SAPA TREKKING
Duration: 8day/8night
Itinerary
Saturday night1: From Hanoi boarding a night train at 9:30pm or 10:00pm
Day1: Lao Cai - Bac Ha ( Sunday) (B)
The train journey ends once arriving at Lao Cai Station. You are greeted by our local guide and begin a rugged but scenic drive towards Bac Ha. This remote hill town is a world famous site with the lively and colourful Sunday market. There are various ethnic minority groups including Dao, Phu La, La Chi and Tay but the
dominants are the Flower Hmong people. These ethnic minorities wear distinctive costumes and come in town for trade on every Sunday. On arrival we stroll around this colourful congregation to see the different hill tribe groups and their amazing trading way. The remainder of day is for some trekking options. There are
several footpaths but we walk from Hmong King’s former residence through corn fields to Ban Pho Village where we see the Flower Hmong making the potent local maize alcohol. O/N in Bac Ha.
Day2: Bac Ha - Nam Mon (B,L,D)
Heading out of Bac Ha Town we embark on a walk using the local track to Nam Mon. This mountainous region is inhabited by the Variegated Hmong and Tay ethnic minorities. They have settled there longtime ago and made for the main local population. Along the way we make stop at several seldom visited villages, catching a
chance to understand a little more about the culture and lifestyle of these tribal groups. Tonight we will be toasted as honored guests of a Thai family and sample some of their homemade rice wine! The accommodation is very simple and dormitory style, no western facilities but the experience is definitely unique. O/N at
Tay Village.
Day3: Nam Mon - Coc Ly - Sa Pa (B)
The following destination of our trip is Coc Ly. We spend one hour walking through Trung Do village to the Chay River. Here, we board a boat for a two hour cruise along this scenic watercourse to the colourful market of Coc Ly, which is also an important trading hub for many tribal groups. We visit this market and wind
our way on a scenic drive uphill to Sa Pa. At an elevation of 1,500 meters, Sa Pa has warm days and cool evenings. This mountainous region is home of various ethnic minority groups such as Hmong, Dao, Xa Pho , Tay and Zay people. They may be our fellow passengers since we will use their footpath in coming days. We check
in hotel and begin our exploration of Sa Pa Town. The ethnic minority people are frequently seen in this hill town and small vendors along the street sell local textiles and handicraft. We visit the lively market of Sa Pa and pack for the trekking expeditions. O/N in Sa Pa.
Day4: Sa Pa - Y Linh Ho - Lao Chai - Ta Van (B,L,D)
The extremely beautiful mountain region of Sa Pa is ideal for anyone seeking a true adventure and trekking expedition. Today we get well and truly off the beaten track and venture into the remote and beautiful mountain areas around Sa pa Town. The footpath traverses some hamlets of San Sa Ho and Lao Chai which are
conquered by the Black Hmong ethnic minorities. We make stopover at these sleepy villages and see various ethnic minority people on daily business. They still retain their age old cultural traditions and are recognisably distinct by their dress. We finish our walking day on arrival at Ta Van village where we are toasted
as honored guests and are able to sample some of their homemade foods. O/N at Ta Van village.
Day5: Ta Van - Giang Ta Chai - Ban Ho (B.L,D)
The undulating mountainsides will involve some uphill and downhill walking, but it is still an unforgettable expedition. We continues our trek passing through many different hilltribe villages. A part of the pleasure of our adventure is the simple joy of seeing the scenic mountain scenery and the varied customs of local
people. The next stop is Giang Ta Chai which is home of the Red Dao People. They are some of Vietnam's most colorful tribal groups. We walk down to Ban Ho village and see many mountaineers their daily works such as logging, herding buffalo and tilling the field. The blend of rugged mountain backdrop and colourful
population makes for an unimaginable view. O/N at Ban Ho.
Day6: Ban Ho - Nam Tong - Nam Ken - My Son - Thanh Phu (B,L,D)
The remoteness and the simple lifestyle of ethnic minorities are a highlight of our expedition although the conditions are very basic. Upon leaving the village of previous night we blaze a trail with our local guide and walk into the lowland of Sa Pa, past Nam Tong, Nam Ken and My Son hamlets, getting a chance to explore
the Red Dao, Xa Pho and Tay people. By mid afternoon we reach the charming Thanh Phu village and have time to stroll around this charming village, allowing us to understand a little more about their culture and lifestyle. They are very poor but have an interesting local culture and colorful history. O/N at Thanh Phu
village.
Day7: Thanh Phu - Ben Den - Pho Lu - Hanoi (B)
Today we spend few more hours walking along the local trail through the lush plantation to Ben Den. At this small village we take a short drive using the local transport towards Pho Lu. There are nothing to see in town but it is still a necessary stop to catch the night train back to Hanoi. The day room in a simple
guesthouse will be arranged for our group to freshen up and leave luggage. By mid evening we board our train and travel overnight to Hanoi. The train conditions are basic; however this journey is in keeping with the adventurous nature of our trips and allows you to experience a taste of the 'real Vietnam'. The food on
board is not the best you will have in Vietnam, so we recommend you to prepare some foods, water, snack. O/N on board.
Day8: We arrive at Hanoi station early morning. Our guide will arrange a transfer back to your hotel.
