Tour Description

Experience both the bustle of Hanoi and the gentle lifestyle of northern Vietnam’s hill tribe communities on this nine-day Premium hiking adventure through Vietnam. Hike with a knowledgeable local leader through valleys, tea plantations, limestone peaks and verdant rice terraces in Nam Ti and Hoang Su Phi, and capture the panoramic views from Horse Shoe Viewpoint and Raspberry Hill. Spend the night at two Feature Stays, including the Garrya Mu Cang Chai Eco Lodge, surrounded by beautiful mountains and rice terraces, learn about northern Vietnam’s rural village culture in La Pan Tan and Tu Le, and enjoy Vietnam’s local cuisine with a traditional barbecue in Sapa and a Michelin-starred restaurant in Hanoi.

Priced From:

$ 3945.00pp ^*

Valid From: 01JAN2026

Valid To: 31DEC2026

Start Location: Hanoi

End Location: Hanoi

Countries: Vietnam,

Tour Advisors

Tiffany McCrea-Lennon

Managing Director

Russell Mein

Travel Specialist

Caitlin Lennon

Travel Coordinator

Michelle Baldwin

Travel Specialist

Gaylyn Murdoch

Administration Manager

Holly Skene

Travel Co-ordinator

Kim Thomas

Broker

Highlights

Explore Sapa – a mountain town known for its rich hill-tribe culture. Visit the Sapas Stone Church, learn about the French influence on the area’s architecture and wander the local market.

Hike through valleys surrounded by towering limestone peaks, bamboo groves and rice terraces in Nam Ti and Tu Le.

Visit the National Heritage Site of Hoang Su Phi and stroll through its renowned rice fields.

Indulge in Vietnam’s local cuisine with a traditional barbeque in Sapa and Michelin Star restaurant in Hanoi.

Learn about northern Vietnam’s rural culture through meaningful local interactions – meet welcoming families in Lim Thai Village in Tu Le and hear about the village's history and way of life.

Itinerary

Xin chao! Welcome to Hanoi. When you arrive at the airport, you’ll be met by a local representative and taken to your comfortable hotel, where your adventure starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, there’s plenty to see and do in Vietnam's storied capital. You could book the Hanoi Street Food Experience with Urban Adventures to sample local street eats from markets and food carts, take a stroll around the serene Hoan Kiem Lake or explore the Old Quarter lined with shops, imperial temples and French architecture. This evening, head out to dinner with the group at Tam Vi, a Michelin-starred restaurant known for its authentic ‘mother’s cooking’ style dishes and take the time to get to know your leader and group.

Today you’ll travel to Hoang Su Phi – a mountain village known for its stunning terraced rice fields. Today is a bit of a long but definitely worthwhile travel day, so it's a good idea to get stuck into your book or favourite podcasts or watch the scenery pass you by. Stopping for lunch along the way, you’ll soon arrive in Hoang Su Phi, a mountainous region on Vietnam’s northern border and far from the usual tourist trail. When you arrive, set off on a village walk to Nam Ti – known for its stunning patchwork of sprawling vibrant green tea plantations. After walking through this amazing scenery check into your first feature stay eco-lodge, voted one of Vietnam’s Leading Green Resorts for 2025. Perhaps enjoy a post hike relax in the hot springs before dinner, then attend a cultural Flame Dance Ceremony and a traditional blessing ceremony to prepare for your upcoming trekking adventures.

This morning, set off on an incredibly scenic hike through Hoang Su Phi’s rice terraces. This region – that remains largely untouched by mass tourism – is known for its vibrant green hillsides and traditional stilt houses. Along the way, you’ll stop at the Horse Shoe Viewpoint – named for its curved shape that wraps around the hillside like a horseshoe. With panoramic views of the layered rice fields and surrounding highland landscape, this is the perfect spot to pause your hike and snap a few photos. This afternoon is free for you to spend how you like. Maybe head back to your accommodation to relax or unwind in a rejuvenating herbal bath.

