Arrival, accommodation + optional dinner and evening walk in Hanoi

We'll spend a full day walking around Hanoi's most interesting and photogenic sites to soak up the culture, local architecture, markets, history - in short, soak up the vibe of Vietnam's capital city of 8 million people.

We will also sample traditional culinary specialties such as Pho Bo soup, Bun Chá, and the popular baguette Bàn Mi among locals. 

After dinner, we board a sleeper bus and head to the northern Vietnamese mountain town of Sa Pa, where we stay in comfortable rooms near the city centre.

In the morning, we'll stroll through the streets of the tourist town of Sa Pa, buy a snack (like the delicious local fried chestnut buns) and take an easy walk down the hill to the nearby Cat Cat hanger, where in addition to the beautiful scenery and waterfall, we'll admire the local handicrafts and art. And, if we're lucky, they'll even let us peek inside their school during class. 

Just after breakfast, we will go on one of the most beautiful treks in Vietnam (about 7h). We will walk along the foothills of beautiful mountains with incredible views of endless rice plantations. All the time we will be accompanied by our lovely guide from a local tribe. (As she guided us, she also carried her 2-month-old son on her back the whole way. :) ) She is great! And after a lovely walk, she will host us in her home in a cute little village, cook us local specialties and at the end, those who want to can play their traditional board games and taste the local "happy water" (which is a kind of local liquor). :) 

The next morning we take a van back to the town of Sa Pa for the bus and then straight to our next destination - Ha Giang, where we stay in a very nice hostel away from the busy towns and roads. After a busy journey, we will relax by the pool, play darts, pool, enjoy a great local dinner and prepare for the most challenging part of this trip.

For us, the most beautiful views and landscapes were definitely seen from the saddle of a motorbike during a 2-day motorbike trip through this winding mountain area. Those of you who have an international driving licence with you and want to try driving (only really recommended for very experienced drivers) can experience it for yourself. Others can pay extra and get in the saddle with a local experienced driver who will safely guide you the whole way. 

Well, if you have a panicky fear of motorbikes, that's fine too. We'll devise an alternative programme for you in the form of a full day trek around Ha Giang so you don't miss out on these beautiful views either.

We'll be staying somewhere on the road in the mountains in a group dormitory (very basic, so don't expect any luxury), but it will make the experience all the more authentic. :)

After a sumptuous breakfast, we'll hop on our motorbikes and explore another part of the beautiful Ha Giang Loop, admiring the photogenic serpentine mountains, rice plantations, mountains, rivers ... and in the afternoon we will go back to our hostel, take our backpacks and after dinner we will board the night bus, which will be our quarters this time. But don't worry - Vietnamese night sleeper buses are designed for such distances, so they're quite comfortable and if you bring an eye mask and earplugs, chances are you'll even fall asleep. :D

Finally the sea! After a long overnight bus ride we arrive at one of the highlights of our trip and one of the most visited places in Vietnam - Ha Long Bay. 

However, we won't stay on the shore and together with the bus, we will be ferried to the beautiful Cat Ba Island where we will stay, walk the promenade around the sea ...

... we'll breathe in the fresh air, have lunch, and in the afternoon we'll explore the local caves and pristine natural national park, which is also a jungle. It will be a great experience for hiking and nature lovers.

Well, on this day we will go on a boat trip around the breathtaking Ha Long Bay. In addition to the iconic rocks rising from the sea, we'll see the so-called floating village (where locals actually still live), kayak, snorkel, enjoy lunch on the boat, and in the afternoon, if we have time, we can check out the nearby local beach.

In the morning we will stay up a bit to catch the bus to Ninh Binh, where we will arrive around noon. We'll have lunch, stay in the middle of endless rivers, rocks and valleys - in the Tom Cuc area. Once we've had a good look around, we'll rent bikes and go check out the nearby Pagoda set into a rock formation. In the evening, we'll return for a local Vietnamese dinner.

On the second day, we'll ride past rice plantations, majestic limestone massifs and enchanting caves. 

We will then visit the original ancient city of Hoa Lu, which used to be the capital until the early 11th century when Emperor Ly Thai To moved it to present-day Hanoi. 

We'll end the day trip with a hike to Mua Cave. The cave is likened to the "Great Wall of China". We will climb 500 steps to the top, where we will have a spectacular view of Ninh Binh and an amazing panoramic view of Tam Coc. 

After arriving in Hue, we will have a coffee and breakfast at a nice local café to get some energy for the next adventure.

Here we will take a soothing boat ride to Thien Mu Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, where we will soak up not only the local culture but also appreciate the local architecture. 

And since Hue offers a variety of options, depending on our energy and taste, we'll choose whether to spend the afternoon exploring the historic citadel or checking out the local markets, experiencing a local performance at the National Theatre or trying out the dragon boats. As you wish. :) In the evening, we will have a local dinner in a streetfood alley and stay near the city center.

In the morning after breakfast we will go to the most colorful city of Vietnam - Hoi An. We will rent bikes and explore a nearby traditional village before heading out to explore the historic city centre and ride to the nearby beach to cool off in the pier and enjoy a cocktail or fruit smoothie after a long time. 

On our return, as the sun sets, we'll stroll the picturesque streets of Hoi An, shop for souvenirs, sample local specialties, relax over coffee, and take a ride among dozens of boats illuminated by hundreds of colorful lanterns after dark. 

In the morning, after breakfast, we will visit one of the most important archaeological complexes in Southeast Asia - the stunning My Son ruins, reminiscent of the Cambodian Ankor Wat complex. 

This holy site was built between the 4th and 14th centuries by the Cham dynasty and served as the religious and cultural centre of the Cham empire. There are hundreds of towers, buildings and statues combining Hindu and Buddhist influences. My Son was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. The site is a fascinating testament to Vietnam's rich cultural heritage

Ba Na Hills is the shining jewel of our trip. This magical hilltop complex evokes a mixture of excitement and awe. After letting the cable car take us through the cloud forests, we find ourselves in a dreamland of endless experiences at 1487 m above sea level. 

The gardens, climate and architecture here will remind us of a fairy tale world, but above all a perfect imitation of European architecture. 

At the same time, we will walk across the iconic bridge, which is surmounted by a golden stone statue in the shape of a hand. 

If the weather cooperates, unforgettable views await.

Well, we didn't waste any time and the last day of our adventure is here. And before we drop you off into the whirlwind of the big city, the airport, or the next leg of your solo journey through South Vietnam, we'll show you our favourite "jungle peninsula".

We'll take a last hike for approx. 3.5hours through the so-called lungs of Da Nang for the best views of the city and the ocean, as well as pristine nature and curious monkeys. 

On the way back, we visit the Lady Buddha statue, which is a stunning work of art due to its first-class white marble workmanship. It reaches a height of more than 67 meters, making it one of the tallest statues in the world. Next to it, be amazed by the Linh Ung Pagoda, which is also one of the tallest in the region.

And then we'll have a delicious lunch at a yummy restaurant, and in the afternoon we'll all take a triumphant high-five to the endless beach that winds the length of the city. 

Here, we enjoy the waves one last time, toast with mojitos and wave goodbye with a tear in our eye full of unforgettable experiences and anticipation for the "next adventure". 

Transfer to the airport and flight back to Europe (according to your individual tickets)