Itinerary
- Day 1
Ho Chi Minh City
Your Vietnam adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm to connect with your group and leader. Before that, the day is yours to explore Ho Chi Minh City however you'd like. Wander through the local markets, grab a cup of Vietnamese coffee at a neighborhood café, or check out some of the temples in the area. If you're interested, there's an optional group dinner later in the evening to get to know your fellow travelers better.
Optional Activities
- Visit Pham Ngu Lao Street local open-aired market
- Visit Vinh Nghiem Pagoda
- Urban Adventure with local guide
- Optional group dinner
Landmarks Vinh Nghiem Pagoda Pham Ngu Lao Street Market 
- Day 2
Mekong Delta
Travel south by private minibus to reach the Mekong Delta. Once there, you'll board a private boat to explore the waterways and visit coconut gardens where you can sample tropical fruits and local jams. Later, paddle through villages in traditional sampans and take a tuk-tuk tour to see how people live in the rural areas. After lunch featuring regional dishes like elephant ear fish, you'll head back to Ho Chi Mihn City by bus, arriving in the evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (Regional specialties including elephant ear fish at a restaurant in the heart of the delta)
Included Activities
- Mekong Delta day trip and village tuk-tuk tour
- Private boat cruise through Mekong Delta waterways
- Visit Ben Tre coconut gardens
- Stop at local home to sample tropical fruits and coconut jams
- Sampan paddling through villages
- Tuk-tuk tour around villages
- Lunch at restaurant in the delta with regional specialties
Landmarks Ben Tre Coconut Gardens 
- Day 3
Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An
Fly north to Danang in the morning, then travel by bus toward Hoi An with views of the Marble Mountains along the way. Your leader takes you on a walking tour through this ancient trading port town, showing you 17th-century architecture shaped by European, Chinese and Vietnamese influences. During the afternoon, visit historic houses, the Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese assembly hall and a local museum. Your evening is free to wander down to the waterside restaurants and explore on your own.
Included Activities
- Hoi An Old Town walking tour
- Visit historic house (former prominent trader's home)
- Visit Japanese Covered Bridge
- Visit Chinese assembly hall
- Visit museum
Landmarks Marble Mountains Japanese Covered Bridge 
- Day 4
Hoi An
Spend the day in Hoi An however you'd like. Browse Central Market and the street stalls selling paintings, woodwork, ceramics and lanterns. The local tailors here work quickly and can make custom pieces in just hours if that interests you. Alternatively, rent a bicycle to explore the countryside and experience rural life, or take an optional day trip to My Son, an ancient temple complex built by the Cham civilization. It's your choice how to spend the time.
Optional Activities
- Wander Central Market and street stalls
- Visit local tailor shops for custom items
- Bicycle tour of surrounding countryside
- Day trip to My Son Cham UNESCO World Heritage temple complex
Landmarks Central Market, Hoi An My Son 
- Day 5
Hoi An to Hue
Travel across the Hai Van Pass with dramatic views of Lang Co Beach, and the group stops for photos along the way. Continue on to Hue, Vietnam's former imperial capital. Your leader guides you through the Imperial Citadel, a fortress that houses the Imperial City and the Forbidden Purple City, explaining its history including damage from the Vietnam War. Later, explore Dong Ba Market on your own to browse local goods, fresh produce and street food.
Included Activities
- Cross Hai Van Pass scenic route with photo stop
- Imperial City entrance and guided visit
- Forbidden Purple City tour
Optional Activities
- Visit Dong Ba Market
Landmarks Hai Van Pass Lang Co Beach Imperial Citadel of Hue Forbidden Purple City Dong Ba Market 
- Day 6
Hue
Today you'll ride around Hue on the back of a motorbike with a local driver. Visit the Imperial Citadel and the Thien Mu Pagoda, an active Buddhist monastery dating to 1601 and one of Hue's most recognizable landmarks. You'll also see the preserved car of a monk who self-immolated while protesting Buddhist persecution. After riding to a Buddhist monastery for a vegetarian lunch, visit Emperor Tu Duc's royal tomb, which sits on a lake surrounded by frangipani and pine trees. That evening, board an overnight train heading to Hanoi.
- Meals
- Lunch (Vegetarian feast at Buddhist monastery)
Included Activities
- Hue highlights and back streets tour by motorbike
- Thien Mu Pagoda visit
- Vegetarian lunch at pagoda
- Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc visit
Landmarks Thien Mu Pagoda Royal Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc - Day 7
Hanoi
Arrive early in the morning and transfer to your hotel. Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, has beautiful lakes, shaded boulevards and parks worth seeing. You'll have free time to rest and relax first. Later, join a walking tour that takes you through the historic '36 Streets' of the Old Quarter, lets you relax by Hoan Kiem Lake, or visit the Fine Arts Museum to learn about Vietnam's different ethnic cultural traditions.
