dungnv asked:


Detail Itinerary

What to expect:

Ha Giang’s(Quang Ba) This is a sustainable trek that supports local communities in a deprived region in the extreme northern province of Ha Giang.

Quan Ba district remains one of the poorest districts in Vietnam. It is located in the remote rocky limestone mountainous region of Ha Giang, the northernmost province of Vietnam. 97% of the local populations are minority’ people – Hmong, Dao, Tay, Nung, Giay, and Bo Y. Most speak their own languages, which do not yet have written scripts.

Caritas Switzerland and Caritas Luxembourg are two charities that have entered into a development partnership with the District People’s Committee. The Caritas agencies aim to support a development process “to build sustainable livelihoods for the poorest people and the poorest communities”. The project began in mid-2003, and included supporting sustainable agriculture, forest gardens, domestic water supply, adult literacy, indigenous cultures, improved cook stoves, and responsible tourism.

The villagers have prepared a simple ‘Code of Conduct’ which Green Trail Tours should consider before their visit to demonstrate their commitment to protect local culture and environment. By participating on this trek a Green Trail Tours will be directly supporting the livelihoods of the communities they visit.



Bac Ha This exciting trek offers a true experience of unspoiled remote villages in the border province of Lao Cai. The dramatic scenery, picturesque villages nestled into the sides of Thang Phin Mountain, and colourful ethnic minority groups can captivate any adventure lover’s heart. Begin at Lao Cai and trek along the Chinese border to Muong Khuong Valley through remote H’Mong, Tay and Nung ethnic minority villages. Ascend to Can Cau and Bac Ha to observe colorful Saturday and Sunday markets, the most vibrant in the province, where hundreds of hill tribe people from different groups gather to exchange their wares. End a challenging trek with a boat trip o­n the scenic Chay River.

Green Trail Tours is known for customized adventures trips and the above is a sample trekking tour only. That can be flexible, customizable and subject to weather conditions and other circumstances. If you have any ideas, suggestions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Note:

Should I purchase insurance?

Yes! This must cover medical care and emergency evacuation/repatriation. Also keep hardcopy of emergency contact numbers as well as insurance policy number.

What are the main vaccination and health procedures?

Before travel please consult a general practitioner for up to date advice on recommended vaccines and malaria prophylaxis. Is there anything I can do to better prepare for a situation requiring first aid?

All guides have basic first aid training and carry a small first aid kit. But each client should also bring personal first aid supplies including antiseptic wipes, antiseptic liquid/cream, steristrips, sterile gauze and bandage as well as oral dehydration sachets.

What about the weather?

The climate is hot and humid throughout with some variation between North and South. The South is tropical and warm throughout the year. Hanoi is cooler from November to February with a pronounced wet season in the centre of the country from September to October. For biking, September, October, November, March, April and May are the best times ? not so hot and dry enough! Be prepared for anything, though. (That?s part of the fun.)

What gear do I need?

The objective is to stay cool in hot weather and warm in cool weather. Plan accordingly. Basic items are lightweight walking boots; water bottle, eye protection; lightweight shirt and trousers; waterproof jacket; mosquito repellent; sun hat; shorts; sandals; sheet sleeping bag; strong sunscreen; torch; towel; fleece; small backpack for day use; biodegradable toiletries; swimming gear. All of these things are indispensable.

What can I do to improve safety on my trip?

Safety is our most important consideration. Be aware that trekking can be dangerous and accidents can happen. You can never do too much to look out for yourself. Always notify the guide if you feel sick particularly at altitude. And if you don’t know, ask?

What are the accommodations?

We provide two-person tents with sewn-in ground sheets and mosquito nets in the Northwest of the country. Accommodation is mostly in local village homestays. Here the family may supply a simple mattress, mosquito net, pillow, sheet and blanket. Or in the case of more remote locations, bedding will be provided by TITC. The houses are usually on stilts with a bamboo floor? Surprisingly comfortable! The facilities are clean but very basic.

What sort of transport and support are available?

All equipment and luggage will be carried by porters or by jeep. Please try to keep baggage to a minimum weight. Often a cook will accompany the tour. Depending on the nature of the trek, there will be a private air-conditioned bus, minibus or jeep for transfer between destinations.

Do these tours support responsible travel?

