7-day tour

10 06 2024

Grant Charsley Europe, Travel Packages 7-day tour, europe, tour

Price on request

Region: Europe
Activities: Tour
Dates: Year Round
Duration: 7 Days

For dates and prices, please email info@gatewaytravel.com.au or call 0414955109 (local) or +61 414955109 (international)

7-day Taste of Europe Tour

Overview:

The 7-day Taste of Europe Private Tour, starting in London, England and on to Paris, the Swiss Alps, the Rhine Valley in Germany, Amsterdam and Bruges.

Bookings

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Nice, Côte-d'Azur - City at night by Pierre Blaché

Lioness, Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Safari

Day 1: London – Paris

Welcome to Taste of Europe 7 days private tour!

Leaving London behind, travel to Paris, crossing the English Channel on the way. Upon arriving in the ‘City of Lights’, enjoy a driving tour of the French capital. Get your cameras ready – you’ll be seeing some of the city’s most treasured landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe! After the driving tour, enjoy an optional welcome dinner at a restaurant in Paris. Afterwards, travel back to the hotel and get some rest before exploring the city further on the free day tomorrow!

Day 2: Paris: Free Day

Enjoy a free day to explore Paris however you wish! Join the Paris optional excursion to enjoy some classic Parisian experiences. On the excursion, join your tour leader and visit a famous French Perfumery, indulge in a tasting at an authentic macaron shop, enjoy a lunch cruise on the River Seine and much more! Alternatively, explore on your own and see Paris’ world-famous Louvre Museum, take a trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower, stroll along the Champs-Élysées or grab a spot at a local cafe and watch the world go by. There are endless great things to see and do in Paris! Tonight, why not enjoy the “Evening in Montmartre” optional excursion or experience an unforgettable cabaret show?

Zebra, Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Tazmania, Safari

Elephant, Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Safari

Day 3: Burgundy – Swiss Alps

Leave Paris behind and travel to Burgundy. Here, enjoy free time for lunch and get a taste of the French wine country! In the town of Beaune, there is time to wander around. After lunch, sit back and enjoy the drive to the border as the tour makes its way to Switzerland and enjoy a scenic drive through the Swiss Alps. Welcome to your home for the next two days in the Swiss Alps! The Jungfrau Region is a World Heritage Site that is home to Europe’s largest glacier. Enjoy an optional dinner at a restaurant of your choice.

Day 4: Swiss Alps: Free Day

The splendour of the Alps is yours to explore today – don’t miss the chance to join the optional excursion up to Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe! The trip to the top is a real highlight! Look out for quaint villages nestled in the valleys beneath snow-capped peaks and tumbling mountain waterfalls. Arrive at the top and enjoy the year-round snow and breathtaking views of the surrounding glaciers and craggy mountaintops. Be sure to capture as many photos as possible before it’s time to head back down to lower altitudes for the rest of the afternoon. Tonight, choose to enjoy a quintessential Swiss experience with a fondue dinner optional.

Day 5: Swiss Alps – Rhine Valley

This morning, the tour travels to Germany’s famous Rhine Valley! Depart Switzerland and cross the border into Germany – look forward to more scenic views along the way. Arrive and board a Rhine riverboat to travel from St Goar to Boppard. See a different side to the beautiful Rhine Valley during a cruise with views of the most concentrated stretch of castles in all of Europe! The scenery also features vineyards, charming medieval towns and lofty cliffs. Disembark and visit a local wine merchant for an included wine tasting – if the harvest has been good, you may even get to try eiswein (ice wine), a very sweet dessert wine that is produced in very small quantities as it can only be harvested when the temperature drops below freezing.

Day 6: Rhine Valley – Amsterdam

Wave farewell to the Rhine Valley and Germany as the tour continues to the Netherlands today. Cross the border into a brand new country and enjoy free time for a lunch stop along the way. Once in the Netherlands, look forward to a variety of classic Dutch experiences! Snap photos at the historic Riekermolen Windmill before learning about how traditional Dutch cheese and clogs are made. Next up, Amsterdam is calling!

