Hanoi to Shangri La | Vietnam to Tibet Overland

Day 1 - Arrival in Hanoi and check-in to our centrally located hotel

Early afternoon check-in to our centrally located hotel in Vietnam’s capital Hanoi, before an introductory walking tour of the Old Town and perhaps an optional evening performance of the unusual water-puppets, followed by a local-style welcome dinner.

Extra nights in Hanoi or a 2-day, 1 night Halong Bay cruise are available before your tour

Overnight: Hanoi Transport: Walk,  Meals: D, 

Day 2 - Hanoi - the Old Town and some of the city's sites

Tour of some of the sites of the City including the historic Temple of Literature, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and of course the famous ‘Train Street’. Late check out and transfer to Hanoi Station to catch the night sleeper to Lao Cai on the Chinese border.

Overnight: Night sleeper train Transport: Minibus, Train, Walk,  Meals: B, L, 

Day 3 - Bac Ha Market and on to Sapa

Early morning arrival and head into the hills to Bac Ha for a visit to the famous, weekly hill-tribe market. The region is principally home to the Flower Hmong minority although various hill-tribe groups frequent the market in their ‘Sunday best’. We;ll also take a short walk to a village of the Tay ethnic group before continuing in the afternoon to mountain-top Sapa.

Overnight: Sapa Transport: Minibus, Train, Walk,  Meals: B, 

Day 4 - Sapa | Morning hike and afternoon at leisure

Morning walk through a valley north of town offers great views of the rice terraces and surrounding mountains, as well as the opportunity to visit villages of the local Black Hmong and Red Dzao peoples. In the afternoon we’ll return to Sapa with some time to further explore the town at your leisure.

Overnight: Sapa Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, L, D, 

Day 5 - Into China, across the border at Hekou

Short transfer to the Chinese border at Lao Cai – Hekou and up the Red River Valley to Yuanyang District, location of the spectacular, World Heritage, Hani Rice Terraces. Check-in to our boutique lodge with some time at leisure before a sunset visit to the terraces themselves.

Overnight: Yuanyang Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, L, D, 

Day 6 - Sunrise over the terraces and a local market

Early start for sunrise views over the cascading rice terraces followed by a visit to one of the region’s bustling local street markets. In the afternoon we’ll take a short walk through the surrounding countryside as well as checking out some of the other spectacular viewpoints.

Overnight: Yuanyang Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, 

Day 7 - North to historic Jianshui

North through the mountains to historic Jianshui with an afternoon walking tour of the old town taking in the ancient Confucian Temple, (China’s 2nd largest), the amazing Qing dynasty Zhu Family Mansion with its 42 courtyards and 214 rooms as well as discovering traditional style family, tofu making.

Overnight: Jianshui Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, L, 

Day 8 - Jianshui and on to Kunming via Lake Fuxian

Morning visit to the well-preserved Ming period fortified village of Tuanshan as well as a stop at the iconic Double Dragon Bridge. From here we’ll continue our route, via a waterfront lunch at the scenic Lake Fuxian to the provincial capital, Kunming. A walking tour of the city’s lively night market completes the day.

Overnight: Kunming Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, L, D, 

Day 9 - The World Heritage Shilin Stone Forest

Morning visit to the highly unusual karst scenery of the nearby Shilin Stone Forest. We’ll explore the myriad rock pinnacles, pools and winding paths with an afternoon return to Kunming to check-out the lively and scenic, 17th century Green Lake Park.

Overnight: Kunming Meals: B, L, 

Day 10 - Bullet train to Dali

Morning ride to Dali on the high speed bullet train with an afternoon tour of the UNESCO-listed site including the iconic 3 Pagodas and the cobbled streets of the Old Town. Accommodation in a former mansion, now boutique hotel.

Overnight: Dali Transport: Train, Walk,  Meals: B, L, 

Day 11 - Xizhou market and Shibao Stone Temple

Early departure to lakeside Xizhou, a traditional ethnic Bai village with a walking tour of the quaint streets and lively morning market after which we detour into the mountains to the picturesque site of Shibao Stone Temple. In the afternoon we’ll continue to Lijiang with accommodation in the World Heritage village of Shuhe.

Overnight: Lijiang/Shuhe Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, L, 

Day 12 - Ancient town and Black Dragon Pool

Morning walking tour of old Lijiang Town followed by a stroll to the picturesque Black Dragon Pool park which offers spectacular views of Jade Snow Mountain which overlooks the town. In the afternoon we’ll head to Baisha Village, centre of the local Naxi culture.

Overnight: Lijiang/Shuhe Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, 

Day 13 - Shuhe walking tour and on to Tiger Leaping Gorge

Some time in the morning to explore the lanes of Shuhe at your leisure before a short drive to Tiger Leaping Gorge. Afternoon tour to check out some of the region’s awe-inspiring scenery and overnight in a family-run lodge in the centre of the Gorge itself.

Various afternoon programmes can be offered according to energy and fitness levels.

Overnight: Tiger Leaping Gorge Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, 

Day 14 - On to the Tibetan Plateau and Gamden Sumtseling Monastery

Morning departure north onto the Tibetan Plateau and the remote town of Zhongdian, now Shangri La. An afternoon includes the sprawling, hill-top Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, second only in size to Lhasa’s Potala Palace, as well as a visit to a traditional Tibetan village. The evening offers the chance to explore the narrow lanes of the Old Town.

Overnight: Shangri La Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, L, D, 

Day 15 - Shangri La to Kunming by bullet train

Departure by train for Kunming with a mid-afternoon arrival and check in to our centrally located boutique hotel. A local style farewell dinner completes our Vietnam and Yunnan tour.

Overnight: Kunming Transport: Train, Walk,  Meals: B, D, 

Day 16 - End of tour

Late morning check-out and end of your tour. Transfers to Kunming International Airport are included if you booked the ‘with flights’ option and if you booked your own flights, can be added on request. (Note Kunming offers direct routes to Hanoi, Bangkok, Chiang Mai and most major regional airports.)

Meals: B,