Duration: 4 nights/3 days

Trekking grade: Moderate

Code tour: SP008

At an elevation of 1,600 meters, Sapa is a delightful former French hill station situated in the mountainous region of Vietnam's northwest, close to the Chinese border. The region is home to many ethnic minority groups, each wearing traditional and colorful attire. This trip includes a trek through the hills and valleys of the Sapa region, discovering several different minorities along the way. You will enjoy your sweet sleep 5 star accommodation Topas Ecolodge. The Topas Eco Lodge has a perfect location - situated atop two cone formed hills, set deep in the spectacular Sapa valley of Northern Vietnam. The eco lodge consists of 25 individual lodges placed in a circle around the hills. From the lodge there are breathtaking views across the scenic valleys below, which are home to villages of the Tay and Red Dao minority. At Topas Eco Lodge we want every guest to have the perfect surroundings for a relaxing and enjoyable vacation. Whether you prefer the quiet life of the lodge or are prepared to join more active pursuits such as trekking, bicycling, or horseback riding trips in the local area - Topas Eco Lodge has something for you.

 

Day 1: Lao Cai station - exploring Sapa – Transfer to Topas Ecolodge

Day 2: Day walk to the remote villages Su Pan – Ban Ho – Nam Tong – Topas Ecolodge

Day 3: Topas – Giang Ta Chai – Ta Van – Lao Chai – Sapa town – Overnight train back to Hanoi.

Day 4: Arrive back to Hanoi.

Night 1: On board the train to Sapa ( C, G)

South Pacific Travel’s bus and guide will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you for the overnight train to Lao Cai Station. Enjoy the experience the romance of overnight train travel

 

Summary Transfer hotel – railway station:  AC vehicle Accommodation:   Soft sleeper in AC cabin Meal: Not applicable

 

Day 1: Lao Cai station - exploring Sapa – transfer to Topas Ecolodge (L, D).

Your guide and driver will be pick you up at Lao Cai Railways Station and transfer you to Sapa. You will then depart by jeep to the impressive Silver Water Fall. From there you can see the stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the lush forests. Following that you will continue by jeep to Heavens Gate, the highest stretch of road in Vietnam. Here you will have a fantastic opportunity to view the beautiful scenery of Lao Cai and Lai Chau provinces.

Upon arrival back in Sapa, you will continue the drive for 18 km more to the Topas Ecolodge, where you will enjoy a well prepared lunch. The rest of the day is free at your leisure.

 

Summary Transfer Lao Cai – Sapa: 45 mins Visit: Silver water fall, Heaven gate Meals: lunch and dinner Accommodation: Topas ecolodge

 

Day 2: Day walk to the remote villages Su Pan – Ban Ho – Nam Tong – Topas Ecolodge (B, L, D).

You will head toward Su Pan from where you will commence your walk through the breathtaking scenery. On the way you will pass through the Ban Ho village where you will be able to witness the stunning views of the valley and rice paddy terraces. You will have the opportunity to explore the Tay village of Ban Ho before crossing the suspension bridge over the river. The walk then continues through the rice fields to the Red Dao village of Nam Tong, where your guide will prepare a delicious lunch in a local house.

After lunch you will go swimming by a waterfall before you start your journey back to Topas Eco Lodge, where you arrive in the late afternoon.

 

Summary Trekking:  5 hrs trek/dirt paths/downhill Meals:    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Topas Ecolodge

Day 3: Topas – Giang Ta Chai – Ta Van – Lao Chai – Sapa town – Overnight train back to Hanoi (B, L)

After having breakfast in the lodge, you will commence your trek today by taking the jeep on the road back to Sapa. After around 20 minutes, you will arrive to Giang Ta Chai, a Red Dao ethnic minority hill tribe village, where the trek begins. You will have more then 2 hours walk through the bamboo forest to Ta Van village. Ta Van is the only village in Sapa area inhabited by the Giay ethnic minority. You will have time to walk around the village, visiting the school, and enjoying your picnic lunch. From Ta Van, it will take a 2 hours easy walk through the terraced rice field to the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai. Here the jeep will collect you for the journey to Sapa. The rest of the day is free at you leisure. You will enjoy your dinner in a nice restaurant in town.

At 19h00, you will have a transfer to Lao Cai Railways Station for the night train back to Hanoi, which depart at 21h15.

 

Summary Trekking:  5 hrs trek/dirt paths/downhill Meals:    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Soft sleeper in AC cabin

 

Accommodation

• Breakfast and 2 nights accommodation Topas Ecolodge twin or double room.
• Pick-ups and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle as specified in the itinerary above.
• Return train tickets: Hanoi - Lao Cai – Hanoi (King express train deluxe A/C soft sleeper cabin)
• Travel in an appropriate private air-conditioned vehicle and/or a Jeep with an experienced safe driver.
• The services of experienced English-speaking guides as indicated in the itinerary.
• Where necessary, entry fees for all visits as mentioned in the programme.
• Lunches and dinners (as specified in the itinerary) in the best local restaurants, or picnics where no suitable restaurant is available. 

• International flight tickets and airport tax.
• Visas.
• Dinners, except as specified above.
• Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses.
• Camera fees (if any).
• Insurance.

The trekking day
A typical trekking day start at about 8.30 am after breakfast. Lunch times can vary depending on the terrain. We aim to reach the next overnight stop by 4.30 or 5. During the trek we will have short breaks for rest, snack and photographing.  

 

The transfers
In Hanoi, Our guide will accompany you to the train to show you your cabin and tell you how to deal with night train traveling in Vietnam.
In Lao Cai, our guide will meet you at Lao Cai Railway Station in the morning of the first day. He also sees you off at Lao Cai Railway Station on the third day.
When you get back to Hanoi on day 4, you can easily find a taxi to get to your hotel

 

Food

All meals which are indicated in the itinerary, are included in the price of this trip. Picnic lunch would be prepared by a local restaurant. The emphasis will be on healthy and nutritious fresh local produce.

 

What to bring
Trekking boot, sun block, hat, anti-insect repellent, sunglasses, rain coat, toiletries, original passport,

 

Note on client safety
We reserve the right to deviate from this itinerary for any reasons, including road and weather conditions, frequency of visits to a village, or for any other factor which may influence client safety.

Quotation in USD per person

 

Package	Group of 2 pax	Group of 4 pax	Group of 6 pax
Topas (weekdays)	328	295	278
Topas (weekends)	342	308	289

 

 

Accommodation

• Breakfast and 2 nights accommodation Topas Ecolodge twin or double room.
• Pick-ups and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle as specified in the itinerary above.
• Return train tickets: Hanoi - Lao Cai – Hanoi (King express train deluxe A/C soft sleeper cabin)
• Travel in an appropriate private air-conditioned vehicle and/or a Jeep with an experienced safe driver.
• The services of experienced English-speaking guides as indicated in the itinerary.
• Where necessary, entry fees for all visits as mentioned in the programme.
• Lunches and dinners (as specified in the itinerary) in the best local restaurants, or picnics where no suitable restaurant is available. 

• International flight tickets and airport tax.
• Visas.
• Dinners, except as specified above.
• Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses.
• Camera fees (if any).
• Insurance.

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