Highlights
Our Sapa Hiking & Homestay Tour takes you deep into the exotic Hoang Lien National Park over 4 amazing days on a true hiker lover’s adventure! Trek through spectacular river valleys and terraced rice fields. Pass through remote villages rarely seen by tourists, staying one-night in an ethnic minority homestay for in-depth cultural exchange, the highlight of the program.
Details
DAY 1: HANOI – TRAIN TO LAO CAI
Your journey to the mountains begins with an evening pick-up from your hotel to the Ga Hà Nội, the city’s main railway station. Board an overnight train to Lao Cai, a small town just outside of Sapa, and get cozy in your cabin’s bed as the clickety-clack of the railroad tracks lulls you into a comfortable slumber. The train departs Hanoi at approximately 21:30 – 22:00, arriving in Lao Cai between 04:30 – 05:00 the next morning.
Overnight on train.
DAY 2: LAO CAI – SAPA – BAN HO – THANH PHU – SIN CHAI (B,L,D)
Hiking duration: 5 hours ~ 15km. Grade: 2 of 5.
The morning starts early as you meet your private local tour guide at Lao Cai Station. Buckle up and travel a further 45-minutes up winding roads to Sapa where you will stop for a piping hot breakfast – we recommend you to try pho to warm up in the cool mountain air.
The adventure continues with a one-hour transfer deep into the mountains of Hoang Lien National Park to the remote Tay village of Ban Ho. On the way, see the stunning Muong Hoa Valley covered by huge terraced rice fields cascading down the steep valley walls.
Lace up your trekking boots and begin hiking on a gently descending path through corn fields and rice terraces, through more Tay minority villages, such as Thanh Phu Village, where you will stop for lunch.
The hike continues after lunch, finishing in Sin Chai Village, home to the playful Red Dzao people. Life here is simple and untouched by the modern world but the friendly locals will make you feel right at home. Meet your host family and get to know all about their handmade clothing with intricate embroidery, red handkerchief head coverings, herbal medicinal knowledge, and silversmithing over a traditionally homemade dinner.
Overnight in homestay.
DAY 3: SIN CHAI – MY SON – NAM TOONG - SAPA (B,L)
Hiking duration: 5 hours ~ 15km. Grade: 2 of 5.
Let the village roosters act as your alarm clock this morning as you start your day with breakfast before saying good-bye to your host family.
The trek starts with a downhill walk towards My Son village, inhabited by the Xa Pho ethnic minority. The Xa Pho are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in all of Vietnam and have very little contact with the modern world, rarely speaking Vietnamese as they have their own language, similar to Burmese.
The route continues with a gentle ascent, taking you through terraced rice fields to another Red Dzao settlement, Nam Toong Village. Break for lunch in a local house before finishing the trek right where we started yesterday, in Ban Ho. If the weather permits, take a swim in the Muong Bo River, or just admire the majestic beauty of the mountains and valleys.
Arrive to your Sapa hotel in the mid-afternoon and check-in to your hotel to reward yourself with a hot shower! The rest of the day is at leisure to discover the town independently.
Overnight in Silk Path Grand Sapa Resort & Spa.
DAY 4: SAPA - HANOI (B)
Today is a free day to spend any way you like until 14:30 – 15:00 departure from your hotel by join-in limousine bus to Hanoi. We recommend waking up early to avoid long queues to conquer mainland Southeast Asia’s highest summit, Mt. Fansipan, by funicular and cable car! Standing at a height of 3,143 meters and offering incredible views of the surrounding Hoang Lien Mountain Range and Muong Hoa Valley below, you’ll truly feel on top of the world!
Expect to arrive to Noi Bai International Airport between 19:00 – 19:30 or your hotel in Hanoi between 19:30 – 20:00.
Special Rates
Please contact us for the best rates.
Services included
+ 1-night on board train from Hanoi to Lao Cai: A/C soft sleeper (4 berths/shared cabin)
+ 1-night local homestay with shared bathroom in Sin Chai Village within Hoang Lien National Park
+ 1-night Classic Room stay in Silk Path Grand Sapa Resort & Spa (twin/double share)
+ Join-in transfer from Sapa to Hanoi by limousine bus (9 or 18 seats)
+ Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
+ Private English-speaking local guide on day tours (please enquire for other languages)
+ Tours and transfers as mentioned by private air-conditioned vehicle unless stated otherwise
+ Entrance fees for mentioned visits, villages, and activities
+ VAT and service charges.
Services not included
+ International and domestic flights (quoted separately)
+ Visa fee, travel insurance
+ Meals other than mentioned above
+ Early check-in or late check-out fees
+ Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, telephone, etc)
+ Additional transfers required due to emergency situation
+ Peak season surcharges and compulsory gala dinners on 24th Dec and 31st Dec
+ Admission ticket and round-trip cable car ride to Mt. Fansipan
+ Other services not clearly indicated in the package inclusions above
+ Tips: It’s recommended to tip your guide and driver USD8/day/guest.
Terms & Conditions
PAYMENTS
A deposit of 30% of the total booking is required within three days from the date of confirmation. The balance payment is due at 45 days prior to tour commencement date. For bookings made less than 45 days, full payment is required. Bookings will be cancelled if payments are not received by the due date(s).
Payment can be made via bank transfer or credit cards. In addition to the total payable amount, credit card payments will incur a merchant fee of 2.5% for MasterCard and Visa, 3% for American Express. Any bank charges and merchant fees must be covered by the customer.
CANCELLATIONS
Confirmed bookings must be cancelled by the party leader in writing (by email) and this will only be effective once the written cancellation is confirmed by FantaSea Vietnam. Cancellation by the party leader will be subject to the following cancellation fees from the date the written cancellation is received:
+ more than 45 days prior to tour date - 10% of total cost
+ between 31 and 45 days prior to tour date - 25% of total cost
+ between 16 and 30 days prior to tour date - 50% of total cost
+ within 15 days prior to tour date or “no show” - 100% of total cost.
AMENDMENTS
Any amendments to confirmed bookings must be requested by the party leader in writing (by email). Whilst we will endeavor to assist, we cannot guarantee that requests will be met. If we can make the requested change, you will be provided with a quote detailing any additional costs, whether incurred due to your amendments, imposed by a Third-Party Travel Provider, or our amendment fees. In all cases, the following amendment fees shall apply:
+ If amendments are made more than 45 days prior to scheduled tour date: the first amendment is free of charge. From the second amendment: a charge of U$80 per amendment for a short trip (less than 7 nights) or U$150 per amendment for a long journey (7 nights or more).
+ If amendments are made within 45 days prior to scheduled tour date: the above standard cancellation fees will apply, and full price will apply to new travel arrangements.
We will not charge any cancellation/amendment fees if it is due to a breach by us of any of our obligations or due to our fault; or if the Third-Party Travel Provider amends your booking through no fault of the customer.
