Brief itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi - Lao Cai
Day 2: Lao Cai - Sapa - Ban Ho - Thanh Phu - Sin Chai
Day 3: Sin Chai - My Son - Nam Toong - Sapa
Day 4: Sapa - Hanoi
Day 1: Hanoi - Train to Lao Cai
Travel by night train from Hanoi to the border city of Lao Cai, the gateway to Sapa and its surrounds. The train departs Hanoi at around 21:30 – 22:00, arrives Lao Cai at around 04:30 – 05:00.
Overnight on the train.
Day 2: Lao Cai - Sapa - Ban Ho - Thanh Phu - Sin Chai (B/L/D)
Road transfer: 2 hours. Hiking and visiting: 5 hours ~ 15km. Grade: 2 of 5.
At Lao Cai Station, meet your private local tour guide who will escort you for 2-day Sapa hiking tour through ethnic villages. Travel 35km uphill on a windy road to the form hill station of Sapa. Check in Pistachio Sapa Hotel for breakfast and refreshment.
Start your journey of exploration with a one-hour transfer deeper into the Hoang Lien National Park. On the way, see the stunning Muong Hoa Valley covered by huge terraced rice paddies cascading down the steep valley walls. On arrival at the remote village of Ban Ho, hike through this scenic village, home to Tay ethnic minority. Then continue walking along the narrow path to another Tay village of Thanh Phu. See how they maintain their centuries-old traditional way of life. Lunch will be served in a local house.
This afternoon head to Sin Chai Village, home to the colorful Red Dao people. Life here is simple and untouched by the modern world but the friendly locals will make you feel right at home.
Dinner and overnight in a homestay.
Day 3: Sin Chai - My Son - Nam Toong - Sapa (B/L)
Road transfer: 1 hour. Hiking and visiting: 5 hours ~ 15km. Grade: 2 of 5.
After breakfast, start your day by walking downhill toward the My Son village, inhabited by the Xa Pho ethnic minority. Xa Pho is one of the smallest ethnic groups who have very little contact with modern world and can speak very little Vietnamese. The route will continue taking you through the terraced rice fields to the Red Dao village of Nam Toong. Have lunch break in a local house.
In the afternoon, continue towards Ban Ho village, home to the Tay people. Have short break beside the Muong Bo river, enjoy swimming for refreshment if you like. Mid afternoon transfer back to Sapa. Say farewell your local guide. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight in Pistachio Sapa Hotel.
Day 4: Sapa - Hanoi (B)
Breakfast in hotel. This morning, you are free at leisure. Take a short walk to discover the town of Sapa independently or join a scenic cable car ride up 3,143 meters above sea level to the summit of Fansipan – the highest peak of the Indochina (at own expense). Marvel at an incredible panoramic view of Hoang Lien Mountain Range and Muong Hoa Valley.
Return to the hotel to check out by 12:00 noon. Have lunch (at own expense) before transferring back to Hanoi by join-in limousine bus. You will be picked up at your hotel in Sapa at 14:30-15:00 and dropped off at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter at 19:30-20:00.
