Attractions: adventure travel off the beaten track, mountain biking, kayaking, colourful ethnic culture, natural scenery, remote ethnic markets, homestays in stilt houses, boat cruises, and scuba diving.

Destinations: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Sapa, Nha Trang, Whale Island.

Day 1: Ha Noi arrival (Dinner (D))
Arrive Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, transfer to hotel. Welcome dinner.
Overnight in Ha Noi.

Day 2: Motor biking in Hanoi (Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Guide (G))
City tour by motorbike
Overnight in Ha Noi.

Day 3: Kayaking in Ha Long (B, L, D, G)
Drive to Ha Long Bay UNESCO World Heritage Areas. Twenty-four hours cruising and kayaking on the bay. Traditional-style wooden junk with sleeping accommodation.
Overnight on Ha Long Bay

Day 4: Kayaking in Ha Long (B, L, D, G)
Docking around noon and return to Ha Noi. In the evening, board the overnight sleeper train to Sapa.

Day 5: Sapa ethnic market (B, L, G)
Arrive Lao Cai station, jeep to an ethnic market. Return to Lao Cai and drive to Sapa.
Overnight in Sapa.

Day 6: Cycling in Sapa (B, L, D, G)
Drive to Nam Cang village (Dao ethnic group). Cycle to Nam Than village (H’mong ethnic group) and Sin Chai village.
Overnight in ‘stilt’ house homestay

Day 7: Sapa - to Ha Noi (B, L, G)
Two-hour cycle ride to Ban Ho village. Afternoon return to Sapa and overnight train to Ha Noi.

Day 8: Free day in Ha Noi (B, G)
Overnight in Ha Noi.

Day 9: Ha Noi to Nha Trang (B, L, G)
Morning flight to Nha Trang. Boat cruise upstream on the Cai River (rural areas with varied cottage industries). Hot spring spa and mud baths.
Overnight in Nha Trang.

Day 10: Snorkelling in Nha Trang (B, L, G)
All-day boat cruise on Nha Trang bay. Snorkelling around Mun Island. Lunch, entertainment and ‘free-flow’ floating local wine at Mot Island. Fishing village visit.
Overnight in Nha Trang.

Day 11: Nha Trang to Whale Island (B, L, D)
Drive to Ninh Hoa and then speedboat to Whale Island – a ‘get-away-from it all’ hideaway resort. (Review dive for those taking the diving option).
Overnight on Whale Island.

Days 12 to 13: Diving off Whale Island (B, L, D each day)
Diving with PADI Diving Centre (Five Star). Alternative possibilities: swimming, snorkelling, fishing, sandy beaches, catamaran sailing, windsurfing, etc.
Overnight in traditional bungalows on Whale Island.

Day 14: Whale Island to Ho Chi Minh City (B)
Drive to Nha Trang and flight to Ho Chi Minh City for departure flight.

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