Description

Hanoi - Lao Cai - Sapa - Hanoi
6-day tour with 4 days trek and 3 nights homestay
Trekking grade: Moderate to Challenging
Group size: 12 persons
From 362 USD per person

This trip gives you the best Sapa has to offer but not in the normal way. The traditional treks start in Sapa and finish back in Sapa. This special trek starts in Ben Den and finishes in Sapa. The trek is tougher but not less enjoyable since you trek through the hills and valleys of the Sapa region, discovering several different minorities along the way. You will experience overnight accommodation in the hospitable villages of Dzay, Tay and Dzao ethnic minorities. The apparent hardships are worth it though as we walk through some of the most spectacular scenery that Vietnam has to offer and experience unique villages culture.

Itinerary at a Glance:
Night 1: Overnight train to Laocai
Day 1: Transfer to Ta Thang, Trek to Nam Ket Village
Day 2: Trek to Ban Ho Village
Day 3: Trek Tavan Village
Day 4: Trek to Sapa
Day 5: Transfer to Lao Cai. Night train to Hanoi
Day 6: Arrive in Hanoi. Tour concludes

Itinerary
Night 1: Night train to Lao Cai
Transfer from your hotel to Hanoi Railway Station for the night train to Lao Cai. Overnight in AC soft sleeper cabin.

Summary
Transfer hotel railway station: 15 mins
Accommodation: Soft sleeper in AC cabin

Day 1: Trek from Ta Thang Village to Nam Ket Village
Arrive in Lao cai around 6am. We meet our guide at the train station and have breakfast in local restaurant. After breakfast we will make a 30 minute transfer to Ben Den where the porter team will be waiting for you. We will begin our eight and a half hour trek passing through bamboo forest and green jungle along some of the most remote trekking area of the north. We stop for lunch in the village of Nam Ket. After lunch we will head towards our camp near the Red Dao village of Sin Chai. We may meet the Red Dao ethnic minority tending the fields or working in the forest on our way. There will be time to enjoy the beautiful scenic valley as we pass through. Dinner and overnight at the campsite.

Summary
Transfer Lao Cai - Ta Thang: 45 mins
Trekking: 4 hrs Moderate to Challenging grade
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping

Day 2: Nam Ket Village Sin Chai B Village Thanh Phu Village Ban Ho Village
We will enjoy breakfast in the camp before preparing for today's trek. Today's adventure will take us through a number of small ethnic minority villages (including Red Dao, Xafo and Black H'mong). We will see people from the local communities carrying out their daily activities as it is in the northern highlands. Our trek will take us to our home stay for tonight in the Tay village - Ban Ho

Summary
Trekking: 7 hrs Moderate to Challenging grade
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Home stay

Day 3: Ban Ho Village - Su Pan Village - Ta Van Village
Following breakfast we will leave Ban Ho behind us and start to ascend to Supan. From Supan we will trek the small trails towards our next stop at the Giang Ta Chai waterfall. From the waterfall we will begin our trek towards Tavan village, where we spend the night with a family. Inhabited by the Zay people, this community has become very adept at rice cultivation and, in marked contrast to the H'mong, they have a higher living standard as a result.

Summary
Trekking: 6 hrs Moderate to Challenging grade
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Home stay

Day 4: Ta Van Village - Y Ling Ho Village - Cat Cat Village - Sapa
Today is our final day of our journey through the Hoang Lien Valley. We embark on our four and a half hour trek from Tavan, heading first through rice fields to Lao Chai and then on to Y Ling Ho. We will stop for a picnic lunch by the river. After lunch we will continue on small trails to the Black H'mong village of Cat Cat, from here we will make the final push up to Sapa. Overnight in hotel in Sapa Town.

Summary
Trekking: 6 hrs Moderate to Challenging grade
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 5: Sapa - Lao Cai - Night train to Hanoi
Breakfast in the hotel. Today you are free at leisure. You can walk to Ham Rong Park or stroll around in Sapa market. Check out hotel at 11.30 am. In the late afternoon we will take a bus ride to Lao Cai for the night train back to Hanoi.

Summary
Transfer Sapa - Lao Cai: 1 hr
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: AC, soft sleeper cabin

Day 6: Arrive in Hanoi - Trip completes
Arrive in Hanoi around 5 am. Trip completes

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.

Highlights

* Awesome scenery
* Tough trails
* Colorful minority groups
* Homestays in minority villages

Travel Types

• Trekking

Cost in US$:

362

Program Fees Include:

1 person: USD 606
2 persons: USD 439
3-4 persons: USD 399
5-6 persons: USD 366
7-8 persons: USD 362
From 9 persons: price on request
Single Supplement: USD 47

Inclusion:

- Round trip AC sleeper cabin on First class train
- Twin share double room in Sapa
- Transfer two ways Lao Cai train station
- Transfer one way to Hanoi train station
- English or French speaking guide
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- First-aid kit
- Homestay permission
- Water & Snacks
- Entrance fees & sightseeing fees

Exclusion:

- Travel insurance
- Visa
- Tips
- Personal expenses

Note: these prices are subject to change without prior notice.

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of 12

Application Process Involves

• Disciplinary Clearance Form
• Essay
• In-Person Interview Required
• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other
• Phone/Video Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Resume
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Active Travel Asia's Mission Statement

ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA (ATA) offers a wide selection of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar adventure tours, including hiking and trekking, biking, motorcycling, overland touring and family travel packages. Our packages and custom itineraries will take you through exotic destinations to really experience the culture, history and nature of Asia. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy an unforgettable active vacation. We run the most adventure tours available in the area. Our active trips are designed for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts, real people seeking real fun and adventure.

Year Founded

2002