Vietnam Expedition 2008: 14-day Trek & Home stay in Cao Bang Area - Northern Vietnam

Vietnam Tours > Vietnam Expedition 2008
Vietnam(ATV) Expedition - What is that?
For the ultimate in off-the-beaten-track travel experiences it's difficult to beat going on an ATV expedition. If you embark on our expeditions you will travel through the Vietnam's most hidden places with extreme environments. ATV expeditions aren't easy going and they are most definitely not for a traveler that likes their creature comforts - but it's precisely this fact that makes going on an ATV expedition such an exciting prospect. Going on an ATV expedition gets you away from the usual tourist trail and enables you to see some incredible places few other people ever get to see.
ATV organizes the expeditions in order to test its operation, itineraries and services. After 2 expeditions to the place, basing on expeditors' feed back, ATV will refine the program and promote the place to public. Thus ATV does not aim at making profit from the expeditions but running the trips with small mark-up on net rate to cover organizing fee.
Part of ATV expedition operating philosophy is to respect the communities in which we operate. We do this by acting in a manner that is environmentally, socially and economically responsible. On the expedition participants would do a charity event in order to support the community. The cost of this charity event would be totally funded by ATV.
The expedition • Join-in group • Guided expedition • Outdoor activities • Charity event • 2 departures a year • Small group • Fully supported
Your will have • Fun • Real expedition • Real adventure • Lowest rate • Discount on other trips with ATV
What we expect from you • Your feedback • Your suggestion
Expedition program:
14-day Trek & Home stay in Cao Bang Area - Northern Vietnam
This area offers breathtaking views and interesting subcultures. The North East mountainous areas of Ba Be Lake, Cao Bang and Lang Son offer opportunities for rugged jeep rides and stunning trekking routes. It is the least traveled area of the north and is ideal for more hardy travelers craving a glimpse of some of the more remote ethnic minority people.
Highlights of the this expedition experience in Cao Bang include stunning trek across mountain ranges, interesting home stay in different tribal villages and beautiful cruise on Ba Be Lake.Rough Itinerary Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi. Welcome dinner. Group meeting & Trip briefing (D) Day 2: Transfer to Cao Bang. Overnight in hotel. (B)
Day 3 - 10: Trek over an area of ruggedmountains, Home stay in different tribal villages & Charity event. (B,L,D) Day 11: Transfer to Ba Be Lake. Overnight in National Park. (B,L,D) Day 12: Boat trip on the lake. Transfer to Hanoi. (B) Day 13: Free at leisure. Free spa treatment. Farewell dinner. (B,D) Day 14: Departure
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Start date
Finish date
Place available
16 Dec 2007
29 Dec 2007
9
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06 Apr 2008
19 May 2008
10
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Trip Notes
Duration: 14 days, 13 nights Group size: Minimum 6 persons Maximum 12 persons Depart from: Hanoi End at: Hanoi When: May & December Activities: Trekking, Home stay, Cruise, Cultural expedition & Charity event Trekking grade: Challenging Transport: Chartered bus, Chartered boat, Walking Accommodation: 3-night hotels, 10-night home stays Tour guide: English speaking guide from Hanoi Support crew: Local cooks, Porters Equipments provided: Trekking poles, Sleeping bags, Gaiter, Maps, T-shirt of the expedition logo. See the ATV Gear list. Meals: As indicated in the itinerary (B: breakfast, L: lunch, D: dinner)
Food All meals, which are indicated in the itinerary, are included in the price of this trip. While in big towns we will enjoy Vietnamese cuisine in fine restaurants. Once we travel away from big towns, the emphasis will be on healthy and nutritious fresh local produce.
The home stay Home stay in remote villages is simple in term of bedding condition and toilet. We will sleep on beds or floor with sleeping bags.
ATV tour guide The tour will be led by one of our tour guides who are experienced in guiding trekking tours in Vietnam. He has been carefully trained in this field and is fully licensed in tour guiding by the government. In addition, he has been trained in first-aid by SOS International and he knows how to deal with difficult situations. You will have a great time traveling with him.
The trekking day A typical trekking day start at about 8.30 am after breakfast. Lunch times can vary depending on the terrain. We aim to reach the next overnight stop by 4.30 or 5. During the trek we will have short breaks for rest, snack and photographing.
What to bring Trekking boots, sun block, hat, anti-insect repellent, sunglasses, sleeping bag (optional), rain coat, toiletries, original passport.
Note on client safety We reserve the right to deviate from this itinerary for any reasons, including road and weather conditions, frequency of visits to a village, or for any other factor which may influence client safety.
Booking Conditions
Reservation should be made at least 20 days prior to departure. Depending on the number of participant we would work out the final trip cost and inform participants about the final trip cost per person then.
Confirmation should be made at least 15 days prior to departure. A deposit of 50% of the total trip cost should be made at the time of confirmation.
If you fancy the idea of going on a real expedition and have any question you would like to discuss with someone in person then why not give one of ATV's team of expert travel advisers an e-mail.