Included Activities
- Hanoi Old Quarter walking tour
- Temple of Literature visit
- One Pillar Pagoda and HCM stilt house visit
Optional Activities
- Explore '36 Streets' of historic Old Quarter
- Visit Hoan Kiem Lake
- Visit Fine Arts Museum
Landmarks Hoan Kiem Lake Temple of Literature One Pillar Pagoda Fine Arts Museum Hanoi Old Quarter - Day 8
Ha Long Bay
Travel by private minibus to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site with emerald waters and limestone islands dotting the landscape. Board a cruise to explore Surprise Cave and the rock formations nearby. If you're visiting during the warmer months, there's optional kayaking or swimming from Ti Top Island. Fresh seafood lunch and dinner are served on board, and you'll spend the night on the boat under the stars with time to relax at the bar and chat with other travelers.
- Meals
- Lunch (Fresh seafood on board), Dinner (Fresh seafood on board)
Included Activities
- Overnight boat cruise through Ha Long Bay
- Surprise Cave exploration
- Cave entry
- Fresh seafood lunch on board
- Dinner on board
Optional Activities
- Kayaking tour
- Swimming from Ti Top Island
Landmarks Ha Long Bay Surprise Cave Ti Top Island 
- Day 9
Ha Long Bay to Hanoi
Wake up on the water and watch the sunrise if you're interested, seeing eagles, fishermen and the bay come to life. Visit The Green Life Centre, which transforms trash from Ha Long Bay into handicrafts. Participate in making a reusable bag from discarded items and learn about their work. Return to Hanoi by bus with free time to explore or sit at a café. This evening, head to KOTO restaurant for your farewell dinner, a place that supports disadvantaged youth working in the hospitality industry.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell dinner at KOTO restaurant)
Included Activities
- The Green Life Centre visit
- KOTO dinner farewell
Optional Activities
- Watch sunrise from deck
- Stop for bia hoi (freshly brewed draught beer) at microbars in Old Quarter
Landmarks The Green Life Centre - Day 10
Hanoi
Today is completely free to relax and recharge in Hanoi. Visit the Fine Arts Museum if you're interested, or check out Hoa La Hanoi Hilton Prison. Otherwise, just enjoy sitting at a café and taking things easy. At 6 pm, there's a welcome meeting for new travelers joining the next part of the tour. After that meeting, your leader can suggest some great local restaurants where the group can have dinner together.
Optional Activities
- Visit Fine Arts Museum
- Visit Hoa La Hanoi Hilton Prison
- Relax at cafes
Landmarks Hoa La Hanoi Hilton Prison - Day 11
Hanoi to Sapa
After breakfast, take a private transfer to Sapa, a misty mountain town in the Muong Hoa Valley close to the Chinese border. Settle into your hotel and relax for a bit before regrouping with your leader for a sunset walk. Visit Sapa Church, a structure built by French colonizers in the early 1900s that's now become a cultural meeting place for local ethnic groups. In the evening, explore the night market and enjoy grilled meats, seafood and corn at a local barbecue restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Grilled meats, seafood and corn at local barbecue)
Included Activities
- Private transfer to Sapa
- Sapa sunset walking tour
- Sapa Church visit
- Street food BBQ dinner
Landmarks Sapa Church Sapa Night Market - Day 12
Sapa
Head out to Tan Van Village where you'll lace up your hiking boots for a full day trek through Sapa's rice terraces. You'll experience the crisp mountain air, see cascading paddies and meet traditional H'mong hilltribe villagers along the way. A local H'mong family invites you into their home for lunch cooked from scratch. Back in Sapa town by mid-afternoon, you'll have free time to rest and recover. Later, head out for dinner with your group at one of the town's many restaurants.
- Meals
- Lunch (Home-cooked lunch with local H'mong family)
Included Activities
- Rice terrace day hike
- Visit and lunch with local H'mong family
Landmarks Tan Van Village - Day 13
Sapa to Kunming
Drive to Lao Cai and cross into China at Hekou, saying goodbye to your Vietnam leader at immigration. You'll handle immigration yourself, so patience is important as the process can take time. Meet your new China leader on the other side of the border. Board a private bus to Honghe City and take your first high-speed train to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province. You'll arrive at your hotel late afternoon for an orientation walk. Try over-the-bridge rice noodles, a signature Yunnan dish, for dinner.
