Brief itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi - Lao Cai

Day 2: Lao Cai - Bac Ha - Sapa

Day 3: Sapa - Ban Khoang - Ta Giang Phinh

Day 4: Sapa - Hanoi

Day 1: Hanoi - Train to Lao Cai

Take an overnight train ride from Hanoi to the border town of Lao Cai, the gateway to Sapa and surrounding area. The train departs at 21:30 - 22:00.

Overnight on the train.

Day 2: Lao Cai - Bac Ha Market - Sapa (B/L/D)

Arrrive in Lao Cai station very early in the morning at around 04:30 - 05:00am. Meet your local tour guide, freshen up and energize with breakfast in a local restaurant.

Take a scenic 70km road trip from Lao Cai to Bac Ha. Bac Ha Market, which takes place once a week on Sunday morning, is one of the biggest and busiest markets in the region. Many different ethnic groups take long hikes or descend from the mountains to trade local goods that cannot be found elsewhere: hand-made jewellery, textiles, food delicacies, medicinal herbs and spices, and animals. Some simply come to catch up on the latest news or gossip.

Note: If you can not arrange to visit Bac Ha market on Sunday, please consider other lively local markets in the region: Coc Ly Market on Tuesday, Cao Son Market on Wednesday, Lung Khau Nhin Market on Thursday, Can Cau Market or Pha Long Market on Saturday.

Lunch in a local restaurant. Visit the charming Trung Do Village, home to the Tay ethnic minority group. Take an hour leisure walk to explore this stunning village of the Tay people who live in large stilt houses and have well maintained their traditional way of life for centuries.

Embark on scenic boat ride down the Chay River. Afterwards transfer by road up through the mountains to the former hill station town of Sapa. Check in the hotel in Sapa and free for dinner.

Overnight in Sapa.

Day 3: Sapa - Hill Tribe Villages (B/L)

Breakfast in hotel. This morning drive 30km north of Sapa to visit one of the most colorful and fascinating minority groups in the region: the Red Dao (also called Yao or Dzao) at Ban Khoang Village. Stop on the way to enjoy the breathtaking views of Hoang Lien Mountain Range and Sin Chai Valley. On arrival in Ban Khoang, take an easy walk to visit a village of the Red Dao and get insight into their vibrant daily life.  

Leave Ban Khoang for about 10km road transfer to Ta Giang Phinh, inhabited by the Black H’mong who live in some small villages scattering along a peaceful stream. Enjoy an hour lunch break en route on the bank of the stream. Walk with the guide on the village pathway, which winds down the impressive valley. Visit some local houses to see handicrafts workshops and observe villagers working in the fields with buffalos. Transfer back to Sapa. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Overnight in Sapa.

Day 4: Sapa at leisure - 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 your 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.

Please contact us for the best rates.

+ 1 night on board the train from Hanoi to Lao Cai: A/C soft sleeper (4 berths/cabin sharing)

+ 2 nights hotel accommodation in Sapa with daily breakfast (twin/double sharing)

+ Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch)

+ Private English speaking local guide on day tours (for other languages supplements apply)

+ Tours and transfers as mentioned by private air conditioned vehicle unless stated otherwise

+ Transfer from Sapa to Hanoi by limousine bus (join-in 9 seats or 18 seats)

+ Private boat trip on Chay River

+ Entrance fees for mentioned visits

+ Taxes and service charges

+ International and domestic flights (quoted separately)

+ Visa fee, travel insurance

+ Meals other than mentioned above

+ Early check-in or late check-out fees

+ Camera/video entrance fees (if any)

+ Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, telephone, etc)

+ Additional transfer required due to emergency situation

+ Peak season surcharge and compulsory gala dinner on 24 Dec and 31 Dec

+ Guide and driver tips

+ Other services not clearly indicated in the package inclusions above

PAYMENT

Booking is made more than 30 days prior to arrival date: a 50% deposit of total value is required upon confirmation. The balance must be paid at least 30 days prior to arrival date.

Booking is made less than 30 days prior to arrival date: 100% of total value is required upon confirmation.

Payment method: by bank transfer or by credit card. Client/remitting party must cover their own bank charges. Credit card payment incurs a merchant service fee of 2% for Visa, Mastercard and 3% for American Express, in addition to the total amount payable.

Booking will be cancelled if payments are not received on due date(s).

CANCELLATION/AMENDEMENT

Cancellations or amendments must be informed in writing. E-mail cancellation or booking amendments are only effective once re-confirmed by FantaSea Travel. We strongly recommend you to purchase travel insurance to cover cancellation cost if any. We do not cover any costs related to your travelling risk. Should you have to cancel or amend, the following terms will apply:

Normal Season:

More than 30 days: 10% of total value

From 15 to 30 days: 25% of total value

From 8 to 14 days: 50% of total value

Within 7 days or no show: 100% of total value

Peak Season (20 DEC - 10 JAN):

More than 45 days: 10% of total value

From 31 to 45 days: 25% of total value

From 15 to 30 days: 50% of total value

Within 14 days or no show: 100% of total value

Certain special offers may be non-refundable/non-amendable. These will be advised to you at the time of booking. Refund can take up to 45 days after cancellation date.

COVID-19 POLICY

For all new bookings made from 1 January 2021, we grant free cancellation up to 7 days prior to arrival (thereafter 100% charge) if the reason for cancellation is related to COVID-19 such as the following:

+ Guests suspected or confirmed to carry the virus

+ Guests being denied to board an airplane

+ Border closures in Vietnam, in a neighboring country for tour bookings or in the guests’ country of residence

+ Quarantine obligation

+ New lockdown

In such circumstances, FantaSea Travel will allow you to change the dates of your tour or offer you a credit for another tour. This policy is only valid if the ability to travel is beyond the control of the guest. Guests are required to provide reasonable documentation confirming that their inability to travel is due to COVID-19 related matters. The final decision to waive cancellation charges lies entirely with FantaSea Travel at all times.

For cancellations or booking modifications due to reasons not related to COVID-19 our standard policies as stipulated in this offer apply.