Vietnam Photo Adventure

During 16 days, you will meet numerous colorful ethnic minority groups, ethnic minority markets and scenic northern highland hill tribe villages, experience the life of minority people through a home stay, trek through magnificent terraced mountains of rice, cascading waterfalls and fertile rivers, enjoy jagged isles, hidden lagoons, and sea caves of Ha Long Bay

Day 1: ARRIVAL IN HA NOI (D)

On arrival at Hanoi airport, we will be transferred to our hotel where we will freshen up before venturing out to explore the night life of the city. We will have a brief discussion about the tour during dinner before returning to the hotel for the night.
Day 2: HANOI – NGHIA LO (B/L/D)

We will arise early to go to Hoan Kiem Lake where we will be able to photograph early risers meditating, doing tai chi, exercising and playing badminton. After breakfast we will board our bus and make our way to Duong Lam Village, famous for having approximately 300 houses build three to four centuries ago. We then continue our our journey to Nghai Lo where we will begin to witness the spectacular mountainous scenery of North-West Vietnam and colourful ethnic minority people.
Day 3: NGHIA LO – THAN UYEN (B/L/D)

We will arise early to explore the township of Nghia Lo as the locals commence their daily activities as well as the local markets. After breakfast we commence our trip to Than Uyen with numerous stops along the way to photograph the local minority people and the golden colored terraced rice fields.
Day 4: THAN UYEN – SA PA (B/L/D)

We will arise early to photograph the town of Than Uyen as it awakes. After breakfast we commence our journey to Sa Pa stopping to visit a Lu minority village and Black Dao minority village. After lunch we will visit a tea plantation before commencing our drive up Tram Ton pass, the highest mountain pass in Vietnam.
Day 5: SA PA (B/D)

After an intensive start to the tour, you will have a free day to explore the township of Sa Pa, a town that offers numerous photographic opportunities as well as great cafés and bars to relax. For those who are really energetic, climb Ham Rong Mountain (Botanical Gardens) to photograph Sa Pa in the early morning light. At the top of the mountain you can discover and photograph unique rock formations discovered in 1925.
Day 6: SA PA (B/L/D)

Today we will trek down the mountain to Ta Van village. Along the way we will photograph the magnificent terraced rice fields and local minority people going about their day-to-day activities. After an enjoyable lunch at our homestay, you are free to explore the village. We will photograph the sunset over the terraced rice fields at our leisure.
Day 7: SA PA – LUNG KHAU NHIN MARKET – BAC HA (B/L/D)

This morning we will arise early to commence our 3 hour journey to Lung Khau Nhin Market which is one of the most untouched markets in North Vietnam. Here we will observe and photograph Nung, Flower H’Mong, Black Dao and Dzay minority people buying and selling their local produce. After spending the morning casually strolling around and photographing the markets, we make our way to Bac Ha, where we will visit a Flower H’Mong Village.
Day 8: BAC HA – HA GIANG (B/L/D)

We will arise early to commence our long journey to Ha Giang, through stunning countryside with valleys and mountains opening up on all sides and then along the remote Chay River Valley. During the trip, we may see Flower H’Mong, Nung, Co Lao, Red Dao, Dao Ao Dai, La Chi Pa Then and White H’Mong minority people going about their daily lives. Stops will be provided along the way for photography. We will enjoy another homestay in a Tay minority village, regarded as one of the best in the world.
Day 9: HA GIANG – QUAN BA – DONG VAN (B/L/D)

Today we will experience a spectacular day of driving through amazing mountainous landscapes nestled up against the border with China. About 50km’s out of Ha Giang, the road zigzags its way up the amazing Quan Ba Pass eventually providing a spectacular view over Quan Ba town and the surrounding countryside. Opportunities to take photographs will be provided along the way. We end our day’s journey at Dong Van, an isolated town atop a small hill. Dong Van is very beautiful with mountains, forests, hidden grottoes and multi-coloured orchid forests.
Day 10: DONG VAN – MEO VAC (B/L/D)

We arise early to visit and photograph Dong Van market. After a late breakfast we commence our journey down Ma Pi Leng pass, providing us with what is regarded as the most stunning scenery in North Vietnam. We eventually descend into a beautiful valley that encloses Meo Vac where we will visit the local market before having lunch. In the afternoon we visit a local Lo Lo minority village.
Day 11: MEO VAC – CAO BANG (B/L/D)

We arise early to visit and photograph Meo Vac as the town awakens. After breakfast we will commence our journey to Cao Bang, stopping to photograph the mountainous scenery and minority villages.
Day 12: CAO BANG – BAN GIOC WATERFALL – CAO BANG (B/L/D)

This morning we will make our way to the beautiful Ban Gioc Waterfall on the Chinese border. The picturesque, cascading waterfall is 53m high and has an impressive span of 300m. The drive there and back also offers unique landscapes with limestone karst formations soaring from the rice paddies of the surrounding farms of local ethnic minorities. We will stop on our return trip to photograph waterwheels, which are only found in this part of Vietnam.
Day 13: CAO BANG – LANG SON - HA LONG CITY (B/L/D)

We will arise early to photograph Cao Bang as it awakes. After breakfast we will commence our long journey to Ha Long City stopping for lunch and a well earned break at Lang Son. After eating at a local restaurant we will continue our journey to Ha Long City. Photographic stops will be provided as opportunities present themselves.
Day 14: HA LONG BAY – CAT BA ISLAND (B/L/D)

We will arise early to visit and photograph the local fish market. After breakfast, we board the boat and commence our full day cruise of Ha Long Bay. We will visit Surprising Cave and photograph the bay, floating villages and fish farms. In the afternoon, we will climb up to the peak of Ti Top Island for a panoramic view of Ha Long bay. We will then make our way to Cat Ba where we will check into our hotel. You are then free to explore Cat Ba Island and photograph the sunset over the harbor.
Day 15: CAT BA – HANOI (B/L/D)

We will arise early to photograph the sunrise over Cat Ba harbour. After breakfast, we board our boat and casually make our way back to Ha Long City where our buses will be waiting for us. We then commence our journey to Hanoi. At night will be entertained by a traditional Ca Tru show.
Day 16: DEPARTURE (B)

After breakfast we will commence a 2 hour walking tour of the old quarter, photographing the shops, street life and people going about their day-to-day activities. We then visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnams first University dating back to 1070 AD. A model will accompany us this morning. We then proceed to a local restaurant for lunch.. After lunch we will transfer to Noi Bai Airport for departure flight