Fly from Ho Chi Minh City to Dalat as a stopover on your Vietnam vacation. Dalat is an oddity, but a delightful one. While tropical heat and Socialist architecture define much of Vietnam, mild temperatures and colonial architecture are more Dalat’s beat. You’ll think you were in the French Alps instead of Southeast Asia, which makes sense as the French built the city in the early twentieth century as a resort getaway. Today, the city is Vietnam’s honeymoon capital, which leans into its European heritage with its eccentric Eiffel Tower-themed radio tower and “Valley of Love,” complete with swan boats. Dalat might ring as kitschy to some, but a few days here will be a highlight of any trip to Vietnam. Explore the city centre to take in the city’s oddball charms, including the Hang Nga Guesthouse, dubbed the “Crazy House” for its Alice in Wonderland-style architecture. However, you’ll want to escape to the surrounding hillsides to get a fuller sense of the region’s appeal.
The hills around Dalat are dotted with pagodas, waterfalls, picturesque inclines, as well as plantations for fruits not normally grown in Vietnam. For instance, temperatures and elevations allow farmers to grow strawberries instead of rice. Hire one of the veteran motorbike guides, dubbed Easy Riders, to drive you around for an authentic experience of the city and its region. It might be unconventional, but it’ll allow you access to sights not normally offered in Vietnam tour packages, and you’ll get amazing information from a guide with a wealth of experience. The surrounding hills and lakes are also ideal if you want to whitewater raft or race through the hills on the back of a motorcycle.
What to Expect
On your maiden visit to the Big Apple, be sure to allow a minimum of three days so you can take a breath and enjoy all the city has to offer without being in transit every moment of your trip. The following will only scratch the surface of what to expect but will arm you with information to feel confident during your time in New York City.
Day 1: Arrival – Transfer To hotel
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, Meet and Greet with our professional representatives and have the approximately 45 minutes’ drive to Gran Melia Hotell in Arusha Town for check inn, refresh, relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park
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After breakfast, you drive to Lake Manyara National Park, one of the Rift Valley’s most famous lakes and home to impressive concentrations of birds and large mammals. Lake Manyara is a beautiful little park famous for its tree-climbing lions, elephants and large troops of baboons. In addition, the park is home to a fantastic variety of birds and animals, considering its small size. A short visit to this serene park will significantly diversify your safari experience. Later on, drive to Africa Safari Lake Manyara (comfort tent) for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Lake Manyara to Serengeti National Park
Today our journey continues as we head from the edge of the Serengeti to its very heart…. But now Serengeti beckons, so we continue to run east Seronera to Moru into what is undoubtedly the world’s most excellent park.
At times this unsurpassable place is home to over 1.6 million herbivores and the thousands of predators who stalk them. Their fascinating habits and habitats will provoke questions, so do ask your driver guide to explain the fantastic creatures you see all around you. Late in the evening, drive back to your accommodation; Africa’s sights, sounds, and smells will continue to enchant you on this wilderness adventure. Dinner and overnight at Embalakai C
Day 4: Serengeti National Park
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Waking up in the Serengeti is something extraordinary. Africa’s sights, sounds, and smells are all around us and ahead is a full day of adventure in the world’s most famous national park. Pick your packed breakfast and lunch with your morning section of game drive in Serengeti National Park, marvelling at the stunning scenery, ever-changing light, and entertaining wildlife, all explained by your expert driver-guide.
After our picnic lunch, we searched for wildlife in this awe-inspiring park again. Serengeti’s wonders evolve subtly as the day progresses. The myriad animals and birds are the ‘stars of the show’, and Nature’s dramas can unfold at any time. But, of course, the animals don’t work to any schedule so we may find a lion or a leopard, elephant, zebra, cheetah, or antelope on our drives. Finally, evening returns at Embalakai Camp for dinner ad overnight.
Day 5: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater
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The exciting sounds of Africa will rouse you from your sleep. We make the most of the day with a 08:00 start, heading off on our morning game drive. Later, the adventure will continue when we travel up to Ngorongoro, another African icon safari destination.
After a pleasant picnic lunch, it’s time to drive eastwards to visit another spectacular setting for Tanzania’s wildlife, the famous Ngorongoro Crater. Settle in at Rhino Lodge on arrival while a tasty, hot dinner is prepared for you and over night
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater to Kilimanjaro / Arusha Airport – Zanzibar
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Today there will be plenty of time to enjoy another true spectacle of wildlife and scenic beauty before your flight back home- Ngorongoro Crater is often referred to as a wonder of the world.
First, the volcanic caldera (the world’s largest) is full of grassland, forest, and swamp, a setting of jaw-dropping beauty. Secondly, the permanent water of the Crater floor supports a resident population of more than 25,000 large mammals. Elephant, lion, leopard, hyena, jackal, wallowing hippo, waterbuck, baboons… even the rare black rhino finds shelter here.
Later on, drive back to Arusha, arriving in time for drop off as the end of your African safari adventure at Kilimanjaro International Airport and start beach vacation journey. Arrive at Zanzibar International Airport, Meet and Greet with our professional representatives and have the approximately 1 hour 20 minutes’ drive to Royal Hotel in north coast for check inn, refresh, relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Beach Relax & Leisure
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After your delicious breakfast have your full day relax at the beach and Pool, and you will have own option to participate in different sea sports programs at your hotel.
Day 8: Private Mnemba Atoll & Sunset Dhow Cruise
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Early breakfast at hotel then have 0100hr drive to Matemwe village, boat ride to Zanzibar famous Mnemba atoll for snorkeling & Dolphin spotting 80% sightseeing and swimming with them, spend time at sandbank taste, fruits, and drinks & sea food then later in the evening get ready for a 2 hour private sailing leisure sunset cruise around the island on a traditional Zanzibar dhow allowing you to experience what ancient travel means.. While sailing on a wooden dhow you will be able to view beautiful sunset of the Island while enjoying entertainments like Zanzibar tunes of local music, snacks, tropical fruit, juice, ice-cold soft drinks & smoothes then sail to lagoon back to hotel relax at the beach/pool dinner and over night.
Day 9: Beach Relax & Leisure
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After your delicious breakfast have your full day relax at the beach and Pool, and you will have own option to participate in different sea sports programs at your hotel.
Day 10: Private Traditional Spice Tour & Baraka Turtle Aquarium
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Early breakfast at hotel then have a 30 mins drive to a spice tour here you will explore, see, touch, smell and taste variety of Spices, Herbs, Fruits & get a chance to see a coconut climber singing “Jambo song” dancing on the top afterwards enjoy coconut cola juice then have 1hr 30 mins drive to Baraka Aquariums, here you will get to experience best turtles aquarium and have a chance to see, feed and swim with them in their natural environment you may take pictures, then back to hotel, refresh, relax, dinner & overnight.
Day 11: Departure
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After your delicious breakfast and checkout have a road drive from Hotel to Zanzibar Airport/ Ferry Terminal for your journey back home.
