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14 Days Vietnam Highlands Tour Package Duration: 14 Days / 13 Nights Priced From: $3,150 pp Dbl. Occ. Dates: Apr - Mar /09 
Day 1 Fly USA to Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a place of contrasts: geographically, socially and economically. Although many Asian cities claim to be where East meets West, the former British Crown Colony-whose largely Chinese population was ruled by Europeans for 156 years-is probably the closest the world comes to the genuine article. Perched precariously on the edge of mainland China, Hong Kong has been battered by geopolitical forces for centuries. Thanks to its strategic deepwater harbor and proximity to Asia's most populous nation, the city profited as the capitalist gateway for the communist giant to the north. What was once a fishing village became one of the world's busiest international ports and business centers. Scratch the cosmopolitan, high-tech surface, however, and you'll discover vestiges of ancient China lying just below the city's modern urban facade and, in some cases, right alongside it. Residents invariably live in two worlds: Skyscrapers and enormous shopping malls sit next to narrow alleys crowded with traditional vendors' stalls. Businesspeople use cell phones to consult fortune-tellers before making important decisions. Taoist priests exorcise evil spirits from buildings, even from the city's racecourses. In sleepy walled villages, farmers tend their crops in the same way they have for generations. Day 3 Old and New Hong Kong (Full Day) An English-speaking guide will meet you in your hotel lobby at a predetermined time. Make your way on foot to the ferry terminal and cross Victoria Harbour by the humble but legendary 'Star' Ferry service between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island that offers a memorable and scenic boat trip across one of the worlds most-photographed harbours. At Central, commence a two-hour guided walk that takes you to the heart of Central business district where historic buildings stand amidst ultra modern office buildings, through and into the back streets of the old city of what was known as Victoria where modern Hong Kong began in 1841. Highlights include the Legislative Council Building, Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank Building, the old Bank of China Building, the Court of Final Appeal, Central Government Offices and St John's Cathedral. Ride the Central - Mid-Levels Escalator and explore places like SoHo, antiques shops along Hollywood Road and market stalls on Graham Street. One hour of free time to explore Hollywood Road. From Wanchai take the Peak Tram to Victoria Peak for the breath-taking 360-degree view of the bustling harbour, Hong Kong Island and Kowloon as far as the eye can see. Break for lunch at the stylish contemporary Tien Yi Chinese Restaurant at the Peak. Following lunch continue by vehicle to Aberdeen village via the scenic resort areas of Repulse Bay and Deep Water Bay. At Aberdeen board a sampan to see the fishing junks and the Jumbo floating restaurant moored there. The tour will continue to Stanley Markets where you will have free time to stroll around historic fishing lanes jam-packed with vendors selling Chinese artwork, silk collectibles and curios. Return to your Hong Kong or Kowloon hotel. Day 4 Fly Hong Kong to Hanoi The flight duration between Hong Kong and Hanoi is approximately 2 hours and distance traveled is 524 miles. Transfer Hanoi Airport to City An English-speaking representative will be holding a sign with your last name on it and greet you as you enter the public Airport Arrivals Hall. You will be taken to your vehicle nearby and transferred to your hotel. Hanoi has been forever changed by the introduction of literally millions of motorbikes, which dodge, weave and honk through the narrow streets of the Old Quarter and down the broad, old avenues of the Colonial District. The noise is omnipresent and the streets are packed with traffic, and the sidewalks are covered with parked vehicles and outdoor shops. Hoan Kiem Lake is the heart of the city. Stroll along the pedestrian paths around its edge, then enjoy an espresso and pastry at the lakeside cafe. Cross red-painted Rising Sun Bridge to enjoy the relative quiet around Ngoc Son temple. Visit the Temple of Literature, the only remaining original building at 1,000-year-old Hanoi University. Northwest of the lake to Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum. Within easy walking distance of it are two places worth checking out: the One Pillar Pagoda and Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House (rather than live in the palace, he chose to reside in this modest dwelling). Several museums are worth a visit: The Museum of Ethnology introduces visitors to the remarkably diverse ethnic cultures of Vietnam, the Museum of History traces Vietnam's successive periods of conquest and peace from the second century BC to the present day, and the Museum of Women