Compare Ultimate Alaska & The Yukon by Tours4Fun vs Vietnam Signature Tour In 13 Days by Realistic Asia

Day 1 ARRIVE IN ANCHORAGE, ALASKA

Welcome to Alaska! Meet your Tour Director between 3 pm and 7 pm in the hotel reception area.

Day 2 ANCHORAGE - WASILLA - TALKEETNA - ALASKA RAILROAD - DENALI NATIONAL PARK

WASILLA Visit the Iditarod Headquarters. Scenic drive to Talkeetna, the starting point for climbers attempting to summit Denali, North America's highest peak at 20,320 feet.
ALASKA RAILROAD Scenic train ride to Denali National Park.
DENALI NATIONAL PARK [LF] Dinner at Murie Science & Learning Center includes a presentation by a local Naturalist. (B,D)

Day 3 DENALI NATIONAL PARK

DENALI NATIONAL PARK Tundra Wilderness tour in the park with a naturalist driver guide. Free time this evening. (B,L)

ENHANCE YOUR FREE TIME in Denali with a photo workshop. This and more options throughout your tour are available for purchase with MyGlobus. Get local maps and tips for free time on your GlobusGO mobile app.

Day 4 DENALI NATIONAL PARK - FAIRBANKS

DENALI NATIONAL PARK Free time this morning. Lunch at the [LF] 49th State Brewery to taste some local specialties and play Alaska lawn-games. Scenic drive to Fairbanks in the heart of Alaska's interior.
FAIRBANKS Orientation drive followed by free time this evening. (B,L)

Day 5 FAIRBANKS

FAIRBANKS Discovery sternwheeler scenic river cruise on the Chena River. Visit a Chena Indian Village. Visit the University of Alaska - Fairbanks Museum and stop at the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline. Free time this evening. (B)

Day 6 FAIRBANKS - DAWSON CITY, YUKON

FAIRBANKS Scenic drive over the Top of the World Highway to enter Canada's Yukon Territory, passing through the town of Chicken en route to Dawson City.
DAWSON CITY Evening at Diamond Tooth Gerties featuring ragtime music, can-can dancers, and an old-fashioned casino. (B)

Day 7 DAWSON CITY

DAWSON CITY Guided sightseeing includes the Klondike Gold Rush Claim #1, where the first gold strike was made, and the Robert Service Interpretive Center to learn of the numerous poems and ballads he composed while exploring this remote area. Free time this afternoon and evening. (B)

Day 8 DAWSON CITY - WHITEHORSE

DAWSON CITY Scenic drive following the trail of gold seekers includes Five Finger Rapids en route to Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon.
WHITEHORSE Free time this evening. (B)

Day 9 WHITEHORSE

WHITEHORSE Guided sightseeing includes the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre, home to Ice Age giants. See the historic SS Klondike Riverboat. Visit with Iditarod and Yukon Quest trainers and huskies at [LF] Muktuk Adventures dogsled facility, followed by a special Taste of the Yukon dinner. (B,D)

Day 10 WHITEHORSE - TOK, ALASKA

WHITEHORSE Scenic drive past Kluane National Park, home to Canada's highest peak, Mount Logan at 19,625 feet en route to Tok, known as the "Dog Sled Capital of the World."
TOK Free time this evening. (B)

Day 11 TOK - VALDEZ

TOK Scenic drive past Thompson Pass, Worthington Glacier, and Bridal Veils Falls en route to Valdez, known as the "Switzerland of Alaska." .
VALDEZ Visit the Valdez Museum to learn of the areas Native Culture, early explorers, the 1898 Gold Rush, and the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake. Free time this evening. (B)

Day 12 VALDEZ - WHITTIER - ANCHORAGE

VALDEZ Scenic cruise through Prince William Sound to Whittier includes a close look at the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Terminal, many massive glaciers, and abundant sea life.
ANCHORAGE Farewell dinner this evening en route to Anchorage. (B,L,D)

Day 13 ANCHORAGE

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Day 1: Welcome To Vietnam - Hanoi Arrival

Your Vietnam adventure begins with your arrival in Hanoi. Your private driver will meet you at the airport, holding a signboard with your name. He will escort you to your accommodation right in the heart of the city, with the fascinating Old Quarter at your fingertips. You can easily explore the city at your own pace or relax at the hotel after the flight.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Immerse Yourself In A Lost World - Hoa Lu Tam Coc

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Today you will experience the ancient culture and history of Vietnam together with seeing the stunning landscape and beautiful scenery when we travel to the Ninh Binh Province. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel around 7:30-8:00 am and depart to Ninh Binh province.