- Day 14
Kunming to Shangri-La
Board a bullet train from Kunming heading to Shangri-La, an alpine city in the Hengduan Mountains. The journey is long but the views of snow-capped peaks, valleys and lakes make it worth the time, especially if the day is clear. Your leader takes you on a walking tour of Dukezong Ancient Town, one of China's largest and best-preserved Tibetan settlements from the 7th century. See the restored 21-meter tall prayer wheel, the largest in China. Watch local artists create intricate thangka paintings, and join the evening square for traditional music and line dancing.
Included Activities
- Dukezong Old Town walking tour
- View 21-meter prayer wheel (largest in China)
Optional Activities
- Join evening square traditional music and line dancing
Landmarks Dukezong Ancient Town - Day 15
Shangri-La
Take a private vehicle to Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan province. Walk through halls decorated with elaborate frescoes showing ancient Buddhist stories, enjoy views of the surrounding countryside and the peaceful Lamuyangcuo Lake nearby. Return to the city and visit a local Tibetan family's home to learn how to make traditional yak butter tea and share a home-cooked lunch. You'll also see their sacred shrine room where the family prays, meditates and performs rituals. The rest of the day is yours to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Home-cooked lunch with local Tibetan family)
Included Activities
- Ganden Sumtseling Monastery visit
- Tibetan family visit with yak butter tea preparation and home-cooked lunch
Landmarks Ganden Sumtseling Monastery Lamuyangcuo Lake 
- Day 16
Tiger Leaping Gorge Trek Day 1
Travel by private vehicle to Tiger Leaping Gorge, a dramatic canyon on the Jinsha River where local legend says a tiger escaped hunters by jumping across the water. Meet your local guide to start hiking through one of the world's deepest river canyons. The Jade Dragon and Haba Mountains rise nearly 3,800 meters above the riverbanks, creating spectacular views. The trail follows narrow switchbacks and cliffside paths with gorgeous scenery of surrounding peaks. Stop at a guesthouse overlooking Jade Garden Snow Mountain where you'll rest for the night and enjoy stunning sunsets on clear evenings.
Included Activities
- Guided trek through Tiger Leaping Gorge (Day 1)
Landmarks Tiger Leaping Gorge Jade Dragon Mountain Haba Mountain 
- Day 17
Tiger Leaping Gorge Trek Day 2 to Lijiang
Continue hiking through the gorge shadowed by the mountains. Today's route is mostly downhill and takes you past waterfalls and giant boulders. After finishing the hike, travel by private vehicle to Lijiang, a UNESCO World Heritage city home to the Naxi people and several other ethnic groups. Freshen up at your hotel, then join your leader for an orientation walk through Old Town. Learn about Lijiang's history on the ancient Tea Horse Road trading route. Wander the maze-like cobbled alleys, canals and traditional Naxi wooden houses. Try traditional dishes like steam pot chicken or chickpea jelly for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided trek through Tiger Leaping Gorge (Day 2)
- Lijiang Old Town walking tour
Landmarks Tiger Leaping Gorge Lijiang Old Town 
- Day 18
Lijiang to Baisha
Travel by private vehicle to Baisha Old Town on Lijiang's outskirts, a quiet Naxi town with streets lined by traditional architecture, murals, craft shops and cafes. After walking around, visit a local Naxi family's home for a Dongba calligraphy class. Dongba dates to the 13th century and uses around 1,000 pictographic symbols to represent objects, actions or concepts, making it one of the world's last living pictographic scripts. The rest of the day is free time for you. Optionally join a bike ride around Lashihai Lake if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Baisha Old Town visit
- Naxi family visit and Dongba calligraphy class
Optional Activities
- Bike ride around Lashihai Lake
Landmarks Baisha Old Town Lashihai Lake - Day 19
Lijiang to Kunming
Board a train back to Kunming, arriving early in the afternoon. The rest of your day is yours to spend how you'd like. Kunming, nicknamed 'Spring City' for its mild climate and relaxed atmosphere, has plenty to discover. Explore manicured gardens and watch locals practicing tai chi in Green Lake Park, learn about Yunnan's ethnic groups at the Village of Ethnic Culture, or chat with university students along Wenlin Street. This evening, optionally join your leader and group for a farewell dinner to celebrate your incredible journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Green Lake Park gardens and tai chi practitioners
- Visit Village of Ethnic Culture
- Explore Wenlin Street
- Optional farewell dinner with group
Landmarks Green Lake Park - Day 20
Kunming
Your adventure wraps up after breakfast. There are no activities scheduled for today, so you're free to leave whenever it works for you after checking out of your hotel. If you'd like to stay longer in Kunming, contact your booking agent ahead of time to arrange additional nights for yourself.
- Meals
- Breakfast