lauds Vietnamese women's role in military and domestic history. American Vietnam War buffs will want to visit the Hoa Lo Museum at the site of the fearful 'Hanoi Hilton,' though most of the exhibits there discuss Vietnam's years of struggle for independence from France. Day 5 Hanoi City Tour (Full Day) After that visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh is a glass sarcophagus set deep in the bowels of a monumental edifice that has become a site of pilgrimage. Following Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is Opera House, a magnificent 900-seat opera house built in 1911. End the tour in Hanoi at St. Joseph Cathedral and Bao Tang Lich which exhibits artifacts from Vietnam's turbulent history including some from prehistory, proto-Vietnamese civilizations, the Dong Son culture, the Oc Eo culture and the Khmer Kingdoms. Drop off at hotel. Transfer Hanoi City to Station Victoria Express - Hanoi to Lao Cai (overnight) With its elegant carriages, the Victoria Express Train recalls a more romantic era. Passing through the exotic landscapes of North Vietnam, between the charming cities of Hanoi and Lao Cai (21 miles from Sapa), it offers every visitor a wonderful travelling experience. Watch the beautiful scenery in front of you, from the luxury of your seat, or take a nap in the comfort of our cozy sleeping carriage. If you prefer, you can indulge yourself in our dining carriage, 'Le Tokin', (operating Monday, Wednesday and Friday only) where you can savor the delights of traditional Vietnamese and Western cuisine. Our talented Chef Nguyen Tien Duc will be waiting for you with a selection of the best wines, adding a further exquisite touch to a memorable experience. The train departs six times a week, except Saturday and departs Hanoi 9:55 pm and arrives Lao Cai 6:30 am the following day. The Victoria Express Train is a 10 hour trip from Hanoi to Lao Cai, accommodating 48 passengers with comfortable seating, a dining carriage and two luxurious sleeping carriages. Each sleeping carriage has 6 superior cabins (4 berths) and 2 deluxe cabins (2 berths), all are air-conditioned, wood paneled, with individual reading lights, baggage storage, toilets and oversized windows. Day 6 Arrive Sapa Sapa was originally a hill station settled by the French in 1922. The town itself is nestled in a spectacular valley and there are wonderful and ever changing views in all directions. The local H'mong and Dao people are in the majority here and their smiles are as bright as the colours and designs of their distinctive clothing. In all, there are more than 30 ethnic groups living in and around Sapa. Sapa is 1650 metres (5413 feet) above sea level and enjoys a cooler climate than most of Vietnam. It is only 9 km (5.6 miles) away from Mount Fansipan, Vietnam's highest point at 3143 metres (10311 feet). Day 7 Trekking Lao Chai Tavan Giang Ta Chai (Full Day) You will commence your journey by driving south toward Muong Hoa valley. You will then start your walk by descending into the valley, which is the largest terraced rice paddy in the Sapa area. Your guide will provide you with interesting information about the cultivation of rice. If you visit the valley sometime in between May and October, you will be able to observe and experience how the locals plant and harvest, one of the most important activities in their daily life. The walk takes you from Lao Chai village of the Black H'mong minority to Ta Van village of the Giay minority including a visit to the local Catholic Church. Day 8 Bac Ha Market (Full Day) Pick up from hotel. Bac Ha is the largest and most colorful market in the area. Every Sunday morning, many different ethnic groups such as Flower H'mong, Phu La, Black Dao, Tay and Nung minorities gather to buy and sell local products that cannot be found elsewhere. In the afternoon, you will walk to the Tay minority village of Trung Do where you will get onboard a traditional boat and cruise along the Chay River. Return to hotel. Transfer Sa Pa to Lao Cai Station An English-speaking representative will meet you in your hotel lobby at a predetermined time and transfer you directly to the Lao Cain station. Victoria Express - Lao Cai to Hanoi (overnight) Watch the beautiful scenery in front of you, from the luxury of your seat, or take a nap in the comfort of our cozy sleeping carriage. If you prefer, you can indulge yourself in our dining carriage, 'Le Tokin', (operating Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday only) where you can savor the delights of traditional Vietnamese and Western cuisine. Our talented Chef Nguyen Tien Duc will be waiting for you with a selection of the best wines, adding a further exquisite touch to a memorable experience. The train departs six times a week, except Saturday and departs Lao Cai 9:00 pm and arrives Hanoi 5:30 am the following day. The Victoria Express Train is a 10 hour trip from Lao Cai to Hanoi, accommodating 48 passengers with comfortable seating, a dining carriage and two luxurious sleeping