Yes! We try to make sure that these holidays are as socially, economically and environmentally sound as possible. We are affiliate members of the Environmental Certification Green Globe 21 Scheme. Our goal is to deliver biking tours that do not contribute to the destruction of Vietnam’s unique cultural and natural environment.

Day1: Hanoi – Lao Cai

Arrive Hanoi. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Old Quarter. Located on an area of 100 ha, the Old Quarter is home to more than 1,000 traditional houses and has 36 streets named after specific merchants’ crafts and trade. Overnight on board the train to Lao Cai. (D)

Day2: Lao Cai – Bac Ha

Drive through the famous market town of Bac Ha and beyond over one of Vietnam’s highest road passes. This is a full day in the vehicle, though there’s no time to get bored as the scenery is truly breathtaking. (B, L,D)

Day3: Bac Ha – Hoang Su Phi – Ha Giang

Upon leaving Bac Ha we set off on a full day journey through Sin Man and Hoang Su Phi to  Ha Giang Town. The rough but scenic route traverses a dense jungle before crossing over a pass and dropping down to Sin Man. This day is a real challenge for our driver as we travel by winding roads with many uphill and down hill drives. Along the way we may encounter the Nung Ing, Tay, Red Dao, Dao Ao Dai, La Chi and Co Lao, just some of the many hill tribe groups who have settled there. O/N in Ha Giang. (B, L,D)

Day4: Ha Giang – Khau Lan

9.00 am You have the opportunity to participate a guided tour in the Ha Giang museum followed by an early lunch.

12.30 am. The guides pick you up at the hotel and you travel by Transfer to the commune Centre in Quyet Tien. There from you will walk about 3 hours to Khau Lan village, passing green paddy fields, little villages and beautiful forests. In Khau Lan – the Dao people, you meet the village leader and your host families.

Arround 6.30 pm. All the tour members will have dinner at one family and split later to spend the night in three or four different host families. (B,L,D)

Day5: Khau Lan Trekking

Discard your watches here….

Khau Lan is a small village of the Dao people. You have the unique opportunity to share the daily life of your host family, which might include working in the fields, fetching wood, cutting grass for the livestock and cooking meals. Depending on the activity, you have lunch on different spots, outside the village.

After another local meal for dinner, you might spend the evening sitting together around a fire, discussing and laughing with the local people then you will spend another night at your host family’s house.  (B,L,D)

Day6: Khau Lan – Lang Tan 

After breakfast and farewell with the hosts, you take another trail back to Quyet Tien commune center, passing beautiful caves, streams and forests. The Transfer bring you to Quan Ba District town, where you have about 2 hours time to take a shower and relax in the district guesthouse or take a walk through the small town.

Around 2 pm. Your guides will pick you up to travel by Transfer to Thanh Van Commune. After a short walk (30 minutes) you will arrive in Lang Tan village.

Lang Tan is a small village of Hmong people. The village is placed in rugged mountains which makes planting rice difficult. In order to increase their income, the villagers developed a special maize wine production.

After you have met the village leader and your second host family, then there is plenty of time is available to walk around in the pretty village and meet the people. In the evening the group will enjoy a local dinner and sleep in Hmong style houses. (B,L,D)

Day7: Lang Tan Trekking

On this day you can choose one out of two options:

option01: Includes a 5-6 hours trek in so far uncharted territory. Together with a Footprint guide and a local pathfinder you walk over hills and through forests, villages of Hmong and Dao people to Can Ty Commune where the Transfer is waiting for you. The car takes you through beautifully landscape to Dong Van Town, visiting the vestige of Hmong kingdom on route.

option02: Includes a longer stay in Lang Tan village watching the local people producing the maize wine instead of more trekking. In the afternoon the Transfer picks you up and drives you to Dong Van, where you meet the rest of the group.

Around 6.30 pm. All the members of the tour check-in a small hotel in Dong Van and take dinner in a local restaurant.(B,L,D)

Day8: Lang Tan – Quan Ba passing Meo Vac

The Transfer take you through a beautiful landscape of rolling and imposing mountains and steep valleys leading from Dong Van to Meo Vac District. This is the most remote corner of Vietnam, where the traditional life of ethnic minority people is the most vivid and colorful. After lunch in Yen Minh town, the cars take you to Hop Tien village.

