Trekking and Homestay

A former French hill station, located in the middle of the breathtaking landscapes in the north of Vietnam, Sapa is one of the most wonderful places in Asia and is a magical combination of landscapes, ethnic cultures and bracing mountain air. There are excellent areas for hiking through lush mountain valleys to the remote villages of different minorities, including the Black H"mong and the Red Dzao people.

Day 1: Overnight train from Hanoi - Lao Cai

2100 - pickup at the hotel. Transfer to railway station for a night train LC1 at 2200.

Day 2: Lao Cai Station - Sapa - Hau Thao

Arrive at 0730 in Lao Cai. Pick up from station & transfer to Sapa. Check in and have breakfast at the hotel before the trip starts. We will walk along the main road for a while, and then take a small path up a hill to get to Hau Thao village, home to the Black H"Mong tribe. The trek will bring you through the upper mountain range of Sapa with great views overlooking the valley. Our guide will prepare lunch in a local house while you walk around the village to meet the tribe and visit their catholic church. After lunch the guide will take you back to Sapa via a different route, where you will be able to take in the view from the other side of the mountain.

Day 3: Sapa - Lao Chai - Ta Van - Giang Ta Chai

Have breakfast and check out before the trip starts. Trek down to Lao Chai village to visit the Tay and Day tribes. Have a picnic lunch on the way then continue to the bottom of the Sapa valley to get to the Ta Van village, which is regarded as one of the most beautiful ones in the region. Afterward you head up to Giang Ta Chai village of the Red Zdao tribe where you will see the amazing scenery and a spectacular waterfall. Stay overnight with a local family.

Day 4: Giangtachai - Banho - Sapa

Rise and shine early for breakfast then set off to Ban Ho. You will trek up and down hills, through a jungle, and pass the Muong Hoa River and waterfall. Arriving in Ban Ho village, you will have lunch there with the Tay tribe in their amazing special wooden house on stilts. Relax here and take in the peaceful scenery and friendly people. After lunch, a challenging 45 minutes will be had climbing up the hill to get to the pick up point. Here you will be transferred back to Sapa by motorbike or jeep.

Day 5: Sapa - Cat Cat - Sin Chai

After breakfast in hotel, the rest of the morning is free to explore the town on your own. After lunch you check out, leave your luggage in the hotel, and get yourself ready before heading down to see the Cat Cat and Sin Chai villages of the Black H"Mong tribe. Enjoy the waterfall in Cat Cat and the beautiful scenery along the way. After this, head back to Sapa and freshen up with a shower in the hotel's day room before

Included: Accommodation, transport, entrance fees, meals, English speaking guide, and train ticket (soft-sleepers 2 ways).