Brief itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi - Lao Cai
Day 2: Lao Cai - Ethnic Villages - Sapa
Day 3: Sapa - Ethnic Villages - Topas Ecolodge
Day 4: Topas Ecolodge - Hanoi
Day 1: Hanoi - Train to Lao Cai
A fantastic night train journey from Hanoi takes you to the border city of Lao Cai, the gateway to Sapa and its surrounds. The train departs Hanoi at approximately 21:30 – 22:00, arrives Lao Cai at 04:30 - 05:00.
Overnight on the train.
Day 2: Lao Cai - Ban Khoang - Giang Ta Phinh (B/L)
Meet your private local tour guide at the Lao Cai Station. Travel uphill on a windy road to the town of Sapa. Check in Aira Boutique Sapa Hotel & Spa for breakfast and refreshment. Then commence your journey of exploration with a transfer to the village of Ban Khoang. This peaceful village is home to one of the most colorful and fascinating minority groups in the region: the Red Dao (also called Yao or Dzao). 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, witness their traditional ways of life. The Red Dao wear some of the most colorful and diverse costumes of all Vietnam’s ethnic groups. Herbal baths, local medicine and embroidery are some of the things that the Red Dao are very skilled at.
Leave Ban Khoang behind for a short transfer to Ta Giang Phinh, inhabited by the Black H’mong who live in some small villages scattering along a peaceful stream. Enjoy 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 Aira Boutique Sapa Hotel & Spa.
Day 3: Sapa - Supan - Thanh Phu - Nam Cang - Topas Ecolodge (B/L)
After breakfast, leave Sapa behind and travel deeper into Hoang Lien National Park to visit some remote villages of diverse ethnic minority groups. Enjoy beautiful views of towering mountains, deep valleys and spectacular terraced rice fields along the way.
First stop today is a small hamlet of the Black H’mong people at Su Pan commune. Then continue the transfer deeper into the valley and cross the beautiful Muong Bo River before reaching Thanh Phu village of Tay minority. Lunch will be served in a local home next to the rice fields.
This afternoon take a short drive along the rocky road to the small village of My Son, home to Xa Pho people - the smallest minority group in the region. Continue the trip to the remote and quiet village of Nam Cang, inhabited by the Red Dao. Walking along the small roads and village paths get a true ‘off-the-beaten-track’ experience.
Leave Nam Cang in mid afternoon and transfer back to Topas Ecolodge. Simply relax and be at one with nature. Sip a cocktail by the breathtaking infinity pool or pamper yourself with a special traditional Red Dao herbal bath or massage at the spa (at own expense). Spend the night in your own private bungalow with an incredible view of the peaks and valleys.
Overnight in Topas Ecolodge.
Day 4: Topas Ecolodge - Hanoi (B)
Get up early to see marvelous mountain sunrise. You are free at leisure until transfer back to Hanoi by Topas Mountain Express Limousine. The bus departs from Topas Ecolodge at 14:30 and returns you to your selected hotel in Hanoi at 19:30 - 20:00.
