At an elevation of 1,600 meters, Sapa is a delightful former French hill station situated in the mountainous region of Vietnam’s northwest, close to the Chinese border.
Day 1: Transfer to Sapa – Trek to Tavan Village
Day 2: Trek to Ban Ho Village
Day 3: Trek/drive to Sapa – Night train to Hanoi
Day 4: Back to Hanoi
Trip Notes:
Meals:
– Day 1,2: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
– Day 3: Breakfast
Food:
All meals, which are indicated in the itinerary, are included in the price of this trip. On this trip our tour guide will cook dinner for you. Picnic lunch would be prepared by a local restaurant in Sapa. The emphasis will be on healthy and nutritious fresh local produce.
The Home Stay:
Home stay in villages is simple in term of bedding condition and toilet. We will sleep on beds with mattress, clean sheet, pillows and mosquito nets. Toilet is usually flush-style.
Footsteps Travel’s Tour Guide:
The tour will be guided by one of our tour guides who are experienced in guiding trekking tours in Vietnam. He has been carefully trained in this field and is fully licensed in tour guiding by the government. In addition, he has been trained in first-aid by SOS International and he knows how to deal with difficult situations. You will have a great time traveling with him.
The Transfers:
In Hanoi, one Footsteps Travel’s staff will accompany you to the train to show you your cabin and tell you how to deal with night train traveling in Vietnam.
In Lao Cai, our guide will meet you at Lao Cai Railway Station in the morning of the first day. He also sees you off at Lao Cai Railway Station on the third day.
When you get back to Hanoi on day 4, you can easily find a taxi to get to your hotel
The trekking day:
A typical trekking day start at about 8.30 am after breakfast. Lunch times can vary depending on the terrain. We aim to reach the next overnight stop by 4.30 or 5. During the trek we will have short breaks for rest, snack and photographing.
What to bring:
Trekking boot, sun block, hat, anti-insect repellent, sunglasses, rain coat, toiletries, original passport,
Note on client safety:
We reserve the right to deviate from this itinerary for any reasons, including road and weather conditions, frequency of visits to a village, or for any other factor which may influence client safety.
Transfer from your hotel to Hanoi Railway Station for the night train to Lao Cai. Overnight in AC soft sleeper cabin.
Summary
Transfer hotel – railway station: AC vehicle
Accommodation: Soft sleeper in AC cabin
Arrive in Lao Cai around 5.30 am. We will take 1hr bus ride uphill to the beautiful town of Sapa. The ride give you a glimpse of the stunning vistas and impressive rice terraces. Upon arrival in Sapa Town we have breakfast in local restaurant and prepare for a great trek down to the picturesque valley of Muong Hoa. We will walk on small paths and trails to reach Tavan Village, where we will have unique homestay experience among hill tribe people. Pinic lunch on the way. Dinner and overnight in the local house.
Summary
Transfer Lao Cai – Sapa: 45 mins
Trekking: 5-hr trek/dirt paths/downhill
Accommodation: Home-stay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We will have breakfast in the local house before embarking upon another day of adventure. Today we will trek across mountains, bamboo forest, terraces and streams to reach Ban Ho Village, a beautiful village at lower altitude. Picnic lunch by the stream before moving on to Ban Ho. Dinner and overnight in local house.
Summary
Trekking: 5-hr trek/dirt paths/downhill
Accommodation: Home-stay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we leave Ban Ho for Sapa. We will trek shortly to the dirt road for a jeep ride back to Sa Pa. Back to the town we can take shower and change clothes in hotel.
Free at leisure in the afternoon. We can explore the town on foot and have great shopping time in Sapa market. In the late afternoon, we transfer to Lao Cai for night train back to Hanoi.
Summary
Transfer Ban Ho Village – Sapa: 45-min jeep ride
Trekking: 40-min trek/ascent
Accommodation: Soft sleeper in AC cabin
Meals: Breakfast
Arrive in Hanoi around 5 am. Tour ends at Hanoi Railway Station.