city of UNESCO world heritage site. You will visit Wat Xiang Thong, the most important Buddhist monastery in the country, Wat Visoun, Wat Khili and Wat Mai. Later, visit the former Royal Palace, now it is National Museum where you will find ornate, gilded and brocaded reception rooms, as well as Buddha and Atacular artifacts including the Prabang, a large holy image, which was given in the 14th century by the Khmers to King Fa Ngum. At sunset climb the nearbytemple-topped hill of Phousi where you'll catch a lovely view out over the town and the river. Overnight at the hotel in Luang Prabang

Breakfast; this morning you may want to rise early and participate in the daily early morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with their black Alms-giving bowls being given offerings from the local people, including the ubiquitous sticky rice. From there you will visit the morning Phosi Market where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Laos is also known for its traditional handicrafts, and today you will visit local village of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay and Ban Thapene and the weaving village of Ban Phanom. Time permitting you may also wish to drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in the pools or walk along the forest paths. Overnight at the hotel in Luang Prabang

After breakfast at hotel, we board the traditional long tail boat up the Mekong River. Along the river, we will stop at a village known for its old-style paper making, and another village producing winefrom sticky rice. Further up-stream are the famous Pak Ou Caves at the confluence of the Mekong and the Nam Ou rivers. After visiting the caves, we continue to travel up the Nam Ou river, the longest river inside Laos after the Mekong. The cruise along the Nam Ou offers us an enjoyable time, viewing the beautiful scenic landscapes and stunning mountains of Northern Laos. We stop briefly in Nong Kiaw for some formalitiesand arrive in Muang Ngoi at the end of the day. Overnight at the guesthouse in Muang Ngoi

Morning after breakfast we board our traditional boat and continue cruise up the Nam Ou River, passing again picturesque mountain scenery and villages. We stop at the the village at the river bank for lunch served with local food and take cruise again to Muang Khua, which is a small Lao trading town mixed with Vietnamese and Yunanese communities. Check in the guesthouse for an overnight stay

After breakfast, transfer to Tay Trang at the border with Vietnam and cross the border. Welcome by your local Guide for Vietnam and transfer to Dien Bien Phu. Afternoon, visit Dien Bien Phu Museum (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays), A1 Hill, Dien Bien Phu Cemetery, the bunker headquarters of the French Commander Colonel Christian de Castries and the Memorial dedicated to the French soldiers. Overnight at the hotel in Dien Bien Phu

Morning, we spend a full day traveling into Vietnamâ€™s most mountainous region. The roads are difficult at times, but the spectacular landscape with a mixture of terraced fields and hill villages makes the hardship all worthwhile. On the way, we have some opportunities to encounter the Red Hmong, Kho Mu, and Mang, Dao people who still retain their age old cultural traditions and are recognizably distinct from each other by their dress. We arrive in Tam Duong by late afternoon and have time strolling around to catch our first glimpse; a small town surrounded by breathtaking mountains and tea plantations. Overnight at the hotel in Tam Duong

After breakfast, visit the local market and then drive to the former retreat mountains of Sapa (80 km). On the way, stop at Tam Duong and visit a small market, then enjoy a walk through the tea plantations. Continue to visit Binh Lu Market. Final stop at Thac Bac Waterfalls before reaching Sapa and checking into the hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to relax or explore Sapa town and its local market. Overnight at the hotel in Sapa

Breakfast at the hotel. A full day discovery of the minority villages located in Sapa Valley. Drive to Lao Chai and then trek (2 km) through rice fields, some traditional Black Hâ€™Mong houses and then continue the trek to Ta Van Village (2 km) to visit a Giay minority village. Then walk through bamboo forest until you reach Giang Ta Chai, a Red Dzao village. This part of the trip is fascinating, because of its beautiful sceneries and colourful ethnic minorities such as the Red Dao and learn about their unique customs and traditions. Your driver will be waiting for you at Giang Ta Chai to drive you back to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Sapa

After breakfast, return to Hanoi via Lao Cai and Yen Bai and pass through the verdant and rugged mountain scenery. These back roads are a great way to explore the real Vietnam. We see very few other travelers, mostly rural dwellers who are just as interested in finding out about our lives as we are of theirs. The drive is very long, but we can make many stops along the way to stretch our legs and take some wonderful photographs. Arrive in Hanoi late in the evening and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi

After breakfast, spend your day touring the capital â€œHanoiâ€ including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his former residence, One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc Pagoda and Temple of Literature. In the afternoon, visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (closed on Monday), Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. Then enjoy a one-hour rickshaw tour of the capital and spend some times in the old quarter including the silk street. Early in the evening, watch a water puppet show. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi

After breakfast, depart by road to the famous Halong Bay. On the way, visit But Thap Pagoda. Arrive around 12h30 and board a junk for a memorable cruise through mystical Halong Bay. Enjoy a delicious seafood lunch on board and spend your day admiring one of the natural marvels of Vietnam. Visit islets, caves and, weather permitting, enjoy a swim in the clear emerald water of the Gulf of Tonkin. Dinner and overnight on the junk

Breakfast on board and continue your cruise. Discover the Manâ€™s Head Island, Tortoise Island, Luon Cave, Bai Tu Long Bay and Bai Tho Mountain. The cruise ends at around noon, then, drive back to Hanoi airport for departure flight. End of Asia King Travel service

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Trip notes

Tour includes:

Private English speaking guide.
All accommodation on twin share basis with daily breakfasts
All transfers & transportation by private car (or van, bus)
Meals as indicated at local restaurant with local foods (B= breakfast; L=Lunch; D = Dinner)
Water puppet show in Hanoi
Halong Bay Cruise 2 days / 1 night
Boat cruise : Luang Prabang - Nong Khiaw - Muang Khua; Muang Khua - Muang La
Entrance fees and permits during guided time.
Service charge & government taxes