Revised Itinerary

Dear Fusionoizees,

5 agents responded to our ITQ (invitation to quote) according to our earlier proposed itinerary. Some are downright ridiculous eg. quoting to charge us $1600!!!! Others are plain funny like thinking we are going on a TOUR! So I have narrowed down the 5 based on 1. pricing (cheapest) 2. safety (provide safety jeep & travel insurance & departure tax) 3. adventure element (providing bikes & kayaks).

After much THINKING AND THINKING AND THINKING, I have decided to switch ADVENTUROUS JOURNEY & RESIDENTIAL PROJECT to be conducted in our days in Sapa.

Firstly, the reason is that the 4D3N in Sapa requires trekking and biking over long distances, it is practically impossible to carry out any Residential Project. You leave early in the morning and get to your destination by dusk. Yet the activities we have performed already fulfil the adventurous journey requirements. I felt it should be better taken as adventurous journey.

Secondly, 4D3N of kayaking in Halong Bay is too strenuous and a bit meaningless if you don't have a purpose. Yet it is hard to construct residential projects in Halong Bay because of its really a fishing port and popular tourist destination.

Thirdly, we can cut down on the number of days kayaking in Halong Bay and use the extra 2 days to do a Residential project in Sapa town itself. I have proposed to the agent to get us in touch with the local primary school where we can either construct a small library, conduct some campcraft activities or organise a soccer tournament. The school is small and basic, the kids are young (7-8 years old) and there is a barren soccer field in the middle of Sapa town.

So, the revised itinerary after talking to BIG FOOT ADVENTURE PTE LTD is as follows:

Day 1
1 Dec/Fri: SIN - HANOI, HANOI - LAO CAI
- TR308 1745/2010
- 2210: sleeper non-aircon 4 pax per cabin overnight train to Lao Cai
> Services: transfer, tour guide, train ticket & meal (D)

ADVENTUROUS JOURNEY
______________________
Day 2
2 Dec/Sat: LAO CAI - SAPA - BAN HO
Adventurous Journey Day 1
0600 - Arrive in Lao Cai and wash up
0800 - trekking to villages of Su Pan, Thanh Phu, Ban Ho. Delivery of stationeries.
1800 - overnight in Ban Ho (village homestay; no tourists pls)
> Services: Transfer, tour guide, home-stay permit & meals (B+L+D)

Day 3
3 Dec/Sun: BAN HO - SAPA
Adventurous Journey Day 2
0800 - full day trekking to Seo Trung Ho, Ta Trung Ho & back to Sapa
1800 - overnight in Sapa (Son Ha Guesthouse)
> Services: Tour guide, guesthouse & meals (B+L+D)

Day 4
4 Dec/Mon: LAO CAI - SAPA - BINH LU
Adventurous Journey Day 3
0800 - biking to Binh Lu, Phong Tho & Tam Duong.
1800 - overnight in Binh Lu (village homestay; no tourists)
> Services: Tour guide, bikes, standby jeep, home-stay permit, & meals (B+L+D)

Day 5
5 Dec/Tue: BINH LU - SAPA
Adventurous Journey Day 4
0800 - biking from Binh Lu back to Sapa
1500 - overnight in Sapa (Son Ha Guesthouse)
> Services: Tour guide, bikes, standby jeep, guesthouse, & meals (B+L+D)

RESIDENTIAL PROJECT
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Day 6
6 Dec/Wed: SAPA
Residential Project Day 1
0800 - 1700 - Setting up library in Sapa town primary school
> Service: guesthouse & meals (B+L+D). Pls arrange for us to work with Sapa town primary school to set up a small library for them.

Day 7
7 Dec/Thu: SAPA - LAO CAI - HANOI
Residential Project Day 2
0800 - 1700 - Student activities in Sapa town primary school
2210: sleeper non-aircon 4 pax per cabin overnight train to Hanoi
>Services: guesthouse & meals (B+L+D). Pls arrange for us to conduct some small-scale activities with the children from Sapa town primary school.

ADVENTUROUS JOURNEY
________________________
Day 8
8 Dec/Fri:
HANOI - HALONG BAY
0600 - arrive in Hanoi & wash up
0730 - Transfer to Halong Bay
1100 - Transfer to junk boat. Kayaking in Halong Bay
1900 - Night kayaking
2100 - overnight in junk boat
> Services: tour guide, bus, boat, entrance fees, kayaking & meals (B+L+D)

Day 9
9 Dec/Sat: HALONG BAY - HANOI
0800 - return to Halong Bay & transfer to Hanoi
1200 - arrive in Hanoi
1300 - R&R
> Services: Transfers, tour guide, bus, boat, meals (B+L) & Hanoi lodging

REST & RELAX
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Day 10
10 Dec/Sun: HANOI - SIN
1810 - transfer from guest house to airport
2040 - TR309 2040/0100
> Services: transfer to airport & meals (B+D)

The agent will revert to me by end of the week for the final quotes. Then I will finalise the letters to your parents towards the end of your prelims. We should finalise all admin by the week the prelim ends.