Day 01: Hanoi – night train to Lao Cai
This evening, the Experience Sapa Homestay trekking tour will be started by picking up at hotel and then trasnsfer to the station for a night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on train.
Day 02: Lao Cai – Sapa – Lao Chai – Ta Van (B, L, D) – Homestay
The train arrives at the Lao Cai train station at approximately 06:00. There will be a vehicle waiting to transfer us to Sapa. Driving to Sapa is only 38 km but it takes around one hour to make our way up the mountains. Once at Sapa, having breakfast. At 10 am we leave the hotel and start trekking. The first part is on the road but we soon turn to the right and walk on a small path down the valley to the Muong Hoa River and from here to the Black H’mong village Lao Chai. Black H’mong is one of the biggest minority groups in the Sapa area. They are proud of their culture and keep their traditions and way of living. They have their own language and wear traditional indigo blue clothing. After this you continue to Ta Van village (1.200 m) to visit Zay people. Zay is a fairly small minority group of about 38.000 people who live mainly in the mountains in Northwest Vietnam. The development has meant that some of their old customs have been lost but many women still wear traditional shirts with a purple, blue or green color. The Zay houses are build of wood and bamboo with a clay floor. We stay overnight with a local family in Ta Van and have our dinner here.
Day 03: Ta Van – Giang Ta Chai – Su Pan – Sapa (B, L)
After the breakfast we continue to visit Red Dao people at Giang Ta Chai where we also see a waterfall. The Red Dao women have very colorful red embroidery and coins on their clothing. On their head they wear a red scarf. Some of the women have shaved off their eyebrows because of a nice Red Zao Legend.We continue along small paths in the rice fields, cross the Muong Hoa River and trek up to Su pan where you will meet the jeep and transfer back to Sapa. Overnight in Sapa.
This morning, we will visit Dragon Jaw Mountain ( Ham Rong mountain) overlooks the town of Sapa – just look to the northwest and you will see the peak forming the ‘dragon’s jaw’ rising impressively over the town. The route to the top begins with a walk through a beautiful orchid garden, and then on to a European style botanical garden where you will find a variety of colourful flowers and plants. By this time you will be at a good altitude to stop and appreciate the stunning views across the Muong Hoa valley to Fansipan Moutain, the highest peak in Vietnam, and over Sapa town itself. From here you will continue upwards to Heaven’s Gate where you can enjoy great views of the ‘dragon’s jaw’. Eventually you will reach the mountain peak where you will be treated to unrivalled views over the valley and a bird’s eye view of Sapa. Take it all in while resting your legs and looking forward to the easy-going descent back to Sapa. The rest of the day, we are free until transfer to the Lao Cai station for a night train to Hanoi. Overnight on train.
Arrive Hanoi in the early morning. You will go to your hotel by yourself. End the Experience Sapa Homestay trekking tour.
