Pick-up at the hotel an hour before the night train(soft sleeper, A/C) to Lao Cai departure. The night train leaves at 21:10. Overnight on train.
Day 2: Lao Cai – Sapa – Sin Chai – Cat Cat village. (L, D)
The train arrives at Lao Cai train station early in the morning at about 06:00, from where you will be picked up and transported by shared bus to Sapa (35km – about 1 hour drive). The guide will then provide you with more information about the tour, before visiting to the “Silver” water fall, Doi Bang and the Sin Chai village, where the Black H’mong people live – the Black H’mong are proud of their culture, have their own language and wear traditional indigio blue clothing. After lunch, continuing to Cat Cat village, where we’ll have dinner and spend the night.
Trekking distance:15km
Driving distance: 13km
Day 3: Cat Cat – Y Linh Ho – Lao Chai – Ta Van village. (B, L, D)
After breakfast taking a trip by foot to Y Link Ho – a small community in the hill’s. In the afternoon visiting Lao Chai village and learning more about their culture and customs. Then walking to Ta Van village to visit Zay people – The Zay minority people in Ta Van have their own traditional culture and lifestyle. They still live in traditional houses, which are built in wood and bamboo with clay floor. You’ll have dinner and sleep overnight in Ta Van.
Trekking distance: 15km
Day 4: Ta Van – Giang Ta Chai – Sapa. (B)
After breakfast visiting the Red Dao people in Giang Ta Chai and enjoying a beautiful waterfall. The Red Dao women have very colorful red embroideries, coins on their clothing and on their head they wear a red scarf. Some of the women have shaved off their eyebrows, because a hairless face is considered, by the Red Dao, to be very beautiful.
From Giang Ta Chai, pick-up by car and return to Sapa town, where spending the night at Cat Cat hotel.
Trekking distance: 6km
Driving distance: 14km
Day 5: Sapa minority market. Night train to Hanoi. (B)
After breakfast, pick-up by Jeep (with English speaking guide) to go visit the local ethnic markets. Depending on the day of departure from Hanoi, we’ll visit one of the following markets:
Bac Ha market (Sunday ): This is the largest market in the region, a place where many minority groups gather to buy, sell, eat and drink.You can buy homemade handicraft and clothes, before we’ll take a short trek to Ban Pho village (Flower H’Mong)
Can Cau market (Saturday ): This is a colorful market in the mountains. You will see several different minority groups here, but mainly the Flower H’mong. The local people come here to buy and sell clothes, vegetables, meat and cattle. In the afternoon we will take a short trek to Ban Pho village (Flower H’Mong)
Coc Ly market (Tuesday ): This is a small but very colorful market. After visiting the market we’ll take a boat trip down the river and trek to Trung Do village (Tay). You’ll then head back to Lao Cai to catch the night train to Hanoi.
Arrival early in the morning at Hanoi train station, where the tour ends.
(B: Breakfast, L: Lunch and D: Dinner)
Included Service:
* Accommodation: 2 nights on train in deluxe 4 berth cabin.
* 1 night in budget hotel in Sapa.
* 2 nights in homestay in Cat Cat and Ta Van.
* Meals: Meals are included in this trip according to itinerary.
* Excursions: Admission fee for villages are included in the trip.
* Transport: Train, car/mini bus transfer and walking.
* English-speaking tour guide.
Excluded Service:
* Tipping – it is good manner to tip the guide and driver.
* Visas, travel insurance (compulsory).
* Drinks and personal expenses.