Day 1(FRI): Hanoi – Lao Cai

You will take an overnight express train (soft sleeper berth) from Hanoi to Lao Cai province (370km).

Day 2 (SAT): Sapa – Y Linh Ho - Lao Chai San - Lao Chai - Ta Van (B/L/D)

On arrival in Lao Cai, you will be picked up and transferred by private car to Sapa town. After breakfast, we start trekking along a dirt trail through terraced rice paddies and minority villages. You will enjoy spectacular scenery while walking along a narrow river. The area is still covered by rain forest under the protection of Hoang Lien National Park. After two-hour trek, we arrive in Y Linh Ho village of Black H'mong minority, where you can take a rest in a nice spot near the beautiful river for lunch.
In the after noon, we continue walking for one hour to Lao Chai San and Lao Chai villages, also home to Black H’mong. Another one hour trek will take us to Ta Van village, inhabited by Dzay minority. Tonight we will have dinner and overnight in Dzay's hut.
Trekking distance: 15km
Home stay in Ta Van

Day 3 (SUN): Ta Van - Giang Ta Chai - Ban Ho (B/L/D)

After the breakfast we continue to visit Red Dzao minority people at Giang Ta Chai villages. The Red Dzao lady is easily identified by her long locks of hair folded in a large red turban. We also spend time visiting a waterfall nearby.
Onwards to Ban Ho, home to Tay hill tribe villagers. Picnic lunch and dinner are included.
Trekking distance: 25 km.
Home stay in Ban Ho

Day 4 (MON): Ban Ho - Sapa (B)

Take a short trek to Ban Den (3km) and then transfer by car to Sapa (20km). The rest of day is leisure or shopping for delicate embroideries and batik at Sapa local market.
Overnight in hotel in Sapa

Day 5 (TUE):  Sapa - Coc Ly market – Lao Cai (B/L)

This morning we take two hour drive to Coc Ly market, a very small market which takes place every Tuesday. You can meet several ethnic minorities from surrounding villages such as Flower H'mong, Black Dao, Phu La, Nung and Tay. After visiting the market, you will board a traditional boat for a one-way cruise along the Chay River followed by a short walk to the minority village of Trung Do, home of Tay group. Then transfer back to Lao Cai for overnight train back to Hanoi.

Day 6 (WED): Arrive Hanoi

The train will arrive in Hanoi in early morning. The trip concludes.

(B): Breakfast
(L): Lunch
(D): Dinner

Hotels to be used:

Deluxe: Victoria Sapa Hotel
Superior: Chau Long Hotel (New wings)
Standard: Bamboo Hotel/Gold Sea Hotel or similar
Economy: Auberger Dang Trung Hotel or similar.

* All hotels are subject to availability