SAPA TREK TO REMOTE VILLAGES SAPA TREK TO REMOTE VILLAGES
Tour Code: VAT-TS7C
Hanoi - Lao Cai - Sin Chai - Cat Cat - Ta Van - Seomity - Ta Trung Ho - Thanh Phu     Journey Map
You will explore one of the most beautiful parts in Sapa area, which is under protection of Hoang Lien National Park. The trip also takes you to one of the most remote area where you can meet very friendly locals. The night you spend in bamboo hut in the hilly ground of a Red Dao family will be a good experience. Take advantage of the secret spots we take you to, and make this an adventure you will never forget. This is the way travel truly should be.
TOUR HIGHTLIGHTS
   Wonderful scenery, which is still well protected

    Diversified minority hilltribes with colourful culture

   Moderate to hard trekking tours to the most remote villages

Day 1: Hanoi –night train to Lao Cai
At 8h30 pm, we will pick you up at your hotel and transfer to Hanoi Railway Station for overnight train to Lao Cai.
Day 2: Lao Cai –Sapa (B)
Arrive in the early morning (around 6am), you will take a 45 –minute drive to Sapa. Check in hotel for your refreshment and breakfast. Rest of the day, you are free to explore the town. Accommodation at hotel in Sapa.
*early check –in is arranged today

Day 3: Sin Chai (H’mong) – Cat Cat – Y Linh Ho (B, L, D)
You will travel by car mostly downhill toward Sin Chai village of Black Hmong minority located right at the foot of Hoang Lien mountain range. Here you start heading up the mountain. Once on the top, you will trek on a small trail with spectacular view and then gradually descend to Cat Cat village, where you will enjoy simple lunch nearby a waterfall. In the after noon, you take a trail sneaking through mountain and enjoy spectacular scenery while walking along a narrow river. Eventually you will arrive in Y Linh Ho village of Black Hmong minority, taking a rest in a nice spot nearby the beautiful river before climbing toward a road, where the waiting vehicle will transfer you back to Sapa for overnight.
Approx: Grade 4 of 5/ 0,5 hour driving/ 4 hours walking/ 1 hour lunch

Day 4: Y Linh Ho - Lao Chai – Tavan (B,L,D)
Today’s trek will continue along Hoang Lien mountain range, which offers you many opportunities to enjoy view over huge rice paddy terraces in the largest valley of the area, Muong Hoa. After lunch at a nice spot, you descend into the bottom of the valley. You will pass through Lao Chai village of Black Hmong minority and then Tavan village of Giay minority by following a very popular trekking route. Tonight, you will stay in a traditional house of Giay minority. And you can take a walk to enjoy the valley view as well as swim in the river nearby.
Approx: Grade 2 of 5/ 4 hours walking/ 1 hour lunch

Day 5: Tavan - Seomity (B, L, D)
After breakfast, you start with mostly uphill trekking until lunchtime. Whenever you stop for a rest, you will witness beautiful valley view. Before noon, you stop again at a nice spot for lunch. The trek will be softer in the afternoon while the scenery becomes even more beautiful. You pass by Seomity village of Black Hmong minority before reaching a campsite located nearby a river outside the village. While porters put up tents and cook dinner, you can take a walk to stretch the legs.
Approx: Grade 3 of 5/ 4 hours walking/ 1 hour lunch

Day 6: Seomity – Den Thang - Ta Trung Ho (B, L, D)
The trek today takes you through beautiful rice paddies and over old suspension bridges. You will trek on small trail sneaking through rainforest. Approximately, you arrive in Den Thang village of Black Hmong by noon. Here you will have lunch either nearby a river or in a local school according to the weather. After lunch, the trek will becomes tough on tinny footpath going up and down, which requires a lot of concentration. The last destination of today is Ta Trung Ho village of Red Dao minority where you spend the night in a local house.
Approx: Grade 3 of 5/ 7 hours walking, 1 hour lunch

