Hanoi, Vietnam

Highlights
3 days / 2 nights led by an authentic ethnic minority guide
Trek through the beautiful nature and rice terraces of Sa Pa
Learn about the crafts of the local ethnic minority
Stay at a homestay to really get to know how the locals live

Description
Trek through the beautiful nature and rice terraces of Sa Pa, learn about the crafts of the local ethnic minority and stay at a homestay to really get to know how the locals live. With the beautiful terrace view and the rich ethnic minority cultures, Sa Pa is well worth the challenging hike.

Who This Experience Is Good For
Anyone who loves exploring nature

Difficulty Level
Medium-Hard depending on fitness level. The trek will be 12-15km total and can last 5-6 hours.

Meet Our Local Host
Our local guides will be from the Sapa Sister organization and are experts in mountainous areas, speak English, and have long experience as guides. The Sapa Sister guides aim to empower the young Black H'Mong women and give them reasonable pay for their skilled services. Sapa Sister is an ethnic minority Hmong trekking group based in the beautiful northern mountainous highlands of Sapa, Vietnam. They are very proud to be one of the few Hmong businesses that exist in this region.

Itinerary

Day 1

8:00 AM : The bus and tour guide will pick you up from Somerset and transfer to Lao Cai.
13:30 : Lunch in Lao Cai City then visit Vietnamese and Chinese border.

16:00 : Transfer to Sa Pa.

Take a rest then we will have a batik workshop to learn how to make the traditional decorations of Black Hmong people.

The beautiful art of batik – using wax and dye to create patterns on cloth – has been around for centuries. More than 2,400 years ago, the Egyptians used a form of batik to wrap their mummies, and the practice soon spread to China, India, Japan and Indonesia. Batik is also practiced as far away as Africa, although various starches may be substituted for beeswax. 

In Vietnam, the Hmong, one of the country’s 54 ethnic groups, practice this age-old art and we set out to the Muong Hoa Valley, just outside of Sapa, to learn from a batik master.

19:00: Dinner at the homestay.

Day 2

Around 6:00 AM Enjoy the morning from the homestay, then have local breakfast and pack your things to get ready for check out and do other activities.

8:00 AM: Start to the trek to the Bamboo forest. 

Let’s take the trail uphill and pass through picturesque terraced rice paddies before heading to a lush green bamboo forest and a stunning silver waterfall. It takes half an hour to hike to the delightful Giang Ta Chai. Giang Ta Chai is a Red Dao people’s village situated on the top of the hill that overlooks the peaceful Muong Hoa River.

13:00: Come to Sa Pa town and have lunch.

14:00: Check in at hotel in Sa Pa 

15:00: Start to trek and swim in the Love Waterfall.

19:00: Dinner at Sa Pa town and come back to hotel.

Before going to sleep, we will provide you a herbal foot bath to relax.

Overnight at hotel

Day 3

7:00 AM: Have local breakfast and pack your things to get ready for check out.

Spend some free time exploring the town or doing cable car to visit Fansipan (Rooftop of Indochina)

Lunch is not included. You may buy meals in Sa Pa or at the rest stop on the way back to Hanoi

11:00: Come back to Hanoi by limousine bus. 

What's Included
1 guide & Entrance fee to Sapa Valley
Transfer 2 way Hanoi to Sa Pa.
4 main meals and 3 breakfasts. Vegan/Vegetarian options are available
Homestay and hotel
Refill water
Batik workshop
Herbal foot bath
Travel Insurance.

Drinks
Cable Car to visit Fansipan
VAT

Know Before You Go
A normal trek is about 12-15km, so you will walk for about 5-6h. If you cannot walk all the way, you can go part of the way by motorbike taxi. Extra transportation is not included in the price.

Bring shoes with a good grip. There are high mountains, ravines, and terraced fields all around Sapa. Some parts of the trek will be a narrow path up and downhill around the mountain, it's unavoidable, but not too dangerous. The valley you will trek in is under 1500m.

The trek is private but you will meet other travelers at the homestay. Homestays are run by families who choose to welcome travelers and have prepared their houses to accommodate guests. There are no private bedrooms in the homestays. There are hot showers, western standard toilets, beds, and tasty traditional food. You don't need to bring bed sheets, towels or sleeping bags. The homestays are clean and safe.

Weather: Can be unpredictable depending on the season. Make sure to check weather forecasts and updates from your CM. In the event of cancellation due to inclement weather, the CM will notify you of alternative options.

Please be prepared to bring a smaller backpack with a change of clothes and personal things needed for the trek. Swimsuit.

Water - You can buy water along the way, but bring some with you. A small bottle of water will be provided at the beginning of your trek.

Mosquito repellent and suncream.

Extra toilet paper for unplanned emergencies.

Snacks for the road.

Warmer clothes that keep you dry (dress in layers)

Minimum To Operate
4 people

Maximum Capacity 
6 people 

Deadline To Book 
10 days before the event