Tour
Itinerary
Day 1: SYDNEY –
HO CHI MINH CITY (L,D)
On arrival in Vietnam, we check into our hotel in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Sai Gon. After freshening up, we will go to a local restaurant for dinner.
Day 2: HO CHI MINH CITY
- MUI NE (B,L,D)
We will arise early to visit 23/9 Park where people will be going about their morning exercise. After breakfast we will travel to Cho Lon to visit Binh Tay market and Thien Hau Pagoda, a 150 year old Chinese Temple. We then travel north to Phan Thiet where we will photograph the colourful fishing boats in the late afternoon light before concluding the day at Mui Ne.
Day 3: MUI NE (B,D)
We will arise early to photograph the local fisherman returning to the beach with their catch at Mui Ne boat harbour, which with its bevy of fishing boats, is particularly scenic. During the heat of the day, you are then free to explore and photograph at your leisure or just relax on the beach. In the afternoon, we return to Phan Thiet Boat Harbour to photograph the sunset.
Day 4: MUI NE –
DA LAT – HOI AN (B,L,D)
We will arise early and travel to the white sand dunes for the sunrise and shoots with models. Afterwards we travel to Da Lat, stopping to visit and photograph an ethnic minority village and waterfall. We then catch an evening flight from Da Lat to Da Nang, where we are transferred by bus to Hoi An.
Day 5: HOI AN (B,D)
We will arise early and enjoy a boat trip up Thu Bon River and around Hoi An markets near Duong Hoang Van Thu Dock. After breakfast we enjoy a walking tour of Hoi An, visiting ancient homes, pagodas and the Japanese Bridge. Late afternoon we will have an opportunity to photograph local school girls wearing their traditional white school uniforms (Ao Dai) before photographing the sunset over Hoi An. After dinner we will explore night photography around the town with its colourful lanterns.
Day 6: HOI AN –
HUE (B,L,D)
We will walk to Cam Nam Bridge and photograph the sunrise with boats travelling up and down the Thu Bon River. There will also be an opportunity to photograph a local fisherman attending his fishing net. After breakfast, we travel to My Son, a world heritage series of ruins remaining from the Champa Kingdom which flourished from the 400AD to 1200AD. We will then commence our journey to Hue, travelling over Hai Van pass.
Day 7: HUE (B,L,D)
Today we will take a Dragon Boat to Thien Mu Pagoda followed by a visit to Minh Mang’s Tomb. We then return to Hue for lunch before visiting Tu Duc's Tomb and a handicraft village where incense sticks and Vietnamese hats are made. Late afternoon we will travel to Vong Canh Hill to photograph the Perfume River during sunset.
Day 8: HUE – HA
NOI – LAO CAI (B,L,D)
This morning we will depart very early to visit Thuan An to photograph a wet markets and fishing village. After breakfast we visit the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945, with numerous attractions such as the Flag Tower, Noon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Canons, Thai Hoa Palace, and Forbidden Purple City. After lunch we make our way to the airport for our flight to Ha Noi, where we prepare for our overnight train trip to Lao Cai.
Day 9: LAO CAI – MUONG HUM MARKETS – SA PA (B,L,D)
After breakfast we will commence our journey to the remote Muong Hum markets. Here we will see Red Dao, H’mong and Ha Nhi and other colourful ethnic minorities buying and selling local produce. Afterwards we make our way to Sa Pa where the afternoon is free to explore at your leisure. In the evening we travel to Tram Ton Pass (Heaven’s Gate) for the sunset.
Day 10: SA PA – TA VAN VILLAGE (B,L,D)
Today we will trek down the mountain to Ta Van village. Along the way we will photograph the magnificent terraced rice fields and local minority people going about their day-to-day activities. After a relaxing lunch in the village we will explore the village and photograph the local minority people and terraced landscape. Tonight our accommodation will be a home stay in Ta Van village.
Note: For travellers who are unable to do this trek, transport can be arranged to Ta Van village.
Day 11: SA PA – HA NOI (B,D)
This morning we will arise early to photograph the sunrise over terraced rice fields and minority people commencing their daily activities. Mid-morning we make our way back to the main road and transport to return to Sa Pa where we will have some free time to explore the town. Late afternoon we commence our return journey to Lao Cai, stopping along the way to photograph the terraces in the late afternoon light. After dinner we will board the overnight train to Ha Noi.
Day 12: HA NOI – HA LONG CITY (B,L,D)
On arrival in Hanoi, we will freshen up and have breakfast at a local restaurant. After breakfast, we enjoy a 2 hour walking tour in the old quarter, photographing the shops, street life and people going about their day-to-day activities. We then travel to West Lake where we will visit Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple. After lunch we commence our long journey to Ha Long City.
Day 13: HA LONG BAY (B,L,D)
We will arise early to visit a local fish market with the islands of Ha Long Bay as a backdrop. After breakfast we board our private boat for a relaxing day cruising around Ha Long Bay. We will visit Surprising (Suns Sot) Cave and photograph the bay and floating villages. We will also have the opportunity to climb up to the peak of Ti Top Island for a panoramic view of Ha Long bay. At days end we are transferred to Cat Ba Town where we will have time to photograph the sunset over the harbour.
Day 14: HA LONG BAY – HA NOI (B,L,D)
This morning we will enjoy and photograph Cat Ba Harbour in the splendid morning light. After breakfast, we transferred back to our boat for our journey back to Ha Long City, once again enjoy the magnificent scenery of Ha Long Bay. We then commence our long journey back to Ha Noi. At night we will be entertained by a traditional Ca Tru show.
Day 15: HA NOI – HO CHI MINH CITY – SYDNEY (B,L)
We will arise early to go to Hoan Kiem Lake where we will photograph early risers meditating, doing tai chi, exercising and playing badminton. After breakfast, we make our way to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first University dating back to 1070 AD where we will have a model accompany us whilst we explore the gardens and architecture. We then proceed to a local restaurant for lunch. After lunch we make our way to the airport for our return flights to Ho Chi Minh City and Sydney. |
Details
• Duration: 15 days total, 14 in
Vietnam.
• Departing:
CLOSED
• Because of the special nature
of this tour, the number of participants will be limited
to approximately 20 and will be led by two photographic leaders.
• Price: AU$4499 per person twin share including international flight from Sydney or AU$3399 per person twin share without international flight.
• We will make every effort to match
up single travellers who wish to travel at twin share
rates. For anyone requiring a single room, there will
be an additional charge of AU$400.
Included
Return airfare from Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City, three
domestic flights within Vietnam, domestic airport taxes, two experienced photographic
tour leaders, local Vietnamese tour guides, arrival/departure
transfers, in country ground transport by private air-conditioned
vehicle with driver, private boat cruises as indicated
in itinerary, overnight train, meals as specified in
itinerary (B/L/D), drinking water, clean twin share
accommodation (3 star or best available in isolated
areas) plus taxes and admission fees.
Not included
Departure taxes if applicable, visas, personal travel
insurance, meals not indicated in program, additional
beverages such as soft drinks and alcohol, activities
during free time, items of personal nature, tips and
gratuities, excess baggage fee. |
