Trip Name: Sapa off the bitten track 5 days
Type of trip: Private
Trip Duration: 5 Days
Starting: Hanoi, Vietnam
Finishing: Hanoi, Vietnam
Trip Grading: Adventure hard trekking
Destinations: Sapa hill tribe villages
Flexibility: This sample itinerary can be amended accordingly to meet your expectation.
Highlights: The trip off the bitten track adventure is a combination of sightseeing and trekking, which offer you the best views in Sapa area, with a short trek in the Hoang Lien National Park as well as a visit to Community Based Tourism village of Black Hmong minority, one of the largest ethnic minorities in Sapa area
Day 1: Hanoi - Lao Cai
7:15 Pm, our driver will pick you up from your hotel and depart for the night train to Sapa.
Meal included: None
Day 2: Sapa - Heaven Gate – Sin Chai - Sapa valley (B)
Upon arrival at Lao Cai Railway station in the early morning, our awaiting guide will pick you up and transfer to Sapa town, check in hotel (Note: early check in is subjected to availability); enjoy breakfast at local restaurant
Then travel toward the Silver Waterfall, and Heaven Gate, the highest peak of roads in Vietnam. Enjoy a stunning view and watch Fansipan mount, the top roof of Indochina 3143 meters.
The walk commence at a point nearby the waterfall, by a descent on a trail through bamboo forest, which belongs to Hoang Lien National Park. Enjoy a picnic lunch. After lunch, continue the trek to Sin Chai village, where Community Based Tourism in Sapa takes place. Visit the village, inhabited by the Black Hmong minority, one of the largest group ethnic minorities in Sapa area then travel back to Sapa by mini van.
Approx: Grade 2 of 5; 1 hour driving/ 4 hours trekking
Accommodation: Boutique hotel in Sapa
Meal: Breakfast, picnic lunch.
Day 3: Sapa - Ban Ho - Thanh Phu - Sin Chai – Sapa (B, L, D)
The tour commences with a jeep ride to the trekking route. The trek starts by walking through the incredibly scenic “Ban Ho” valley. Here you will have the opportunity to visit and explore the wooden houses, which traditionally belong to the Tay ethnic minority. You will then continue to walk to Thanh Phu village where you stop for lunch in a local house.
After lunchtime, you head to Sin Chai village of Red Dao minority. Enjoy the wonderful hospitable atmosphere of the Red Dao and stunning scenery.
Travel back to Sapa later this afternoon.
Approx: 1 hour driving/ 5 hours trekking
Accommodation: Boutique hotel in Sapa
Meal: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Day 4: Sapa - Matra – Ta Phin (B, L)
Breakfast is served at the hotel. Today we trek off the bitten track of Sapa.
The walk commence from Sapa on a trail running through the beautiful gardens and lush pine forests. You will then pass through the Black Hmong ethnic minority village of Matra, a very small village hiding way from the civilisation. The walk continues through rice paddy fields and spectacular scenery.
During the day you will also be able to visit a local school. You will enjoy your lunch before arriving at the Ta Phin village. Here you can hear about the unmixed cultural life of Black Hmong and Red Dao minorities, 2 largest ethnic groups in the area. You can already recognise them by dressing while they are both very famous of handicraft. You will enjoy walking among local people. The trip also offers you the opportunity to visit the local houses as well as visit the local caves. You will return Sapa by car. Pick up your bags from hotel, we board our private van with guide to Lao Cai to visit border crossing between Vietnam and China, then board the night train back to Hanoi.
Approx: 0,5 hour driving/ 4 hours walking/ 1 hour lunch.
Meals: Breakfast, picnic Lunch.
Overnight on the train
Day 5: Hanoi
Arrive in Hanoi at 5.00 am. Our driver will welcome you at train station and transfer to your hotel. End the service.