Itineraries - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 50

Start in Chiang Mai , where every activity known to athletes - mountain biking, kayaking,
abseiling, trekking, ziplining - has a following. Take the winding road to Pai , a mountain
retreat that proves the hippy trail is alive and well. Then head on to Tha Ton , the entry
point for rafting trips down to Chiang Rai , itself a good base for responsible trekking.
Cross into Laos and check out the Gibbon Experience at Bokeo Nature Reserve before
heading for Luang Nam Tha . Spend a day or two trekking with the award-winning Nam
Ha Ecoguide Service, before continuing to Muang Sing , surrounded by diverse minority
villages.
Head south to beautiful Luang Prabang on the banks of the Mekong to soak up the
culture, before boomeranging north once more to Nong Khiaw . From here an adventur-
ous overland trail runs east to Vietnam via Vieng Xai and the Pathet Lao Caves, a sort of
Cu Chi Tunnels cast in stone. Once over the border in Mai Chau , try the northwest loop
through Dien Bien Phu to experience incredible scenery and dramatic mountain passes.
Sapa , an old French hill station, is the gateway to the minority communities of this re-
gion. Consider a side trip to Bac Ha , home to the colourful Flower Hmong folk and great
walking country. Head south to Hanoi , where you'll appreciate that you bought ethnic
souvenirs from the minority people and not in the designer boutiques of the Old Quarter.
Still haven't had your fill of adventure? Set off for Halong Bay . Take to the waters of
Lan Ha Bay by local boat to see the 'new' Halong Bay without the tourists. Boating,
kayaking and camping are possible, and there are some beautiful hidden coves. Then
leave the water behind and head to the spectacular limestone outcrops of Cat Ba Island .
Experienced craggers will find challenging routes here, and there's instruction available
for novice climbers as well.