carriages. Each sleeping carriage has 6 superior cabins (4 berths) and 2 deluxe cabins (2 berths), all are air-conditioned, wood paneled, with individual reading lights, baggage storage, toilets and oversized windows. Day 9 Fly Hanoi to Danang The flight duration between Hanoi and Danang is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes and distance traveled is 377 miles. Transfer Danang Airport to Hoi An An English-speaking representative will be holding a sign with your last name on it and greet you as you enter the public Airport Arrivals Hall. You will be taken to your vehicle nearby and transferred to your hotel. Settled on the banks of the Thu Bon River, the charming and colorful market town of Hoi An was a major port in centuries past, with ships arriving from all over the world to obtain silk and other fabrics, sugar, tea and ceramics. ts traditional Vietnamese architecture has been preserved, and there are many historic temples and pagodas in the area. Popular sights include the 18th-century Tan Ky House, an ornate merchant's house built in traditional Japanese-Vietnamese style; the Phuoc Kien (or Fujian) Assembly Hall, which once served Hoi An's Chinese community, lavishly decorated with murals and a replica of a Chinese ship; the Chaozhou Assembly Hall, noted for fine wood carvings; and the Japanese-style covered bridge, the town's most famous landmark. Hundreds of shops in Hoi An sell handmade silk and cotton garments, and custom tailoring is fast, inexpensive and mostly of good quality. Hoi An is also known for its silk lanterns. (The flexible bamboo frames are designed to collapse, so they're easily transported home as a souvenir.) If you're in the old section of town after dusk, you'll see the streets beautifully lit with these lanterns. If you time your visit right, you may see the lantern festival-held in November on the eve of the full moon. Day 10 Hoi An City Tour (Full Day) Hoi An is a picturesque riverside town south of Danang. Known as Faifo to early western traders, it was one of South East Asia's major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. This old town is best explored on foot or by cyclo. The walking tour of Hoi An will visit five following sites. Quan Cong Temple is a Chinese temple dedicated to Quan Cong, whose partially gilt statue is in the central altar at the back of the sanctuary. Phuoc Kien Pagoda is a Chinese pagoda built around 1690 and then restored and enlarged in 1900. It is typical of the Chinese 'clans' that were established in the Hoi An area. Japanese Covered Bridge was built by the Japanese community of Hoi An to link them with the Chinese quarters across the stream. Tran Family Chapel is a house for worshipping ancestors was built about 200 years ago with donations from the family members. Sa Huynh Museum contains exhibitions from the earliest period of Hoi An's history. Phung Hung House is a combination of Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese style. Quang Dong Pagoda is a small Chinese style temple dedicated to Thien Hau with a lintel gate, a rockery courtyard and lucky animals depicted in statuary. Day 11 Hue City Tour (Full Day from Hoi An) Hue served as the capital of Vietnam for more than 140 years. It houses ancient temples, imperial buildings and French-style edifices. It was established in the 17th century. Today transfer overland two hours to Hue by private vehicle. Visit the Thien Mu Pagoda and Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, which includes an excursion by boat. Just outside of Hue, on the bank of the Perfume River, the Thien Mu Pagoda was a hotbed of anti-government protest during the early 1960s. Behind the main sanctuary of the pagoda is an Austin motorcar which transported the monk Thich Quang Duc to the site of his 1963 self-immolation. Visit the Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang you will see a complex built in 1840 by King Minh Mang, known for its magnificent architecture, military statuaries and elaborate decorations. It is perhaps the most beautiful of Hue's pagodas and tombs. Then visit the Imperial Tombs of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Emperor Tu Duc ruled Hue more than 100 years ago, built his tomb when he was still alive and used it for meditation, reading and theater performances. There are pavilions in a tranquil setting of forested hills and lakes. The tomb was constructed between 1864 and 1867. Tu Duc, who was Vietnam's longest reigning Emperor, lived a luxurious life. Khai Dinh was the last monument of the Nguyen dynasty and was constructed between 1920 and 1931. It sits magnificently on the slopes of Chau E Mountain in Chau Chau Village. It has a long staircase flanked by dragons. There are ceiling murals and ceramic frescoes. Return to your Hoi An hotel. Day 12 Fly Danang to Ho Chi Minh City The flight duration between Danang and Ho Chi Minh City is approximately 1 hour 10 minutes and distance traveled is 377 miles. Transfer Ho Chi Minh City Airport to City An English-speaking