Sapa Ethnic Hike

At an elevation of 1, 600m, 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 their traditional, intricately
embroidered, colourful attire and living in small villages amongst green rice paddies.

Highlights
• Hiking through the hill tribe areas and meeting ethnic minority villagers as they go about their daily activities
• Walking up Ham Rong Mountain for spectacular views of Sapa and beyond.
• Exploring the markets of Sapa and buying authentic souvenirs

Good for. . .
• This trip requires a reasonable level of fitness but are suitable for people of all ages
• Great for families and anyone wishing to have an experience and adventure in this beautiful part of the world
• The accommodation is quite basic so not for those who cannot live without their creature comforts

Price

From: USD345 per person (6 Days)

Price Includes

• English speaking local guide in Sapa
• All transfers and transportation
• Accommodation based on twin sharing with breakfast included
• Food as mentioned in the itinerary
• Soft sleeper 4 berth air-conditioned cabin:Hanoi – Lao Cai – Hanoi
• All guided sightseeing fees and entrance fees as per itinerary

Price Excludes

• Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary Visa and visa fees Travel insurance Personal expenses Tips & gratuity

Day 1: Hanoi - Lao Cai
Optional Hanoi city tour in the morning or afternoon, depending on flight arrival time. Depart Hanoi in the evening on the overnight train to Lao Cai on the Vietnamese – Chinese border.

Day 2: Lao Cai - Sapa
Upon arrival into Lao Cai, drive 35km to the former hill station of Sapa. In the afternoon, embark on a walk into the nearby Cat Cay Valley, meeting some Hmong villagers along the way. (B,L)

Day 3: Cat Cat - Ta Van - Cau May
After breakfast start with a five to six hour trek to the hill tribe villages of Cat Cat, Ta Van and Cau May. As you walk through these villages nestled in the valleys below Sapa, you will meet some of the local ethnic minority people. These minority people,
including the Red Zao, H’mong and Tay people, walk to Sapa to trade at the markets. (B,L)

Day 4: Ta Phin - Sapa
Today walk to Ham Rong Mountain for a panoramic view of Sapa and its surrounds. Once back down, drive six kilometers out of town. From here commence an hour-long walk to Ta Phin, situated in a wide valley and surrounded by rice paddies. Ta Phin is a Dao
community. Dao women are particularly striking as they wear a large red turban often covered with old coins or jewelry. They also shave their hair and eyebrows. Here you will have the opportunity to visit a Zao household and learn a little about their way of life
Return to Sapa for lunch and have free time in the afternoon. (B)

Day 5: Sapa - Hanoi
Relax in Sapa for some shopping and freshen up for your overnight sleeper train back to Hanoi, arriving early the next morning. (B)

Day 6: Arrive Hanoi
Arrive into Hanoi in the early morning