Vietnam - Special Tours for an Adventurer!
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Basic priceab 2.240,00€
Vietnam is a unique country in many respects. The Vietnamese are very peace-loving and friendly. Any foreigner feels calm and confident, without any fear in Vietnam. Read more about our exclusive expedition to the wilderness of Vietnam!
| Travel number: | VT 0801 |
| Travel season: | The whole year |
| Difficulty level: |
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This trip we organize specially for you. For organization of the trip and for travel dates, please contact us. For that please use our contact form.
Information
From April till September it is rather hot, sometimes up to +38-40°C. But many shops, coffee-houses, restaurants with ventilators and conditioners help to endure heat more easily. Also all the buses, taxis and rooms in most of the hotels are equipped with conditioners.
The nature of Vietnam is amazingly rich and diverse: so diverse biotopes and landscapes provide high species diversity. Good preservation of the protected sections of mountain forests in different provinces of Vietnam allows hoping for rather good protection of rare and endangered species from extinction. Every year scientists continue to discover and describe new species of animals and plants haven't been known to the science before . The international program of investigations of the natural biotopes that are preserved in the best way in the numerous nature reserves and national parks of Vietnam permitted by mutual efforts discovering new species of deer, rabbits, squirrels, monkeys, birds, snakes, lizards and frogs for the whole world! (See photos!). Any, even the most experienced traveler, will be astonished by magnificence of various types of the mountain tropical rain forests. In the north, in some places, they are somewhat similar to the forests of the temperate zone. There you can see isolated karst sections with forests growing on the solid stone massifs, primary rain forests, drier dipterocarp forests and many others. The streams, waterfalls and lakes are very beautiful.
The Vietnamese cuisine one of the most well-balanced and healthy in the world! Only the freshest products are used in it. It contains great percent of vegetable food - dozens of species of greens, vegetables and fruits. The Vietnamese kitchen contains an incredible amount of very delicious dishes of sea and fresh-water fish, seafood, crayfish, mollusks (including oysters!), frogs. For the people who like exotic food: different insects, scorpions, snakes, eggs with embryos and many other things can be offered.
In general, in such a hot climate, when you are eating so healthy and tasty food, keeping to a right regimen, you feel better; your organism is cleaning itself and becomes healthier.
The tours to Vietnam that we offer are absolutely unique and do not have analogues. They are carried out under the aegis of the Academy of Sciences. You are invited to participate in the scientific-research expeditions to the most interesting and well preserved places of Vietnam. Your guides will be scientists from the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (Hanoi), Tula Exotarium (Russia) and other scientific institutions. You will visit the places situated far away from the popular and well-known tourist routes, will see real wild nature of the tropics, will take part in the real night-time searches of the animals that are active during the night. You will be able to make the unique photographs of fantastical insects, "nests" of frogs, sleeping birds, beautiful mushrooms, wonderful orchids and many other things. Quite possible the variant that you will find a new of science species of amphibians or reptiles by yourself, and in this case the International staff of scientists can describe it to your honour immortalizing your name.
Expedition Destinations
We offer the following places for tour-expeditions:
1. National Park Hoang Lien (the vicinity of Sa Pa settlement, Lao Cai Province, North-West Vietnam);
2. Nature Reserve Trung Khanh (Trung Khanh village, Cao Bang Province, North-East Vietnam);
3. Nature reserve Ba Be (Ba Be village, Bac Kan Province, North Vietnam);
4. Huu Lien (commune Huu Lien, Lang Son Province, North Vietnam).
5. Nature Reserve Bai Tu Long (an island nature reserve, Quang Ninh Province, the east of North Vietnam);
6. Nature Reserve Cat Ba (an island nature reserve, Quang Ninh Province, the east of North Vietnam);
7. National Park Phong Nha Ke Bang (Quang Binh Province, Central Vietnam).
In Future it will be also possible to visit other National Parks and Nature Reserves in North, Central, and in South Vietnam as well.
1. National Park Hoang Lien (400 km from Hanoi) occupies a vast territory with various landscapes at the altitudes from 700 up to 3143 m (Fan-Si-Pan mountain, the highest point of Vietnam).
A high-mountain health resort Sa Pa is situated nearby at the altitude of 1500 m. Here you can meet people of different local minorities in colourful national dresses, there is a large choice of souvenirs, a Park of stones, and quite a number of foreign tourists. If you wish you can ascend together with other tourists Fan-Si-Pan mountain, walk on other routes.
But the most interesting impressions are waiting for those who will decide to plunge into a foggy haze of the mountain forests. Here there is an incredible number of the most beautiful butterflies, many species of swallowtail butterflies and satire butterflies that occur only here and in no other place in Vietnam (photo), at night to the light come flying giant silk moths, swift-winged sphinx-moths and other moths (up to 100 species can come flying during one night!). Here also you can see amazing beetles, giant megalopters, huge hornets, etc.
The fauna of snakes and frogs is extremely diverse. Especially typical of these places are bright black-and-yellow mandarin rat snakes Euprepiophis mandarinus, nice orange Bella rat-snakes Maculophis bellus, bright-green with a red longitudinal stripe on their side Stejneger's pit-vipers, black with a yellow speckling Jerdon-Bourret's pit-vipers. And totally there are not less than 100 species of snakes here. False cobras Pseudoxenodon macrops are very unusual, they inflate their "hoods" like real cobras. From frogs the unique is the Moss frog Theloderma bicolor that has a "dotted" distribution, i.e. it is encountered only in Hoang Lien, and in no other place in the world! Here frogs with "whiskers" Vibrissaphora, with spines (for holding of females) Paa ynnanensis; venomous fire-bellied toads Bombina microdeladigitora; green with red and orange spots flying frogs Rhacophorus, waterfall frogs Amolops and others are found. Every year scientists discover more and more new species among them. Now already more than 130 species of amphibians are known here.
It is often raining, but sunny days are not rare. Clouds can create a foggy veil both during the day and at night. There are many large and small streams. Here orchids are also very diverse.
2. Nature Reserve Trung Khanh (250 km from Hanoi) has a limited area.
It is much smaller than Hoang Lien, but at the same time it has its own characteristic features that differ it from other nature reserves.
Here forest grows on karst slopes, it is amazing to see how trees grow straight from stones. There is a very small amount of soil here. It is difficult to walk, there are many hollows between stones into which it is possible to fall. But originality of this place makes you forget about this danger. Here unusual gibbons live. Every morning you can hear their shouting, and it is possible to see how they are moving among the trees. Recently here was discovered and described the snake that received its name to the honour of the place - Protobothrops trungkhanensis. Also frogs that do not occur in any other place were discovered here. Squirrels, lemurs, civets, monitor-lizards and other lizards are also found here. At night on the stones it is possible to meet eublephars Lui (Goniurosaurus luii) with pink transverse bands. Here there are also many bright unusual insects. This place is insufficiently investigated, and here a lot of discoveries are waiting for you.
3. Nature Reserve Ba Be (160 km from Hanoi).
Here there are very beautiful lakes with forested shores, many karst places. Water is very clear everywhere. Many very nice landscapes and macro-topics are waiting for the photographers. From the inhabitants of this area it is possible to mention long-nosed green racer Rhynchophis boulengeri, grey-red huge Moellendorf's racer Orthriophis moellendotffi, moss frogs Theloderma corticale, water dragons Physignathus cocincinus and many others. In different seasons it is possible to see here large cicadas, many-coloured lantern-flies, fantastic stick insects, praying mantises and brilliant dragon-flies. The fauna is also insufficiently investigated, and new for the science species can be discovered here in future.
4. Huu Lien (120 km from Hanoi).
Several years ago here was a nature reserve. At the same time, this is a commune where different minority peoples live. Their houses are very unusual - on high piles, because in the middle of rainy season the settlement can be flooded with water.
Soil, as well as stones, occupies approximately 50%. Small trees sometimes grow on completely vertical stony slopes. In spite of the pressing that is still felt from the local people, the animal world remains very rich with a certain percent of endemism. Thus, a large lizard Goniurosaurus huuliensis was described here. Only on the territory of North Vietnam flying snakes Chrysopelia ornata are encountered. There are a lot of green vine snakes Ahaetulla prasina, copper-headed racers Coelognathus radiatus, large-headed boigas Boiga guangxiensis and others. Voices of tokay geckos Gecko gecko can be heard everywhere. Among diurnal butterflies very rare ones are encountered.
You can observe how the local inhabitants accurately shoot from old arbalests, how they are processing corn with the help of very old mechanisms, and other similar things.
Among frogs no new species were found yet, but it is obvious that during more careful researches they will be discovered.
5. Nature Reserve Bei Tu Long (it includes several islands, 140 km from Hanoi, and a little bit more than 15 km by boat).
Very picturesque islands both with granite and limestone basis. Here you will be provided with very various seafood: fish of unusual shape, shrimps, mantises, crabs, mollusks and many others. Different endemic frogs, lizards, snakes, bats occur on the islands. For example, one species of lizards was discovered here for the first time just 100 years ago, but it was possible to find it here for the second time only in 2008.
Marine landscapes are extremely beautiful; there are a lot of birds. In the sea it is also possible to watch various animals. Investigations of the terrestrial fauna of these islands were only initiated.
6. Nature Reserve Cat Ba (110 km from Hanoi and 15 km by two ferry-boats).
This is a reserve with more easy access and it is visited by tourists more often. The matter is that Cat Ba island is a rather popular health resort with an excellent climate, wonderful beaches, network of hotels, restaurants and a great choice of souvenirs, among which very cheap pearl of high quality is the most popular.
Here you can also make a small sea trip either on a comfortable yacht, or on a frail motor-boat of a local inhabitant.
You will see the whole marine streets with the numbers on the ship-houses, huge fishing artels. In them you will be treated with an uncommon fish-soup cooked from dozens of fish species.
Inside the nature reserve there are special concrete paths on which it is comfortable to move at night. High stone terraces surround you from the all sides. On them there are many species of mollusks, land crabs with bright-red claws, rare hairy bird spiders, giant cave grasshoppers. Recently a unique lizard Goniurosaurus catbensis, an endemic of the island has been discovered here. Maybe, in the nearest future new for the science snakes and frogs will be found.
The landscapes with huge stone boulders around you are so different from the usual landscapes, that sometimes it seems that you are traveling on another planet.
7. Nature Reserve Phong Nha Ke Bang (560 km from Hanoi) occupies a vast territory.
The climate here differs from that of North Vietnam. The rainy season begins only at the end of August - September, and in the north it usually begins in May.
In autumn small streams turn into deep rapid rivers that it is difficult to ford, and before it was possible to jump over them.
The fauna of the nature reserve is very rich. The most interesting snakes here are horned pit vipers Protobothrops cornutus. They were considered to be nearly extinct, and here they turned out to be common species. A nice greenish pit-viper with reddish stripes Trimeresurus truongsonensis is described here. In autumn cave horned pit-vipers Triceratolepidophis sieversorum become active; they were discovered and described only in 2001. Here a beautiful snake Boiga bourreti was found for the first time; it received its name in the honour of the French herpetologist who was investigating the fauna of Vietnam during 1930-1940-s. Here there are pink-banded Dinodons that sometimes climb high up the trees, Cyclophiops multicinctus that forage for rain worms, venomous kraits Bungarus that eat up other snakes, huge king cobras Ophiophagus hannah that construct nests for incubation of eggs. Lizards are diverse - geckos, skinks, agamas and there are many endemic species among them that are not encountered in any other place. There are quite a number of frogs. They are singing beautifully at night. There are a lot of splendid butterflies. Sometimes hundreds of them accumulate in a suitable place. Stick insects, mantises, lantern-flies with long noses and wings like strewed with powder, large black cockroaches - endemics of these places are sometimes encountered at night.
In general, a lot of new pleasant impressions that you did not experience before are guaranteed! You can become a discoverer! You will see the most beautiful places of our planet; you will find animals and plants that are not encountered in any other place! You will make excellent photographs to remember the trip. Maybe, the days that you will spend in Vietnam will become the most interesting in your life.
Program
Day 1
Meeting at Noi Bei airport by Vietnamese scientists.
Transfer to Hanoi by conditionered mini-bus.
Accommodation at the "Palace Hotel" or another hotel in Hanoi.
Having rest after the flight. Dinner at a national restaurant.
Getting acquainted with interesting places of Hanoi at night (an excursion around the city, night streets, lakes and so on). Photo-shooting is possible.
Supper in a Vietnamese style.
Breakfast - Vietnamese noodle - Pho.
We continue to get acquainted with interesting places of Hanoi. Using for moving bicycle-rickshaws, motor-cycles, taxi (according to one's choice).
Visiting museums, the Institute of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Academy of Sciences of Vietnam. Photo-shooting is possible.
Dinner together with the scientists-biologists.
Taking a walk to the streets of souvenir shops. Visiting pagodas, in the evening - visiting a performance in the only in the world theatre of puppets on water. Photo- and video-shooting. An exotic supper in a national restaurant.
Getting up early. Departure by a conditionered bus to one of the National parks or Nature reserves of North Vietnam.
Breakfast at a restaurant along the way.
Dinner at a restaurant upon the arrival at the centre of the district.
Documents preparation for the nature reserve, visiting the appropriate authorities.
