Day 0: Night train to Lao Cai 8PM - transfer from your hotel to the Hanoi train station for boarding at 9:15PM. Enjoy a restful night in an air-conditioned soft sleeper cabin for 4 to travel north to Lao Cai town. (Unlike some other travel agencies, we would never consider this as Day 1 of the itinerary.)
Day 1: Lao Cai and Sapa - 5 hour trek and homestay (B, L, D)
6AM - Arrive in Lao Cai and transfer to Sapa with our tour guide.
8AM - Breakfast in local restaurant and explore Sapa.
10AM - begin trekking along small trails down hill to Muong Hoa Valley and visit Lao Chai village of the Black H’mong peoplle, and Ta Van village of the Dzay minority group.
12PM - Picnic lunch along the trek.
4PM - arrive in Ta Van, a village of Dzay minority
6PM - Dinner and overnight homestay in a local house.
Day 2: Sapa - 5 hours trek and homestay (B, L, D)
8AM - Breakfast
9AM - Depart Ta Van village for Giang Ta Chai, a village of the Red Dzao minority, trekking through thick bamboo forest and enjoy great view of rice terraces.
12PM - Arrive at Giang Ta Chai. Explore the village and have picnic lunch by the Muong Hoa River.
2PM - Cross the river and head to Ban Ho, a village of Tay minority group.
6PM - Dinner and overnight in a traditional house-on-stilt of the Tay people in Ban Ho village.
Day 3: Sapa - Topas Eco Lodge (B, L)
8AM - After breakfast, depart Ban Ho for a 3km walk to our bus. Short transfer to Topas Eco Lodge.
12PM - Arrive in Topas Eco Lodge and relax. Lunch in the Eco Lodge.
6PM - Dinner will be on the guests' account. Overnight in Topas Eco Lodge.
Day 4: Back to Hanoi (B)
9AM - Breakfast at Topas Eco Lodge.
11AM - Depart for Sapa town by car and explore Sapa upon arrival, which includes visiting the Ham Rong Park or shop at the market.
6PM - Depart by bus to Lao Cai for an night train back to Hanoi. Overnight in an air-conditioned soft sleeper wood-cabin train. Arrive in Hanoi, back to civilisation at about 5AM the following day.
What to bring:
sleeping bags, a cable lock for your bags, flashlights, comfortable walking shoes, small change for tips and to buy drinks, first-aid kit and insect repellent are recommended. Avoid bringing valuables, except your original passports, which are required to check in to hotels.
