Sapa Adventure

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5 Days From

~~$423~~

$411

Sapa Adventure

5 Days Starting and ending in Hanoi

Visiting: Hanoi, Sapa Trek, Sapa/Overnight Train

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

TVAG

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 12

Physical rating:

Medium

Age range:

12-99 years

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

From:

$423

$411 (USD) The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$12

NB: Prices correct on 04-May-2024 but subject to change.

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Tour Overview

Northwest Vietnam is a captivating mix of dramatic mountain landscapes, crisp fresh air and colourfully clothed hilltribes. Set on the slopes of a beautiful green valley, Sapa is the heart of this unique piece of Vietnam. Travel to this peaceful land and meet resplendently dressed ethnic minorities at the local market, visit neighbouring villages and hike through rice terraces, witnessing how the current of life has thrived here for centuries. This five-day trekking adventure is full of opportunities to get to know traditional hilltribe culture and cuisine, while relishing the landscapes of Sapa and its surrounds.

Highlights

A traditional homestay is the perfect way to access remote parts of this region and get a real glimpse of Vietnamese life, not to mention the beauty of a home cooked local meal after a day of hiking
Hike through the rolling rice terraces, waterfalls, mountains and lush green hills of Sapa and you’ll quickly realise why this has become an iconic image of Vietnam
Meet a community of hill-tribe people who have been in Vietnam for over three centuries. Having emigrated from China, the H'mong settled in Cat Cat Village and invite you to learn about their rich culture
An included overnight sleeper train through northern Vietnam is a unique experience. This is a great way to rub shoulders with the locals and to squeeze a bit of local knowledge out of them. Local guides will take you to the train in Hanoi, and Sapa local guides will meet you at the other end
Start your adventure in Hanoi, discovering the Old Quarter, delicious food and gorgeous landmarks in your free time.
Stay in a traditional homestay for one night – the perfect way to access the remote parts of Vietnam and get a real glimpse into local life. You’ll also be treated to home-cooked meals, among breathtaking mountain scenery.
Hike through the rolling rice terraces, waterfalls, mountains and lush green hills of Sapa and you’ll quickly realise why this has become an iconic image of Vietnam.
Meet a community of hilltribe people who have been in Vietnam for over three centuries. Having emigrated from China, the H'mong settled in Cat Cat Village and will invite you to learn about their rich culture.
Discover Sapa town on a walking tour with a local guide, tasting local snacks along the way – a trademark of the local lifestyle.
By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Vun Art. Donations help them empower people with disabilities in Vietnam by providing vocational training and employment opportunities.

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Itinerary

tourhub | Intrepid Travel | Sapa Adventure | TVAG | Route Map

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Day 1: Hanoi

Location: Hanoi

Accommodation: Overnight sleeper train

Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. If you arrive in Hanoi early, why not dive into the bustling world of bikes and boulevards and explore the French colonial architecture that decorates the laneways. Maybe indulge in a Vietnamese coffee while people-watching from a street-side cafe or step back in time in the Old Quarter. Tonight, you’ll be picked up by your local guide from your Joining Point Hotel in Hanoi's Old Quarter at around 9 pm and transferred to the train station, where your guide will give you your tickets for the return train journey to Sapa. Say farewell to your guide before you board the overnight sleeper train bound for Lao Cai. The train journey is unaccompanied, and you may be sharing with locals or other travellers.

Optional Activities:
-Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Complex
-Hanoi - Hoa Lo 'Hanoi Hilton' Prison
-Hanoi - Temple of Literature
-Hanoi - Fine Arts Museum
-Hanoi - Museum of Ethnology
-Hanoi - Women's Museum
-Hanoi - Street Food Experience Urban Adventure

Day 2: Sapa Trek

Location: Sapa Trek

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner

Arrive in Lao Cai in the early morning and travel to Sapa via minibus, passing through dramatic scenery. When you arrive in the hillside town, you’ll meet your local guide for a breakfast of bun cha (grilled pork and noodles) among the gorgeous views of rice terraces cascading down the mountain. After, check in into your hotel. Later in the afternoon head to the central market and explore the local produce and handicrafts, all the while enjoying a big tasting of some local snacks along the way. The food snacks amount to a full meal. Try a few favourites that are popular in Sapa and learn about the culture and lifestyle here from your guide.

