DAY 1: HANOI – TRAIN TO LAO CAI

Your journey to the mountains begins with an evening pick-up from your hotel to the Ga Hànội, 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 – BAN KHOANG – GIANG TA PHINH (B,L)

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 first stop of the day will be 25km northwest of Sapa, a small village called Ban Khoang.  Surrounded by the Hoang Lien mountains and Sin Chai Valley, this peaceful village is home to one of the most fascinating ethnic minority groups in the region: the Red Dzao (also known as the Yao or Dao). Take an easy walk through the village’s streets and get a chance to see their way of life, including their handmade clothing with intricate embroidery, red handkerchief head coverings, and silver jewelry. Known for their extensive herbal knowledge, the Red Dzao are renowned through Vietnam for their herbal medicinal baths as well as other traditional remedies, rice harvesting, and silversmithing.

Leave Ban Khoang behind, stopping for lunch beside a peaceful stream before continuing to Ta Giang Phinh. Inhabited by the Black H’mong ethnic minority group, you’ll find small villages scattered along peaceful streams high up in the mountains. Walk with your guide through the village’s streets winding down to an impressive valley, admiring handicraft workshops and farmers going about their day-to-day with buffalos in their fields.  

Return to Sapa in the early afternoon to check into Silk Path Grand Resort and Spa, set on the edge of a mountain. Soak up panoramic views of the Fansipan mountain range and picturesque Moung Hoa Valley, resting after a day filled with adventure.

Overnight in Silk Path Grand Sapa Resort & Spa.

DAY 3: SAPA – SUPAN – THANH PHU – NAM CANG - TOPAS ECOLODGE (B,L)

Travel deeper into Hoang Lien National Park today after breakfast to visit remote villages framed by towering mountains, deep valleys, and spectacular terraced rice fields, meeting different ethnic minority groups along the way.

Stretch your legs in Su Pan commune, home to another Black H’mong group, continuing onward to Thanh Phu Village, a valley town atop Muong Bo River where Tay people live. Lunch will be served in a local home next to the lush rice fields in the area.

Drive through My Son, where the reclusive Xa Pho people live, who have ancient ties with Tibetan and Burmese cultures, followed by a longer stop in the quiet village of Nam Cang, another Red Dzao settlement untouched by modern-day tourism.

Depart Nam Cang in the early afternoon and head up the mountain from this fertile valley, reaching the world-famous Topas Ecolodge in 45 minutes. From the moment you arrive, you will be mesmerized by the 360-degree view had from these two hill-tops in the middle of sprawling rice terraces. Swim some laps in the heated saltwater infinity pool or book some spa treatments from the hotel’s menu. Peruse the menu at the Stilt House Restaurant and choose between Vietnamese or European cuisine, spending the night in a private bungalow with a balcony offering incredible views of the peaks, pine forests, and valleys below.

Overnight in Topas Ecolodge.

DAY 4: TOPAS ECOLODGE - HANOI (B)

Start your morning wrapped up in clouds and make your way to the Stilt House Restaurant for a decadent buffet breakfast showcasing a multitude of international favorites. Even better? All of the baked goods in the restaurant are made from scratch every morning, from sourdough loaves and baguettes to croissants and pain au chocolats!

 You are free to enjoy the day here at leisure until a 14:30 departure to your selected hotel in Hanoi (19:30 – 20:00 arrival) or Noi Bai International Airport (19:00 – 19:15 arrival).

Please contact us for the best rates.

+ 1-night on board train from Hanoi to Lao Cai: A/C soft sleeper (4 berths/shared cabin)

+ 1-night stay in Silk Path Grand Sapa Resort & Spa’s Classic Room with early check in (twin/double share)

+ 1-night stay in Topas Ecolodge’s Premium Executive Bungalow, (twin/double share)

+ Join-in transfer by Topas Mountain Express Van from Sapa to Hanoi

+ Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch)

+ 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 and activities

+ VAT and service charges.

+ 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 24^th Dec and 31^st Dec

+ Other services not clearly indicated in the package inclusions above

+ Tips: It’s recommended to tip your guide and driver USD$8/day/guest.

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.