Day 1:
Hanoi – Arrival – Overnight Train To Lao Cai [-]
Meet on arrival at Hanoi International Airport and transfer to the railway station. There is then free time at leisure.
- Optional day use at the hotel in Hanoi.
Lunch and Dinner are to your own arrangement.
In the evening, board an overnight train from Ha Noi to Lao Cai (300km, 22:00-6:10).
Overnight on a tourist sleeper cabin (shared 4-berth per compartment).
- Optional Tour: Private Full day Hanoi – Hoa Lu with lunch
Drive to visit Tam Coc Caves (110 km south), famous as so called “Dry Halong Bay”, the same limestone rocks lying on rice fields with a stream instead of the sea. Visit also the Bich Dong Pagoda, and the Temples of Dinh and Le dynasties. Lunch is at local restaurant en route.
Day 2: Sapa
Lao Cai – Bac Ha Market – Sapa [Breakfast]
Arrival at Lao Cai train station (approx. 6:00), get transfer to a close by restaurant for refreshing and breakfast. Drive to Bac Ha (80km, 3/4hours) to explore its colourful Sunday market, an exciting gathering of the various hill tribes such as Flower Hmong Black Dao, Tay, Nung, La Chi, Phu La, etc. Follow the footstep of a Hmong locals back to their village, namely Ban Pho and walk around to understand more their daily life. A kind villager may invite you over for a cup of tea or corn wine tasting.
Lunch is to your own arrangement with our guide’s assistance. Transfer back to Sapa and check -in at hotel. Dinner is to your own arrangement. Overnight at hotel in Sapa.
Day 3: Sapa
Sapa – Lao Chai – Ta Phin - Sapa [Breakfast,Lunch]
After breakfast at the hotel, follow your guide for a soft trek through the beautiful Muong Hoa valley, along amazing terraced rice field. With the help of your guide, learn the secrets of rice farming, local health and schooling, etc in Lao Chai village, you will participate in 2-hour hands-on class about batik, a traditional Black Hmong textile dyeing technique using wax and indigo. Ms. Di and Ms. Sao will assist guests in creating their very own batik art using local materials such as hemp textile and plant-based indigo dye. The product will be retouched and handed to guests the day after at hotel, before leaving Sapa.
Please note: 6-7km less travel route Y Linh Ho - Lao Chai village
Afternoon, take a short drive to Ta Phin village, inhabited by hearty Red Dzao ethnic. After lunch at local home, we stroll around the village and learn the touching story of the abandoned Old Monastery (1942). Be introduced by a Red Dao lady about Sapanapro, successful social enterprise founded to connect Red Dzao women, knowing the secrets of traditional herbal with Hanoi University of Medicine, to create treatment, spa products. You will learn about their development, contribution to local economy and equal social redistribution of income.
Please note: The place also provides herbal hot bath (30-40min) with nice view. This is optional and to be paid directly to the community.
Transfer back to Sapa. Dinner and evening are at leisure. Overnight at hotel in Sapa.
Day 4:
Sapa – Hanoi [Breakfast]
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy your free time admiring the panoramic views or self-exploring Sapa town and Stone Church, one of Vietnam's most famous ancient churches with impressive architecture and construction materials.
In the afternoon (around 13:30), be ready for a join-in transfer by minivan (for seat-in-coach tour) to reach Hanoi in the evening (approx. 6hrs) and you will have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the region while on the road. Upon arrival, drop off at hotel in Hanoi.
- Optional Tour: Half Day Conquering Fansipan Mount “The Roof of Indochina”
Spend a morning conquering Fansipan Mounts, which used to require 3 days hard trekking now can be reached with a scenic train ride and spectacular cable car ride across the cloud. Embark on a Muong Hoa mountain train connecting Sa Pa town with the Fansipan cable car station. With a total length of approximately 2 km, this is the longest mountain railway in Vietnam up to the present time. The train goes through several mysterious tunnels, crosses the viaduct and offers passengers a view to looking down the majestic natural beauty of Muong Hoa valley and peaceful villages. Followed with a 15-min cable car ride to Fansipan mount, at 3,143 meter above sea level. The journey opens magnificent views over Hoang Lien Son primitive forest and mountains ranges. Once being at Fansipan park, spend your time to breath fresh air, the sense of being on the roof of Indochina.
After getting down by cable car, your driver will be waiting to transfer you back to Sapa town by passing the Silver waterfall.
Please note:
+ There are some F&B outlets, recreational facilities for you to enjoy as much as you can (at your own account).
+ Visitors with a history of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases are highly recommended not to conquer Fansipan because the elevation above 3,000 meters, high humidity, and oxygen-deficient air can endanger your health.
