Sapa is llocated in the northern part of Vietnam near the Chinese border in the mountainous province of Lao Cai. It is the home of many ethnic minority groups such as : Red Dzao, H’mong, Xa Pho & Dzay people. At an elevation of 1600 meters above sea level, Sapa was built by the French in 1922 as a hill station which was the relaxation place for the French during the French War in Vietnam. Sapa has now become a famous tourism site in Vietnam. Sapa offers the traveller a rare glimpse into the way of life that has all but vinished from the rest of Asia. Here you will find no welcome mats or rehearsed “ Cultural ” parades, just real people living real lives who greet visitors with genuine warmth and real smiles. Sapa serves as the region’s commercial center and hosts a colorful market each weekend. This is a major social event for the minorities when members of various villages meet to eat and drink and pick up essential provisions. Visitors to Vietnam all agree that Sapa isthe country’s crown jewel. The combination of fresh mountain air, relaxed ambience, sweeping panoramas and fascinating hill tribes make Sapa a most-wanted destination.
Itinerary :
Day 1 : Hanoi City tour
Am : Pick up from the hotel. Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his former residence and One Pillar Pagoda nearby. Visit Temple of Literature – first university in Vietnam. Head back to the old quarter of Hanoi to visit the busy 36 streets by riding in a rickshaw for 1 hour. Lunch time. Pm : Short drive to outskirt of Hanoi to visit the Museum of Ethnology, after a briefing you have free time to explore around this biggest museum in Vietnam. Head back to central Hanoi via the temple of Quan Thanh and the oldest pagoda in Vietnam - Tran Quoc. Take a relaxing walk along Thanh Nien Street next to the famous West Lake. Dinner and transfer to railway station for overnight train to Sapa. (D) (OVERNIGHT ON THE TRAIN)
Day 2 : Sapa
The train arrives at the Lao Cai train station at approximately 6:00 am. There will be a vehicle waiting to transfer us to Sapa. The drive to Sapa is only 38 km but it takes around one hour to make our way up the mountains. Once at Sapa, after checking in, we will have a freshen up and breakfast and then are ready to explore Sapa town. We embark on a lovely walking tour to the hill tribe villages of Cat Cat, home to the H'mong hill tribe minority peoples. As we walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa, we will meet some of the local minority people on their way to and from Sapa. Here we have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families that live in the area. Dinner at Mimoza restaurant. (B, D) (OVERNIGHT IN SAPA)
Day 3 : Sapa - Tavan Homestay After breakfast we leave the hotel and start trekking. The first part is on the road but we soon turn to the right and walk on a small path down the valley to the Muong Hoa River and from here to the Black H’mong village Lao Chai. Black H’mong is one of the biggest minority groups in the Sapa area. They are proud of their culture and keep their traditions and way of living. They have their own language and wear traditional indigo blue clothing. After this you continue to Ta Van village (1,200 m) to visit the Zay people. Zay is a fairly small minority group of about 38,000 people who live mainly in the mountains in Northwest Vietnam. The development has meant that some of their old customs have been lost but many women still wear traditional shirts with a purple, blue or green colour. The Zay houses are built in wood and bamboo with a clay floor. We stay overnight with a local family in Ta Van and have our dinner here. (B,L,D) (OVERNIGHT IN HOMESTAY OF ZAY PEOPLE)
Day 4 : Tavan – Sapa
After farewelling the local family we continue to visit Red Dao people at Giang Ta Chai where we also see a waterfall. The Red Dao women have very colourful red embroidery and coins on their clothing. On their head they wear a red scarf. Some of the women have shaved off their eyebrows because of a nice Red Zao legend. We continue along small paths in the rice fields, cross the Muong Hoa River and trek up to Su Pan where you will meet the jeep transfer back to Sapa. Take a day room in Sapa for shower. Free time for shopping and visiting Sapa town till transfer to Lao Cai station for overnight train back to Hanoi. (B) (OVERNIGHT ON THE TRAIN)
Day 5 : Hanoi Pick up to your hotel for early check in. Some optional tours around Hanoi will be recommended. Tour ends after breakfast. (B)
Trip includes:
English speaking guide whole trip
Accommodation with basic twin share & daily breakfast
Private transfers & transport
Soft sleeper train with 4 berth shared and Air- conditioner
Meals as indecated on itinerary. (B : Breakfast ; L : Lunch ; D : Dinner)
Entrance fees during guided time.
Trip excludes:
International airfare & airport taxes
Visa & visa arrangement
Meals not indecated on itinerary
Travel insurance (Complsory)
Personal expenses
Tour costing:
$ 269 per person ( 2 people Min )
Hotels :
Hanoi : Hong Ngoc Hotel ( 3 star Hotel )
Sapa : Chau Long Hotel ( 3 star Hotel )
Note : Please help us to keep Sapa more charming for the travelers and brighter future for lovely local people by following some of our recommended actions below :
Please never buy stuffs from hilltribe vendor on the street
Never give candy, money, or anything to anyone with any reason
Don't be drunk in the village you stay or walking though, please don't be noisy at night in Home stay.
All those actions above may create bad habits to local people, especially for the kids.
If you want to give gilfs to the local, we recommend you bring something simple and helpful gifts for local's life such as tooth brush, pen and book for schools you pass though ...and give to ADULT PEOPLE only. Not to children please.
For any questions or concerns about those activities, please contact us for more details .
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