After breakfast transfer by private vehicle though the mountainous scenery to the bustling town of Sapa (1600m), nestled in the shadow of the highest peak in the region, Mount Fansipan (3143m). After checking in, set out on a guided walk through the town, known for its colourful hill-tribe cultures. Visit the well-known Sapa Stone Church, a testament to the French influence in Vietnam’s architecture in the 1920s. Then, explore the town’s local market filled with fresh produce and handmade crafts. Later, enjoy a traditional Sapa-style barbeque and learn about the area's culinary culture. This specialty is grilled over open flames and served street-style with local meats and vegetables.

After breakfast, you’ll drive from Sapa to Nam Cang – a remote community primarily home to the colourful Red Dao people, with a small population of Black Hmong residents. From here, set off on a circular hike through terraced rice fields, dense bamboo forests and misty hills. As you hike past traditional hill tribe villages, your guide will introduce you to the region’s history and the rich culture of northern Vietnam's local communities. On arrival back into Sapa you have some free time to explore before retiring to your comfortable hotel bed for the evening.

After breakfast you’ll drive south through the misty grey mountain peaks to another stunning region with breathtaking landscapes views. This morning you’ll explore La Pan Tan – a village in northwest Vietnam known for its rice terrace fields layered up the mountainside. When you arrive, head out on a guided hike along the historic trails past Raspberry Hill, where vivid red hues contrast with lush greenery to create a stunning natural mosaic. At 1500m above sea level the temperature is ideal for hiking. This afternoon, settle into your second Feature Stay at the Garrya Mu Cang Chai Eco Lodge. Surrounded by mountains and terraced rice fields this is a haven of relaxation. Enjoy some ‘you time’ with a spa treatment or massage to soothe your trekking muscles.

Discover the traditional culture of northern Vietnam with a visit to the serene and rustic Lim Thai village near Tu Le. Set out on a hike along footpaths lined with stilt houses and rice terraces, as the village's daily life unfolds around you. These paths look out over Vietnam’s well-known landscape of patchwork green and brown rice fields, surrounded by mountains and towering trees. As you hike, take the time to meet the local Thai community and enjoy the warm hospitality the region is known for.

Today, travel the scenic route back down to Hanoi, as you drop from the mountainous north back down to the coastal plains of the Red River. Stopping for lunch on the way, you’ll arrive back in town in the afternoon. The rest of today is free for you to spend how you like. Tonight, head out for a traditional Vietnamese dinner with your group. Located within a beautifully restored historic mansion, tonight’s restaurant offers a charming dining experience with meticulously crafted dishes that celebrate local flavours – the best way to celebrate the end of your trip.

Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. If you wish to spend more time in Hanoi, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Dates & prices

Dates

Prices

Availability

Departure Date :

08FEB2026

Return Date :

16FEB2026

3945NZD

available

Departure Date :

22FEB2026

Return Date :

02MAR2026

3945NZD

available

Departure Date :

15MAR2026

Return Date :

23MAR2026

3945NZD

available

Departure Date :

05APR2026

Return Date :

13APR2026

3945NZD

available

Departure Date :

19APR2026

Return Date :

27APR2026

3945NZD

available

Departure Date :

03MAY2026

Return Date :

11MAY2026

3945NZD

available

Departure Date :

19JUL2026

Return Date :

27JUL2026

3945NZD

available

Departure Date :

13SEP2026

Return Date :

21SEP2026

3945NZD

available

Departure Date :

04OCT2026

Return Date :

12OCT2026

3945NZD

available

Departure Date :

18OCT2026

Return Date :

