4 nights & 3 days Sapa in Depth

Sapa, Giang Ta Chai, Ban Ho, Thanh Phu, Lao Cai

Sapa is the home of dramatic landscapes, colourful hilltribes, breathtaking scenery and is well-known for its Saturday market. Hike through lush rice terraces, watch village life, stay overnight in Zay and Tay ethnic minority villages. This trip offers wonderful experiences.

Day 0 Hanoi - Overnight train to Lao Cai

We will meet you at our office between 7:00 PM and 7:30 PM to brief you about the trip. Afterward, you will be transferred to Hanoi Railway Station to board an overnight train to Lao Cai. The train departs from Hanoi at 10:00 PM and arrives in Lao Cai at 5:45 AM the following morning

Day 1 Lao Cai - Sapa - Y Linh Ho - Giang Ta Chai

Upon our arrival at Lao Cai Railway Station in the early morning (approximately 5:45 AM to 6:00 AM), we will meet our driver and board our waiting vehicle for the journey to Sapa. The trip weaves through winding roads, promising stunning panoramic views of rice terraces and mountains below.

After a refreshing shower and breakfast at our hotel, we will set off on a trek through Y Linh Ho, a spectacularly beautiful valley and home to the Black H'mong ethnic people, who emigrated from China 300 years ago. The H'mong people are easily recognizable by their dark-blue or black clothing. The dye is made from the indigo plant, which is native to the area. H'mong women wear long aprons with embroidered waistcoats.

We will pass along buffalo paths and trails, as well as through peaceful ethnic minority villages. This is a spectacular hike, winding through stunning scenery and sculpted rice paddy terraces. We will eat lunch while enjoying the magnificent views over the lush valley and soaring mountains.

Finally, we will trek down to the ethnic village of Giang Ta Chai, nestled in a spectacular region and home to the Zay ethnic people. The Zay people are adept at rice cultivation and are responsible for tending the manicured terraces that stretch as far as the eye can see. Tonight, we will enjoy a meal of delicious Vietnamese dishes prepared by our hosts. We will spend a memorable night in the traditional house of a Zay family. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included)

Day 2 Giang Ta Chai - Ban Ho

The beautiful Giang Ta Chai is surrounded by verdant hills, soaring mountains, and scenic rice terraces. After breakfast, we will take an extensive hike to Su Pan village. We will follow paths between rice terraces, through lush bamboo forests, past waterfalls, and across a suspension bridge. Next, we will head down to the last village of the trek, Ban Ho, situated in a region of scenic rice terraces and home to the Tay ethnic people. At night, we will stay with a friendly Tay family. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included)

Day 3 Ban Ho - Sapa - Lao Cai - Overnight train back to Hanoi

We will enjoy a scenic hike to Thanh Phu, home to dramatic mountains, lush fertile hills, and the Tay ethnic people. Hiking through the stunning rural countryside and meeting the friendly locals offers us a wonderful glimpse into their way of life. Next, we will meet our vehicle for a short drive back to Sapa. Upon arrival, we will have a couple of hours to explore the township.

Later in the afternoon, our driver will pick us up from our Sapa hotel between 5:00 and 5:30 PM to transfer us back to the Lao Cai train station. We will have some free time for an optional dinner before boarding the overnight train, which departs Lao Cai at 9:30 PM for Hanoi. The trip ends upon our arrival at Hanoi Railway Station around 5:45 AM. (Breakfast and lunch are included)

The facts…

Physical activities: Our itinerary includes hikes and treks with: 
 

• A 9-15 km hike on Day 1
• A 12-16 km trek on Day 2
• A 9-12 km hike on Day 3

Meals: 
 

• 3 breakfasts
• 3 lunches
• 3 dinners

A wide variety of food is commonly available in local restaurants, markets or 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: 
 

• Air-conditioned vehicle (Car or Bus)
• Overnight train

Tour Guide: Our experienced and friendly local tour guide speaks fluent English. She/He is knowledgeable about local cultures, history and the environment. 

Accommodation:
 

• 2 nights on overnight train
• 2 nights in local family

Clean and comfortable homestays with mosquito nets provided.

Trip cost: 
 

• $178USD per person for a group of 1 to 8 people. 
• $156USD per person for a group of 9 to 10 people

The cost of the trip includes: 
 

• Accommodation
• Transportation
   
• Meals listed on the itinerary
• Purified drinking water
   
• Tour guide
• Entrance fees
• VAT and other taxes

The cost of the trip does not include:
 

• Travel insurance
• Tips and gratuities
   
• Drinks (soft drinks, alcohol)
• Other personal expenses such as shopping; telephone, laundry and bar bills etc

What to Bring:

Pack essentials, including light comfortable clothes suitable for outdoor activities, hiking shoes and small day pack. It is essential to bring your passport on this trip. We also recommend packing: personal articles, insect repellent, sun cream, raincoat, sun hat…