By train (Hanoi - Sapa) and limousine van (09 seats / Sapa - Hanoi) is a wonderful combination to explore and discover Sapa. Get lost in this paradise for trekking activities and experience the cultural diversity of the ethnic mountain minorities in northern Vietnam
In the evening, pick up by driver from your hotel (in the Old Quarter) for a short transfer to Hanoi Train Station. Enjoy an overnight traditional train journey from Hanoi to Lao Cai.
Arrive in Lao Cai train station in the early morning. Private guide and car will escort you an hour trip up-hill to Sapa. Enjoy the beauty of nature and rice terraces after every turns and meet H’mong, Red Dao people along the way. Have a breakfast at local restaurant before exploring the town.
8:00 AM: Travel from Sapa along the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. At the exit of Tam Duong, we will turn right to visit Na Tam Village where the Laotian and Lu people live. This is a beautiful, tranquil landscape. Traditionally, the local women are distinguished by black teeth and indigo colored clothing encrusted with silver pieces. Take a 2 hour hike through the river, villages, rice fields, and hills and meet the locals. On the way back, have a break at the Tram Ton pass with stunning views of the Fansipan Mountain and valley (if the weather permits).
Have a break for lunch at local restaurant then visit the Silver waterfall, which is the biggest one in Sapa. Hike up 200 steps and cross the bridge to get as close as possible to the waterfall, enjoy the views (if the weather permits).
In the afternoon we will drive on the newly discovered path to the Can Ho B village where the hamlet of over 60 friendly Red Dao families reside. They are not only well-known for the most beautiful attire in Sapa, but also for the unique tradition “No eyebrow” women after getting married. Visit their homes to learn how their traditional wooden houses are built and organized.
Get a transfer back to Sapa in the late afternoon and explore city on your own.
8:00 AM: Depart to Sau Chua hamlet to start off the beaten trek of 15km up-downhill that is your challenge but the reward is worth it. Towards a hill-tribe village of Sa Seng where you will be able to see the authentic lifestyle of the Black H’Mong people who originated from China since and have been in Vietnam from the 11th century.
Enjoy a picnic lunch or a meal at a local restaurant before trekking uphill along the side of mountain to get the most wonderful views of the Muong Hoa valley at the elevation of 1,800m. Descend into the valley on a trek to the Hau Thao village, consisting of only a few houses and church scattered on a rocky point. You will get the best scenery in the area with rice terraces, small villages nestled on the huge Hoang Lien mountain range and even the peak of Indochina, Fansipan peak (when the weather permits). Keep trekking down the trail to Muong Hoa valley.
Transfer back to Sapa. Free to explore the town.
8:00 AM: After breakfast, set off the trek from Ma Tra hamlet to Ta Phin village. This journey will lead you to the superb rice terrace valley. You have a great chance to meet the local people of the Black Hmong and Red Dao ethnic groups. They were originally from Southern China but settled in Vietnam in the 11th century and still live at a high altitude, far away from the modern world. This helps them to preserve their traditions, language and especially their ancestral way of life. Make a stop on the way to visit a Hmong family and school in the Ma Tra Village. After a 3-hour trek, you will reach the Ta Phin village of the Red Dao group. While you are walking, interact with local people to learn about their life and culture.
2:30 PM:1:00 - 2:00 PM: Our driver will pick you up from your hotel in the central area of Sapa. Once everyone is on board, we’ll begin our journey back to Hanoi via the Hanoi - Lao Cai Highway. The drive takes around 6 hours, with a few optional stops along the way for coffee or a quick break. We anticipate arriving in Hanoi between 8:00 and 9:00 PM. If your accommodation is in the Old Quarter, the driver will drop you off at your hotel or any location of your choice within the area.
Oct 18, 2024