Accommodation at a hotel in the district centre.
Visiting places of interest of the town. Photo-shooting is possible.
Supper at a local restaurant.
Departure to the National park or Nature reserve.
Breakfast on the way (at a small restaurant).
Unloading of the outfit and equipment. Hiring the carriers. Walking to the stopping place (3-6 km) in the primordial tropical forest.
Installation of the camp (with the help of the accompanying people, foresters and other assistants) or accommodation at a bio-station (if there is one).
Equipping of the minimal conveniences: a bathroom, shower cubicle, kitchen, table, etc. The light in the camp is from a generator.
Dinner in the forest (cooked on a fire).
Choosing of the routes for the night searching (together with the local guides).
Supper in the forest.
Starting from 7 p.m. - walking of each group consisting of 2-4 persons on their routes (forest streams, paths, etc.) during 2-5 hours (depending on the physical condition). Photo-shooting.
Return to the camp. Discussing of the results of the night searching.
Tea, coffee.
Breakfast in the forest.
Routes during the day. Observing the animals and plants. Photo-shooting. The average route is 2-5 km. Long routes during the whole day are possible (15-20 km).
Dinner in the forest. According to somebody's wish, some plants and animals from this forest can be cooked (mollusks, frogs, etc. - only for non-protected species). Having rest.
Further getting acquainted with the fauna and flora under the supervision of Vietnamese and foreign scientists in the vicinity of the camp.
Supper in the forest.
Starting from 7 p.m. - night researches - each group is walking on a new route. Photo-shooting.
Return to the camp. Working with the light screen technique. Getting acquainted with the diversity of nocturnal insects.
Tea, coffee.
Breakfast in the forest.
Continuation of the zoological and botanical researches. Photo-shooting of the blooming plants, insects, landscapes. Photo-shooting of the animals that were found during the night excursions.
Dinner in the forest. Having rest.
Discussion of the results of the conducted researches.
Supper in the forest.
New night routes and observations of night butterflies and other insects using the light screen.
Breakfast in the forest.
Gathering of the things and camp. Walking to the road with the help of the carriers, guides, foresters and others.
Departure by the rested transport to another National park.
Dinner on the way (at a restaurant).
Continuation of the transfer.
A stop in another district centre.
Supper at a local restaurant.
Accommodation for the night at a hotel.
Breakfast - Pho.
Transfer by car to the place of a new stop in another National park or Nature reserve.
Walking through the forest with the help of the carriers and guides.
Accommodation at the bio-station.
Dinner at the bio-station.
Choosing of the routes for the night searching (together with the guides).
Supper in the forest.
Starting from 7 p.m. - night routes in different directions (by groups consisting of 2-4 persons) with flashlights (lighting equipment). Photo-shooting.
Any wishing person can stay at the light screen.
Tea, coffee.
Day 9
Breakfast.
Getting acquainted with the flora and fauna of the National park. Routes during the day. Photo-shooting.
Dinner in the forest.
Rest, photo-shooting, excursions.Supper.
Night excursions on the streams and observations at the light screen.
Day 10
The same schedule as on day 9.
Day 11
Breakfast.
Gathering of the things and equipment.
Walking with the help of the guides to the road. Loading on the transport.
Return to Hanoi.
Dinner at a restaurant on the way.
Accommodation in Hanoi at the same hotel.
Supper.
Breakfast.
Visiting the exotic restaurants, snakes' villages.
Discussion at the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources of the preliminary scientific results of this research excursion.
Dinner together with the scientists. Departure to the airport (in case of a morning flight the final supper with the scientists and the simultaneous summarizing of the results are organized together).
Services
- Hotel accommodation in a double room in Hanoi
- One night hotel accommodation in a double room in the centre of the district of the second nature park
- Accommodation in the national park in special huts or houses of the local people or in tents with minimum comfort
- Meals Day 1-12
- All transfers
- Sightseeing in Hanoi
- Entrance fees
- If necessary, boat trips in the nature reserves
- Monitoring Team and Support Team
- Necessary Equipment
Not included in the price:
- International airfare
- Additional accommodation expenses
- Cost of additional accommodation at a hotel in Hanoi, if necessary
- Cost of the visa
- Private insurance
Things to know
- For detailed explanations to the degrees of difficulty please follow this link: Explanation to the degrees of difficulty
- Information about visa and entry regulations, health information and tips for equipment, see this link: Things to know-1
- Please note our information about possible exchange rate fluctuations: Exchange rate fluctuation
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