Sapa Essential

This evening transfer to Hanoi Train Station for overnight train to Lao Cai City, the gateway to Sapa.
 
Overnight on the train in a soft sleeper compartment (4 pax/cabin). 

Inclusions:

📍 Transfer Lao Cai - Bac Ha (70 km): approx. 1,5 hours / Transfer Bac Ha - Sapa (97 km): approx. 2 hours / Walking & sightseeing route: 3-4 km walking – approx. 2 hours

Arrive Lao Cai early in the morning and be greeted by the guide and transfer to a local restaurant for breakfast. Then driving to visit a local market (Coc Ly on Tuesday/ Can Cau on Saturday/ Bac Ha on Sunday) 

Here, see mostly Flower Hmong however Phu La, Black Dao, Tay, Nung hill tribe groups also gather here. The market offers a variety of local products, which could not be found in other areas such as an interesting animal market where pot-bellied pigs, cows and buffalos can be seen. Continue the tour on a short walk to a hill-tribe village. Here, have the opportunity to visit some local homes to understand more on the daily life of these tribes as well as their culture and traditions. Transfer to the former hill station of Sapa.

Note:

- Bac Ha market is the largest one and often draws a large crowd, including many tourists. Can Cau and Coc Ly markets are smaller and offer a a more local experience and quieter atmosphere 

- Not all markets in the region have an animal section

Option: Half day waking in Black H’mong Village for an alternative experience to visiting market:
About 5km southeast of Sapa town, Ma Tra Valley is known for its beautiful landscapes and terraced rice fields. The Hmong people settled here in the early 20th century, creating terraced fields to support themselves through rice farming.
After breakfast, transfer from Lao Cai to the starting point for a scenic downhill walk, crossing a stream to reach Suoi Ho village, which sits on a low hill. Stop at a few local homes to learn about traditional life. Then, follow a stone-paved hillside path through Ma Tra village, with lovely views of the valley, rice terraces, and flower farms. The trip ends with a transfer back to Sapa, and the rest of the day is free for leisure.
Note: Appropriate footwear must be worn on treks. Note that if conditions are wet, programs may be changed. Trekking route adaptable for fitness levels. 

Overnight in Sapa

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Walking & sightseeing route: 7-8 km easy walking – approx. 6 hours

This morning after breakfast, leave Sapa for a 1-hour winding road transfer to Ban Khoang Valley. Enjoy the breathtaking view of Hoag Lien Mountain Range along the way, also known as The Tonkinese Alps.

Getting closer to Ban Khoang village is the amazing view of the valley from above. Take some great pictures of this impressive and beautiful landscape. Then, stop for an easy walk to visit a village of Red Dao ethnic at Ban Khoang. The Red Dao women are very skilled in making their own embroidery as well as their traditional costume. For hundreds of years living in the mountain the people here still maintain their culture of farming rice using buffaloes and maintain a self-sufficient system.  

After visiting the Ban Khoang village, depart for the 8-km drive to Ta Giang Phinh village. The village is home to the Black H’mong ethnic group. Trekking here offers an opportunity to explore the village and enjoy views of the valley. The peaceful atmosphere is enhanced by free-range animals and locals working in the fields, planting or harvesting rice (seasonal). The H’mong are known for making clothes from hemp and dyeing them with indigo plants. 

Mid-late afternoon transfer back to Sapa town and the remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.

Note: Appropriate footwear must be worn on treks. Note that if conditions are wet, programs may be changed. 
Trekking route adaptable for fitness levels. 

Overnight in Sapa

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 From Sapa to Hanoi (315 km): 5,5 - 6 hours driving / Walking & sightseeing route: 5-6 km easy walking – approx. 3 hours

Depart from the hotel at 08:30 or 13:30 with a 15-mins transfer from Sapa town to the Black H’mong village of Sa Seng and the starting point of the trek. The drive en-route offers stunning views over Muong Hoa valley and the Mt Fansipan mountain range. 

After arriving, stroll through the village to discover the intriguing layers of the hill tribe culture in this region. Continuing on with a descent gradually through the Sa Seng valley, the path winds through various H’mong hamlets and rice terraces (seasonal). 

These village hamlets consist of wooden houses enclosed by rock walls, where pigs, chickens, and water buffaloes roam freely, while children engage in play. Depending on the season, see H’mong women crafting fibre from hemp, a process involving spinning and weaving to create traditional clothing.

Then continue the trail to another Hmong hamlet nestled at the valley's base, called Sa Pả. Concluding the visit of this village, transfer 15-mins back to Sapa town.

Note: Appropriate footwear must be worn on treks. Note that if conditions are wet, programs may be changed. 
Trekking route adaptable for fitness levels. 

Transfer back to Hanoi by private vehicle. 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast