Day 1 : Hanoi - Son La (Lunch included)
We depart Hanoi at 0730 for a 11-hour drive to Son La (320 km from Hanoi). We will reach the small township of Mai Chau in time for lunch. Following lunch we will have a brief look around this little hill town. Arriving in Son La late in the afternoon we will check into our local guesthouse where we spend the night. Son La is located in a scenic valley, inhabited by Thai, Muong and H'mong minority people. This area is historically important for its involvement in the Vietnamese struggle for independence from France during the early decades of this century. 

Day 2 : Son La - Dien Bien Phu (Breakfast & Lunch included)
Following breakfast at 0730 we will visit the remains of a old French prison and have a dip in the local hot springs. We then board our vehicle for the drive to Dien Bien Phu around 170 km away. It is a 7-hour journey on rough roads, but it is worth it as the scenery is dramatic. We will encounter many ethnic minority people along the way. In the late afternoon we arrive in Dien Bien town and check into our guesthouse for the night. 

Day 3 : Dien Bien Phu (Breakfast & Lunch included)
Today we have a more relaxing schedule as we spend the day around Dien Bien Phu visiting the former battlefields, the museum and some of the hill tribe villages. Tonight will be our second night in Dien Bien Phu. 

Day 4 : Dien Bien Phu - Phong Tho (Breakfast & Luch included)
After breakfast this morning we will set out on our drive to Phong Tho, around 8 hours away. As the roads deteriorate considerably and increase traveling time, the scenery more than makes up for this. Once we reach Phong Tho we will visit the market. This market is becoming popular with visitors that want to make the effort to get here, as it is one of the most colourful markets in Vietnam. We will continue the short distance to Tam Duong for our accommodation for this night. 

Day 5 : Phong Tho - Sapa (Breakfast & Luch included)
From Phong Tho we drive east to Sapa, which is a five-hour drive. As the roads become even rougher, the more deserted they get. But the rougher they get, the more scenic they are. The beautiful hill station of Sapa has the best of both worlds, breath-taking scenery and modern-day comforts. We leave Tam Duong at 07h30 and arrive in Sapa around 12h30. After lunch we have the afternoon free to explore the township. We spend tonight at a guesthouse in Sapa. 

Day 6 : Sapa (Breakfast & Luch included)
Today we start by getting some exercise with a five or six hour trek to the hill tribe villages of Cat Cat, Ta Van and Cau May. As we walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa, we will meet some of the local minority people on their way to and from Sapa. These minority people, including the Red Zao, Hmong and Tay people, walk to Sapa to trade at the markets. Tonight we spend a second night in our hotel at Sapa town. 

Day 7 : Sapa - Hanoi (Breakfast & Luch included)
We have a early breakfast this morning before bidding farewell to Sapa and its friendly people. Our destination for today is Hanoi. It is a 11-hour journey back to the nations capital along some of Vietnams most scenic roads.