Arrive in the Dutch capital city and enjoy free time before embarking on a cruise through Amsterdam’s iconic canals – be sure to have your cameras ready! Afterwards, sit down for an optional farewell dinner at a local restaurant in the city before heading to the hotel for tonight

Day 7: Amsterdam – Bruges – London

After breakfast, bid farewell to Amsterdam and get ready to travel back to London via Belgium. Famous for its beer, waffles, chocolate and moules et frites, any Belgian town is a good place to be if you’ve brought your appetite! Today, the tour will make a stop in Bruges – a gorgeous Belgian city home to beautifully-preserved medieval architecture. With no shortage of cobblestone streets, historic old churches and lofty towers, this is a great city to explore and a good spot to pick up any last-minute souvenirs during free time Back to London by private car.

Price: ON REQUEST

Smarttraveller in Australia

Keep up to date on overseas travel information. We recommend you visit smartraveller.gov.au on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) website or phone toll free on 1300 139 281.

10 06 2024

Grant Charsley Asia, Central Asia, Travel Packages 7-day tour, asia, tours, turkmenistan

Price on request

Region: Turkmenistan
Activities: Tour
Dates: Year round
Duration: 7 Days

For dates and prices, please email info@gatewaytravel.com.au or call 0414955109 (local) or +61 414955109 (international)

7-day TurkmenistanTour

Overview:

Turkmenistan is one of the most beautiful cities of the world, recently included into the Guinness Book of Records as the Most-White Marble City in the World. You will visit the capital parks and monuments, impressive mosques and other iconic buildings. Drive to the Nissa Fortress, declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. The State Museum of Turkmenistan stores ancient artifacts found at the excavations of the settlements Nisa, Merv and Gonurdepe, a collection of vintage Turkmen carpets, rare examples of national clothing, jewelry, and antique weapons. There is also a fossilized piece of wood of the Paleozoic period, dinosaurs’ footprints, an 820-kg meteorite that came down in Kunya-Urgench. A drive to Mary city will have us stop at Annau, the ruins of a 15^th century Seyit Jamal-ad-Din Mosque and Abiward, an ancient Sassanid city. Archaeological excavations at the ancient city of Abiward have been made in the last century. Visit the glorious Ancient Merv (UNESCO World Heritage Site), one of the major archaeological sites of Central Asia, Merv played an important part in the development of the Silk Road for more than 2,000 years. We do a spectacular drive through the Karakum desert to Darwaza, visiting a small nomadic village. We drive to the Northern province of Turkmenistan, to the architectural monuments of Old Urgench, Capital of Khorezm in X-XII centuries. Visit the Mausoleum of Najm al-Din al-Kubra, Tyurabek Khanum, Il-Arslan, Tekesh Ibn Hadzhibey, the highest minaret in Central Asia Kutlyg Timur.

Bookings

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Day 1: Ashgabat – Nisa – Gypchak – Ashgabat

Your guide will pick you up at the airport and accompany you to the capital city of Turkmenistan – one of the most beautiful cities of the world which was recently included into the Book of Guinness as the Most-White Marble City in the World. Today you will visit main tourist attraction in the capital parks and monuments, impressive mosque and other iconic buildings. You will drive to Nisa fortress – the Sanctuary of Parthian Kings, a UNESCO declared World Heritage Site. Afterwards you will visit the biggest Mosque in Central Asia Ruhy Mosque (Gypjak), Mausoleum of the late President of Turkmenistan.

Overnight is in the hotel.

