Ho Chi Minh City - Hoi An - Hue - Mai Chau Valley - Hanoi - Bai Tu Long Bay - Lan Ha Bay

Daily Itinerary:

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City / Arrival Day

Upon arrival, you’ll be picked up at the airport and taken to our hotel in the city center. After getting settled and having a good rest, we’ll start off with an evening orientation and group dinner at one of the city’s excellent restaurants.

Accommodation: 4* hotel
Included meals: Dinner

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City

Today we’ll experience the sprawling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh via a guided cyclo tour where you will be taken around the city in a traditional three-wheel bicycle taxi. This tour will allow us to see and learn about some of the best hidden gems and local spots of the city including niche markets specifically for flowers, electronics, and motorbikes in addition to exploring the various neighborhoods, temples, and more. Of course, we’ll enjoy a sampling of southern Vietnamese cuisine along the way as well! In the evening, we’ll attend an incredible cultural show at the city’s famed opera house where you’ll witness impressive acrobatics and creative choreography to the accompaniment of 17 unique Vietnamese instruments.

Accommodation: 4* hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City / Hoi An

We’ll bid farewell to the energy of the big city and board a short flight to Da Nang, from where we'll drive 45 minutes to the beautiful cultural town of Hoi An. With a relaxed pace of life, Hoi An’s architecture, culture and food are sure to delight from the moment we arrive. We’ll check into our central accommodations, head out for an evening wander through the atmospheric night markets along the river and enjoy a wonderful regional dinner.

Accommodation: 4* hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Hoi An

Today we’ll explore Hoi An on foot, visiting an old merchant’s home, the colorful Hoi An Market, a stunning Chinese temple and the famous Japanese Bridge, all while getting a feel for local life in this charming, French-influenced town. We’ll participate in a unique lantern making and silk workshop in the afternoon. During this workshop, we’ll learn about the entire production of silk from silkworm to dress before trying our hand at mastering the ancient silk weaving traditions that have been used in this region for more than 300 years.

Accommodation: 4* hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5: Hoi An

Hoi An is known for having some of the most delicious cuisine in all of Vietnam. From the savory bun cha soup to the fresh mi quang noodles and delicate white rose dumplings - the local cuisine is beyond outstanding! We’ll therefore spend today learning how to cook some of these famous dishes at a local cooking school. After a demonstration from the chef, you’ll get to try your hand at preparing these well-known dishes yourself and then we’ll enjoy all of our hard work as we sit down and eat what we cooked. After our class finishes, you’ll then have free time to enjoy even more of this charming town.

Accommodation: 4* hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6: Hoi An / Hue

Leaving Hoi An, we’ll travel over the iconic Hai Van Pass. This narrow coastal highway winds its way up and over a mountain pass near Da Nang and showcases Vietnam’s stunning coastal scenery. We’ll make a few stops along the way to admire the pristine views and enjoy some local cuisine for lunch before arriving in the fascinating imperial city of Hue in the late afternoon.

Accommodation: 4* hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Hue

After breakfast, we’ll embark on a guided tour to learn about Vietnam’s history and the culture and architecture of this grand city, including the magnificent citadel, the forbidden Purple City and the immaculate mausoleums and pagodas scattered throughout. After an action-packed day, we’ll take a most memorable dinner cruise down the Perfume River, as we admire our beautiful surroundings from our dragon boat. After the cruise, we’ll return to our hotel.

Accommodation: 4* hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Hue / Hanoi / Mai Chau Valley

We’ll begin our day with a morning flight from Hue to Hanoi, where we’ll have a quick lunch before embarking on a 3.5-hour drive to Mai Chau. Upon arrival, you’ll have some free time to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. This is the perfect opportunity to soak up the tranquil charm of this unspoiled corner of Vietnam before we sit down for a wonderful dinner.

Accommodation: 4* hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9: Mai Chau Valley

Today we’ll embark on a half-day tour of Mai Chau. Known for tribal customs, craftwork and stunning landscapes, we’ll visit welcoming local communities, learn about their culture and have a chance to walk through the terraced countryside to experience the peaceful lifestyle of the valley. The day will include plenty of local interaction and time to sit down and really get to know the people who call this area home. You will then have the afternoon to explore town on your own, do some shopping at the famous markets or enjoy the surrounding nature.

Accommodation: 4* hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10: Mai Chau Valley / Hanoi

We’ll begin our day with a 3.5-hour drive back to Hanoi. We’ll make several stops at impressive ancient pagodas and dramatic viewpoints to gain an even more complete understanding of this region. Upon arrival in Hanoi we’ll check into our conveniently located hotel before heading out for an orientation walk and dinner at one of our favorite restaurants!

Accommodation: 4* hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11: Hanoi

Today we’ll take part in a guided tour through the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. We’ll traverse through its maze-like streets to experience the colorful sights all around us. We’ll explore some of the city’s most important landmarks such as Hoan Kiem Lake and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. We’ll also visit the city's largest covered market where we will see hundreds of street hawkers selling a variety of fresh produce. In the afternoon, we’ll sit down to treat ourselves to a real Hanoi speciality - egg coffee - at a famous cafe known for this delight. In the evening, we’ll head out for a typical North Vietnamese dinner experience.

Accommodation: 4* hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Hanoi / Bai Tu Long Bay

Leaving Hanoi behind, we’ll enter one of the most gorgeous natural destinations in Vietnam - Bai Tu Long Bay. Neighboring the popular and over-crowded Ha Long Bay, this is one of the area's best kept secrets, allowing us to enjoy a less touristy, and even more magical experience. We’ll board our traditional junk boat and sit down for a fresh seafood lunch while heading out on the deep blue waters of the bay and taking in the lush green scenery. After lunch, we’ll visit hidden caves and lagoons, swim in the emerald water and watch the sunset over the karst studded landscape. You can then spend the evening relaxing, enjoying a traditional massage or learning more about the people who depend on this unique region for their livelihood.

