Price: $72 - 250 (included taxes & service charge)
Router: Hanoi - Sapa - Bac Ha - Hanoi
Duration: 4 days/3 nights
Depart from: Hanoi
Return to: Hanoi
Highlight: Trekking and cultural experience
Day 1: Hanoi - Sapa
An early morning start to drive towards Sa Pa. The roads are bumpy at times, but changing scenic landscapes from the delta area to the Tonkinese Alps make for an interesting journey. At an elevation of 1,500 meters, Sa Pa was once a hill resort of French administrators when the summer heat became uncomfortable. The remoteness and the simple lifestyle of ethnic minority people are a highlight of Sa Pa although conditions are basic. After checking into hotel in Sapa we can soak up the fresh air and spend time walking around the village. The ethnic people are frequently seen in this hill town and small vendors along the street sell local textiles and handicraft.
Day 2: Sapa market - Easy Trek to Lao Chai - Ta Van Village (B)
The range of Phan Si Pan boasts Vietnam’s highest mountain and lends an alpine feel to the area surrounding this hill station. Today we have enough time to visit the bustling Sa Pa Market where the Red Dao, Black Hmong, Tay and Xa Pho ethnic minorities converge from the nearby mountainsides and valleys to trade their goods and buy provisions. We then get well off the beaten track as we embark on a walk to explore this beautiful mountain region. Along the way we traverse several rustic villages and see many mountain villagers doing their daily works such as logging, herding buffalo and tilling the field. The blend of the mountain backdrop and colourful population makes for facinatingviews.
Day 3: Sapa - Bac Ha (B)
Upon leaving Sapa we set off on our scenic drive through the border town of Lao Cai to the colourful Sunday Market at Bac Ha. This market also attracts a wide variety of ethnic minority groups including the Variegated Hmong, Dao, Phu La, La Chi and Tay. They still retain their old age cultural traditions and are recognisably distinct from each other by their dress. The experience of this congregation is colorful and unique. After the market we enjoy a walk around the area, visiting the Hmong King’s former residence and Ban Pho where the villagers make the potent local maize alcohol.
Day 4: Bac Ha - Hanoi
The return journey begins as we depart Bac Ha Town and pass through the green and rugged mountain scenery to Hanoi. These back roads are a great way to explore the real Vietnam. We see very few other travelers, mostly rural dwellers who are just as interested in finding out about our lives as we are of theirs. The drive is quite long, but we can make many stops at our pleasure, to stretch our legs and take some wonderful photographs.
Class
Number of Person in Group/Pax
Tour cost per Person (in $US)
1
2 - 3
4 - 5
6 - 9
10 - 14
14 - 18
Single Supplemental
150
134
102
85
79
72
18
180
150
108
91
85
80
35
250
200
169
148
144
135
95
Trip includes:
All transfer & transport
Accommodation at Sapa
Meals as mention at the itinerary (B- breakfast, L- Lunch, D- dinner)
Return train ticket Hanoi- Laocai- Hanoi (soft sleeper with air- condition, 4 berths)
Local ENG speaking tour guide
Entrance fee & permission to visit the hill tribe village
Trip excludes:
Travel insurance
Pre-post accommodation in Hanoi
Other meals & drinks
Admission fees during free time
Personal expenses such as shopping; telephone, laundry and bar bills etc.
