With this Sapa trekking tour you will enjoy stunning mountain scenery, visit the colourful hill-tribe people and explore the Bac Ha market – one of the most interesting ethnic markets in Vietnam and possibly everywhere in South East Asia. Sunday is market day in Bac Ha, which is the occasion for the various local ethnics to gather in huge crowds to exchange the last news, gossip, shop, and eat a copious lunch. It is visibly a festive event. You will be surrounded in a sea of color, and have the feeling to be on a movie set. Everyone is excited. Join us and experience yourself.
NIGHT 1: HA NOI – LAO CAI STATION BY TRAIN
This evening you will be picked up from your hotel lobby by our representative for a short transfer to Hanoi Train Station for the overnight train to Lao Cai, the gateway to Sapa (9 hour duration). Settle down for an early night to try and get as much sleep as possible for your first day of trekking as you will be woken up around 5h00am on arrival to Sapa.
Stay overnight on the train in a comfortable soft sleeper compartment (4 berth, air-conditioned compartment).
DAY 1: LAO CAI – SAPA TREKKING TO Y LINH HO – LAO CHAI & TA VAN VILLAGE (B, L, D)
06h00: Arrive in Lao Cai Train Station, set off to meet your tour guide and driver then take a drive of 40km for over an hour drive uphill toSapa. This town is a former French hill resort and home to some of Vietnam’s most colorful ethnic groups.
07h30: Arrive at your hotel (hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in only. Early check-in can be arranged subject to availability on your arrival).
Freshen up and have breakfast.
09h30: Depart from your hotel for 6km of walking down to the South-east of Sapa along the side of Muong Hoa valley to visit Y Linh Ho, a village inhabited by the H’mong minority. This is a great opportunity to take photographs of hereditary terraces that are estimated around 100 years old. Continue a 2km-trekking down to visit Lao Chai village where you will visit the H’mong home town.
12h30: Stop for a rest and light picnic lunch in a local village. It gives you a worth chance to learn about the local house architecture which is full of their daily life styles and exclusive custom.
After lunch and a relaxing break, gear up for another trek through rice paddy fields and spectacular scenery to visit Ta Van village of the Dzay minority people.
At the end of the trek, transfer by road back to Sapa.
15h30: Arrive at your hotel and check in. Time to relax or wander around the town and visit Sapa ethnic market on your own.
Rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure.
NIGHT 2: Stay overnight at hotel in Sapa town.
(Trekking: approximately 12 Kilometers).
DAY 2: SAPA TREKKING TO CAT CAT & SIN CHAI VILLAGE – SAPA (B, L, D)
07h00-09h00: Have breakfast at hotel.
09h30: Take a walk down to the South-west of Sapa (around 4km) to visit Cat Cat village of the Black H’mong. Here you will see traditional H’mong homes at their best, and you will be able to meet a H’mong family to learn more about their way of life. The village is also the perfect place to see traditional clothing being made, hemp being dyed and women weaving.
Relax at the foot of the stunning waterfall and the vestige of a hydroelectric power station that was constructed by the French during the colonial time in Vietnam.
12h30: Enjoy picnic lunch by the side of the river.
After lunch and break journey on 3km trekking to Sin Chai village – located at the foot of Fansipan Mountain known as “the roof of Vietnam and Indochina”. Visit the village, where community based tourism in Sapa takes place is inhabited by the black Hmong minority. This village is a little off the usual trekking route and less visited, but offers the opportunity to see traditional wooden homes built using the indigenous Pumu tree.
14h30: Transfer back to Sapa town. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.
Have dinner and stay overnight in Sapa town.
NIGHT 3: Stay overnight at hotel in Sapa town.
(Trekking: approximately 7 Kilometers).
DAY 3: SAPA – BAC HA MARKET (SUNDAY ONLY) – LAO CAI STATION – NIGHT TRAIN TO HANOI (B, L, D)
07h00-07h45: Have breakfast at hotel and check out.
08h00: You will be picked up for a drive of 110km (2.5 hours) to Bac Ha Market. The road to Bac Ha winds around mountains and through valleys, taking in the picturesque scenery of the Vietnamese hinterland.
Arrive Bac Ha at about 10h00 at the most crowded time of the market which is very active and colorful thanks to the traditional dresses of the tribal peoples, especially of the Flower H’mong. You will join the locals at the market for your own discovery, taking a lot of photos as well as enjoying funs.
Have lunch in a local restaurant where a variety of foods are available for your delectation and delight. You can even try the traditional local lunch of Thang Co (horse stew) and strong corn wine!
After lunch you will be driven to Ban Pho village where you can take a short walk around the village where Flower H’mong, Tay and Nung minorities live. We are invited to enter several local houses to have some green tea, corn wine, and listen to the host talking about their family, talk to them … Say goodbye to the host and transfer downhill to Lao Cai station for the night train to Hanoi (your overnight train departs before 22h00).
NIGHT 4: Stay overnight on the train in a comfortable soft sleeper compartment (4 berth, air-conditioned compartment).
(Trekking: approximately 7 Kilometers).
Early arrival in Hanoi around 5h00am next day then transfer to your hotel or central Hanoi for onward departure.
PRICE INCLUDES:
– Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle as tour program indicated.
– Two way train tickets based on first class 4 berth shared cabin with air-conditioner (Soft sleeper wooden cabin).
– Entrance fees for mentioned visits.
– Local English speaking guide (for other languages and a national guide supplements apply).
– Meals as mentioned in program (B = Breakfast, L= Lunch, D=Dinner).
– Accommodation as program in a shared twin or shared double room.
PRICE EXCLUDES:
– Other meals than mentioned.
– Other services than mentioned.
– Laundry, telephone calls and expenditure of a personal nature.
– Travel insurance, Tips and emergency transfers.
– Drinks with meals.
– Early check-in and late check-out at hotels, if not mentioned in the program.
– Surcharge for New Year or Holiday seasons.
– The price above is based on two persons sharing one room. If you prefer a single room on your own, please pay single room supplement.
NOTES:
– Prices may vary according to your travel time and are higher in the high season, e.g. Christmas period (Dec 24-26), New Year period (Dec 31-Jan 02) and Public holidays of Vietnam.
– For additional hotel night cost to the packages, please contact us for the rates.
– This tour package can be fully customizable to fit your travel plan. You can also disregard full package tours and choose whatever travel items you need we can quote the tours you really want. Usually travel insurance is not covered in our quotations.
– Keep your luggage and money by yourself.
– Inform in advance if you are vegetarian.
– Take original passports, good and comfortable trekking shoes, insect repellent, torches, sun scream, towels, rain gear and extra warm clothes. All customers must obey the order of your guide for your safety.
– Child definition: from age of 3 to 9 years (usually enjoying 10%-20% discount. Contact us for the actual discount for your case). 10 years old and above will be charged as Adult Price.
– All tours & transfers are all based in English Speaking local guides. For other languages, please contact us for new quotations.
– Itinerary Change to the confirmed itinerary may happen because of traffic, weather, or any other conditions not under our control such as war, strike, fire, acts of government, riot, etc. We will do our best to make sure that all the travel will be similar. Go Viet Travel can substitute the itinerary upon your agreement.
– Transportation and Restaurants: The cars, vans or coaches for the land transportation should be in good shape with air conditioner. All restaurants should be tidy and clean.