Hike, Bike & Cruise Northern Vietnam: Ninh Binh, Halong Bay & Sapa

The Silk Path Hotel is located in the heart of the charming old quarter of Hanoi close to countless tourist attractions, government and diplomatic institutions as well as the business district of the city. The Silk Path Hotel, with its 106 well-appointed exclusively designed rooms and suites, makes the hotel the preferred choice of both the leisure and business traveller.

Hanoi's Old Quarter is not only a densely populated area of the city known as '36 Streets' but also is the birthplace of many quintessential Vietnamese dishes that is considered one of the world's great food capitals. Boarding on a private - seated cyclo to make a journey in the old-quarter. This 30 minute ride can make your passion of an overall life style of Ha Noi. Drop-off the rickshaw, follow the guide to walk deeply in the alleys. The labyrinthine alleyways are perfect for exploring with names such as Sugar Street, Tin Street and Paper Street. This is 'secret' Hanoi, far from public view where a dark single file passage opens to secret Pagoda or a unique historical gem. Discover hidden water wells, ancient staircases, delight at the fascinating and innovative architecture.

A snack stop is at outdoor barbeque stalls. Sit down with the Hanoi locals and sample various meat, vegetable, and bread specialties that are flame-grilled over hot coals for extra flavor. It's then time for dessert as you venture down a small alley to join in the local tradition of feasting on fresh fruit served in a cup and smothered with crushed iced and condensed milk.

You will be taken one of Hanoi's best kept secrets, a hidden cafe with stunning views over the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake. This hard-to-find cafe is one of the few left in the city that still serves egg coffee, a scrumptious local delicacy that you will sample whilst admiring the hustle and bustle of the city center below. Getting back to the coach, a short transfer to Bun Cha Huong Lien which serve one of the best flavoursome specialties in Ha Noi called - Bun Cha. This restaurant has been a famous spot since American President - Obama and celibrity chef - Anthony Bourdain had dinner together at this place in 2016. Enjoy the delicious Bun Cha before return to your hotel.

Depart from your hotel to Ninh Binh. Following a two-hour drive through the beautiful countryside, you will reach Trang An ecosystem. Visit Trang An Scenic Landscape complex nearby which recently recognized as a UNESCO World Natural heritage, get on a rowing boat (small sampan) travelling along the small river with scenic mountain and green fields landscape. The boat takes you to visit cave complex of Trang An: Sang Cave, Toi Cave, Ba Giot Cave, Nau Ruou in mystery and wildness, the scenery of mountain and rivers - Halong on the land of Ninh Binh.

Lunch at local restaurant before transferring back to the hotel.

Depart from hotel for a day tour of Tam Coc. Here, we will start our bicycle ride on a very quiet and peaceful trail without any tourist. The trail provides gorgeous views of the surrounding beautiful limestone mountains. Cycling there gives you the amazing experience of the awesome natural wonder of what the area offers you. You will feel like you're right there interacting and soaking in the magnificent beauty.

Stop at Dancing Cave, have a short hike to the top of Hang Mua where you can see the whole view of Tam Coc. We will stop at a local house in a peaceful village with an amazingly beautiful setting. Enjoy your time chatting, learning how the local here live their daily life.

Have our lunch at a local restaurant then drive nearly 3km to reach Bich Dong pagoda - an ever ancient three-tiered cave pagoda. It is only accessible by steep stone steps, but it is really worth climbing up for a charming pagoda and stupendous view from the top. Bich Dong pagoda is composed of 3 structures: Ha Pagoda (lower pagoda), Trung Pagoda (Middle pagoda), and Thuong Pagoda (upper pagoda).

Continue to visit the little remains of the once impressive citadel of Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of the Dinh and Le dynasties dating back to the 11th century. Temples that are still standing include the royal temple of the early Le Dynasty, Dai Hanh and Dinh Tien Hoang, another royal temple which contains a statue of Emperor Dinh Bo Linh and his sons. The energetic may undertake the climb of some 200 steps to explore the temples and for a rewarding bird's-eye view of the surrounding countryside. A short drive to Bai Dinh pagoda - a Buddhist complex, it leans on the hillside near Ninh Binh. The work started in 2003 and completed in 2010. It is very impressive with the landscapes surrounding either sunrise and sunset. The range of limestones is at that far including the vast rice paddy fields. This complex is functionally used for grand or national Buddhist ceremonies.

Return to the hotel for freshening up and relax.

