Citadels, Karsts & Cycle

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Surround yourself in the rich history and breathtaking scenery of Vietnam. Step back in time at the ancient citadel of Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s first capital. Climb on a bike for a ride along backroads of the area, taking in the scenery. Then, take a row boat through Tam Coc, to explore magnificent caves and get up close to the region’s spectacular karst country.

Highlights:

Surround yourself in the rich history and breathtaking scenery of Vietnam.
Step back in time at the ancient citadel of Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s first capital.
Cycle amongst the lime karsts and surrounding scenery.
Take a row boat through Tam Coc, to explore magnificent caves and get up close to the region’s spectacular karst country.

Tour style:Local Life & Culture, History & Heritage, Cycling
Inclusion:

English speaking guide, Entrance fees as indicated, Transport as indicated, Bike & Helmet. Meals: 1 local lunch.

Exclusion:

Items of a personal nature, Tips or gratuities for drivers or guide.

Group size:Maximum 12
Schedule details:

Duration: 9-10 hours
Meeting point:
Pick up centrally located hotels in Hanoi.
Start time: 8.00 AM-8.30 AM
Finish point:
Drop off centrally located hotels in Hanoi.

Additional information :

Voucher exchange details:
Please present your voucher to the local guide at the beginning of the tour.
Confirmation of booking:
Please contact Hanoi Urban Adventures to confirm your tour 24 hours prior to departure.
Dress standard:
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.
Child policy:
Travellers must be 12 years or older on this trip.
Language: English

Also runs from:1 Apr 2012 to 31 Mar 2013

Itinerary:

Our Hanoi tour journey begins with a two hour drive from the hectic capital of Hanoi to the province of Ninh Binh, approximately 100kms. Our first destination is Hao Lu, the location of the capital of Vietnam during the Dinh Dynasty (968-980) and early Le Dynasty (980-1009), the ancient citadel once covered 300 hectares of land, however the passage of time has left few remains of this once glorious capital of the Vietnam.

On arrival our local guide will take us through the Dinh & Le Temple, restored in the 17^th century the temples are dedicated Dinh and Le emperors and believed to be built on the original foundations of the old palaces from the 11^th and 12^th centuries. You will delve into our history on this Hanoi cultural tour.

Next jump on a bike for a 12 km bike ride through the area, lime karsts towering above you as you ride along backroads and beautiful scenery... experiences you dont get on other Hanoi tours.

Following our bike visit we stop for lunch at a local restaurant before visiting Tam Coc (which translates as "Three Caves"). The area is often referred to as the Halong Bay of the land due to its spectacular scenery, lime karsts rise up of the ground to tower over the region, and is a Hanoi travel wonder! Here we board rowing boats for a 2 to 2 ½ hour journey through caves, passed local villages along the river system of the Red River Delta. The scenery comprises of lush green rice paddies during the rice growing seasons and surrounding limestone karsts making for a stunning backdrop to the journey and presents many photo opportunities for the keen photographers amongst the group.

At the end of the boat trip, it is time to return to Hanoi as we finish our Hanoi tour.

Your trip:

This tour is offered on a "join-in" basis. Maximum group size is 12.

Tipping:

If you are happy with the services provided by your local guides and drivers a tip - though not compulsory - is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Intrepid Urban Adventures destinations. Please consider this when budgeting for your extra expenses on this tour.

Cancellations made more than 2 days prior to travel receive a full refund
Cancellations made 2 days or less prior to travel attract a 100% cancellation fee.

Hanoi Urban Adventures

The Hanoi Urban Adventure team are passionate about their city. Each of our Hanoi tours will show you different aspects of our country, different corners of its streets, unique insight into our home communities and much more! Come see the best of Hanoi and its surrounds with us.

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Drizzle. Fog. Mild.

Responsible Travel with Urban Adventures

Wherever we go in the world, we take a responsible attitude with us. That means travelling in a way which both respects and benefits local people, their culture, their economy, and their environment. Please read on for more information on our Responsible Travel policy and how you can be a responsible traveller for your entire journey.

Top 12 Responsible Travel Tips

The following tips are for your overall travel plans, not just for your time spent on an Urban Adventures tour.

Before leaving home, learn as much as possible about the countries you are visiting - the religion and culture, the local rules and values.
Learn some of the local language and don't be afraid to use it - simple pleasantries will help break the ice. Keep practicing.
Learn what's appropriate behaviour and body language. Like the concept of "saving face" in Asia or giving the thumbs up in western or central Europe.
Support locally owned businesses, hotels, restaurants, and other services. Eat local food and drink local brands and brews. Use public transport, hire a bike or walk where convenient - you'll meet local people and get to know the place. Use our local travel practices as a guideline.
Think first. It's best not to eat in restaurants, shop in stores or visit local shows, markets or zoos that promote cruelty or exploitation of endangered species.
Shop from traditional artisans and for locally made products, helping keep traditional crafts alive and favour local products over imported items. Bargain if that is a local practice, but bear in mind that a small amount to you could be extremely important to the seller.
Dress respectfully with an awareness of local standards. Dress modestly at religious sites and check what swim wear is suitable for pools and the beach.
Always ask first before photographing or videoing people. Send them back copies of photos to help make it a two-way exchange.
Be wary of giving gifts or money to beggars, children and people you have just met. Supporting the community through a local school, clinic, or development project may be more constructive.
Leave only footprints...take care of the environment as you would your own home. Take out all you take in, to areas away from the cities. Use alternatives to plastic and say 'no' to plastic bags. For cigarette butts, an empty film container makes a perfect portable container.
After returning home think how you can support programmes and organisations that are working to protect the welfare, culture and environment of where you've been lucky to visit.
Smile - The traveller who wishes to have a happy and successful trip should keep as calm, cheerful and friendly as humanly possible. And have fun!

Responsible Travel Code of Conduct

The following are Urban Adventures's key principles for operating responsible tours.

We aim to:

Use locally owned infrastructure on our tours where possible.
Spread the financial benefits amongst local people and operators.
Provide employment and leadership opportunities for local people.
Respect local customs and culture.
Provide safe tours for Urban Adventure partners, staff, and travellers.
Educate travellers and our partners about how and why we choose to travel this way.
Limit the negative impacts to daily lifestyles of local people not involved with Urban Adventures groups.
Limit the physical impact of trips in all destination communities-particularly sensitive natural and cultural environments.
Provide support to organisations and local communities visited by Urban Adventures groups.
Provide fun enjoyable trips to Urban Adventures travellers.
Provide opportunities for travellers to interact with local people.
Actively ban partners, staff and passenger participation in or endorsement of commercial sexual activities or illegal drug use on Urban Adventures tours.
Actively discourage the participation of Urban Adventures groups in activities which exploit animals - wild or domestic.
Use local partners that adhere to Urban Adventures' Responsible Travel and Local Travel principles and provide the best possible service to Urban Adventures travellers and staff.
Work to prevent the exploitation of children in tourism.
Support and encourage fair employment practices.
Give our travellers the best possible value.

For more information on how to be a responsible traveller, region-specific guidelines, and voluntourism, check out what our friends at Intrepid have to say.

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