The first destination to visit is Hoa Lu ancient capital. Here you will explore the outstanding architecture of King Dinh and King Le temples, the first emperors of ancient Vietnam.

Then move to Tam Coc wharf, where you will have lunch with Vietnamese food. And then board the rowing boat and cruise along the river through the limestone caves. After the boat trip, you will take a cycling trip around the idyllic village through the rice fields to explore the surrounding sceneries. Then come back to the shuttle bus to return to your hotel in Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3: Immerse Yourself In Hanoi Street Food Tour

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Your expert English-speaking local guide will give you an insight into the intricacies and traditions of Vietnamese food culture including details on the ingredients and historical backgrounds of popular northern dishes. We eat as we go, trying seasonal fruits and sampling a tasty French-inspired snack from a street cart.

Walking through the maze of bustling streets that make up Hanoi’s Old Quarter, we tempt our taste buds with the famed Hanoi dish such as Bun Cha Hanoi, and Banh Cuon at a local eatery. Watch in awe as the skilled chefs demonstrate to you how this tasty dish is put together. Continuing into the atmospheric heart of the Old Quarter, we wander past street stalls and quiet residential lanes where you can observe local life that has changed little since Hanoi was founded over 1000 years ago.

Our next two snack stops are at outdoor barbecue stalls. We sit down with the Hanoi locals and sample various meat, vegetable, and bread specialties that are flame-grilled over hot coals for extra flavor. It’s then time for dessert as we venture down a small alley to join in the local tradition of feasting on fresh fruit served in a cup and smothered with crushed iced and condensed milk – this specialty is one not to be missed!

Your local guide will then take you to one of Hanoi’s best-kept secrets, a hidden street food restaurant to taste the top ten street foods in Hanoi Banh My Hanoi, Vietnamese Rice Wine, and famous Egg Coffee. This hard-to-find café is one of the few left in the narrow street inside the old quarter of Hanoi. Or, if coffee is not your style, a cold beer awaits! At the end of the trip you are free to continue exploring the area or your guide will assist you with directions or a taxi back to your hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 4: Hanoi - Sapa - Rekking Through The Colorful Lao Chai Village

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Get early and take a limousine bus to Sapa. Upon arrival to Sapa, you will have lunch and some rest. Around 14:00 you will begin your 12 km trek on small trails down the Muong Hoa Valley toward the Black Hmongs' village of Lao Chai. On the way, you will enjoy some of the most beautiful views of terraced fields in Asia. Continue trekking down to the bottom of the Valley to go to the Dzay tribe village of Ta Van. Here you will experience the local lifestyle when you stay in a local family's cottage for dinner and overnight.

Overnight in Sapa.

Day 5: Wonderful Ta Van - Giang Ta Chai - Back To Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Wake up early to enjoy the village life on your own and have breakfast.

After breakfast, you will start your trek to Giang Ta Chai village of the Red Dzao tribe. You will learn the difference in the lifestyle of the different tribes in Sapa. Continue your trek through the amazing paths with breathtaking scenery to the waterfall. Stop for a picnic lunch and rest. Then head to the main road, where the bus picks you up and transfers you to Sapa. From here you will depart to Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 6: Cruising To The Spectacular Halong Bay

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

In the morning, check out of the hotel, and get picked up by the Cruise team. Take the most scenic route to reach Halong Bay, taking you across the Red River Delta with emerald green rice paddies stretching for as far as the eyes can see. On arrival at the pier, you will board the cruise and enjoy the fantastic views of limestone rocks and the karst grottoes. Have an utterly delicious seafood lunch and enjoy the time at the sundeck exploring the Bay. The cruise will stop in a secret place where you will spend time kayaking or swimming, so you can explore the karst grottoes closer. Towards the evening, you will return to the boat for an early dinner, followed by some time at leisure. You can optionally attend the activities taking part on the boat or just relax. Overnight on cruise. Note: In case of bad weather (the boat is not allowed to push off or not allowed to overnight in the sea), the Ha Long bay tour could be cancelled without notice. We will consider other replacement tours or a refund based on the specific circumstances.

Day 7: Wake Up With The Dragon In The Bay - Flight To Hoi An

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Rise early today to view the sunrise at the wonder of nature with breakfast served in the dining room. A Tai Chi class on the sun deck will awaken your mind and muscles.

Then head off to visit the limestone cave full of stalagmites and stalactites. After your exploration return to the boat to check out and enjoy the brunch while the cruise is sailing back to the harbor. Later you will be transferred to your accommodation in Hanoi.

Then, taking the flight to Hoi An. Check in at your hotel and be free in your leisure time to get your energy back.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 8: Being A Local In One Day

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Today your English-speaking guide will meet you at the hotel around 8:00 am and take you for a cycle trip to the countryside and rivers around Hoi An. As you meander through the countryside, you will experience the friendliness of the local people greeting you along the way and enjoy the beautiful views of the neighbourhood. After that, you will board a boat for a river cruise to meet and engage with local fishermen. Enjoy a hands-on experience of traditional net fishing. Later, you will take a paddle boat trip in a unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boat down the waterways of a coconut palm paradise. After the boat trip, have delicious lunch and cycle back to your hotel.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 9: Travel From Hoi An To Hue

Meals: Breakfast

Have breakfast at the hotel then enjoy a scenic transfer from Hoi An to Hue with a private vehicle via the magnificent Hai Van Pass. Also known as “The Cloudy Pass” this winding mountain road overlooks the lush countryside, sandy beaches, and the blue waters of the East Sea. Then cool off in the East Sea at Lang Co Beach. Arrive at your accommodation in Hue and enjoy your lovely evening.

Overnight in Hue.

Day 10: Hue City Tour - Fly To Ho Chi Minh City

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Hue City is the cultural, political, and economic center of the Thua Thien Hue province, and used to be an old imperial city of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty. During this time, the most remarkable architectural monuments were constructed, which now are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Your guide will meet you at your hotel around 8:00-8:30 am.

Start your exploration with the boat trip on the Perfume River to Thien Mu pagoda, which is the oldest pagodas in Hue. Then visit the Imperial Citadel, where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Here you will also visit the Royal Antiques Museum to see the collection of ornaments from the Nguyen dynasty. Then head to the bustling Dong Ba market.

Have delicious Vietnamese lunch. In the afternoon, we will head to Khai Dinh’s Tomb, which combines traditional Vietnamese style with a European touch, making it unique from the other tombs in Hue. Then explore Minh Mang's Tomb, which represents the Confucian style. On the way, you will also visit conical hats and incense sticks villages.

Arrive back at your hotel around 4: 00 - 4: 30 pm. Then transfer to the airport and take a flight from Hue to Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Day 11: Discover Fascinating Cu Chi Tunnels

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Have breakfast at the hotel and depart for Cu Chi tunnels. The trip will take approximately one and a half hours drive. Upon arrival, you will have a short introduction followed by an introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed, and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of wartime.

Then, spend your time exploring the remaining area and tunnel systems, which included the living areas, kitchens, and bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers. All this was to help people living inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purposes during the war. Afterwards, special tea and cassava (guerilla food during the war) will be served. Then you will return to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Day 12: Explore The "Rice Bowl Of Vietnam" - Mekong Delta

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Kickstart your day with a hearty breakfast, and a trip to Mekong Delta follows. The guide will meet you at the hotel lobby around 7:15-7:30 am, and you will head to My Tho, which lies on the left side of the Mekong River.

Upon arrival, board the sampan and cruise down the river around the four beautiful islands, known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise islands. Stop at Unicorn Island, walk around the country lanes and see the orchards. Visit fruit plantations and enjoy tropical fruits and folk song music performed by the local people. Then take a hand-rowed sampan through Thoi Son canal and immerse yourself in the beauty of the countryside. Visit family workshops and honey-bee farms, and taste some honey tea and coconut candies. Refuel yourself with a traditional Vietnamese lunch, and later cycle around the Tan Thach village, and meet the local villagers to experience the local daily life in the Mekong Delta. If you are not keen on a cycling trip, enjoy a cool breeze and a relaxing time in a hammock. Afterward, you will get back to your accommodation.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Day 13: Time To Say Goodbye - Ho Chi Minh Departure

Meals: Breakfast

Relish a healthy breakfast on the final day of your trip. Complete the hotel check-out formalities after which you can visit the local markets and buy souvenirs for your loved ones. Later, proceed for departure and board your flight back home.