Itinerary for: Sapa Extension (SEXTE1002)
Day 1:
Before taking an overnight train tonight, discover more of Hanoi, Vietnam’s northern capital.
If you’re keen to start your free morning early, head down to the Hoan Kiem Lake where local residents practice t’ai chi by the water. Maybe have a typical Vietnamese breakfast of pho bo (noodles) at a street kitchen and walk through the park to visit the Ngoc Son temple at the lake’s northern end.
If you haven’t already, go see ‘Uncle Ho’, the former communist leader and father of this nation, preserved in wax at the Ho Chi Minh Masoleum. Find out about Vietnam’s more recent history with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Museum or check out the landmark One Pillar Pagoda which is also close by.
Don’t forget to pack your hiking shoes and a backpack because we are northbound for the town of Sapa on an overnight train. Your Tour Manager can help you organise hiking shoes in Hanoi if you haven’t brought your own from home.
Day 2:
Wake up in Lao Cai on the Chinese border. From the train, we head to the former French hill station of Sapa.
Set on a plateau in the Himalayan foothills, Sapa is surrounded by huge mountains and has incredible views of the lush countryside. It’s also the gateway to some of Vietnam’s most colourful ethnic cultures, who’ve lived in the region for centuries.
After breakfast, get those walking shoes on and follow our Local Guide through valleys, past rivers and villages. Sticking to local tracks, we pass traditional wooden houses, stunning green rice terraces and often bump into friendly residents going about their daily lives.
During the trek, there’ll be loads of chances to flex your bargaining skills and to pick up trinkets, materials, bags and chunky silver jewellery. We stop off in a Black Hmong village. These people are best known for their handicrafts and tribal textiles.
After a lunch, we make our way on to Muong Hoa Valley and to our night stop, a guesthouse in Ta Van. Get to know your host family and enjoy this first-hand cultural experience.
Day 3:
Trek on this morning to see stone carvings from prehistoric times scattered through the rice terraces. Your Local Guide can tell you about these intricate engravings.
After some down-time beside a pretty waterfall, it’s on to the Red Dao village of Giang Ta Chai. This ethnic minority is known for their vibrant head dress – a huge red turban.
You’ll have definitely worked up an appetite for our included lunch of simple, tasty local food. After eating, we start our trip back to Sapa.
You’ve got free time to have a look around town this afternoon. Sapa has views over the valley, so sit down with your hiking friends and have a hot and strong Vietnamese coffee or cold beer to relax after having trekked approximately 20kms in 2 days.
Back on the train for the last night on tour, don’t forget to grab email addresses off your travel buddies.
Day 4:
Our tour ends upon arrival at our hotel in Hanoi, so say goodbye to your crew and Tour Manager.