Day 1: Travelling to Hanoi

You travel individually to Hanoi Airport. We will be happy to advise you of a suitable flight connection in good time before your journey. On arrival, you will be driven to your hotel in the city centre.

After check-in and a rest period, you will take a ride on a traditional bicycle taxi through the historic old town to get your bearings. Afterwards, you will visit the most important sights of the city and also take the train from Gia Lam over the Long Bien Bridge to Hanoi.

The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 2: From Hanoi to Mu Cang Chai

After breakfast, you will travel to Mu Can Chai. On the way, stop for lunch in Nghia Lo, an ethnic village of black Thais. Enjoy a short walk or bike ride through the fascinating landscape. You will be able to take authentic photos of typical traditional houses on stilts or the local population at work in the middle of the rice fields with their buffaloes.

In the afternoon, you visit the ‘road for photographers’ with photogenic rice and tea plantations.

Day 3: On a discovery tour in Mu Cang Chai

After breakfast, you set off on a day of hiking from village to village of the Thai and Hmong. Be amazed by the breathtaking landscape of the Green Mountain, which is covered by lush forests and terraced rice fields with many traditional houses. You will take photos of authentic villages and meet the friendly locals.

After lunch, you will be transferred to the village of Pan Tan, which lies at an altitude of over 1,250 metres and is inhabited by the traditional Hmong people. You take photos on a hike through the rice terraces, some of which even describe a circle here.

Day 4: From Mu Cang Chai to Sapa

After breakfast, drive over the spectacular Ô Quy Hô Pass to Sapa.

From Ham Rong Mountain, take photos of the beautiful view of Sapa and the surrounding mountains. Afterwards, stroll through the Sapa market, where handmade souvenirs and local specialities are sold.

Day 5: Discover the Sapa region

In the morning, take the cable car to the summit of Fansipan. The hike into the heart of the Hoang Lien mountain range takes you to huge rice fields on terraces with rivers meandering around them. On the way, you will reach small villages and learn about the authentic life of the Red Dao people, who migrated to this mountain from China. Countless special photo opportunities await you on this hike.

Day 6: Onward journey from Sapa to Ha Giang

After breakfast, you leave Sapa in the direction of Ha Giang, where you arrive in the afternoon. On the way, you will make photo stops at ethnic villages for unforgettable shots.

Day 7: From Ha Giang to Dông Vân

After breakfast, you will leave Ha Giang. The journey takes you to the Quan Ba Pass, where you can enjoy the breathtaking views of the mountains and valleys. You will take pictures of fantastic landscapes and pine forests in the Yen Minh Forest.

On the onward journey, you will visit the Hmong Royal Palat (Dinh Vua Méo) in Sa Phin and learn more about the history and culture of the Hmong.

You will then reach Dông Vân. After dinner, you will have time to explore the city at night or relax at the hotel.

Day 8: Onward journey from Dông Vân to Cao Bang

After breakfast, you will travel on to Cao Bang. On the way, you will stop at Ma Pi Leng Pass, one of the most impressive passes in Vietnam. You take great photos of the spectacular scenery of the Nho Que River and the surrounding mountains.

During a visit to the Meo Vac market, you will capture the hustle and bustle and the culture of the local ethnic groups. In the village of Phia Thap, you will immerse yourself in the production of smoking sticks.

After arriving in Cao Bang, you will have some free time.

Day 9: From Cao Bang to the waterfall

After breakfast, drive to Ban Gioc waterfall. On the way, take some great pictures at a Buddhist pagoda. The Ban Gioc waterfall is one of the largest and most beautiful waterfalls in Vietnam and will provide you with great photo moments.

Afterwards, take photos in the Nguom Ngao Cave, a karst cave with impressive stalactites and stalagmites. The accommodation for tonight is in the immediate vicinity.

Day 10: Back to Hanoi

On the return journey to Hanoi, discover the Pac Bo Cave and Lenin Stream with your camera. You explore the historical museum and the picturesque landscape.

You arrive back in Hanoi in the late afternoon.

Day 11: From Hanoi to Ninh Binh

After breakfast, drive to Ninh Binh. Once there, you will take a short cycle tour or walk through the authentic villages. You take photos of marvellous landscapes with rice fields, a river and limestone mountains. Discover the beauty of the Van Long Nature Reserve with your camera on a sampan boat trip. With a bit of luck, you may even photograph white monkeys or a heron on the cliffs.

After lunch in a local house, you will travel on to Tam Coc. From here, you will take a boat tour through the breathtaking landscape of the Ngo Dong River with caves, rice fields, temples and pagodas.

Day 12 – 13: On a discovery tour in Halong Bay

From Ninh Binh, your journey continues to Halong, where you arrive around midday. You will board a ship, which will be your accommodation for the next two days.

After a welcome tea and an introduction to the route and safety on board, you will start your cruise through the famous Halong Bay. The bay will impress you with its photogenic rock islands, unspoilt nature, dramatic limestone islands and unique landscape. Halong Bay also often offers special lighting conditions, fascinating plays of colour and reflections, so that fantastic photos are possible.

In addition to photography and depending on the weather, during the tour through the bay you will also go on a kayak tour, take a cookery course, try your hand at squid fishing or enjoy peace and relaxation on the boat. You will also visit the Thien Canh Son Cave, the most beautiful natural cave in Bai Tu Long Ba. Enjoy a delicious BBQ on the beach at Cong Dam.

Day 14: End of the Photo Tour and departure from Hanoi

After a final breakfast on the boat, you will visit the fishing village of Vung Vieng. Immerse yourself in the life of the fishermen and capture the traditional scenery with your camera.

Back on board the ship, you will check out after lunch. You will travel from Halong to Hanoi to a day room in the hotel.

After dinner, you will be transferred to Hanoi airport for your individual journey home or onwards.

Travel time October

In the northern regions of Vietnam, there is a noticeable drop in temperature in October, ranging between 22 °C and 29 °C. The weather is pleasant in autumn. The previously regular rainfall subsides and gives way to drier, clearer days. The occasional showers are usually short. This is an ideal time to experience the golden hues of the rice terraces in the mountainous regions as the harvest season begins.

Clothing

For this photo tour to Vietnam, we recommend summer outdoor clothing, a rain jacket and good, lightweight, waterproof shoes. In the evening, long-sleeved T-shirts and shirts are advisable. Sun and mosquito protection is recommended for this trip.

Photo tour itinerary

We will put together the exact daily programme on site at short notice in order to be able to respond to the respective weather and light conditions.

In between, there is always some free time to relax a little, explore the surroundings individually or take part in image discussions and tutorials on request.

Fitness level

The trip does not make any great physical demands. However, you should be fit enough to do short, easy hikes of up to one hour, depending on the weather.

Half double room

Single travellers can book half of a double room. If there is no other guest who wants to share the room, the single room surcharge will apply.

Insurance

We strongly advise you to purchase insurance for cancellation and return journey costs, which will be needed in the event of a secluded region being evacuated, a local hospital stay or return travel costs to your home country.

Travel information FDFA

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) regularly publishes information on countries where there are potential security or other risks. The FDFA’s travel advice is based on its own sources of information that are considered to be trustworthy. This travel advice can be found on the FDFA website: www.eda.admin.ch

The Terms and Conditions

TCs of Amazing Views Adventure Tours apply, as well as all other conditions which are listed in the descriptions for the respective trips.

Prices

We reserve the right to change prices (especially due to exchange rate fluctuations).