26OCT2026

3945NZD

available

Trip Notes

Trip title

Premium Walking & Hiking in Vietnam

Trip code

TVXP

Validity

Validity: 01 Jan 2026 to 31 Dec 2026

Introduction

Style

Premium

Themes

Walking & Trekking

Transport

Private Transport,on foot

Physical Rating

Physical preparation

You’re in for an active hiking trip! Whilst previous experience isn’t essential for getting involved, it is preferred. A decent level of fitness will help you get the most out of this tour, due to the varied terrain and potentially hot and humid temperatures. Many of the walks involve steep hills and lots of steps that you'll need to be able to walk up and down. Walking times vary between three and six hours a day, but the rewards are worth every step. If you’re already a regular walker or hiker you’re probably good to go. If you’re not, we strongly recommend adding it into your routine in the months leading up to your departure. There’s always a choice to opt out of certain hikes too.

Joining point

THE ANN HANOI

38A Hang Chuoi Street

Hanoi

VIETNAM

Phone: +84 2438713838

Joining point instructions

Please make sure that you provide your flight details no later than 14 days before departure to book your arrival transfer with us. For your confirmed arrival transfer, you’ll be met outside Hanoi Airport by a transfer representative holding an Intrepid sign. In case of flight cancellations, changes, if you experience severe delays at immigration, baggage collection or customs, or if you are not able to find the driver, please contact our local office on the number in the ‘Problems and emergency contact information’ section.

Finish point

THE ANN HANOI

38A Hang Chuoi Street

Hanoi

VIETNAM

Phone: +84 2438713838

Important information

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip.

Group leader

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Premium leaders are Intrepid’s most experienced, with in-depth knowledge and extensive local networks to make it a trip of a lifetime. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. When not already included in your trip, your leader will be able to recommend a local guide service who can share more detailed or specialised information at specific sites should you be interested in delving deeper.

Safety

TRAVEL ADVISORIES & ALERTS We recommend that you check your government's foreign travel advisory for the latest information about the destination before you travel. You will also need to ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip. We also recommend saving the phone number for emergency consular assistance for your government’s consulate in the destination/s you’ll be travelling. Links to travel advisories and any current travel alerts for our trips can be found here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts PERSONAL SAFETY Ensure you have a secure method of carrying your passport, phone, credit cards and cash while travelling such as a money belt. Leave all other high value items, including jewellery, at home Use safety deposit boxes at hotels to store your valuables when available and ensure your luggage is lockable. Be aware of the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft. Exercise caution when walking at night, don’t walk alone and stick to well-lit streets wherever possible. Be vigilant on public transport and look out for your fellow travellers. Take precautions such as carrying your bag in front of you and never leaving personal items unattended. LGBTQIA+ TRAVELLERS Intrepid welcomes all LGBTQIA+ customers on our trips, however we operate in parts of the world that are less accepting. We support LGBTQIA+ customers to travel to these destinations and are committed to ensuring they face no discrimination on any part of the trip we control. We recommend you visit Equaldex (https://www.equaldex.com/) and your government's foreign travel advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers when choosing your trip.

https://www.intrepidtravel.com/safety-guidelines

FIRE PRECAUTIONS: Please be aware that local laws governing tourism facilities in this region differ from those in your home country and not all the accommodation which we use has a fire exit, fire extinguishers or smoke alarms. SEAT BELTS: Please be aware that local laws governing transportation safety may differ from those in your home country and not all the transport which we use is able to provide seat belts. PETTY THEFT AND PERSONAL SAFETY: While travelling there is always the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft, particularly in the more touristy cities. We recommend that you exercise caution when walking alone at night and encourage you to walk together and only on main, well-lit thoroughfares. Be particularly vigilant on public transport. Simple measures like carrying your day pack on your front, not hanging your bag over the back of your chair or on the floor and wearing a money belt will reduce any chance that your valuables should go missing. MOTORBIKE BAG SNATCHING: Be particularly aware of motorbike bag snatching, especially in the bigger cities.