In Hop Tien you can visit a hemp cooperative, where local people explain and demonstrate the traditional hemp production (including dyeing with natural colors, weaving and decorating).

Around 5.30pm. You will travel back to Quan Ba town, where you check in the comfortable district guesthouse.

At 6.30 pm you go out for dinner in a local restaurant before you spend the night in the guesthouse. (B,L,D)

Day9: Quang Ba Trekking

After a local breakfast you will have time to visit the very colorful market in Quan Ba town. On this market you will see people from different ethnic minority groups, which walk all the way from their mountain villages to Quan Ba town, in order to trade items and meet other people.

12.00 am. You will have dinner in a local restaurant in Quan Ba town. 6.30 pm Dinner in a local restaurant in Quan Ba town and overnight in the district guesthouse. (B,L,D)

Day10: Quang Ba – Hanoi

In Quan Ba visit an incredible local market. Different minority people descend from their mountain villages to trade items and meet other people. Begin the drive back to Hanoi (B,L,D)

Day11: Hanoi – Departure

today we have free time to explore city by your own until transfer to airport for your departure.(B,..,..D)

Andy Burrows asked:


Visitors to Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand come for the quaint, unhurried pace of life, the bargain shopping and the potential to break out on retreats into the mountains and jungle with a trekking trip. Whatever your reason for coming, Chiang Mai promises plenty of opportunities for excitement, relaxation and historic journeys into the city’s past.

A trip to Mae Sa

A 30-minute drive to Mae Sa is a fun event for the entire family, as the area is packed with activities. Tourists venture out for the orchid nurseries; the well-known Elephant Camp where visitors can ride elephants and watch performances including a football match played by elephants; a snake farm and bungee jumping. Finally, the Mae Sa Waterfall offers a place to relax or perhaps go hiking.

Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

Chiang Mai is well-known for its handicrafts, silk and large markets. This all comes to a focus at the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, a veritable shopper’s dream. Stretching the entire length of Chang Klan road, this market has become more of a tourist’s domain than it once was. Here you’ll find an assortment of jewellery, clothing, antiques, silver, all manners of souvenirs and knock-off designer items. It’s open every evening until midnight. This is where you’ll find many of Chiang Mai hotels.

Doi Inthanon National Park

Situated south of Chiang Mai, Doi Inthanon National Park is a unique wildlife preserve and often makes for a comfortable cool weather retreat after spending time in the city. It’s the tallest mountain in Thailand at a grand height of 8,415 feet. Camping is permitted in the park and the natural surroundings make for an excellent getaway. This is one of the best places for trekking in Northern Thailand.

Wat Phratat Doi Suthep

Overlooking the Old City of Chiang Mai, the mountain of Doi Suthep holds one of Thailand’s most sacred temples. The 300-stair climb leads you to the large chedi and golden spire. This large temple complex dates back to the 14th century and the view of the city achieved from the marble courtyard is worth the trip alone. No trip to Chiang Mai is complete without visiting Doi Suthep. Ask the concierge at the hotels for assistance getting up there, it’s one of the most important in Thailand.

Thai massage and spas

Places to get a massage can literally be found on almost every street of the Old City, and prices range depending on quality and accessibility. Thai massage is world-renown, and some of the most skilled masseurs can be found in the more upscale spas, which also offer body scrubs and detox and beautification treatments. Even at these high-end facilities, the money spent is still fantastic value when compared to the superb quality of the treatment.

Chiang Mai Zoo

Don’t be surprised if a local asks you if you’ve visited the zoo yet—most likely, they’re wondering if you’ve seen the pair of pandas which are on loan from China, an endless source of pride for locals. These are only two of the more than 6,000 animals on display at the zoo which sits at the base of Suthep Mountain, from where there are wonderful views of the city.

Courses and training

Chiang Mai overflows with all sorts of courses in which tourists can enrol for only a few days or weeks at a time. Due to the affordable prices and the comfortable atmosphere in Chiang Mai, visitors are tempted to dig in and stay a while. So whether you’re looking to learn the art of Thai massage, perfect your Thai cooking skills or study Thai boxing, you’ll find it here for every level and length of time. When in Thailand this is highly recommended.

