Vietnam Tropical Adventure Tour

Today you will arrive in the thriving South Vietnam metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City. You’ll be met at the airport and taken to your hotel. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city and visit the famous War Remnants Museum, the Notre Dame cathedral and the historic Central Post Office. You’ll return to your hotel around 5:30 PM.

Prepare for a fascinating day in the Mekong where you will meet local people and see the many different ways, they make a living. The day starts with a river cruise. Most people living in the Mekong are farmers or specialize in different crafts. You will visit a brick kiln and coconut shell husking workshop and try the hard work of coconut husking for yourself! You’ll also visit a traditional coconut-candy factory. Next, disembark to explore a local market and visit a workshop where sedge (a fibrous plant) mats are woven. Then, explore some of the backroads on a bicycle or traditional tricycle. Ride through bitter melon and cucumber farms to a farmer’s house for lunch. After lunch, there is time to explore the village on foot before the boat collects you. If there is time on the way back to HCMC you’ll stop by the rice paddy fields and see how the rice is planted and harvested.

Today you will travel to Cat Tien Park, an area of tropical forest with rich biodiversity and many rare and endangered species. Lunch (not included) is at the Cat Tien Jungle Lodge on the way. You’ll arrive at the homestay around 1:00 PM and have time to explore the area on foot and visit a local temple. At dusk, you will cruise along the Dong Nai River where you can observe the rich birdlife and watch the sunset. Dinner will be prepared by your hosts at your homestay.

After an early breakfast, your guide will take you on a rainforest hike where you will be introduced to the unique flora and fauna of Cat Tien Park. The park is home to some spectacular giant trees which are hundreds of years old. If you’re lucky you might see rare wildlife such as gibbons, as well as lizards, langurs, birds and butterflies. The walk will finish around 11:30 AM. Then, you’ll transfer to Da Lat. Lunch (not included) is at the Cat Tien Jungle Lodge on the way.

Today is a fun day where you’ll see the rainforest from a completely different perspective as you have a go at abseiling and canyoning! In the morning, your professionally trained guide will give you an introduction followed by a safety briefing. Then, you’ll start a series of abseils down into a canyon alongside scenic waterfalls. In between abseiling, you’ll follow a trail through and along a river. The whole experience is exhilarating and also very beautiful as you get to immerse yourself in nature and visit an unspoiled place. You’ll arrive back at the hotel around 5:30 PM.

After breakfast, there is some free time before you transfer to the airport for your flight to the ancient imperial city of Hoi An.

Today you’ll have a look around some of the villages on the outskirts of Hoi An. A boat will take you to a fishing village where you will see the life of the local fisherman and help them prepare for the day’s fishing. Afterwards, have some fun floating down the river in a Vietnamese ‘basket boat’! Then, cycle along country roads to a vegetable-growing village which supplies Hoi An with fresh produce. Participate in a cooking class with a local family there and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, you will explore some of the many beautiful temples, pagodas, and old houses in Hoi An.

Enjoy some free time in Hoi An this morning. Explore the old town with its interesting houses or rent a bicycle and ride to the beach. Then pack your bags, as it is time to fly to Hanoi. On arrival, you’ll have the rest of the day to explore Vietnam’s vibrant capital city.

In the morning you’ll travel south-east of Hanoi to Ninh Binh. This area is often called 'Ha Long Bay on land' because the landscape is sprinkled with tall limestone pillars like the ones in Ha Long Bay. Walk up Hang Mua peak (around 500 steps). At the top, there are sensational views of the limestone monoliths disappearing into the distance. After lunch in a local restaurant, you’ll visit the Trang An caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site which can only be explored by boat. You’ll enjoy a tranquil sampan (bamboo boat) ride through the caves and past old temples and pagodas. You’ll return to Hanoi in the early evening.

This morning you will travel to the highlands of Thai Nguyen, one of Vietnam’s top tea-growing regions. Tea has been harvested in Thai Nugen for hundreds of years. In the morning you will enjoy a walk through tea plantations and villages to watch tea leaf harvesting and daily rural life. Lunch is served at a local house. Afterwards, you’ll see a demonstration of how the tea is processed and packed. The final stop of the day is in a village of the Tay people, one of the largest of Vietnam’s many tribal minorities. The Tay people are known for their folk music, poetry and stories and indigo clothing, and you will have the opportunity to learn about their culture and customs during the visit.

This morning you’ll transfer to Ha Long Bay. Often described as one of the seven wonders of nature, Ha Long Bay is a stunning bay that is full of tall limestone islands covered in forest and vegetation. Board your boat and enjoy a welcome drink followed by lunch. First, you’ll visit a cave system by sampan. Then, the boat will sail away from the tourists to Lan Ha Bay, where there are hundreds more islands and pristine beaches. You can kayak, swim in the crystal-clear waters and sunbathe. Massages can also be arranged. Back on board, there will be a cookery demonstration after which it will be time to watch the sunset and enjoy drinks with your fellow travellers. You’ll disembark in the early evening and transfer back to Hanoi.

After breakfast at the hotel, there may be time for some last-minute shopping before you transfer to the airport for your flight home.