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 During the period of Vietnamese feudalism, the Northwest was a faraway mountainous and secret area. Stories of the people from these remote areas were more like fairy tales characterized by mystical lands populated by nomadic tribes having such a special relationship with the environment. These people were considered savages by the rest of the nation and the more developed populations in the area. These "savage", living in a large area from the Northwest of Vietnam to Northern Laos, Southern Myanmar, Southern China and Northern Thailand depended entirely on the local wildlife for their subsistent living with little trade with groups outside the area. It was only when the French colonized Vietnam ventured into this mystical area that the inhabitant's secrets and wild lives were revealed to the outside world for the first time.
Night 1: Vietnam TripAdvisor's taxi will pick you up from your hotel and transfer to Hanoi station for boarding the train at 8.30 pm, You will be sharing cabins of AC soft sleepers with other passengers to travel up Lao Cai station.
 Day 1: Lao Cai – Sapa, trek to Ta Van village (B,L,D)
The train arrives in Lao Cai at 6.30 a.m, our driver or tour guide with the sign of your name will welcome you. On a Russian jeep, we ride to Sapa in about 1,5 hours, you will be taken to a small guesthouse for a morning shower then your breakfast at a local restaurant here. We walk straight from town down hills to the valley of Muong Hoa, we will be trekking along the rice paddies, crossing the stream and visit the Hmong village at our break. Picnic lunch en route and we keep hiking up and down the green hills to Ta Van village of the Zay people, you will be greeted by your host, free time in the afternoon to wonder around or join in some of the life activities here. Dinner and sleep in the house of the Zay.
Day 2: Keep trekking to Ho village (B,L,D) 
You will not be sleeping that long in the morning at any villages when you trekking, since the noise of the pigs, dogs, cats….will keep you awake early and it would be nice for you to take part in an activity here with the Zay. Breakfast and say goodbye to the host. Today we will do about 7 hours trekking through forests, villages, suspension bridge and so to meet the locals working on the mountainsides or the rice terraces. We will break for a picnic lunch en route, keep trekking to Ban Ho village of the Tay people where you will be warmly welcomed by the host, share the dinner with them, and stay at their traditional house on stilts.
Day 3: Trek around Ban Ho and back to Sapa(B,L,D)
Another new day traveling over and over the scenic mountains and friendly village, breakfast with the Tay people here then we will take about 3 – 4 hours trek to Thanh Phu village and back to Ban Ho at noon for our lunch. Some walk up to the main road and jeep back to Sapa, check in your hotel then you are free to explore and dinner on your own. Sleep in town of Sapa.
Day 4: Sapa and night train to Hanoi (B,L)
Today you are free at leisure, to visit around the town of Sapa (Dragon mount, Orchid garden, Waterfall…) or relax in town and inhale the fresh air. Leave Sapa by jeep in the late afternoon (5.30 p.m.) to Lao Cai station for our night train back to Hanoi. Overnight on the train.
|
Price per person in USD |
| Cost/pax (US$) |
1 |
2 |
3 - 4 |
| Standard (3*) |
275 |
210 |
185 |
| Superior (3+*) |
315 |
250 |
225 |
| Deluxe (4*) |
355 |
290 |
265 |
| Accommodation |
Standard 3 * |
Mid-range (3+*) |
Deluxe (4*) |
| Sapa hotels |
Royal View Hotel, Bambo Hotel |
Chau Long Hotel |
Victoria Sapa |
Included:
- Accommodation
- English/French speaking tour guide
- Meals as indicated within the itinerary
- 2 ways train tickets Hanoi - Laocai - Hanoi ( First class - soft sleeper)
- All ground transfer
- Admission fees and overnight stay permits in Villages
Excluded:
- Car/mini van
- AC 4 berth soft sleeper train (join cabin)
- All entrance fees
- English or French speaking guide
- All meals as per program
- Accommodation as program, based in twin sharing
What to bring:
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Sun Block
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Wide brim hat
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Camera + Film
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Comfortable shoes
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Rain gear
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Warm clothes
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Insect Repellent
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Original Passport
Note: If you want VietnamTripAdvisor.com to arrange pick-up at the station to drop you off at your hotel in the Old Quarter, we can do so for an extra $5 per person. |
