Traveling by train from Hanoi to Sapa and returning via a 9-seat limousine van is a fantastic way to explore and experience Sapa. This combination allows you to immerse yourself in the trekking paradise and cultural diversity of the ethnic mountain minorities in northern Vietnam.
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Hanoi
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October to May
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All meals during the tour
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Private
Overview
Start/End: Hanoi/Hanoi
Visit: Sapa – Lao Cai – Lai Chau
Duration: 04 Days
Travel style: Authentic, Active, Mountain & Minority, Nature & Discover
Category: Private tour
Tour guide in: English, Français
Highlights
- Overnight Train Adventure: Enjoy the unique experience of an overnight train journey.
- Cultural Exploration: Visit the villages of the Red Dao, Black H'mong, Lu, and Laotian people.
- Breathtaking Scenery: Take in the stunning views of rice terraces and mountains.
- Off-the-Beaten-Path Trekking: Explore less touristy trekking routes.
Itinerary
A night spent on a traditional train journey from Hanoi to Lao Cai
Evening:
Your driver will pick you up from your hotel in the Old Quarter for a brief transfer to Hanoi Train Station.
Embark on a traditional overnight train journey from Hanoi to Lao Cai, experiencing the charm and nostalgia of railway travel.
Included:
Private transportation
Entrance fees
Exploring Na Tam and Can Ho B Villages, Visiting Laotian, Lu, and Red Dao People, and Silver Waterfall
Early Morning:
Arrive at Lao Cai train station.
Your private guide and driver will escort you on an hour-long journey uphill to Sapa.
Enjoy scenic views of nature and rice terraces, meeting H’mong and Red Dao people along the way.
Have breakfast at a local restaurant before exploring the town.
Mid-morning:
Depart from Sapa, traveling along the Hoang Lien Son mountain range.
At Tam Duong's exit, turn right to visit Na Tam Village, home to the Laotian and Lu people.
Explore the beautiful and tranquil landscape, where local women are known for their black teeth and indigo clothing adorned with silver pieces.
Take a 2-hour hike through rivers, villages, rice fields, and hills, interacting with the locals.
On the return trip, stop at Tram Ton Pass for stunning views of Fansipan Mountain and the valley, weather permitting.
Noon:
Break for lunch at a local restaurant.
Visit Silver Waterfall, the largest waterfall in Sapa.
Hike up 200 steps and cross the bridge to get as close as possible to the waterfall, enjoying the views if weather permits.
Afternoon:
Drive on a newly discovered path to Can Ho B village, home to over 60 friendly Red Dao families.
Learn about their unique customs, such as the "no eyebrow" tradition for married women, and visit their homes to see how traditional wooden houses are built and organized.
Late Afternoon:
Transfer back to Sapa.
Enjoy exploring the city on your own.
Included:
English speaking guide
Entrance fees
Private transportation
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Two bottles of mineral water (500 ml) per person per day
Exploring the less-traveled path from Sau Chua and Sa Seng to Hau Thao, offering the best views of the Muong Hoa valley.
Early morning:
Depart for Sau Chua hamlet to begin a challenging yet rewarding 15km trek featuring both uphill and downhill segments.
Head towards Sa Seng, a hill-tribe village where you can experience the authentic lifestyle of the Black H’mong people, who migrated from China to Vietnam in the 11th century.
Mid-Morning:
Enjoy a picnic lunch or dine at a local restaurant.
Late Morning:
Continue trekking uphill along the mountainside to reach the most spectacular views of Muong Hoa valley at an elevation of 1,800 meters.
Noon:
Descend into the valley on a trek to Hau Thao village, a small settlement with just a few houses and a church on a rocky point.
Experience the breathtaking scenery, including rice terraces, small villages nestled in the expansive Hoang Lien mountain range, and the peak of Indochina, Fansipan (weather permitting).
Afternoon:
Keep trekking down the trail through Muong Hoa valley.
Late Afternoon:
Transfer back to Sapa.
Enjoy free time to explore the town.
Note:
This is a strenuous trekking day. You may opt for a 7-seat car pickup after completing three-quarters of the trek.
Included:
English speaking guide
Entrance fees
Private transportation
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Two bottles of mineral water (500 ml) per person per day
Exploring the Beautiful Valleys of Ma Tra and Ta Phin Villages
Morning
After enjoying breakfast, embark on a trek from Ma Tra hamlet to Ta Phin village.
This adventure will take you through breathtaking rice terrace valleys.
Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to meet the Black Hmong and Red Dao people, who originally migrated from Southern China to Vietnam in the 11th century and have maintained their traditional lifestyles, languages, and customs by living in high-altitude areas, distant from modern influences.
Pause to visit a Hmong family and a local school in Ma Tra Village.
Late Morning:
Continue your three-hour trek to Ta Phin village, home to the Red Dao community.
Engage with the locals to gain insights into their daily lives and cultural heritage.
Afternoon:
Return to your hotel at 2:30 PM and be picked up by a shuttle bus for your transfer to Hanoi.
Evening:
Arrive at your hotel in Hanoi at 8:00 PM
Included:
Shuttle bus from Sapa to Hanoi
English speaking guide
Entrance fees
Private transportation
Meal: Breakfast
Two bottles of mineral water (500 ml) per person per day
TOUR INCLUDED
- English-speaking tour guide as per the itinerary
- All entrance fees and tickets specified in the itinerary
- Selected accommodations with daily breakfast
- Private car according to the itinerary
- Shuttle bus: Sapa - Hanoi
- Train: SP3 (Hanoi - Lao Cai)
- Meals: 3 Breakfast, 2 Lunch
- Service charges and taxes included
TOUR EXCLUDED
- International flights to/from your home country
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Tipping and gratuities
- Any other items not mentioned in the program
This tour offers the experience of an overnight train ride together with the beautiful scenery of the road by combining the traditional rail journey to Sapa with the comfort of a shuttle bus.
The trip includes stops in ethnic minority towns, hiking among rice terraces, discovering neighbourhood marketplaces, and taking in Sapa’s highland scenery.
From Hanoi, you will take an overnight train to Lao Cai, from whence you will take a shuttle bus to Sapa. A shuttle bus to Lao Cai and an overnight train returning to Hanoi are included in the return journey.
Yes, the accommodations usually consist of two nights in Sapa and one night on the train.
Most excursions include breakfast, while some may provide extra meals. For further information, speak with your trip operator.
Bring along rain gear, personal goods, warm layers for chilly evenings, comfy trekking attire, and a camera.
You will be accompanied by an English-speaking guide who will help with navigation and help you better understand the local way of life.
You can ask directly for more information on the customisable choices offered by several tour providers.
Reservations can be made directly with the tour operator over the phone or on their website, or through travel agencies.