Day 2: Ashgabat – Mary

Today you will visit the State Museum of Turkmenistan. It stores ancient artifacts found at the excavations of the settlements Nisa, Merv and Gonurdepe, collection of vintage Turkmen carpets, rare examples of national clothing, jewelry and antique weapons. The 9 halls display figurines of Athens, Eros, silver gilded griffin, horn-shaped ivory vessels-rhytons of the Parthian era, gold jewelries, medallions-stamps from Margiana and Buddhist artifacts. There is also a fossilized piece of wood of the Paleozoic period, aged 270,000,000, dinosaur footprints, an 820-kg meteorite fallen in Kunya-Urgench in 1998 and a lot more. Afterwards is drive to Mary city. On the way you will stop at Annau, the ruins of 15^th century Seyit Jamal-ad-Din Mosque and Abiward, an ancient Sassanid city. Archaeological excavations at the ancient city of Abiward have been made in the last century to about 8 km west of the Kahka station in an area of 12,000 m². The central tell is 60 feet high and 700 feet round.

Overnight is in the hotel.

Day 3: Mary – Merv – Ashgabat

After breakfast the tour starts with a visit to the glorious Ancient Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the major archaeological sites of Central Asia, Merv played an important part in the development of the Silk Road for more than 2,000 years. Within the limits of the archaeological park, which is 1200 ha, we will have a chance to observe all constituent parts of the “wandering city”. The splendid XII c. mausoleums of Sultan Sanjar and Muhammed ibn-Zeyd, demonstrate exquisite Seljuk period brickwork and architectural décor. Then we take a drive to visit a Museum with an extensive ethnography section, including a large collection of Turkmen jewelry, carpets, stuffed animals, a fully decorated yurt and pottery from the time of the Mongol occupation. But best of all is the archaeological section, bringing together artifacts found at both Merv and Margush, including pottery, weapons, household implements and jewelry. The fine quality and design of household items from Margiana is striking and rivals the collection of the National Museum in Ashgabat. A skeleton of a Margiana priestess was once also on display, though a series of deaths and misfortunes among museum staff persuaded them to have the original returned to where it was found. From here we will drive to Ashgabat.

Overnight is in the hotel.

Day 4: Ashgabat – Darwaza

Today we will drive through the Karakum desert to Darwaza. Today you will visit a small nomadic village on the way to the main attraction and immerse into the traditional life style of Turkmen people. Then is visit of the gas deposit. Stay in a camp with tasty catering; the perfect way to enjoy this highlight. Observe the fantastic view of the crater at daylight and at night, feel the heat and listen to the wind and the sound that this giant oven creates. Overnight is in a tent under the starry sky.

Day 5: Darwaza – Kone Urgench – Dashoguz – Ashgabat

After the breakfast is drive to North province of Turkmenistan, to the architectural monuments of Old Urgench, Capital of Khorezm in X-XII centuries. Visit the Mausoleum of Najm al-Din al-Kubra, Tyurabek Khanum, Il-Arslan, Tekesh Ibn Hadzhibey, the highest minaret in Central Asia Kutlyg Timur. Upon arrival to Dashoguz you will have a city tour. Transfer to airport for a local flight.

Hotel accommodation and overnight.

Day 6: Ashgabat

Tour starts with visiting an Eastern bazaar of Turkmenistan “Tolkuchka”. You will feel the real beauty of Turkmen carpets, national silver jewelers and souvenirs. After that you will drive to the horse farm to visit the pride of the Turkmen people – Akhal-Teke horses. In addition, you will have a traditional Tea party, see a short Akhal-Teke horse show and can see the racks of horses. Return to Ashgabat. In the evening we do a city tour to see the illuminated monuments.

Overnight is in the hotel.

Day 7: Ashgabat – Airport

In the morning we return to the airport for your flight out.

Price: ON REQUEST

Smarttraveller in Australia

Keep up to date on overseas travel information. We recommend you visit smartraveller.gov.au on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) website or phone toll free on 1300 139 281.