Hiking Travel Guides, Trekking Travel Guides

Adventure Guides > Hiking Travel Guides

Hiking travel guides

About one and a half million years ago mankind learned how to stand upright and walk. So in some way you could say that hiking was invented in the Stone Age. Nowadays when we talk about Hiking and Trekking we mean it in the pastime sense of the word. It is hard to say when walking as a means of hunting and surviving became walking for fun and recreation. Throughout the years man has always used walking as a means of relaxation. Going for a stroll is a great way to meditate on possible dilemmas or to get away from things and clear your mind.

General hiking tips:

1. Make sure that you drink enough water. Also make sure that you bring enough water with you or you can find water supply during the hike. In hot weather dehydration is especially dangerous.

2. Be careful what you pack. The most important rule of hiking is smart about what you pack. A beginning hiker generally becomes exhausted carrying a sack full of trail munchies, games, a portable CD player, three sweaters, and a video camera. Although pictures are nice, consider carrying a disposable camera for a more enjoyable hike. ( Learn more about Minimizing your pack)

3. Think before you step. Keep an eye on the trail well in front of where you are walking, and always consider the path before bounding forward.

4. Bring your own medicines.

5. Never hike alone. NEVER- under any circumstances venture into the woods by yourself. Outdoor adventures are fun for the family, but hiking is only a group sport. The chances of becoming lost, sustaining injury, or losing supplies is much higher when alone, making the sport extremely dangerous.

6. Don't don and doff layers continually. Though it is good to dress in layers, choose which layers, and stick with them for a time. Otherwise, you will exhaust yourself and try the patience of the group you are with. It's generally better to be a little cool than too hot, but don't change unless you are really getting uncomfortable.

7. Put the slowest hiker in front and pace the group to that person. This works great in a group of differing ages! With the fast hikers in the front, they have a tendency to spread out too much. Then someone small at the back gets exhausted running to keep up. If you do divide into faster and slower groups, the one ahead should never get too far ahead and should stop and let the others catch up on a regular basis.

8. Take regular breaks.

9. Avoid sunburn.

10. Encourage kids not to exhaust themselves early in a hike. Sometimes little ones run at the beginning, run out of energy and have to be carried.

11. Always carry out what you carry in. The first rule with interacting with the environment is: Leave it as you found it. This rule applies to the trees, the earth, the animals, the campsite, and even the flowers.(View the Leave No Trace Principles)

>> More Hiking tips

• Hiking in Vietnam• Minimizing your pack• Walking speed• Good walking rhythm• Resting and hiking rest intervals• River and water crossing in hiking• About the foot, foot wear and shock• Choosing the right foot wear• Lacing techniques

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Active Travel Vietnam (ATV) offers a wide selection of Vietnam adventure tours, including hiking and trekking, biking, kayaking, motorcycling, overland touring and family travel packages. Our packages and custom itineraries will take you through exotic destinations to really experience the culture, history and nature of Vietnam. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy an unforgettable active vacation. We run the most adventure tours available in Vietnam and Indochina. Our active trips are designed for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts, real people seeking real fun and adventure. Of course, a reasonable level of personal fitness, good health, and interest in outdoor activities is advisable, but you don't need to be a tri-athlete or be an expert in any of the activities you will undertake. Come along and even try something new if you wish. If you like to walk, run, trek, hike, paddle, bike, or go to the gym, you'll love our trips!

Monthly Adventures
Hiking Travel Guides - Tips and safety guides for hiking and trekking, hiking in Vietnam, basic hiking knowledge and specific trail experiences.
Biking Travel Guides - Discover the best rides and trails in Vietnam and Indochina with both our guided and independent packages. Learn biking techniques and specific tips for each ride route, path and trail.
Motorcycling Travel Guides - Tips on popular and custom motorcycling tours in Vietnam. Information and guidelines for Minsk cycles, the most dependable motorbikes to tour Vietnam.
Overland Travel Guides - Tips on overland travel to Vietnam from Laos, Cambodia and China. Border crossing and overland travel notes and guidelines.
The Leave No Trace Principles - Green guides for sustainable adventure travel, outdoor recreation and eco tourism.
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