• Experience the romance of overnight train travel from Hanoi to Laocai
• Explore the delightful old French hill station of Sapa with its colonial architecture
• Trek through the beautiful mountains and  Many ethnic minority villages

DETAILED ITINERARY:

DAY1: HANOI - SAPA (DEPART MONDAY)

Transfer to the train station in Hanoi for your overnight train to Sapa, the Train leaves at 22.00 PM tonight.

Early in the morning we arrive to Lao Cai Train Station. Meet our tour guide and trasfer to the hotel in Sapa.
You will go south by car toward Muong Hoa valley. Your trek will begin from Tavan village of Giay minority.  The first day trek will be mostly uphill. Whenever you stop for a rest, you will be able to enjoy valley view. Before noon, you stop again at a nice spot for lunch.

The trek will be softer in the afternoon. But the scenery becomes even more beautiful. You pass by Seomity village of Black Hmong minority before you arrive in a campsite, which locates nearby a river outside the village. While porters put up tents and cook dinner, you can take a walk to stretch the legs.

Approx: 0,5 hour driving/ 4 hours trekking/ 1 hour lunch
 

The trek today takes you through beautiful rice paddies and over old suspension bridges. You will trek on small trail sneaking through rainforest. You arrive in Den Thang village of Black Hmong by noon. Here you stop for lunch either nearby a river or in a local school according to the weather.

After lunch, the trek will becomes tough on tinny footpath going up and down, which requires some concentration. You will reach to Ta Trung Ho village of Red Dao minority where you spend the night in local house. Both the valley and the village have just received foreign visitors. The night will be even more interesting when you are in the wonderful hospitable atmosphere of the Red Dao.

Day 4: Ta Trung Ho – Nam Toong – Ban Ho – Sapa (B,L)

You are now at the fringe of the rain forest by the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina with its 3143 m, is located in this mountain range. You will start the trek today by ascending to Nam Toong village of Red Dao minority. Here your lunch will be prepared in a local school.

In the afternoon, before descending to Ban Ho, you can make a stop by a waterfall to refresh. On the last hours you can enjoy the valley one final time whilst trekking up to Su Pan. The car will meet you there and you will be transferred to Lao Cai railway station for a train to Hanoi. (L)

Approx: 1 hour driving/ 4 hours trekking/ 1 hour lunch

DAY5: Departure Hanoi 

Early in the morning pick up at Hanoi railway station, have breakfast before transfer to your hotel in Hanoi, End of service.

Accommodation
Very rustic!

Note:  The first day will mostly be spent on the dirt road. This trip will easily combine with the transfer to Lao Cai railway station without repeating the way or passing by Sapa.

Tour costs in USD /per person in group of

INCLUSION

All transportation and transfers
Tulico Or Royal Train Tickets: Hanoi - Lao cai Returns (Cabin of 4berths, AC,  Sleeper )
Local English speaking guide In Sapa
All accommodation based on twin share basis with daily breakfast
Meals as indicated in tour detailed Itinerary
Water during trekking
Relevant permits and fees.

EXCLUSION

International flights
International departure tax
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Tips and gratuities

++ Travel insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover personal accident, medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment and repatriation. It is also very important that your insurance policy is relevant to the Vietnam Pathfinder style of travel. Vietnam Pathfinder offers a specially negotiated insurance policy specifically tailored to adventure travel. As well as providing substantial cover for medical emergency, cancellation and curtailment, personal luggage, money and valuables and legal expenses, this insurance will also provide cover for the adventure activities you may choose to undertake whilst on tour.

No client will be allowed on tours without suitable insurance. If you have already arranged insurance elsewhere, please ensure that you are covered on your policy for any optional activities you may wish to join. If you plan on doing any activities which may not be covered, please purchase additional insurance.

At the start of your tour you will be asked to present your original policy document and complete an insurance information form. We recommend that you have a photocopy of this document, which you keep separate from the original.

Please note: you will not be permitted to join a Vietnam Pathfinder Tour without travel insurance.

++ Personal First Aid Kit

We advise that all passengers bring along their own personal first aid kit. Below is a list of some recommended items:
Band Aids/Bandages, Laxatives, Upset stomach remedy, Anti-diarrhoea remedy, Panadol/Aspirin, Rehydration remedy, Antiseptic cream/powder, Sterile dressing, Any relevant course of medication such as contraceptive pills.
A complete Travellers Medical Pack can be purchased for approximately US$25 at most Vaccination Centres, Chemists and outdoor travel shops.

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