07 12 2023

Grant Charsley Asia, Central Asia, Travel Packages 7-day tour, asia, Kyrgyzstan, tours

Price on request

Region: Kyrgyzstan
Activities: Tour
Dates: 10 June – 20 September. If other dates are required – we can make a program without Son Kul
Duration: 7 Days

For dates and prices, please email info@gatewaytravel.com.au or call 0414955109 (local) or +61 414955109 (international)

7-day Kyrgyzstan Tour

Overview: Starting at Manas International Airport we visit Ala Archa gorge. The Ala Archa gorge is on a spur of the Tien Shan mountain range, 45 km from Bishkek. Then we do a guided tour of Bishkek including Duboviy Park, Central Ala-Too Square, Old Square, National Philharmonic. Then on to Chon Kemin gorge. On route you will visit Burana Tower (an 11th century minaret) and the open air museum of Balbals. The following day we drive to the celestial Issyk Kul Lake, the second largest alpine lake in the world, finally arriving at Karakol town. We also visit the petroglyphs and Dungan mosque, followed by the visit of an old wooden Orthodox Church. We also visit Jeti Oguz gorge, famous for the red rock formations called the Seven Bulls, Broken Heart Mountain, then Bokonbaeva village. Next morning we start our drive to the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan – Son Kul Lake, the highest alpine lake in Kyrgyzstan. Overnight we spend in nomadic collapsible dwellings called yurts. We visit Kochkor village where you will spend some time seeing how our national felt carpets are produced.

Bookings Click here to book your luxury holiday

Day 1: Bishkek – Ala Archa – Bishkek

Your guide will pick you up at Manas International Airport and accompany you to the capital city of Kyrgyzstan, just a 30-minute drive from the airport. In the morning we will visit Ala Archa gorge. It is a Natural Park. At the Soviet Time only V.I.P. people had permission to go for a walk here. The Ala Archa gorge is on a spur of the Tien Shan mountain range. It is just 45 km from Bishkek. You can have a short hiking tour to see a panoramic view of the gorge. Afterwards we return to Bishkek. The second half of the day is dedicated to a guided tour of Bishkek. It includes visiting \ Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala-Too Square, Old Square, National Philharmonic, and many others places of interest. This overnight will be in a hotel.

Day 2: Bishkek – Burana – Chon Kemin

Today you will be transferred to Chon Kemin gorge. On route to the gorge you will visit Burana Tower (an 11th century minaret) and an open air museum of Balbals (stone warriors). After an interesting excursion and climbing on the top of the tower is transfer to Chon Kemin gorge. In the afternoon we will have 3 hours of horse riding. Your route will go high in the mountains and you will even ride horses through a mountain forest. On the top you will see the panorama view of the gorge. The night will be in a guesthouse.

Day 3: Chon Kemin – Issyk Kul lake northern shore – Karakol

Today you will drive to the celestial Issyk Kul Lake, the second largest alpine lake in the world (1608 m above sea level). The lake is called “the pearl of Central Asia”. For more than 1 500 years local people considered the lake to be a sacred one. You can come up to the lake and to see mountains all around it. Today you will drive along the whole northern shore and arrive to Karakol town. Also we will visit today a place with ancient stone patterns – petroglyphs. In Karakol we will visit the Dungan mosque. It was built in Chinese style without using a single nail. It will be followed by the visit of an old wooden Orthodox Church. Night is in a hotel.

Day 4: Karakol – Jeti Oguz – Issyk Kul southern shore – Kochkor

Today we will drive to Jeti Oguz gorge. It’s famous for its red rocks formations that have a name Seven Bulls – Jeti Oguz. Also you will see there the Broken Heart Mountain. If you want it is possible to go on a top of a mountain (20 minutes) to see a panorama view of the gorge. Then we continue our trip, breaking in Bokonbaeva village, where we will meet a local eagle-hunter. He hunts hares and foxes with the help of eagles (a traditional way of nomadic hunting). Night is in a guesthouse.

Day 5: Kochkor – Son Kul

In the morning we start our drive to the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan – Son Kul Lake. This lake is surrounded by mountains and it is the highest alpine lake in Kyrgyzstan, situated at an altitude of 3013 meters above sea level. Kyrgyz nomads started to come to this wonderful area with their families for rest and relaxation. Herders of the Naryn region come to the lake to use it as a pastureland. After our arrival, you will be free to explore and enjoy the virgin nature of the lake and its surroundings. Overnight is in nomadic collapsible dwellings – yurts. They are made of a wooden skeleton, covered with felt coverings.