representative will be holding a sign with your last name on it and greet you as you enter the public Airport Arrivals Hall. You will be taken to your vehicle nearby and transferred to your hotel. Vietnamese seem to use the names Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City or simply HCMC interchangeably. But by any name, it's the economic center of the country. With a rapidly growing population, new hotels, chic bars and trendy clubs, Ho Chi Minh City is enjoying its current climate of prosperity and growth. The old landmarks-the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Rex Hotel, the Hotel de Ville-are still there. But new office towers, built by multinational corporations now setting up shop in Vietnam, are radically changing the skyline. Ho Chi Minh City's millions of motorbikes emit a constant roar and palpable exhaust, and the city's two- and three-hour traffic jams are legendary. Amid all this, there are nearly 200 temples and pagodas in the city. The Emperor of Jade Pagoda is filled with gilded figures and papier-mache statues of Buddhist and Taoist divinities. History buffs should stop by the Reunification Palace, where the South Vietnamese government officially turned over power to the North in 1975. It's a trip back in time, particularly the 'strategy rooms' in the basement and the upper floors filled with 1960s furnishings. The most interesting markets are Cho Binh and Cho Ben Thanh. Shop in Dong Khoi Street for the city's highest-quality wares (antiques and other souvenirs). Cholon is the city's Chinatown and is worth a visit for the bustle, the temples and assembly halls. Ho Chi Minh City is 700 mi/1,120 km south of Hanoi. Day 13 Saigon City Tour (Full Day) Pick up from hotel. Saigon is the largest of Vietnamese cities, and one will see the hustle and bustle of Vietnamese life everywhere. There are street markets, pavement cafes and sleek new cafes and pubs. The city churns and bubbles. Yet within this teeming metropolis are 300 years of timeless traditions and the beauty of an ancient culture. The sightseeing starts with a visit to Notre Dame Cathedral. Then head to City Hall located at the northern end of Nguyen Hue Boulevard and continue the tour to Opera House. Next stop is Jade Emperor Pagoda, a key meeting place for Chinese secret societies. Following Jade Emperor Pagoda is Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum. Reunification Palace was the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president and was stormed by tanks on April 30, 1975 signifying the fall of South Vietnam. It has been preserved in its original state. War Remnants Museum houses collections of weapons and photographs from 2 Indochina wars are exhibited along with the original French 'Guillotine' brought here in the early 20th century. See the oldest and the most active pagodas at Giac Lam Pagoda and Thien Hau Pagoda on the way to Ben Thanh, the central market of Saigon. Drop off at hotel. Day 14 Cai Be Princess Mekong Delta Cruise (Full Day) Your Mekong River cruise excursion aboard the Cai Be Princess, a deluxe sampan offering more comfort than a regular cruise of the Mekong, will begin with a hotel pickup before heading south towards the Mekong Delta. Upon embarkation of the Cai Be Princess you will be welcomed with fresh cotton towels. The Mekong River tour will first visit the local colorful floating markets of Cai Be, where you will cruise among local barges full of fruits and vegetables. The Mekong cruise will then take you to some local home factories to discover traditional production of rice paste making, rice pop corn, coco candies, and the longans fruit drying process. Cruising on you will visit Dong Hoa Hiep island, a peaceful escape where you will be able to visit an ancient mandarin house dating from late 19 century and where some green tea will be served to you. It's then onto Phu An for lunch at a superb Indochine villa, Le Longanier, located in a luxuriant garden by the river. After lunch, your Mekong river cruise will head towards Vinh Long, passing beautiful landscapes along the river such as Dong Phu canal, Binh Hoa Phuoc and An Binh. These evergreen islands on the Mekong River bring about large networks of meandering rivers, criss-crossed with countless arroyos, and are unknown to most travelers who cruise the river. Stops can be made at An Binh ancient Church or Tam Ho bonsais garden to stretch the legs of for photographs. After crossing the Co Chien river, your tour of the Mekong river aboard the Cai Be Princess will end at the Vinh Long pier around 3.30pm, where your vehicle will await you for your transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City. Day 15 Fly Ho Chi Minh City to USA Hotels Hong Kong
Save time, money and stress! For reservations: Fill out the vacation planner to be contacted by our Vietnam vacation specialist. Contact: Travelwizard.com Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252 3/09 |
Day 2 Arrive Hong Kong
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