You are free at leisure until being transferred back to Hanoi city/hotel.

On arrival, you will transfer to a junk (a traditional Chinese style sailing ship) for your cruise on Halong Bay. Sailing through emerald waters and past rocky islets and lush islands, a delicious lunch will be served on board.

Halong Bay is blessed with numerous grottoes, hidden pools and mystical islands and this afternoon, there will be the opportunity to disembark the boat and explore the region further. Off-boat excursions are usually by ship's tender although often there is the opportunity to discover the beautiful landscapes of the bay by kayak or bamboo rowing boat. Visits to nearby caves or sandy beaches may also be on the agenda and of course there is always the option to remain on board and take in the glorious vista from the spacious sundeck.

As night falls, the boat will drop anchor in a peaceful spot. Enjoy a refreshing drink and the view from the sundeck before sitting down to a leisurely dinner which will either be served on deck or inside the dining room depending on the vessel and local weather conditions.

Early risers may have the opportunity to witness sunrise over the bay. After breakfast, there will be further opportunities to discover the bay with its stalactite and stalagmite filled caves, swimming beaches and secluded coves that are perfect for kayaking. Available activities dependent on the specific boat and lunch and dinner will be served onboard.

Returning to harbour, there is the opportunity to savour the glorious scenery of Halong Bay one final time while enjoying the breakfast.

This evening, take the evening train to Lao Cai (we suggest having dinner before joining the train). Transfer to Hanoi railway station for the overnight train to Lao Cai. Departure time is scheduled for 10:00PM (subject to change).

Upon arrival at Lao Cai station in the early morning, you will be met by your local guide and vehicle who will transfer you to local restaurant for breakfast.

Note: Standard check-in time at the hotel is 2PM however early check-in can be arranged in advance by DAVN (subject to availability and with a surcharge).

After breakfast, enjoy a walk in the countryside surrounding Sapa. Head out of town towards Cat Cat village, stopping at a waterfall for a short rest before continuing the trek along a trail through rice terraces. Continuing through lush rain forest, under the protection of Hoang Lien National Park, you will eventually arrive in Y Linh Ho village, home of the Black Hmong minority, where there is time to look around the villages and rest a little more before climbing towards the main road where your vehicle will meet you and drive you back to Sapa for lunch. Free at leisure for the rest of day.

Dinner and overnight in Sapa.

Victoria Sapa Resort and Spa, the only luxury hotel in North-Western Vietnam, opened in March 1998. Built as a traditional mountain chalet with accented wooden decor and a welcoming stone hearth fireplace, the Victoria Sapa Resort and Spa overhangs the village, blending perfectly with the natural surroundings. It is located in Sapa, 380km (236 miles) Northwest of Hanoi, among the Hoang Lien Mountains, in Lao Cai Province, near the Chinese border. 1650 metres (5413 feet) above sea level, famous for its pristine environment, its unparalleled scenery and its cool climate, Sapa is home to more than 30 colourful hill tribes and close to Vietnam's highest peak, the 3143 metres (10311 feet) Mount Fansipan.

Today is devoted to a beautiful hike through the breathtaking scenery of Sapa valley. As soon as you leave Sapa town you will be met with awe-inspiring views of the morning mist blanketing the rice terraces beneath it. Learn how is the rice is cultivated, from the moment the seed is sown to its harvesting, followed by the journey it takes to the dinner table. Following a small track, cross the Muong Hoa river and pass well-tended rice terraces on your way to the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai.

Reaching Ta Van, there is time to explore this village, which has a mixture of Hmong, Giay and Red Dao residents. Continuing your hike along the river, cross a small suspension bridge, where you will discover a fascinating collection of rock carvings with engravings depicting images of ancient people, stilt houses and some beautiful decorative patterns. After lunch in the village, the walk continues through a bamboo forest to Giang Ta Chai, a Red Dao ethnic minority village. After pausing to rest at a nearby waterfall, begin the uphill climb to the road where your vehicle will be waiting to transfer you to Lao Cai station for the evening train back to Hanoi.

Dinner at local restaurant in Lao Cai.

Upon arrival at Hanoi railway station in the early morning, having breakfast at local restaurant.

The Silk Path Hotel is located in the heart of the charming old quarter of Hanoi close to countless tourist attractions, government and diplomatic institutions as well as the business district of the city. The Silk Path Hotel, with its 106 well-appointed exclusively designed rooms and suites, makes the hotel the preferred choice of both the leisure and business traveller.