Day 6: Son Kul – 33 parrots Pass – Kochkor – Bishkek

After meeting with locals, we will drive to the capital of Kyrgyzstan – Bishkek city. The road to the city goes through 33 parrots pass (3 133 m). In Kochkor village you will spend some time with a family that will show you the way our national felt carpets are produced. Also you will visit a small handicraft museum there. They have many examples of silver decorations, coats made of wolves, horse saddle decorations, carpets and more. Afterwards you will be transferred to the capital of Kyrgyzstan – Bishkek city. Night is in a hotel.

Day 7: Bishkek – Airport

In the morning we return to the airport for your flight out.

Price: ON REQUEST

Smarttraveller in Australia

Keep up to date on overseas travel information. We recommend you visit smartraveller.gov.au on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) website or phone toll free on 1300 139 281.

07 12 2023

Grant Charsley Asia, Travel Packages 7-day tour, asia, mongolia, tour

Price on request

Region: Mongolia
Activities: Country Tour
Dates: Year Round
Duration: 7 Days

For dates and prices, please email info@gatewaytravel.com.au or call 0414955109 (local) or +61 414955109 (international)

7-day Mongolia Tour

Overview:

The 7-day Mongolian Tour takes us to some of the greatest places in Mongolia. A landlocked country in East Asia, Mongolia is bordered by Russia and China. Most of Mongolia is covered by grassy steppes, with mountains to the north and west. The Gobi Desert in the south and Ulaanbaatar as the capital.

Bookings

Click here to book your luxury holiday

Day 1: Ulaanbaatar

The guide will meet you at the airport and transfer to Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar. It will take an approximately 90 mins car transfer to your hotel. After short freshen up, we will do city tour starting from Gandan monastery, Sukhbaatar main square, the winter palace of Bogd Jabzan Damba Hutagt VIII, Zaisan Memorial, State department store and Museum of Dinosaurs.

The night is spent at the hotel.

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar – Dalanzadgad

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and take 1 hour flight to Dalanzadgad city. We start driving south to one of the best ger camps of Gobi Desert near Eagle valley (3 hrs approx.). The Valley is in the Zuun Saikhan Mountain, located in the center of South Gobi aimag. The narrow Valley between high rock walls has breathtaking dramatic scenery, and no doubt is one of the beautiful places in the country. In rainy summers hundreds of small waterfalls appear in the rocky walls. Trekking camel and horse-riding tours are available to the valley.

Night is at the ger camp.

Day 3: Dalanzadgad – Hongoryn Els

Today is a full day driving to the west (200 km), we come out from mountain area into Gobi area with small hills. Reach Khongoryn Dunes, the biggest sand dunes in all Asia. The 350-meter-high sand dunes in Sevrei soum, South aimag, are called Khonguryn Els. These dunes are 20 km wide and 100 km long. The Khongurun River flows along the sand dunes and gives birth to oases. Then we will drive 10-15 km before the sunset to the dunes. Try two humped Bactrian camel riding, which are very comfortable.

Night is at the ger camp.

Day 4: Hongoryn Els – Bayan Zag Land of Dinosaurs – Ongiin Khiid

Transfer to the Land of Dinosaurs, known to westerners as The Flaming Cliffs, Bayan Zag (Rich with Saxaul) is famed for its’ red sandstone cliffs which take on beautiful red and orange hues during sunset. Sculptural Saxaul trees grow in the arid rocky soil. The area is also recognized as one of the world’s largest dinosaur graveyards. In 1921, the American Roy Chapman Andrews discovered here some of the most important Paleontological findings of the last century. Since then, hundreds of archeological expeditions have come to this remote desert location, and even today with the assistance of local people dinosaur fossils continue to be found in the area.