Accommodation: 4* hotel and boat accommodations
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13: Lan Ha Bay / Hanoi

We’ll wake up and begin the day floating in the middle of Lan Ha Bay. After breakfast, you’ll have a chance to kayak (optional) through a nearby lagoon to admire the serene surroundings up close. After a visit to a floating fishing farm - to learn about the traditional life of Lan Ha Bay’s local fishermen - we’ll disembark our boat and return to Hanoi. We’ll check into our hotel in the evening and soon head out for our farewell dinner.

Accommodation: 4* hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 14: Hanoi / Departure Day

You will be picked up at the hotel by a private driver who will take you to the airport for your departing flight.

Included meals: Breakfast

What’s Included:

• Small group (maximum 12 participants)

• Dedicated tour group leader

• All accommodation (13 nights - 4* hotels, Lan Ha Bay cruise)

• Breakfast every day, 7 lunches, and 10 dinners

• Transportation in Vietnam (vans, internal flights)

• Local English-speaking guides throughout the trip

• All mentioned activities and entrance fees

• All airport transfers while in Vietnam

What’s Not Included?

• Flights to/from Vietnam

• Passport/visa fees

• Meals and activities not mentioned

• Travel insurance (mandatory)

• Gratuitie

Accommodation

On this tour, we’ll stay in comfortable and convenient 4* accommodations, as well as one night on a 4* boat cruise in Lan Ha Bay. All rooms have a private bathroom. There are a maximum of 8 single rooms available. These rooms will be offered on a first-come-first-served basis. The remainder of the rooms will be shared. Solo travelers will be paired together, two travelers per room in two single beds.

Participant Minimum & Maximum:

This tour requires a minimum of 8 participants and has a maximum of 12 participants in order to ensure the best small-group tour experience.

Physical Demands: Moderate

While the tour itself is not very strenuous, please note that it can involve the following: somewhat long days, walking tours, being outside in potentially warm temperatures, a couple of long journeys, early morning wake-ups and other similar scenarios.

Please Note:  In small group travel it’s important to remember that one person’s health and well-being (or lack thereof) has the power to impact us all. If you are unsure of this trip's suitability for you, you may wish to consult your healthcare provider.

Tour Operator:

This private group tour experience is led by Wandering Earl Tours. Unlike tour operators that use the exact same itinerary over and over again, Wandering Earl Tours ensures that every trip is 100% unique. They choose the ideal route, best lodgings, most rewarding activities, tastiest restaurants, and more, for the most extraordinary trip possible. Since 2013, they’ve been providing highly-regarded, excellent-value trips to dozens of groups in dozens of countries around the world.

Tour Cost:

• $4,275 USD per person (Twin-share) 

• $4,875 USD per person (Single)

Payment Terms

• Deposit: In order to secure your spot on this tour, a $500 deposit is required. However, our peace of mind policy ensures that this deposit will be refundable - minus a 3% transaction fee - for 10 days (or until 90 days before the tour starts, whichever comes first). After that, the deposit becomes non-refundable.

• Balance: The payment balance will be due 90 days prior to the start of the tour.

• Cancellations: If you cancel between 60-89 days before the tour start date you will receive a 50% refund of the balance amount, minus a 3% transaction fee. For cancellations made 59 days or less.

Travel Insurance:

Travel insurance for this trip is required. Let’s face it, things happen. Why is a risk of losing money if you’re forced to cancel for any reason? We recommend a policy with a “cancel for any reason” clause. Better safe than sorry.

Dietary Considerations:

If you have restrictive dietary requirements, we encourage you to reach out to us ahead of booking to ascertain our capacity to accommodate you in a way that suits your needs. While we can guarantee an awesome experience, we cannot necessarily guarantee a destination’s ability to provide nourishment to satisfy every diet.

Is This the Right Trip for You?

While this isn’t a rigorous trip and time to relax is incorporated into the itinerary, please understand that participants need to be in good health to join us. If you have mobility issues or health concerns, please check with us before booking to determine if this trip is right for you. This trip may involve the following: long days, walking on uneven or unpaved surfaces, possible hill walking, multiple activities each day, being outdoors in potentially warm temperatures inclement weather, early morning wake-ups, and other similar scenarios. You may also be responsible for carrying your own luggage.

Please Note:  In small group travel it’s critical to understand that one person’s health and well-being (or lack thereof) has the power to impact us all. If you continue to have reservations after you’ve consulted with us, please check with a healthcare professional.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

1)  Do not book your flights until we’ve met the minimum number of participants required for this trip (8). We will notify you once we can confirm this departure.

2) Details in the day-to-day itinerary may be changed and tweaked as our arrival date draws near or during the trip itself. Rest assured, that any changes will serve only to further enhance and enrich the quality of the experience.

LIMITATION OF RESPONSIBILITY

The Women’s Travel Tribe shall not be liable for any damage/injury (physical or otherwise) to participants as a result of the physical activity performed during the trip, the consumption of alcohol, breakage of equipment and materials or for any other reason which, within the limits of professional diligence, could not have been foreseen or resolved. The organizer is not responsible for expenses (transportation, meals, hotels) not included in the program but necessary to reach the meeting point or to leave the finishing point on conclusion of the trip.

PHOTO / VIDEO RELEASE

We occasionally videotapes and photographs guests and activities for promotional use. Please notify us if we are not free to use images of you or your group. If produced, Wandering Earl Tours would be happy to provide you with photos or video clips where you are present.

QUESTIONS??

Have questions? Need more info? Contact us: info@thewomenstraveltribe.com