Day 7: Ta Trung Ho - Nam Toong – My Son – Thanh Phu (B, L, D)
You are now at the fringe of the rain forest by the Hoang Lien Son mountain range with Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina with its 3,143m. You will start the trek today by ascending to Nam Toong village of Red Dao minority. Here your lunch will be prepared in a local school. After lunchtime, you descend to the valley where locates My Son village of Xa Pho minority, one of the smallest groups ethnic in Northern Vietnam. From there you take a short walk to Thanh Phu village of Tay minority. Here you spend the night in traditional house of the Tay. You can take a walk to explore local daily life while your dinner will be served with Vietnamese dishes.
Approx: Grade 3 of 5/ 6 hours walking/ 1 hour lunch

Day 8: Thanh Phu - Nam Cum – Sin Chai (B, L, D)
Today’s trek will be relatively short and soft. Once leaving Thanh Phu, you follow the trekking route built in the bottom of the valley, which offers the best view to the surrounding mountains. After lunchtime, you continue the walk toward Sin Chai village of Red Dao minority where you will experience the night stay in bamboo huts. You will be attracted by the wonderful hospitable atmosphere of the Red Dao.
Approx: Grade 2 of 5/ 4 hours walking/ 1 hour lunch

Day 9: Sin Chai - Nam Ket –Ben Den – Lao Cai (B, L)
After a good sleep in bamboo hut, you wake up for an early breakfast and repack your luggage for the long trek heading toward Lao Cai. Once you leave Sin Chai, the trip takes you into a fabulously mountainous area, the most remote part of Sapa. En route you meet children’ curious eyes as you are very first tourists passing by. Red Dao ethnic minority inhabits the entire area. You will enjoy the fresh of bamboo forest and jungle until you make a stop at Nam Ket for lunch. After lunch, your trek will be mostly downhill for approximately half an hour; then you will have a opportunity to enjoy one of the most beautiful view of days over a green valley lying along the Red River. Arriving in Ta Thang village of Tay minority, you will be transferred by car to Lao Cai for overnight train back to Hanoi. End of services by Indochina Travel Service.
Approx: Grade 3 of 5/ 7.5 hours walking/ 1 hour lunch.

INCLUSIVE:
One –way transfer from hotel in Hanoi to Hanoi’s Railways Station
Train ticket Hanoi –Lao Cai –Hanoi
Local English or French speaking guide on trekking excursions
Black Hmong porters (to carry food and luggage)
Cook (for group size of 6++ people)
All needed transport in Sapa as per itinerary
All indicated meals, plus snacks
Water on the whole trip
Sleeping bag and mattresses, Mosquito net
Entrance fees and permits during guided time
Accommodation in hotel on twin share basis
Overnight at local houses and bamboo huts
EXCLUSIVE:
Drinks and meals not mentioned
Entrance fees during free time
Travel insurance
Pre & post accommodation in Hanoi
Tips, Personal expenses
ACCOMMODATION:
Location Standard Option Superior Option
Sapa Town
Bamboo Sapa Hotel*** Chau Long Hotel New-Wing****
*Accommodation in hotels is subject to availability. If the listed hotels are fully booked, alternate accommodation will be offered at the same level.
PRICING:
Price per person in USD 2 PAX 3 - 5 Pax Single Supplement
Standard 0 0 0.0000
Superior 0 0 0.0000
*The above prices are based on the group from 4 - 6pax and valid until Sep, 2008. All prices might be changed subject to your group size and travel period. Some tours have Deluxe Option available. Please contact us for further information.
Note:
The trek is hard.
The itinerary can be changed due to high water level in the river between Seomity and Ta Trung Ho.
There are NO toilet facilities in the National Park area. Toilet tent will be provided.
We will pick you up at your hotel and set a schedule at your convenience
This tour must be booked at least one week (7days) in advance of your travel date

Related information:
Sapa Vietnam
Sapa tours
Hotels in Sapa
Sapa travel gallery

For other tour options in Sapa:  Go on longer treks, visit Sunday markets, conquer the summit of of Mt. Fansipan, or to tailor-make your own tour, please contact us.