The Old City

A tour of the Old City is easily done on foot or by bike, and is the best way to come face-to-face with Chiang Mai’s legacy. Portions of the old wall were restored in the 19th century, and the 700-year-old moat that surrounds the city has been beautifully preserved. The city gates have also been restored, and each marks an important commercial avenue in or out of the city. Temples are spread across the entire Old City, and some of the more important include Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phrasingh and Wat Chiang Mai.

Adventure sports

Any number of adventure sports can be organised through travel agencies in Chiang Mai. Some of the more popular outings include white-water rafting on the Mae Tang River, which is 1 hour, 30 minute drive out of town; mountain biking on Doi Suthep with the added bonus of spending time at the temple if you make it all the way to the top, and rock climbing at Crazy Horse Buttress. There’s also an outdoor climbing wall located to one side of the Night Bazaar. Trekking in Chiang Mai is perhaps the biggest drawcard

Trekking Northern Thailand

It’s impossible to list the major attractions of Chiang Mai without mentioning trekking. Tour guide operators use the city as a springboard from which to organise trips into the surrounding mountainous jungles. Expeditions are packed with a variety of activities and range from daytrips to several night journeys that include hiking, elephant riding and bamboo rafting. Routes are planned around hill tribe villages, where overnight accommodation is provided. Trekking is the best way to see rural Northern Thailand.

Remember to book your Chiang Mai hotels early in the high season.

Harish Kohli asked:


Ten Off-The-Beaten-Sand Beaches

1. Konkan coast, Maharashtra, India

Pure white sand, backed by thick, lush forest, characterizes a string of gorgeous beaches running along a 370-km stretch of coast between Vasai and Vengurla. Hedvi, Velneshvar, Takarli, Harihareshwar and Ganpatipule, with its wonderful, red wooden 400-year-old temple, are among the delightful beaches awaiting the traveler ready to go the extra mile to find them. You can get to the coast from Mumbai by train or by air from Goa.

2. Nicoya peninsula, Costa Rica

Reef snorkelling, horseriding, jungle trekking and viewing the forest canopy from a zip-wire, along with the usual beach activities such as surfing, are treats on offer in this fairly remote, far northern region of Costa Rica. The wildlife is extraordinary: half a million turtles lay their eggs on the sand at Ostional beach, every two or three weeks from August to November, and the forests are full of howler monkeys, anteaters, coatis, armadillos and an array of spectacular birds, including the Resplendent Quetzal, with its shimmering green plumage, scarlet belly, white tail feathers and green tail, the rare and rapacious Harpy Eagle and over 50 species of hummingbirds and 75 different flycatchers.

3. Koh Mak, Thailand

Palm trees and the clearest of waters along a stretch of shore 25km long, as well as peace and quiet away from the crowds, are what you can expect on Thailand’s so-called ‘family island’. Set in the Gulf of Thailand, a little less than 50 km from the Cambodian coast, it’s reachable by boat from Trat on the mainland. You can stay here in a bamboo hut, a guesthouse, a thatch and rattan cottage or a good, but budget-priced hotel, and with luck you’ll see no one on the bit of beach you choose.

4. Obzor, Bulgaria

The Black Sea coast of Bulgaria has taken off lately as a destination for beach tourists, and nice and clean the beaches are too. Crowded during high season, however, they may not appeal to those who want something more secluded, who may instead look to Obzor, roughly halfway between Bourgas and Varna, where the E87 highway emerges from forested hills into a brief, open coastal stretch. Despite its convenient location and 6-km-long sandy beach (the largest between Golden Sands and Sunny Beach), this remarkably pleasant spot can be almost yours for the taking, even during peak season.

5. Vik, Iceland

Not a place for sunlovers, the remarkable, 10-km-long, black-sand beach at Vik was named one of the ten most beautiful beaches on Earth by Islands magazine in 1991. It is no less beautiful now, with its setting on the crisp-coloured south coast of Iceland, its bird visitors from a nearby colony and the Reynisdrangar, black lava columns sculpted by the sea, nicknamed The Three Trolls. The sea off this coast is rather wild and stormy: even in summer, it feels cold, it looks cold, it even sounds cold! But it is a marvel and a place of glorious seclusion.