We will drive for 3-4 hours (~ 150km) to Flaming Cliffs, site known for the first discovery of dinosaur eggs and unique landscape. Try your luck for dinosaur fossils here. Then we drive towards the Ongiin Monastery, formerly one of the largest monasteries in Mongolia founded in 1660. The landscape around the monastery is a semi-desert with endless wide-open dry steppe, random plants and rocks. Gobi Desert is not here yet, but the welcome gate is right around the corner. Then visit the temple, talk to local monks, and walk around.

Night is at the ger camp.

Day 5: Ongiin Khiid – Erdenezuu – Kharkhorin

Today we will drive to Khar Khorum. Mongolia’s ancient capital, Kharakhorum, Chinggis Khaan’s fabled city, was founded in 1220 in the Orkhon valley, at the crossroads of the Silk Road. It was from there that the Mongol Empire governed, until Khubilai Khaan moved it to Beijing. The symbolic ruins of Kharakhorum (Harhorin), monumental walls (400 m of length) with 108 stupas, surround the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia Erdene Zuu Monastery, built in 1586. In 1792, it housed 62 temples and 10,000 lamas; since 1990, it has become an active monastery again. Turtles carved from the stone marked the boundaries of the complex. Nearby, Turkish monuments and rock inscriptions erected in 8-9th centuries in memory of outstanding fighters for independence. Quite a surprise for the scientists was the discovery of a burial of a Mongolian woman which dates to approximately the 14-th century where also two Egiptian masks, a wooden comb and a bronze mirror in a silk case were found.

Night is at the ger camp.

Day 6: Kharkhorin – Khustai National Park – Ulaanbaatar

We will drive eastwards to Hustai National Park and see Takhi, the Asian wild horse & red deers. If you have a chance, see a wolf, argali sheep, and deer. Enjoy small hiking and photographing the charming landscape and wildlife. Visit Takhi’s small museum and continue drive to Ulaanbaatar.

Night is at the hotel.

Day 7: Ulaanbaatar – Airport

After early breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Price: ON REQUEST

Smarttraveller in Australia

Keep up to date on overseas travel information. We recommend you visit smartraveller.gov.au on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) website or phone toll free on 1300 139 281.

10 05 2022

Grant Charsley Travel Packages, Vietnam 7-day tour, tour, vietnam, Vietnam Tours

Price on request

Region: Vietnam
Activities: Sight-seeing Tour
Dates: Year Round
Duration: 7 days

For dates and prices, please email info@gatewaytravel.com.au or call 0414955109 (local) or +61 414955109 (international)

Itinerary

Overview:

We start with a visit to the Ho Chi Mimh Mausoleum, “House on Stilts”, One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature (Quoc Tu Giam), Vietnam’s first University. Then on to the “Old Quarter” of Hanoi, visit to Lake Hoan Kiem’s Ngoc Son Temple, Halong Bay, Thien Cung Cave, Dau Go grotto. We then fly to Da Nang, and do the “ancient city” tour of Hoi An. We then fly back to Hanoi City for our flight home the next day. There are free days where you get to do as you please.

More details can be found in the day-to-day itinerary.

Bookings

Click here to book your luxury holiday

Hanoi City after a rain storm

Day 1:

Arrival in Hanoi

Upon arriving at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport, you will be welcomed by one of our team members and brought to your hotel in a private car. As arrival times vary and international travel can be quite exhausting, we leave the remainder of the day open. Your first night is spent in Hanoi City.

Day 2:

Hanoi City Tour (B,L)

We begin our tour of Hanoi by visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Here you can experience the architectural splendour and historical importance of Uncle Ho’s final resting place – a national treasure for all Vietnamese. Adjacent to the mausoleum is Ho Chi Minh’s former “House on Stilts”, where the leader spent a great deal of his free time. From here we visit the nearby One Pillar Pagoda, an 11th century temple built by King Ly Thai To. This pagoda is not only historically and religiously significant, but is also an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. Continuing on, we visit one of the city’s most iconic destinations: the Temple of Literature (Quoc Tu Giam), Vietnam’s first University. This 11th century establishment boasts perfectly manicured gardens and extremely well-preserved architecture, offering visitors some excellent insight into Vietnam’s rich past.

