4 nights/3 days Sapa and Bac Ha

Sapa, Hau Thao, Giang Ta Chai, Sin Chai, Sapa, Bac Ha

Sapa and Bac Ha are hill stations long favoured by many tourists. The area is home of unrivalled mountain scenery, including Vietnam’s highest peak, Fansipan, and known for its Sunday markets and some of Vietnam’s most colourful hill tribe minorities.

Day 0 Hanoi / Overnight train to Lao Cai
We pick you up from our office between 19:00 to 19:30 for a short transfer to Hanoi railway station for boarding an overnight train bound for Lao Cai. We enjoy a comfortable night's sleep onboard the train.

Day 1 Lao Cai / Sapa / Hau Thao / Giang Ta Chai
We wake up on the train and glimpse the picturesque scenery along the Red River as we arrive in Lao Cai railway station in the early morning, we are picked up and transferred by our private bus, winding our way through the beautiful mountains to Sapa, which is 35 km away by car.

After a refreshing shower and breakfast we set off to discover Sapa and its nearby villages of Sa Seng and Hau Thao, which are home to Black H'mong.

We have ample opportunities to see how they live and give wonderful insights into their way of life. Finally, we arrive in the village of Giang Ta Chai.

Tonight we appreciate the warm hospitality over a dinner and an overnight stay in a traditional stilt-house. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included).

Day 2 Giang Ta Chai / Sin Chai / Sapa 
The day begins with a beautiful hike through lush rice terraces and along verdant hills, before we return to Sapa.

Here, we have the chance to appreciate the laidback pace of the township, visit a local market and learn about the local cuisine. 

Afternoon finds us in the villages of Sin Chai and O Qui Ho. The Sin Chai and O Qui Ho are situated in a region of sculpted rice terraces and home to Black H’mong people.

We hike around peaceful villages and farmlands at an easy and leisurely pace to suit everybody. We stay overnight in a hotel in Sapa. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included).

Day 3 Sapa / Bac Ha / Lao Cai / Overnight train back to Hanoi
We depart from Sapa and drive to Bac Ha. Bac Ha is well-known for its Sunday market, here the Flower H’mong, Zay, Tay and Dao ethnic minorities converge at the market early in the morning to trade their own traditional things. 

This is followed by a scenic hike around some idyllic villages and watch village life, before we drive to Lao Cai railway station for a sleeper train back to Hanoi, arriving there at 5am the following day. 

The trip is completed at Hanoi railway station upon our arrival. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included). 

The facts…

Physical activities:

Our itinerary includes hikes with: 

- a 9-12 km hike on Day 1.

- a 12-15 km hike on Day 2.

- a 4-6 km hike Day 3.

Meals: 

- 3 breakfasts.

- 3 lunches.

- 3 dinners. 

A wide variety of food is commonly available in local restaurants, markets or family homes, using fresh local ingredients, typical of the way people eat in the area. 

We also cater for Vegetarians but please request this at time of booking.

Transport: 

- vehicle.

- sleeper train.

Tour Guides:

Our experienced and friendly local tour guides speak fluent English. 

They are knowledgeable about local cultures, history and the environment. 

Accommodation:

- 2 nights on overnight trains.

- 1 night in a local home.

- 1 night in a hotel.

Trip cost: 

- $215USD per person for a group of 1 to 8 people.

- $185USD per person for a group of 9 to 10 people.
                  
The cost of the trip include: 

- accommodation.

- transportation.

- meals listed on the itinerary.

- tour guides.

- entrance fees.

- permits during guided excursions.

The cost of the trip does not include: 

- travel insurance.

- drinks (soft drinks, alcohol, bottled water).

- admission fees during free time.

- other personal expenses such as shopping, telephone, laundry and bar bills etc.

What to take: 

Pack essentials, including light comfortable clothes suitable for outdoor activities, hiking shoes, small day pack for hiking and trekking.

We also recommend packing: personal articles, camera, insect repellent, sun cream, raincoat, sun hat…
 

Have a great journey!!!