6. Ile Sainte Marie, Madagascar

Ile Sainte Marie is a granite island 57 km long and lies 8 km off the eastern coast of mainland Madagascar. Frequented by pirates between the 17th and 18th centuries, it is now a tourist destination, with enchanting beaches, bordered by coconut palms and backed by rainforest. A long, white beach at Pointe des Cocotiers features a marvelous tropical garden and a 20-bungalow hotel. On the eastern coast’s peninsula of Amphanihy are more beautiful beaches. Between July and September, the island is a fabulous place for viewing humpback whales, which pass through the channel that separates the island from the mainland between July and September. Go later in the year, October to December, and you can enjoy scuba diving near two wrecks. This tropical paradise has one significant drawback: it rains a lot, even in the ‘dry’ season.

7. Wild Coast, South Africa

Relatively untouched, the Wild Coast of Eastern Cape is a well-named wild and rocky, typically African haven, where waterfalls tumble into the sea along a stretch of nearly 100km. Its beaches, open spaces and pristine forest areas provide an opportunity for the adventure traveller to discover a variety of leisure options, including fishing, abseiling, snorkelling, diving and trekking in the hinterland. Tourist accommodation is sparse but intimate, which helps to guarantee a memorable holiday there.

8. Angra dos Reis, Brazil

Tourism is highly developed here, but then with a mainland coastline and 365 islands to choose from, you are always bound to find a wonderful beach to yourself, with pristine waters perfect for swimming – among rainbow-coloured fish, if you like – or scuba diving. The town is 151 km from Rio de Janeiro, from where you can take a coach day tour. Better still, stay in the town and do your own exploring of the 2000 beaches. If you can’t find one to suit you, you’re not looking.

9. Hilton Dahab Resort Beach, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt

OK, you won’t be the first to discover it, but if you want nothing more than a beautiful beach at a comfortable resort with a quiet, remote, end-of-the-world atmosphere, this beach may be the place for you. The mountains of Arabia face you across the water, and the beach itself offers good opportunities for swimming and snorkelling.

10. Cote de Massa, Morocco

A 90-km strip of golden beaches between Agadir and Tiznit, this coast is still almost untouched, with just one recently opened hotel, sited on the dunes that rise away from the sea. To the far right of the beach at Sidi Moussa d’Aglou, there are three prehistoric fishermen’s cave dwellings, but you need to be pretty hardy to visit them. Beware: strong currents make swimming hazardous. The wetland reserves of Souss-Massa National are within near reach.

Andrew Suta asked:


Kite flying is no longer limited as child’s play but has evolved into a favorite activity for adults as well. It is thrilling to actually see a kite soar high above, waving gently above the tree tops. Interestingly, this simple idea has been combined with another activity to produce a new extreme sport. Combining the propulsive power of the kite and a surfboard, you have kite surfing.

Kitesurfing is a new form of extreme sport which is becoming very popular. This is an exciting why to escape the boring schedules of everyday living. The kite is used to pull the surfboard across the water.

Kite flying in itself is exciting enough, but when you combine it with another sport, the results can be totally explosive. In fact, back in the 1800’s, the Chinese has been using kites to propel carts and ships across unknown territories of the wide open seas. Initially it started as an alternative to horse power due to the harsh horse tax.

The potential of the kite was expanded when the creation of Kevlar and Spectra kites in the 1970’s. The turn of the decade witness the new development in the way kite is used and now we see them propelling snow skis, roller skates, canoes ice skates and water skis. November of 1984 saw a new development in the kite surfing industry – inflatable kites. The ‘Wipika’ was created in 1997.

This creation has inflatable tubes and a convenient inflatable bridled system that help it to be re-launched. In 1997, kite-boards were developed and this activity became a mainstream sport. Now schools teaching kitesurfing have also emerged.

Get an instructor to guide if you are starting out, it makes learning so much easier. One needs to know the right way to launch kites, to keep it flying and how to manage the lines. It is easy to misunderstand these complicated pieces of apparatus so a lesson from a certified instructor would be very wise indeed.

After the students have learned kitesurfing techniques they must learn body-dragging. Body drag pull the body upward as board surfing pulls the body forward. To embark in this sport, one needs to be prepared to invest more than 3000 just to buy the additional equipments such as gloves, wet suits and other peripherals.

Kitesurfing can be dangerous so it is restricted to some locations for safety reasons. This is not a concern though as there are many places you can go to kitesurf. Lastly, check your equipment and apparatus is up to the job and obey all the safety advice given at each location if you want to avoid unnecessary accidents.

Jeremy Biberdorf asked:


The fastest growing trend in the kayaking industry is clearly the use of inflatable kayaks. Today’s technology makes these inflatable crafts more rugged and maneuverable, while remaining lightweight and portable. Even seasoned kayakers are gradually making the switch to inflatable kayaks.

Inflatable Kayaks are Extremely Portable

If you have ever owned a hard-shell kayak, you realize how difficult it can be to transport your kayak. You have little alternative to strapping your kayak to the roof of your vehicle. Then you have to drive to a road accessible ocean, lake or river. Next you have to awkwardly carry your hard-shell kayak to the water. Hopefully the water isn’t too far from where you had to park your vehicle.

With an inflatable kayak, you simply fold the deflated kayak into a backpack and you can go anywhere. Most inflatable kayaks are less than forty pounds in weight and some are even less than thirty pounds. They also fold up very compact once deflated. Transporting them in the back of your car is no problem at all. Then think of all the mountain trails you can take your inflatable kayak to. You could easily paddle on remote lakes or rivers. Or how about taking your kayak on vacation with you? Bring it in your luggage on the plane and you could be kayaking almost anywhere in the world. That would be pretty difficult to do with a hard-shell kayak. You could take an inflatable kayak on a city bus or bicycle to the water. During off season, the kayak would take up minimal storage space.

Inflatable Kayaks are Tough and Durable

When most people think of an inflatable kayak, they picture a cheaply made plastic boat for kids. They picture a kayak that would burst from hitting the smallest rock or branch. If you’ve owned one of the older, cheaper style inflatable boats, you know you also have to invest in repair patches or a roll of duct tape.

New high quality inflatable kayaks are changing people’s impressions of inflatable boats. New inflatable crafts are made from puncture and abrasion resistant rubber, often reinforced with polyester fabric. This is much stronger than the PVC material used for most cheap inflatable boats. Under normal circumstances it is quite unlikely that you would puncture these new rubber materials. Even if you did, most inflatable kayaks have at least three separate air chambers.

Inflatable Kayaks are Easy to Use

What is easier than carrying your kayak right to the water’s edge and inflating it with a foot pump within five to ten minutes? Most people have pumped up an air mattress at least once as a child. Then after it is filled to the appropriate air pressure, set your inflatable kayak in the water and get in like any other kayak. You can straddle the kayak and then sit down. Or you can place your paddle across the kayak to brace yourself as you get in.

Kayaks are very stable, but with inflatable kayaks it can be much easier to get back in if you fall out. You simply grab the cockpit of the kayak and pull yourself up like you’re getting out of a swimming pool. This makes an inflatable kayak very convenient for snorkeling or swimming. Before getting back in, it is easy to dump out any water that gets aboard. Some inflatable boats are even self bailing.

Another misconception about inflatable kayaks is that they have very poor maneuverability. People think you would have very little control in an inflatable kayak. This isn’t the case with newer inflatable kayaks though. Many of these inflatable boats have optional foot controlled rudders to make for easy turning without missing a stroke. Some of these optional rudders just help the kayak track straight. A lot of inflatable kayaks have maneuverability comparable to hard-shell boats.

Where Can I Use an Inflatable Kayak?

Inflatable kayaks are made in a variety of styles to accommodate almost any conditions. For the casual kayaker, there are lower priced models best suited for flat-water lakes and rivers. There are more expensive models designed for moderate or advanced whitewater. Many models are even suitable for surfing. Many people like to use their inflatable kayak for fishing or hunting. You can get to more remote locations or fish directly from your kayak. Inflatable boats are also great for shallow water that would be too difficult for a hard-shell boat to manage.

Conclusion

For either a beginner or an advanced kayaker, inflatable kayaks are becoming a popular choice. They are extremely versatile and much cheaper than a hard-shell kayak. For less than half the price, you would be able to take your kayak to a variety of places that you never thought possible. While you probably wouldn’t be able to perform any barrel rolls, you can still have a lot of fun with an inflatable kayak. Once you try an inflatable kayak, you’ll wonder why you ever used a hard-shell.