Itinerary
Highlights
~ In-depth 3D2N trekking through golden rice fields and staying with the local communities
~ Scenic train and cable car ride to visit Mount Fasipan, the tallest mountain in Indochina
~ Overnight sleeper train experience from Sapa to Hanoi
Day 1   Arrive Hanoi – Sapa
Arrive Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport. Transfer to Sapa.
Enjoy a cosy welcome dinner at the hotel before resting early for tomorrow’s big day.
Meal: Welcome Dinner
Stay: hotel, Sapa
Day 2Â Â Â Sapa
Leave early in the morning for your trek down to Cat Cat village, taking in the picturesque waterfall at the bottom of the hill. Continue towards Y Linh Ho and begin a 2km walk through rice terraces.
Y Linh Ho is home to the Hmong minority, and their hereditary rice terraces are around 100 years old. This is a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in true Hmong culture! From Y Linh Ho we will make our way to Lao Chai, an established Hmong minority village that has been inhabited for centuries. See the products of this minority at their best, with established rice terraces, homes, and a vibrant community.
You will be welcomed warmly by Mai and her family who run the first-ever homestay owned and run by Hmong minority in the Sapa region. Sapa O’Chau supported Mai in setting up this homestay and we hope it’s the first of many!
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: Village homestay (multi-share)
Trekking Distance: 14 KM
Day 3Â Â Â Sapa
When you awake, open the window, and have a look outside – weather permitting – you will be treated to amazing views across the rice terraces in the valley. After breakfast, make your way to Ta Van to visit the Giay minority people.
This tribe traditionally fished for a living and as a result, established themselves close to rivers. They have mastered the art of fishing with bamboo sticks and cooking the fish inside bamboo. Nowadays, however, you are more likely to see the Giay working in fields planting or harvesting rice.
Continue your walk through an impressive bamboo forest to Giang Ta Chai, and then on to the village of Su Pan where you will be able to rest your legs and take in the stunning mountain scenery as we stop for a picnic lunch.
Feeling revitalized, hike the final 6km to Ban Ho village and spend the night at a Tay people’s homestay. Their houses are particularly special as they are built on stilts overlooking rice terraces. Dinner will be cooked on an open fire, and some local specialty rice wine will be on offer to help you wind down!
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: Village homestay (multi-share)
Trekking Distance: 16 KM
Day 4Â Â Â Sapa
On your last trekking day, wake up to the sound of feet pattering on bamboo as the household comes alive. After a filling breakfast in the homestay, walk to Nam Toong village, home to the Red Dao minority.
Cool off with a swim in the river if the weather permits. Lunch will be provided back at the Ban Ho homestay, after which drive back to Sapa, arriving at around 3.00 PM with a great sense of achievement!
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Stay: hotel, Sapa
Day 5   Sapa – Hanoi
Today, we visit Mount Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina, via scenic train and cable car ride.
Enjoy some free time for leisure in Sapa town before our overnight train ride back to Hanoi.
Transfer from Sapa to Lao Cai train station. Have a quick shower (included) and dinner (at your own expense) at the train lounge before boarding your overnight train from Lao Cai to Hanoi.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Stay: Chapa Express overnight train (deluxe cabin, quad-share)
Day 6   Hanoi – Departure
Arriving early in the morning in Hanoi, you will be transferred to Hanoi Airport for your onward journey. If you extend your stay in Hanoi, you will be transferred to Hanoi Old Quarters.
Meal: Nil
Inclusions
~ return group airport transfer at scheduled timing;
~ all accommodations as per itinerary;
~ overnight train from Lao Cai to Hanoi (quad-share deluxe cabin);
~ 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners;
~ sightseeing and transportation as per itinerary;
~ luggage transfers during trekking days;
~ service of a local English-speaking trekking guide.
Exclusions
~ flights to Hanoi, Vietnam;
~ tourist visa (if required);
~ comprehensive travel insurance;
~ any expenses of personal nature;
~ beverages during meals;
~ tipping for local guides (guideline USD 10 per day);
~ items not mentioned in itinerary and inclusion.
Important Notes
~ Non – refundable deposit, 30% of total trip quoted value is required at the time of booking.
~ Full or balance payment is 60 days prior to departure.
~ Only book your air ticket to Hanoi, Vietnam when you have been informed to do so.
~ Should you require a visa to enter Vietnam, it is your responsibility to obtain such document before departure. Check your entry requirement and apply for your visa HERE if you require.
~ As you prepare for the trekking vacation, we recommend one hour of exercise 1 – 2 times per week (this can be hiking, running or walking). Hike at least 2 or 3 consecutive days if possible, as the trip draws near.
~ Every effort is made to ensure the trip and included experiences occur during the ideal time or period of the year. However, certain sights are subject to weather conditions and seasonal variations that are not within the control of Travel Wander. Although you may get to see and/or experience, we cannot guarantee the sightings.
~ Provision of meals during the trip showcases the local authenticity, cuisine and food culture of the places we are visiting. All food allergies and dietary restrictions must be disclosed to Travel Wander when booking. We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate special requirements or requests, but this is not always possible given the nature of the destinations visited and the availability of options. We cannot guarantee that dietary needs or restrictions can be accommodated. Travel Wander is not liable for failure to accommodate or fulfil such requests. Meal supplementary charges may be imposed to meet your dietary needs.
~ Trip grading indicates the difficulty of the activities included. Preparation and regular exercise to maintain good physical condition and an active lifestyle prior to the trip will be most beneficial in ensuring you have full enjoyment of the trip. We are glad to discuss your concerns and answer your queries.
~ Our utmost priority is always the safety of the hikers. Therefore, the inclusion of the itinerary may be altered due to (not limited to) bad weather, local conditions, accommodation bookout, the skill levels of the cyclists and/or other unexpected circumstances beyond our control. We reserve the right to make changes necessary, and there will be no refund should you decide to discontinue the trip.
~ Because hiking requires a certain level of cardio and stamina exertion, it is not suitable for hikers with chronic and/or acute diseases. Please consider your physical condition before booking. Hikers must ensure they are medically and physically able to hike.
~ If the hiker presents difficulty in completing the day’s hike, we strongly discourage the hiker from continuing for the day with top priority on the safety of the hiker and team in mind. The hiker can fast-track the hike by using public transportation (where available) or booking a private transfer at the hiker’s own expense. There is no refund on this portion of the trip.
~ Hiker may choose to terminate the hike early during any time of the planned hiking day or make it a rest day and fast track to the next accommodation by making use of public transportation (where available) or booking a private transfer at the hiker’s own expense. Should the hiker wish to partake in other activities or sightseeing on the rest day, it will be at the hiker’s own expense. There is no refund on this portion of the trip.
~ Purchasing comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. See HERE for details.
~ By making a payment to Travel Wander LLP, you (and on behalf of the rest of travelling companions) acknowledge that you have read, understood and agree to Travel Wander’s Booking Conditions and Other Important Information: Cancellation and Amendment, Modes of Payment, Privacy Policy, Indemnity Policy, and Terms & Conditions.