Visas

PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here: www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements ADDRESS FOR VIETNAM VISA APPLICATIONS If you require an address for your visa application, please use: Intrepid Vietnam Ground Floor, Ladeco Building 266 Doi Can St, Lieu Giai Ward Ba Dinh District, Hanoi Vietnam Ph +84 4 3715 0996

Why we love it

Explore Sapa – a mountain town known for its rich hill-tribe culture. Visit the Sapas Stone Church, learn about the French influence on the area’s architecture and wander the local market.

Hike through valleys surrounded by towering limestone peaks, bamboo groves and rice terraces in Nam Ti and Tu Le.

Visit the National Heritage Site of Hoang Su Phi and stroll through its renowned rice fields.

Indulge in Vietnam’s local cuisine with a traditional barbeque in Sapa and Michelin Star restaurant in Hanoi.

Learn about northern Vietnam’s rural culture through meaningful local interactions – meet welcoming families in Lim Thai Village in Tu Le and hear about the village's history and way of life.

Is this trip right for you

While the hikes on this trip are at relatively altitude (maximum 1600 m asl), this active hiking trip requires a good level of fitness, due to the varied terrain and potentially hot temperatures. Many of the hiking days involve steep hills and lots of steps that you'll need to be able to walk up and down. Summer temperatures can be very hot, especially on trails that have little or no shade. It’s essential to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Please consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season. To get to the best hiking trails in the region you’ll cover a lot of distance on this trip, but all in the comfort of our private vehicle. In Hoang Su Phi there is only one rice harvest per year, which takes place in October. The rice fields are usually flooded at the end of May or early June, which makes for harder hiking, but stunning photographs.

Health

GENERAL HEALTH All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. For the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others, if you are unwell prior to travelling, please stay at home and contact us to make alternative arrangements. When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy our style of travel. Please note that if in the assessment of our group leader or local representative a traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund. You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements in their original packaging as they may not easily be obtained while travelling. If you are carrying medication, ensure you check your government's foreign travel advice for any local restrictions or requirements. MOSQUITO-BORNE ILLNESSES: Mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis are widespread in South East Asia. Malaria is also prevalent in some regions, particularly along the borders in mountainous regions. Take preventative measures such as wearing long clothing, using repellent and being indoors particularly around dusk and dawn. Seek medical advice prior to travel for medication or vaccination advice.

Food and dietary requirements

While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader or local representative will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule, our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. If you have dietary requirements and/or food allergies, please let your booking agent know prior to departure. INCLUDED BREAKFASTS: At hotels you’ll often have a buffet with choices of Vietnamese and Western food. At homestays you will have more basic breakfasts of local foods, eggs, bread, jam, tea and coffee. Take away breakfasts for early starts may be very simple such as a piece of fruit and a bread roll. DIETARY REQUIREMENTS: Check out this guide to eating in Vietnam for vegan, vegetarian, gluten & peanut free travellers: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/vegan-vegetarian-gluten-free-vietnam/ FOOD ALLERGIES: Travelling in South East Asia with a food allergy? We have some advice for you here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/travelling-food-allergies-south-east-asia/

