Sapa Adventure
4 Day/3 Night Sapa Trip
Take an overnight train journey to the remote mountains of Sapa where glistening rice terraces stretch as far as the eye can see and people from an assortment of ethnic minorities wander the streets in their traditional dress. Hike off the beaten path along mountainside trails, to Tien Sa Waterfall and through pine forests, led by a knowledgeable local guide. Stop at remote villages along the way to hear the stories of traditional mountain life and learn about the unique cultures of Sapa’s Hmong and Dao people.
Day 1 Hanoi - Sapa
Begin the Sapa Adventure with an afternoon transfer to Hanoi Railway Station. Settle into a soft sleeper berth on the overnight express and depart for the border town of Lao Cai. Fall asleep to the gentle rocking of the train as the darkness-covered countryside and mountains roll by.
Day 2 Sapa
Arrive in the early morning at Lao Cai where a friendly guide will provide introduction to this remote and mountainous region. Transfer to Sapa Museum to admire a large display of traditional costumes, handicrafts and tools used by the many ethnic minorities in the area. Learn about the history of Sapa, its military past and the French influence. Visit a remnant of the colonial past at nearby Sapa Church, built by the French in 1930.
After visiting this stone edifice, transfer a short distance to Cat Cat Village nestled in a beautiful valley. Explore the wonderful surroundings with a two-hour hike, following a local guide off the beaten path and along a scenic mountainside track. En route, encounter local Hmong villagers going about their daily lives, planting rice and tending to their animals. At the half-way point, stop for a snack by the river’s edge before continuing to the magnificent Tien Sa Waterfall. Enjoy the sights and sounds of this powerful waterfall before returning to Sapa town to check into a hotel.
Day 3 Sapa
Begin today’s trek from Sapa town, heading in a different direction through pine forest valleys in the north. Pass through the Black Hmong village of Suoi Ho; this small hilltop settlement commands stunning views of rice terraces below and is the perfect place to learn about the unique culture of Northern Vietnam's ethnic minorities. Hear stories of traditional mountain life and see first-hand the daily activities of the village people. Continue through the mountain valley towards Ma Tra Village – stop here for a local lunch and freshly brewed pot of green tea. In the afternoon, hike through lands of the Red Dao people to Ta Phin township stopping along the way to visit a traditional Salmon farm. Transfer back by vehicle to the hotel in Sapa for a well-earned rest before boarding the overnight train back to Hanoi.
Day 4 Hanoi
In the early morning, arrive back in hectic Hanoi and transfer to the city hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure choosing to either relax or explore a city poles apart from mountainous Sapa.
JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS
* Taking an overnight train journey from hectic Hanoi to wake up in the mountainous province of Lao Cai
* Visiting Cat Cat Village - home to a variety of ethnic groups each with their own distinctive customs and practices
* Admiring the magnificent Tien Sa waterfall as fresh mountain water washes down the rocks
* Encountering Hmong and Dao ethnic minorities, living in elevated settlements with spectacular views over the countryside they cultivate
* Appreciating a panorama of glistening rice terraces, constructed centuries ago to cultivate the steep highlands
