Vietnam to China overland tour
| country: | China, Vietnam |
| trip type: | A small group adventure. |
| departures: | 2009: 25 Apr, 9 May, 23 May, 6 Jun, 20 Jun, 18 Jul, 22 Aug, 12 Sep, 10 Oct 2010: 10 Apr, 24 Apr, 15 May, 29 May, 19 Jun |
| price: | From £1085 (22 days) excluding flights, local payment US $450. We can arrange flights from the UK. All departure dates are guaranteed |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Discover natural beauty, ancient history and colourful minorities between two of the region's greatest capital cities.
Asia is an awesome place for the active traveller who likes to get their boots muddy while discovering new terrain and experiencing different cultures.
With hiking amongst rice terraces, hilltribe provinces, deep gorges and holy mountains, what more could an active traveller ask for?
Asia is an awesome place for the active traveller who likes to get their boots muddy while discovering new terrain and experiencing different cultures.
With hiking amongst rice terraces, hilltribe provinces, deep gorges and holy mountains, what more could an active traveller ask for?
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1-2: | Hanoi. Our adventure begins amid the motorbikes and cyclos of Hanoi. See the infamous Hoa Lo Prison or shop for silk, silver and embroidery in the Old Quarter. |
| Day 3-5: | Sapa. Following village tracks, embark on a two day trek through extraordinary mountain scenery. Meet colourful minority groups and stay in traditional houses along the way. |
| Day 6: | Kunming. Leaving the misty mountains behind, cross the border into China and the 'eternal spring city' of Kunming. This modern metropolis is a great place to shop and sample local cuisine. |
| Day 7-8: | Lijiang. Stroll the old town's cobblestone alleyways or watch a traditional dongjing music performance before saddling up for a scenic ride past the enormous snow-capped Jade Dragon Mountain. |
| Day 9-11: | Tiger Leaping Gorge. It's a tough walk on some sections, but the views over one of the earth's deepest gorges are sensational. Stop at local guesthouses to enjoy the scenery and for well-deserved breaks. |
| Day 12-13: | Dali. Get active in lakeside Dali - cycle alongside the lake, trek up to the famous Three Pagodas or wander through the town's old lanes. |
| Day 14-16: | Xi'an. Admire the age-old Terracotta Warriors, an army complete with horses and chariots. Together with a local guide, discover the myths and legends of this incredible army. |
| Day 17-18: | Hua Shan. Climb the steep slopes and rocky crags of one of China's most sacred mountains, Hua Shan, tackling thousands of steps along the way. |
| Day 19-22: | Beijing/Great Wall. Enjoy the ultimate China experience with a guided walking tour of the the impressive Great Wall. Rise early to see the sunrise over this spectacular fortification. Perhaps indulge in a grand feast on the final night in Beijing. |
small group adventure holiday
This is a 'small group adventure' - on our group trips you'll be with a maximum of 11 like minded travellers and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting people from other parts of the world as well as seeing new places! (more) Because of our small group size, we're able to guarantee departures for all of our trips. Once you have booked and paid your deposit, your trip is guaranteed to go!
highly commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
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Travellers on this trip have the chance to actively explore two very different and unique countries, and spend time in minority villages, learning about the culture and lives of these people. Local guides are employed on all treks in both Vietnam and China, as we encounter these different communities, to help explain as much as possible about the cultural differences and to help us minimise the impact of our visits.
The start of the trip consists of a 2-day trek in the rural mountainsides of Sapa, passing through villages of the Hmong, Tay and Red Dao people. At night you stay in simple traditional village houses with our friendly local hosts. In southern China we spend a few days with the Naxi people in Lijiang, who dress in their traditional blue clothing and are famous for their unique musical instruments, songs and performances. While in Northern China there is the opportunity to visit Beijing Huiling, a Chinese-run charity which provides support and education for young adults with disabilities. Lunch is provided and the students are always very excited to perform some traditional dances and show off their skills. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |