Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask reception where it will take place. We'll be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you bring these details to provide to your leader. If you arrive early in Hanoi, there’s plenty to see and do. Consider booking the Hanoi Highlights Urban Adventure with an expert local guide to introduce you to the city. Start by visiting the Temple of Literature, drop into a traditional tea house, learn the stories of the Hoa Lo Prison museum and finish among the temples at Hoan Kiem Lake. Alternatively, take it at your own pace and wander the Old Quarter and admire the city’s French-colonial architecture, relax in a park, or enjoy some street food. ...

Today is a long travelling day. First you will take a private bus from Hanoi to Lao Cai, near the border with China. Meet your Chinese leader at the Hekou border crossing. From there, take a taxi to the bus station and board your bus to Menzgi. Transfer to your hotel and settle in. Spend your free evening kicking back and relaxing – or perhaps head out for a taste of the famous Yunnan rice noodles which originated here.

This town is known for its French architecture – notice the simple, stately aesthetic of the European buildings, with their soft yellow facades and tiled roofs which set them apart from the Chinese and modern structures around them. Today you will visit the Bisezhai Station, the finest surviving station on the French-built Vietnam-Kunming railway. Learn about its history from your local Chinese leader. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you please - the Nanhu Park area is great for a wander.

Travel by private bus to Yuanyang (approximately 3 hours). If you're a keen photographer, you're in luck, as this is one picturesque destination. This place is famous for its beautiful rice terraces, idyllic rural scenery and the unique ethnic minority cultures. Some 88% of Yuanyang County belongs to ethnic minorities; the Hani and Yi people created the ornate rice terraces that impress so many visitors. We are staying right inside the Duoyishu Scenic Area. The terraces here are considered a superior spot to photograph the sunrise. 

Be sure to wear comfortable shoes today for your trek around the rice terraces with a local guide (approximately 4 hours). You'll be able to take it at a leisurely pace and enjoy the scenery. Most of the paths go through villages, which makes it easy to stop for a break. Special Information

Travel by private bus to Jianshui (approximately 3.5 hours). Jianshui County is a city in Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan province. With a 1,200-year history and a distinct cultural heritage, the ancient town is a veritable outdoor museum of magnificent buildings. Many of these date back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. You will set out on a walking tour of the city and visit the Zhu Family Garden, as well as the incredible Confucius Temple.

Visit Tuanshan Village, a cultural village of the Qing Dynasty that's still intact. You'll learn a little more about the Yi minority as you explore. It's a fascinating window to the China of the past. In the afternoon and evening, enjoy some free time.

Today we travel to Kunming (approximately 3-4 hours). Stop at the geological wonder of the Stone Forest on the way. The Forest covers an area of 400 square kilometres (96,000 acres) and includes both large and small clusters of towering limestone pillars, as well as many other scenic spots. An old local saying says that 'If you have visited Kunming without seeing the Stone Forest, you have wasted your time'. Truly, the site is one of the most important attractions of Yunnan.

Free time to explore this large but laidback city today. The 1,000-year-old Yuantong temple is most definitely worth a visit. This evening, around 6.30 pm, you will board your overnight train to Guangzhou (approximately 19 hours). Special Information

Arrive at the station in Guangzhou at approximately 11 am. From here you will transfer to Guangzhou East Station to board your day train to Hong Kong (approx 2 hours, including customs and immigration). Your bags will be with you for the duration. You will walk the short distance from the train station to the border, go through procedures to exit China, then enter Hong Kong. Once all that's done, travel on the KCR train to central Hong Kong. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy a free evening checking out the sights and lights of Hong Kong.

Reclaimed by China from Britain in 1997, Hong Kong remains an intriguing place to explore, with a spectacular, fast-paced cityscape, and islands and beaches on its doorstep. Enjoy a walking tour of the city and take a scenic journey across to Hong Kong Island on the famous Star Ferry. This gives you beautiful views of the harbour and surrounding areas. The rest of the day is yours. Perhaps ride the Peak Tram – the only way to truly experience Hong Kong's wonders. In the evening, gather your group to celebrate your final night and watch the harbour's spectacular light show – a spectacle of laser beams and searchlights synchronised to music and narration.

Your trip comes to an end today, with no further activities planned.