Money matters

SPENDING MONEY When it comes to spending money on the trip, every traveller is a little different. You know your spending habits better than we do, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals, drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry. Make sure you have read the itinerary and inclusions thoroughly so you know what is included in the trip price and what you may need to pay for while travelling. VIETNAM You can use your credit/debit card in ATMs, which are common throughout Vietnam. These machines dispense cash in VND (Vietnamese dong). Credit/debit cards aren’t accepted for small payments in Vietnam so please ensure you have VND cash to cover daily expenses. Clean banknotes in small denominations are most useful. TIPPING Tips are included on all Intrepid Premium trips, covering hotel staff, local guides and the people who will take care of you during your travels. This amount does not include a tip for your leader, so you may wish to set aside some funds for this. It is customary to tip your leader for outstanding service provided during your trip. You are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length and involvement of your leader on your trip. Tips are greatly appreciated as a gesture of thanks for their professionalism and leadership during your trip. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however, as a guideline, US$6-8 per person (in a currency relevant for your destination), per day can be used. CONTINGENCY FUNDS We try to plan for every eventuality, but there are still some things beyond our control. We reserve the right to change an itinerary after departure due to local circumstances or a Force Majeure Event. In such emergency circumstances, the additional cost of any necessary itinerary alterations will be covered by you. Please note we are not responsible for any incidental expenses that may be incurred as a result of the change of itineraries including but not limited to visas, vaccinations or non-refundable flights. Make sure you have access to an extra US$500 for emergencies (e.g. severe weather, natural disasters, civil unrest) or other events that result in unavoidable changes to the itinerary (e.g. transport strikes or cancellations, airport closures). Sometimes these things necessitate last-minute changes to enable our trips to continue to run, and as a result, there may be some extra costs involved. The recommended amount is listed in USD for the relatability of universal travellers, however, local currency may be needed once in the country to cover these costs. COMMISSIONS Intrepid understands that the receipt of commissions in exchange for recommending particular shops or services is ingrained in the culture of the tourism industry. For this reason, we have established a centralised fund for contributions from recommended suppliers so these can be collected and distributed back into the business. Actively managing the receipt of commissions helps us maintain the level of quality you expect on one of our trips. Travel is always an adventure so Intrepid cannot explicitly guarantee the quality of a product but we aim to provide the best value trips in the market. Please let us know via the feedback form completed after your trip if we are successfully meeting - or exceeding - this objective.

What to take

What you need to bring will vary according to the trip style you have chosen, the countries you are visiting and when you are travelling. We recommend you pack as lightly as possible, ensuring that you are able to carry and lift your own luggage and walk with it for short distances or up or down a flight of stairs. Help will be on hand in most locations, but there may be times you need to handle your own luggage, for example in airports and train stations. A lockable suitcase with wheels is ideal for this trip. It is recommended that you keep your main luggage weight around 15kg and certainly no more than 20kg. A small or medium-sized backpack (45-50 litres) is another good option. You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water, camera, jacket, etc. when you’re exploring during the day. Below is a link to our ultimate packing list, a guide to get you started:

https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list

LOCAL DRESS: When packing be aware that dress standards are conservative throughout Asia, especially outside major cities. To respect this and for your own comfort, we strongly recommend modest clothing. This means clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Loose, lightweight, long clothing is both respectful and cool in the predominantly hot Asian climate. In many rural areas in Asia women will need to wear modest clothing even to swim. Singlets, tank tops and topless sun bathing are all unacceptable. When visiting religious sites men often need to wear long trousers and women a long skirt or sarong.

WATER BOTTLE: This trip includes one or more sections in a private vehicle with a water dispenser. We encourage all our travellers to bring a refillable water bottle on your trip to help reduce the use of disposable plastic bottles.

Climate and seasonal

TET 25 January - 2 February 2025, 16 – 20 February 2026 Tet is Vietnam’s New Year festival which takes place in late January/early February based on the lunar calendar and is the most important celebration of the year. While this can be a fascinating time to be in Vietnam, you do need to be prepared for some businesses to be closed, tourist sites to be very busy and for transport to be packed as many Vietnamese are travelling around the country. Although we do our best to run trips during Tet as per the scheduled itinerary, it is likely that there will be some changes to transport, accommodation or order of destinations visited. Due to the high demand on tickets at this time, flights and overnight trains may on occasion need to be replaced with day buses. We will aim to communicate any known changes prior to your departure. WEATHER IN VIETNAM The most popular times to visit Vietnam are spring (February-April) and autumn (September-December) but because of the huge variations in latitude and altitude, there is no one best time to go to Vietnam. Temperatures vary from 4°C (39°F) in Sapa in winter to humid 36°C (97°F) days in Saigon in the middle of the dry season. The monsoons bring heavy rain to the south, and a cooler winter to the north. It’s a good destination all year. WET SEASON Flooding is common across Vietnam during rainy season (June-December) and could also lead to landslides. Typhoons are also common during this period. During these months there may be disruptions to transport and some activities or destinations may need to be changed as a result at short notice.

