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.

Inclusions:

📍 Transfer Lao Cai - Bac Ha: 70 km approx.1,5 hours Transfer Bac Ha - Sapa: 97km 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 (Ban Cam on Tuesday/ Cao Son on Wednesday/ Lung Khau Nhin on Thursday/ Can Cau on Saturday/ Bac Ha or Muong Hum on Sunday. (Note: The market visit may be on the arrival day depending on the day)

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.

Overnight in Sapa.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Walking & sightseeing route: 5-6 km easy walking – approx. 6 hours Appropriate footwear must be worn on treks. Note that if conditions are wet, programs may be changed. Trekking route adaptable for fitness levels.

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.  

Depart from Ban Khoang Valley for a 8-km road transfer to Ta Giang Phinh Valley and enjoy a local lunch there. This afternoon, take a leisurely walk through the charming Ta Giang Phinh Valley. Walk on the village path which winds down the impressive valley, home to Blue Hmong ethnic minority people. Visit some local houses to see some handicrafts workshops, observe villagers working in the fields tending their crops with buffaloes. 

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

Overnight in Sapa.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 From Sapa to Hanoi: 315km - 5,5 - 6 hours driving Walking & sightseeing route: 3 km easy walking – approx. 3-4 hours Appropriate footwear must be worn on treks. Note that if conditions are wet, programs may be changed. Trekking route adaptable for fitness levels.

Early this morning depart with the guide for a half-day trekking tour to Hang Da and Sau Chua Villages, just about 8 km east of Sapa where the Black Hmong people have been living their traditional and unique way of life despite the recent changes and effects caused by the fast development and tourism boom in Sapa town. 

Enjoy walking with the guide along the quiet narrow pathways through the countryside and past the scattered modest houses of the Black H’mong people. The trekking route can be adjusted depending on energy levels, fitness and weather conditions.

Return to the hotel to check out by 12 noon, and then there is some time to spend at leisure for lunch (not included - at your own account) and last minute exploration of Sapa town. 

Transfer back to Hanoi by private vehicle. 
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast