This trip gives you the best Sapa has to offer but not in the normal
way. The traditional treks start in Sapa and finish back in Sapa. This
special trek starts in Ben Den and finishes in Sapa. The trek is
tougher but not less enjoyable since you trek through the hills and
valleys of the Sapa region, discovering several different minorities
along the way. You will experience overnight accommodation in the
hospitable villages of Dzay, Tay and Dzao ethnic minorities. The
apparent hardships are worth it though as we walk through some of the
most spectacular scenery that Vietnam has to offer and experience
unique villages culture.
Night 1: Night train to Lao Cai
Transfer from your hotel to Hanoi Railway Station for the night train to Lao Cai. Overnight in AC soft sleeper cabin.
Summary
Transfer hotel – railway station: 15 mins
Accommodation: Soft sleeper in AC cabin
Day 1: Trek from Ta Thang Village to Nam Ket Village
Arrive in Lao cai around 6am. We meet our guide at the train station and have breakfast in local restaurant. After breakfast we will make a 30 minute transfer to Ben Den where the porter team will be waiting for you. We will begin our eight and a half hour trek passing through bamboo forest and green jungle along some of the most remote trekking area of the north. We stop for lunch in the village of Nam Ket. After lunch we will head towards our camp near the Red Dao village of Sin Chai. We may meet the Red Dao ethnic minority tending the fields or working in the forest on our way. There will be time to enjoy the beautiful scenic valley as we pass through. Dinner and overnight at the campsite.
Summary
Transfer Lao Cai – Ta Thang: 45 mins
Trekking: 4 hrs – Moderate to Challenging grade
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Day 2: Nam Ket Village – Sin Chai B Village – Thanh Phu Village – Ban Ho Village
We will enjoy breakfast in the camp before preparing for today’s trek. Today’s adventure will take us through a number of small ethnic minority villages (including Red Dao, Xafo and Black H’mong). We will see people from the local communities carrying out their daily activities as it is in the northern highlands. Our trek will take us to our home stay for tonight in the Tay village - Ban Ho
Summary
Trekking: 7 hrs – Moderate to Challenging grade
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Home stay
Day 3: Ban Ho Village – Su Pan Village – Ta Van Village
Following breakfast we will leave Ban Ho behind us and start to ascend to Supan. From Supan we will trek the small trails towards our next stop at the Giang Ta Chai waterfall. From the waterfall we will begin our trek towards Tavan village, where we spend the night with a family. Inhabited by the Zay people, this community has become very adept at rice cultivation and, in marked contrast to the H’mong, they have a higher living standard as a result.
Summary
Trekking: 6 hrs – Moderate to Challenging grade
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Home stay
Day 4: Ta Van Village – Y Ling Ho Village – Cat Cat Village – Sapa
Today is our final day of our journey through the Hoang Lien Valley. We embark on our four and a half hour trek from Tavan, heading first through rice fields to Lao Chai and then on to Y Ling Ho. We will stop for a picnic lunch by the river. After lunch we will continue on small trails to the Black H’mong village of Cat Cat, from here we will make the final push up to Sapa. Overnight in hotel in Sapa Town.
Summary
Trekking: 6 hrs – Moderate to Challenging grade
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 5: Sapa – Lao Cai – Night train to Hanoi
Breakfast in the hotel. Today you are free at leisure. You can walk to Ham Rong Park or stroll around in Sapa market. Check out hotel at 11.30 am. In the late afternoon we will take a bus ride to Lao Cai for the night train back to Hanoi.
Summary
Transfer Sapa – Lao Cai: 1 hr
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: AC, soft sleeper cabin
Day 6: Arrive in Hanoi – Trip completes
Arrive in Hanoi around 5 am. Trip completes