TRAVEL & CULTURE TARIFF 2006-2007

VIETNAM SOFT ADVENTURE TOURS

TRAVEL & CULTURE ‘5-DAY TREKKING WITH TOPAS AND DIEN BIEN PHU’ “NEW” – VTN6046

(Daily departures, fullboard)

**

This Soft Adventure Tour is in cooperation between Asian Trails and Topas Adventure Vietnam. Topas is specialized in organizing trekking tours in the area of Sapa. Their experienced and well trained trekking leaders are familiar with the valleys and their hill-tribe communities. The Topas lodge is located on the edge of a mountain and offers stunnings views over the scenery of the Sapa valley.

The remote city of Bien Bien Phu became famous after the battle for Independence in 1954 between the Viet Minh and the French.

ITINERARY

Day 01 Hanoi – Lao Cai   (-)

In the evening pick up from your hotel in Hanoi and transfer to the train station. Board the night train bound for Lao Cai. Overnight on train (4berth Superior cabin with Tulico or Ratraco).

Day 02 Lao Cai – Sapa (Ta Phin easy trek) (B/L/D) 

Upon arrival in Lao Cai frugal breakfast in a local market.

Transfer from train station to Sapa and visit of market in Sapa. Check in to Topas Eco Lodge around noon and lunch at lodge.

In the afternoon leave Sapa by jeep and drive 15 minutes towards Lao Cai, before turning on to the dirt road that will take us to Ta Phin village. We visit the villages of the Red Dao and Black Hmong minority people - enjoy the view of the valley and visit the cave in the village.

Dinner and accommodation at Topas Lodge.

Day 03 Trekking (Sapa valley explorer)  (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

We go by Russian jeep to Su Pan, where we start descending to Ban Ho village. We walk through the village and experience the daily life of the Tay minority. We cross the suspension bridge and walk through the rice fields up hill until we reach the Red Dao minority village - Nam Toong. We start descending and pass the river before trekking up hill to Nam Keng, while enjoying the spectacular views towards the valley and the Xa Pho village. The guide will prepare a delicious lunch in a local Xa Pho house.

After lunch we start our journey back to Sa Pa, where we arrive in the late afternoon.

Dinner at local restaurant and accommodation at Topas Ecolodge.

Day 04 Sapa – Lai Chau – Dien Bien Phu  (B/L/D)  

Breakfast at the hotel.

Depart to Dien Bien Phu and enjoy the scenic route along the winding road through the mountainous North East of the country. Lunch en route. Arrival in Dien Bien Phu in the late afternoon and brief city tour if time permits.

Dinner in a local restaurant and accommodation at the Hanoi Hotel.

Day 05 Dien Bien Phu – Hanoi  (B)

Breakfast at the hotel.

A short visit to Dien Bien Phu’s central market will take place before visiting other important tourist sites in town: the Revolutionary Heroes’ Cemetery, Dien Bien Phu Historic Exhibition Centre, General De Castries’s Bunker, Old Muong Thanh Bridge and Nam Rom River. Transfer to the airport to board the flight back to Hanoi.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

The newly developed Topas Ecolodge is located 18 km from Sapa, deep in the Hoang Lien Mountains. The 25 lodges overlook the entire valley with the ethnic minority villages of Ban Ho and Than Phu 400 altitude meters below you.

There are no restaurants and entertainments around the lodge. Rooms are simple, but clean and enjoy stunning views over the valley.

   ** End of services **

PRIVATE PACKAGE TOURS – US Dollar

Number of passengers (Nett per person in half-twin room)

SUP SGL

Hotel

1

2

3-5

6-9

10-14

15-19

20 Up

Topas Lodge &

Hanoi Dienbien

998

556

485

380

342

335

324

56

Validity: 01 November 2006 – 31 October 2007

Surcharge (USD/pax/night):

Topax Lodge, Sat & Sun: 25

 

Including:

·  Accommodation with meals as indicated in the programme

·  Transfers, tours with English/French/German speaking guide

·  Train ticket Lao Cai – Hanoi (local train – 4berth cabin)

·  Entrance fees

·  Service charges, room tax and handling fee

·  Domestic flight from Dien Bien Phu to Hanoi

Not included:

-  International airport tax in Hanoi at USD 14.00 nett per person

-  International airfare to/from Vietnam

-  Personal insurance

-  Expenditure of a personal nature, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry & etc.

Remarks:

-  These tours can suit anybody who is a little fit and in good shape. They are not aimed to especially well-trained people. Do not forget to pack light, easy-to-dry clothes and a good pair of comfortable shoes/sneakers.

-  Minor programm changes are sometimes necessary, depending on road conditions and room availability.

-  Prices are subject to change in case of VAT or other tax increase.

 

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