Tour Dates: Sept. 16-29, 2012

Day 1: Sun. Sept. 16, 2012 – Ha Noi

Arrival, check-into Rising Dragon Hotel and have an orientation with your trip leader. Visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son temple and enjoy a walking tour of Hanoi ancient quarter. Group dinner and relax.

Day 2: Mon. Sept. 17, 2012 – Ha Noi

Today, visit President Ho Chi Minh’s house and museum, the One-Pillar Pagoda and meeting to have an overview of culture and society. Dinner at Quan An Ngon.

Day 3: Tues. Sept. 18, 2012 – Ha Noi

After breakfast, take a trip to the Hanoi Museum of Ethnology followed by a vegetarian lunch at Pagoda. In the afternoon participate in a seminar regarding environmental conservation followed by a possible visit to Action for the City Organic Farm.

Day 4: Weds. Sept. 19, 2012 – Ha Noi

Early morning departure for Ha Long Bay. Enjoy lunch on the boat and enjoy afternoon explorations (by boat or kayak). Return to Ha Noi for dinner.

Day 5: Thurs. Sept. 20, 2012 – Ha Noi- Tuyen Quang- Organic Fruit Farm

After breakfast, take a private bus ride to the Tuyen Quang Organic farming project and enjoy a tour and lunch at farm. Settle into stilt houses where we will stay overnight and enjoy dinner in the community.

Day 6: Fri. Sept. 21, 2012 – Tuyen Quang - Pan Hou, Ha Giang Province

This morning, visit to the nearby waterfalls. Then, take a bus to Pan Hou Eco Lodge, the premier eco-resort of Ha Giang province. Check into the lodge and dinner.

Day 7: Sat. Sept. 22, 2012 – Pan Hou, Ha Giang Province

Enjoy a full day of activities at the Pan Hou Eco Lodge. Options can include trekking and herbal massage and soaks.

Day 8: Sun. Sept. 23, 2012 – Meo Vac Dong Van

Take a private bus ride to Meo Vac, Ha Giang Province. Visit the Zao/Man communities in the hills.

Day 9: Mon. Sept. 24, 2012 – Dong Van

Today, visit an eco-project run by the Zao. Enjoy the spectacular drive to Dong Van where you will visit Hmong Tay communities. Time permitting, we will visit with Vang Thi Mai’s textile cooperative in Hop Tien which provides jobs and training for victims of human trafficking and domestic violence.

Day 10: Tues. Sept. 25, 2012 – Pan Hou

Explore the Lung Phin market and check into the Pan Hou Eco Lodge.

Day 11: Fri. Sept. 26, 2012 – Pan Hou - Ha Noi

After breakfast, depart for Hanoi and check into the Rising Dragon Hotel. Dinner at Cha Ca La Vong.

Day 12: Sat. Sept. 27, 2012 –Ha Noi

Enjoy a free day to explore. Group dinner at Nha San Studio prepared by Le Thi Luong, the co-founder of the studio. The studio is the first experimental arts studio in Vietnam and is a Muong ethnic minority house brought down from the mountains.

Day 13: Sun. Sept. 28, 2012 –Ha Noi

Free day in Hanoi with an optional visit to the Temple of Literature. In the afternoon, have a seminar with Ginger Davis, a Phd candidate in Cold War Studies at Temple University. Closing discussions and farewell dinner at Hop Tac Xa.

Day 14: Mon. Sept. 29, 2012 –Ha Noi - Home

Check out of hotel and flight home.

This is a tentative itinerary and EcoArts Tours and partners are not responsible for any changes that occur to the itinerary. This adventure is suitable for travelers who live an active lifestyle, enjoy good health and mobility, are comfortable participating in 4-6 hours of daily physical activities and sightseeing, and able to walk 2-3 miles unassisted over the course of each day. We travel over bumpy roads, uneven stairways in ancient ruins and slippery market floors. We require the agility to get on and off the bus and boat.

Group size of 10-11

$2850

Group size of 15-19

$2635

Group size of 20

$2360

Price is subject to slight change

The price includes

• All confirmations in the program

• Double room accommodations

• Transportation by private, air-conditioned motor coach as well as transfers for group as appropriate.

• Global Exchange/EcoArts Tour trip representative to accompany the group from through the whole touring period and/or English speaking, tour guide(s) to accompany the group throughout the touring period.

• Preparatory reading materials

• Admission and fees to museums and program activities

• Honoraria for conservation and arts professionals and donations to organizations

• Global Exchange annual membership fee of $35 (this amount is tax deductible)

• Two meals a day

• Philanthropic and carbon offset donations to One Million Lights and Native Energy

The price does NOT include

• Extra baggage fees

• Expenses of a purely personal nature

• Room service charges

• Gratuities to the bellboys, waiters, guide and driver

• Extra Beverages and one meal a day

• Travel Insurance (We strongly advise that each participant arrange for their own travel insurance)

Reserve Your Space

Deposit: A $400 non-refundable deposit (that is included in the total tour cost) and registration forms are required from each tour participant by July 1, 2012. The deposit secures a participant’s reservation. An online application form will be available soon. In the meantime, call Rosalyn at 415-680-3474 to receive an application.

Final payment: The remaining balance, health and liability forms are due by Aug. 17, 2012.

If you plan on attending this tour but need an extension for the payment deadlines, please let us know and we will do our best to work with you on an alternative.