After a busy morning, we will enjoy lunch at a delicious local restaurant, followed by a tour of the bustling “Old Trading Quarter” of Hanoi. Our scenic tour ends with a visit to Lake Hoan Kiem’s Ngoc Son Temple and a live viewing of Hanoi’s world-famous Water Puppet Show (Mua Roi Nuoc). A traditional form of entertainment in Northern Vietnam, the roots of these memorable shows date as far back as the 10th century.

Day 2 ends with a transfer back to the hotel and another night in the capital city.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hanoi, Vietnam

Temple at Trang An, Hoa Lu, Vietnam

Day 3:

Halong Full Day tour (B,L)

At 8:00 AM, our staff will pick you up at your hotel for the 3.5-hour journey out to Halong Bay (in a private car). Upon arriving at the pier, we will board a private boat for the 4-hour journey through Halong Bay (lunch included).

As we cruise through the emerald waters, you’ll have endless opportunities to photograph all the famous sites of the area including the breathtaking limestone outcrops.

We will visit the Thien Cung Cave (the Cave of the Heavenly Palace, famous for its stalagmites and stalactites). The caves were only opened to the public in 1998. From here we will pay a visit to the newly discovered Dau Go grotto, where the famous Vietnamese General Tran Hung Dao once held stakeouts during the Mongol Army invasion in 1288. After visiting these iconic sites, we will head back to the Halong pier and drive back to Hanoi.

The tour will end around 8:30 PM.

Day 4:

Hanoi – Morning flight to Da Nang – Hoi An Tour (B, L)

Day 4 will start with an early morning transfer to Noi Bai Airport, where you will catch a morning flight south to the city of Da Nang.

A Vietnam To Travel staff member will pick you up and transfer you to Hoi An City, where you will begin your “ancient city” tour. The tour will include all the main attractions of Hoi An – from the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, Ceramic/Trade Museum, the 200-year-old Tam Ky House to the Chua Ong Pagoda, Thu Bon riverside and the vibrant, outdoor Hoi An Market.

One of the “old town’s” most memorable experiences is simply strolling through the picturesque, mango-coloured streets. Here you will pass rows of low-tiled shop fronts, traditional communal houses and assembly halls, which reflect the town’s multi-cultural heritage.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant and you can opt for a transfer back to the hotel, or to stay in the beautiful old town for a memorable day/night in Hoi An.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Temple at Trang An, Hoa Lu, Vietnam

Day 5:

Hoi An Free day (B)

As Hoi An is often many traveller’s favourite destination, we leave an entire day for you to explore this vibrant, cultural town on your own.

Visit Hoi An’s pristine beaches, take a bike ride through the countryside and rice paddies, take an informative cooking class or consider getting some tailormade clothes in Vietnam’s tailoring capital! With so many attractions in this favourite Vietnam destination, you won’t have to look too far to keep busy!

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 6:

Hoi An free day – Late afternoon flight back to Hanoi (B)

You are free to explore Hoi An one final time until your airport transfer to Da Nang’s airport in the late afternoon.

You will take an early evening flight back to Hanoi City and arrive in the capital city where you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Temple at Trang An, Hoa Lu, Vietnam

Day 7:

Hanoi Departure (B)

After breakfast, you will have the chance to explore Hanoi one last time (leaving at least 2 hours before your flight’s departure).

Our driver will bring you to Noi Bai International Airport, and your tour is complete!!

We would like to express our sincere thanks for considering and choosing to travel with us.

We are confident that you will thoroughly enjoy every moment of your trip and every corner of our beautiful country.

Price: ON REQUEST

Smarttraveller in Australia

Keep up to date on overseas travel information. We recommend you visit smartraveller.gov.au on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) website or phone toll free on 1300 139 281.