Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport. Then you will be welcomed by our guide and transfer to your hotel in Hanoi Center. Check in time is after 2 PM.

Hanoi enjoys a rich Imperial history dating back over a millennium. Depending on your arrival time, visit the city to discover its impressive history and culture. Start with the Vietnam National Museum of History, which contains artefacts dating back through Vietnam’s 1000 years of history (if you visit on Monday, we will visit Thang Long Royal Citadel instead). Continue to Ngoc Son Temple, a pagoda situated on a small island in Hoan Kiem Lake accessible by a classically painted wooden bridge. The view of the city from the pagoda is particularly popular with the locals. End your visit to the city with a stroll through the Old Quarter as historical buildings unfold in front of you and then stop at Giang Café to enjoy a delicious egg coffee. Hot café Trung, with its rich taste of coffee, creamy egg yolk, and sweet condensed milk, will leave you smiling. 

Back to your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.

Meal: N/A

Accommodation

Hotel 3* LA DOLCE VITA HOTEL (Superior)

Hotel 4* THE Q HOTEL (Deluxe)

Hotel 5* PAN PACIFIC (Deluxe)

After breakfast, you'll leave central Hanoi and head towards the ancient village of Duong Lam. Located about 1.5 hours from Hanoi, Duong Lam is one of the few Vietnamese villages still preserved, with its centuries-old laterite houses, narrow alleyways, temples, and authentic rural life. A day there offers the chance to discover the traditional architecture of the Red River Delta and interact with the locals. Upon arrival, you'll visit the Mia Pagoda, built in the 15th century, which houses 287 statues of all sizes, including Buddha statues and statues of the Eight Vajra Deities. Next, you'll explore the Mong Phu Temple in the commune of Mong Phu – one of the few hamlets where the original village entrance remains intact. Stroll through narrow alleyways lined with laterite walls and visit an old house that is over 100 years old. Discover the structure, family shrines, and daily life of the inhabitants. You will then enjoy an authentic lunch prepared by your host family.

In the afternoon, continue to Mai Chau, a small town nestled in a mountainous region 160 km southwest of Hanoi (approximately a 3.5-hour drive). It is the cradle of the White Thai ethnic minority, who maintain a way of life and cherished traditions. You will travel through stunning landscapes of limestone karsts covered in lush vegetation. Arrive in the late afternoon at Buoc Village (Thai ethnic group). Thanks to its remote location from the main town of Mai Chau, Buoc Village enjoys complete tranquility. Situated amidst nature, this charming village comprises about 60 White Thai families who live in wooden stilt houses and still maintain their ancestral way of life and production methods. Dinner and overnight stay in a traditional Thai stilt house.

Information: Approximately 190km / 5-hour transfer

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Homestay

Breakfast at a local's home. Walk around the village to discover the daily life of the locals.

We get in the vehicle and continue to Pu Luong (approximately a 1-hour drive). Nestled between limestone mountains, verdant valleys, and terraced rice paddies, the Pu Luong Nature Reserve is one of the most beautiful rural areas in northern Vietnam. We'll stop en route to visit the beautiful Hieu Waterfall, with the possibility of swimming (depending on the season).

In the afternoon, check into your hotel. Free time to stroll around the village and meet the locals or simply relax at your hotel.

Dinner at your leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Info: Approximately 90km / 3 hours by road, 2 hours walking

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: 

3* PU LUONG VALLEY HOME (Deluxe bungalow)

4* PU LUONG CASA RESORT (Deluxe valley view)

Morning transfer to Cham Stream to admire the traditional Thai waterwheel system. Enjoy a relaxing moment on a bamboo raft for a cruise through lush, peaceful nature.

Continue to Tam Coc, nicknamed the "Halong Bay in land." Upon arrival, check in to your hotel.

Cycle to Thai Vy Temple, an ancient sanctuary dedicated to the kings of the Tran Dynasty, and the beautiful Bich Dong Pagoda, nestled on a mountainside amidst the limestone karsts of Ninh Binh. Bich Dong Pagoda charms visitors with its cave sanctuaries and spiritual atmosphere, perfectly in harmony with the surrounding nature.

Meals at your leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Info: Approximately 150km / 3.5 hours drive

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: 

3* TAM COC RICE FIELD RESORT (Garden view)

4* LALITA RESORT (Deluxe garden view)

5* EMERALDA NINH BINH RESORT (Superior)

Morning departure for Halong Bay. Upon arrival, board a non-private cruise for an exploration of the legendary Halong Bay, admiring the unique and spectacular beauty of this enchanting world of thousands of islets. These stunning limestone karst formations rise impressively from the sea.

Depending on the boat, you may choose to visit a cave or explore the bay by kayak.

In the late afternoon, we will admire the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. A cooking class is available.

Meals and overnight stay on board the boat.

Information: Approximately 220km / 3.5 hours drive

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Accommodation: On board the shared boat

3* VERDURE LOTUS CLASSIC (Deluxe)

4* LA REGINA ROYAL (Noble Suite)

5* LA REGINA GRAND (Bai Tu Long suite)

Admire the sunrise over the bay – a splendid moment not to be missed. Continue your cruise. After breakfast (or brunch, depending on the boat), return to the pier.

Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi.

Check in hotel and free at leisure.

In the evening, hop on the back of a Vespa and discover Hanoi through its flavors and sights. Start with the iconic Bún chả, then explore the elegant Hanoi Opera House and cross the historic Long Bien Bridge.

Continue your ride past scenic landmarks to enjoy local favorites like Bánh xèo and different variations of pho. Take in a romantic loop around West Lake and pass by the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum at night.

End the evening with a cup of coffee by the railway tracks and unwind at a lively local bar with acoustic music—an unforgettable way to experience the city like a true Hanoian.

Info: Approximately 180km / 3-hour drive

Meals: Brunch and dinner (with street food)

Accommodation: 

Hotel 3* LA DOLCE VITA HOTEL (Superior)

Hotel 4* THE Q HOTEL (Deluxe)

Hotel 5* PAN PACIFIC (Deluxe)

Free at leisure until transfer to the airport for your flight to Luang Prabang. 

On arrival at the Luang Prabang airport, you will be met and transferred to check in the hotel (early check-in upon availability).

Situated in the centre of northern Laos, Luang Prabang is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding cultural, historic and architectural values and its harmonious relationship between the natural and built environment.

There is no activities planned for today, so you may stroll around for the first impression of this ancient city. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Meals: Breakfast 

Accommodation:

Hotel 3* Sunrise Garden House (Standard)

Hotel 4* Le Bel Air Resort (Garnier)

Hotel 5* Satri House (Deluxe)

After breakfast, you will first visit Royal Palace Museum, which was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family. We then embark on a leisure cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside, before reaching the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims.  

Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. 

On arrival back in the city, we will visit the old Wat Sene and the nearby magnificent Wat Xiengthong a superb piece of Lao temple architecture, which presents a sweeping two-tiered roof and ornate mosaics including a beautiful ‘tree of life ‘glass montage on the rear temple wall. If time permits, we will drive out of the city to visit Ban Xangkhong, the Thai Lue village, which is famous for its arts and crafts. We also visit the nearby village of Ban Xienglek specializing in making the traditional Saa paper. You can either get to the nearby village and join a petanque game with the local team.

Late afternoon, we will make a stop at Wat Prabath to admire the sunset; this is the ideal place to catch the last beauty of the day. The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely collection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. 

Tip: If you are fond of various ethnic cultures, you can visit Traditional Art and Ethnology Center (closed on Monday). 

Meals: Breakfast 

Accommodation:

Hotel 3* Sunrise Garden House (Standard)

Hotel 4* Le Bel Air Resort (Garnier)

Hotel 5* Satri House (Deluxe)

Wake up as the sun rises, we will prepare to join the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning alms giving, which dates to the 14th century. More than 200 Buddhist monks depart from various temple to gather their daily meal from the faithful residents sitting quietly on the streets.

We then visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace. Just set on the ground, the local people come here to barter their day’s catch from rice, to vegetable, to fish, or chicken. 

After breakfast at the hotel, we ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a panoramic view of the city and the Mekong River. 

If time permits, we will visit UXO Visitor Center (closed on Saturday, and Sunday), where you can find the documentation about the secret war in Laos.

Then transfer directly to the beautiful Kuang Si, which is the biggest waterfall in the Luang Prabang area with three tiers leading to a 50-metre drop into spectacular azure pools before flowing downstream. The pools also make great swimming holes and are very popular with both tourists and locals

There is also the chance to walk to the nearby village of Ban Thapene, and explore the hidden waterfalls, which is rarely visited by other tourists

If you wish, take a short visit to the Bear Rescue Center, which houses a couple of dozen animals rescued from the hands of poachers and traffickers.

On the way back to Luang Prabang, we will take a short visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, set serenely close to the Mekong, this beautiful, traditionally styled workshop, where weavers, spinners and batik makers produce top-quality fabrics, offers free tours every half-hour. This is also one of the best spots to admire the sunset in Luang Prabang

Transfer back to your hotel late afternoon. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals: Breakfast 

Accommodation:

Hotel 3* Sunrise Garden House (Standard)

Hotel 4* Le Bel Air Resort (Garnier)

Hotel 5* Satri House (Deluxe)

8:00 am – 8:30 am:  Pick up by our English-speaking guide from your hotel lobby within Luang Prabang, Laos

Arrival at the Elephant Village Camp: Welcome greeting by your guide and participate in a short briefing about elephants

Elephant Feeding: Get up close and personal with elephants

Explore Elephant Village:  Visit our elephant hospital, museum, gallery and dung paper making facility!

One on One Experience: Enjoy the impressive experience of being a Mahout! 1 person per elephant

Boat trip to the Tad Sae Waterfall: Ride in a traditional Lao long boat to the Tad Sae Waterfall and relax or swim in the clear water.  Swimsuit recommended!  (note: water levels will vary with seasonal conditions)

Lunch: Dine at our Elephant Camp restaurant.  Your buffet lunch is served with coffee / tea and drinking water (vegetarian options are available)

1:00pm: Depart the camp.  Transfer back to your Hotel in Luang Prabang

You are free to stroll around the town for your own exploration before taking the departure flight.

Meals: Breakfast