Included Activities:
-Guided trek

Day 3: Sapa Trek

Location: Sapa Trek

Accommodation: Homestay

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

This morning after breakfast, set off towards Lao Cai to the starting point of today’s trek. From here, you’ll follow a narrow trail that leads uphill for about 2 hours, headed for the Sa Seng. At the pinnacle, take in the breathtaking sights of Fansipan Peak and Muong Hoa Valley. Continue to Hang Da Village – a Hmong community nestled at an altitude of 1800 m, which provides an incredible vista of the valley. Soak in the views, then sit down with your group for a satisfying picnic lunch to refuel. Continue to Hau Thao village, enjoying the panoramic views of the valley along the way. When you arrive at the commune, take the opportunity to rest and get to know the local Black Hmong community who live here. The trek then continues to Giang Ta Chai village – your homestay accommodation for tonight. After settling in and introducing yourself to the Giay community, you’ll be treated to a homecooked dinner with the locals.

Day 4: Sapa/Overnight Train

Location: Sapa/Overnight Train

Accommodation: Overnight sleeper train

Meals Included: breaksfast

After a hearty, energising breakfast, you’ll set off again on a 2 to 3 hour walk to Su Pan Village. Take the road to Giang Ta Chai village of the Red Dzao minority via the paths between terraces and bamboo forests. Walk past waterfalls, where buffalo might cool themselves from the heat and cross a suspension bridge. Cross Muong Hoa River, then head up to the mountain to visit the last village of the trek – Su Pan. Maybe grab a quick bowl of pho before meeting up with your vehicle for the short drive back to Sapa. Arriving in Sapa, you have a free afternoon to explore the town. Maybe get a massage to sooth your tired muscles, or check out the local market selling produce, herbal remedies, and (very fresh) meats. Pick up any hilltribe crafts you might have had your eye on or sit back with a drink while you look over the misty mountains. Tonight, you’ll take another overnight train back to Hanoi.

Day 5: Hanoi

Location: Hanoi

Your adventure ends at Hanoi train station in the early morning (around 5 am). The rest of the day is free for you to soak up the grace of this dynamic city in modern Vietnam. If you’d like to extend your stay or need help booking additional accommodation, just speak to your booking agent.

What's Included

Guided trek
Meals

2 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 2 dinners
Accommodation

Homestay (1 night), Hotel (1 night), Overnight sleeper train (2 nights)

Accommodation

Homestay (1 night), Hotel (1 night), Overnight sleeper train (2 nights)

Included Activities

Guided trek

Transport

Minibus , Overnight sleeper train , Private vehicle

Important Information

1. This trip starts with a welcome meeting at around 7 pm - on Day 1 in Hanoi. This trip ends on Day 5 and you are free to leave at any time.
2. You will be picked up on Day 1 from the Joining Point Hotel listed in the Essential Trip Information for this itinerary. Pick-up will take place between 6.00 pm-6.30 pm in the hotel foyer.
3. If you require to pick up from another hotel located in Hanoi's Old Quarter, please inform your booking agent at least 14 days prior to departure.
4. Your adventure ends upon arrival at Hanoi train station in the early morning (around 5 am). If you would like to stay a little longer in Vietnam, Intrepid can book additional nights for you (if you wish to have the room available on your arrival, you may need to book the night before as check-in time is usually midday). Please note that it's not possible to organize a transfer from the train station, so please make your own way to your hotel or the airport.
5. Please note this trip is operated by one of our local partners, based in Vietnam.
6.Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for train and flight tickets. Fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets.

Check out our Q&As

Is this trip right for you

This Short Break Adventure is a ‘join in’ group departure, which means for some portions of this trip, such as at the homestay, you may join-in with other travellers who have booked on a different style of trip, or through other companies.

With the flexibility of frequent departures there is a chance you may end up travelling solo on this trip. You will always have a local guide and all included activities will remain the same.

You’ll cover a lot of distance on this trip, including on overnight trains. Accommodation and amenities are shared and basic, but the experience of rubbing shoulders with the locals makes it all worthwhile. For more about what this experience is like, see our blog post here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/what-to-expect-on-an-overnight-train-in-vietnam/

This trip includes a moderate level of hiking in the hills for 3 days of this trip, ranging from 3 to 6 hours. Although this hiking is possible for most travellers, a good level of fitness will help increase your enjoyment of this experience.
What policies are in place for Covid-19?

Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
How long has the tour company been trading?

Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

Yes
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

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Dates & Availability

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May
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2025

Wednesday - Sunday

May 08, 2024 - May 12, 2024

~~$423~~ $411 (USD)