A couple of rules

Intrepid won't tolerate any kind of violence, harassment (whether physical, verbal or sexual), or disrespect toward fellow travellers, our teams or local communities. To ensure the wellbeing of everyone on the trip, decisions made by your group leader are final. Romantic relationships between travellers and group leader or local representative are not permitted while on trip. Any behaviour that prevents your leader from continuing the itinerary as planned, breaks local laws or opposes any of these guidelines may result in Intrepid denying your booking or removing you from the trip. If something concerns you during your travels, please speak to your group leader immediately. Alternatively, you can contact us on the emergency contact number detailed in the Problems and Emergency Contact Information section of this Essential Trip Information.

Feedback

Can’t stop thinking about your adventure? Tell us all about it! We read each piece of feedback carefully and use it to make improvements for travellers like you. Share your experience with us at: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/feedback/

Emergency contact

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip. We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager. You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time. For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below: Intrepid local operator : Vietnam : Available for phone call on +84 90 311 7770

Responsible travel

Our Responsible Travel Policy outlines our commitment to preserving the environment, supporting local communities, protecting the vulnerable, and giving back to the places we travel. All our trip group leaders or local representatives, suppliers, and staff are trained on these principles and are core to us delivering sustainable, experience-rich travel. Explore the different parts of our Responsible Travel Policy by visiting: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/responsible-travel

The Intrepid Foundation

Our non-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, gives travellers more opportunities to make a positive impact in the places they visit. We have over 50 Intrepid Foundation partners across the globe addressing four key focus areas: protecting the environment, taking a stand for wildlife, addressing inequality and empowering communities. Intrepid matches all post-trip donations dollar for dollar and takes care of the admin fees – this doubles your impact and ensures every cent goes to our partners on the ground. Visit our website for more info: http://www.theintrepidfoundation.org/ This trip supports Save Vietnam's Wildlife which is protecting endangered animals and conserving animal habitats in Vietnam. Donations support their rescue centers which provide medical care, food, and shelter for animals confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade and help secure endangered species habitats. Intrepid will double your impact by dollar-matching post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation. To find out more or make a donation, visit: https://www.theintrepidfoundation.org/t/save-vietnams-wildlife

Accommodation notes

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation. Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.

Transport notes

VIETNAM FLIGHTS: Please provide your exact name (including middle name) as per passport 45 days prior to your trip's departure date for flight tickets to be issued. Internal flights will be on the following safety audited airlines: Pacific Airlines, Vietjet or Vietnam Airlines. UNACCOMPANIED FLIGHTS: During peak travel times your group may be required to travel on different flights at different times of the day, and you may be unaccompanied on the internal flight. In this case you will be assisted by additional tour escorts on departure and arrival.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative. If you have credit card insurance your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise. For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services

Your fellow travellers

As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and likely a range of age groups too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part. Due to privacy reasons, we are unable to provide you with contact details and any personal information about your fellow travellers booked on your trip prior to departure. SOLO TRAVELLERS On our trips, rooming is organised on a twin-share basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender, as per the gender marker on each of their passports. We also offer an optional single supplement on most trips for travellers who prefer to have their own room. This only applies to accommodation during the tour. Pre-trip and post-trip accommodation booked through us will always be on a single-room basis. On a small selection of trips some accommodation will be open-gender and multishare, such as a felucca in Egypt or an overnight train in Vietnam. Please review the Accommodation section of the Essential Trip Information for details about your trip. LGBTQIA+ TRAVELLERS We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. If your gender identity differs from what is indicated on your passport, please contact us so that we can discuss rooming options with you.

Itinerary disclaimer

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Accommodation

Comfortable hotels (4 nights),Eco Resort - Feature Stays (4 nights)

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