Highlights
Discover Sapa in style on this 5-day mountain retreat with a quick stopover in Hanoi. Get inspired by the breathtaking mountain views framed by fertile valleys and cascading rice terraces, and meet different members of the Black H’mong, Red Dzao, and Giay ethnic minority communities. Then, feel on top of the world at the summit of Southeast Asia’s tallest mountain, Fansipan. Standing at a staggering 3,143 meters above sea level, the cable car ride is just one way to end this vacation of a lifetime!
Details
DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL (D)
Welcome to Hanoi, the charming capital of Vietnam. Meet your guide at Noi Bai International Airport and then head to your hotel in the historic Old Quarter. Spend the rest of the day browsing shopping stalls and walking along the narrow streets of the 36 different streets, learning about what each one sells and its fascinating history, followed by a welcome Hanoian-styled dinner served in a local restaurant.
Overnight in Hanoi.
DAY 2: HANOI - SAPA - CAT CAT (B,L,D)
Start the day with an early morning breakfast before departure to the mountains via join-in limousine bus to Sapa, a 5.5 hour journey. Formerly used as a retreat by the French in the late 1800s to escape the heat of Hanoi, Sapa’s mountains have always been home to numerous ethnic minority tribe villages who know how to live off the land, concoct traditional medicine remedies, and create incredible embroidered textiles colored with natural dyes. While the town has modernised quite a bit in the last 20 years, it is still very easy to get out into the mountains with hikes and cycling tours. Surrounded by enchanting rice terraces and thundering waterfalls hidden behind towering mountains and deep valleys, Sapa is the place to go for nature lovers, sport enthusiasts, aspiring photographers, and cultural explorers.
Freshen up at your hotel upon arrival in Sapa and fill up with a delicious local lunch before starting a short visit to stretch your legs, either by car or walking, to Cat Cat Village, a H’mong ethnic minority group. Learn about their culture and get some first-hand experience by trying on their clothing to take some photos, continuing on past an old hydro-electric power station built by the French in the early 1900s. The tour ends at a beautiful waterfall, a perfect spot to take photos with your friends and family.
Overnight in Sapa.
DAY 3: SAPA - LAO CHAI - TA VAN - MT. FANSIPAN (B,L,D)
Today is an exciting day full of sightseeing! After breakfast, take a scenic drive through the Muong Hoa Valley, marveling at the cascading rice terraces gliding down the sides of the impressive Hoang Lien Mountain Range. A gentle half-day hike takes you through Lao Chai and Ta Van villages, home to different ethnic minority communities, most notably, the Giay, Black H’mong, and the Red Dzao.
Return to Sapa for lunch and then get ready to conquer the so-called “Roof of Indochina”, mainland Southeast Asia’s highest summit, Mt. Fansipan, by funicular and cable car! Standing at a staggering height of 3,143 meters, nowadays you can reach the top in just 30 minutes instead of a 3-day grueling trek to see the most incredible views of the surrounding Hoang Lien Mountain Range, Muong Hoa Valley, and on a very clear day, even China!
Overnight in Sapa.
DAY 4: SAPA - HANOI (B,L)
Take a deep breath and relax in the cool mountain air with plenty of time to explore Sapa independently until a 14:30/15:00 departure. Make sure to visit Stone Church in the town’s square, modeled after the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, and try some of Sapa’s most popular snacks, like roasted local chestnuts with salt and cheese!
We recommend trying a Red Dzao bath treatment, as it is one of the most interesting cultural activities to experience. A traditional beauty and medicinal remedy by the Dzao community, the large wooden bathtubs are filled with hot water and local medicinal plants and herbs, lending the water a red colour. Not only does the bath help improve circulation but also helps in creating a wonderful skin complexion. Another interesting activity to try is a H’mong batik workshop, where you can work with your hands to create a wax resistant, Hmong-style design on hand-loomed hemp.
The join-in limousine bus will have you at your hotel in Hanoi between 19:30 - 20:00.
Overnight in Hanoi.
DAY 5: HANOI DEPARTURE (B)
Spend the morning at leisure as you snap up those last-minute souvenirs around the Old Quarter of Hanoi before a noon check-out. Then head to Noi Bai International Airport to catch your flight home.
THINGS TO BRING
Wind breaker, layered clothing like long underwear and thermals, hiking books or running shoes, thick socks, gloves, and winter hats (October to March)
Sunglasses, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, hat, and comfortable hiking boots or running shoes, windbreaker (year-round)
Special Rates
Please contact us for the best rates.
Services included
+ 4-night hotel accommodation based on twin/double share (see Accommodation section for details)
+ 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners as mentioned in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
+ Combo admission ticket to Mt. Fansipan, including round-trip Muong Hoa Monorail, round-trip Fansipan Cable Car, and one-way Fansipan Peak Funicular
+ English-speaking local guides with one guide in Hanoi and one guide in Sapa (please enquire for other languages)
+ Tours and airport transfers as mentioned by private air-conditioned vehicle unless stated otherwise
+ Round-trip join-in transfer from your hotel in Hanoi to your hotel in Sapa by limousine bus (9 or 18 seats)
+ Entrance fees for villages and activities
+ VAT and service charges.
Services not included
+ Red Dzao traditional herbal bath
+ H’mong batik workshop
+ International and domestic flights (quoted separately)
+ Visa fees (if any), travel insurance, and tips
+ Meals other than mentioned above
+ Early check-in or late check-out fees
+ Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, telephone, etc)
+ Peak season surcharges and compulsory gala dinners on 24th Dec and 31st Dec
+ Other services not clearly indicated in the package inclusions above.
EXTRA PERSON POLICY
Children under 2yrs, no extra bed: Free of charge
Children 2yrs to under 4yrs, no extra bed: 50% of the adult rate
Children 4yrs to under 12yrs, no extra bed: 75% of the adult rate
Children 2yrs to under 12yrs, extra bed: 90% of the adult rate
The third adult, extra bed: 100% of the adult rate
The above rates are applicable for all extra people sharing a room with two adults. A child sharing a room with one adult will pay 100% of the adult rate. Children aged 12yrs and over are priced as an adult.
Maximum occupancy per room is 3 adults OR 2 adults and 2 children under 12 years old. The third adult or the second child is required to book an extra bed. For a family of 2 adults and 2 children, it is recommended to book 2 rooms as while children pay 100% of the adult rate, there will be a discount applied for a group of 4 people.
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.
