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Hill tribes of Sapa

Route: Hanoi - Sapa - Hanoi

Northern Vietnam is an area of outstanding natural beauty. Tribes from all over Asia found refuge in its rich, green valleys and they have lived here in virtual isolation ever since. Untouched by modernity as we know it, they still follow traditional ways of life and observe ancient custom. During your Sapa trip, drop in on the tribes of the Black H’mong and the Red Dzao as you hike through the verdant countryside, surrounded by steep mountain ridges and terraced rice paddies. You'll also visit the famous Love Market and the folkloristic Bac Ha Market, bursting with local colour and energy.

Our Sapa trip is suitable for all levels of fitness, and the longest hike featured in the trip is 6km. If you're looking for more demanding hikes and an overnight stay with a hill tribe, then our Sapa trek may be more up your street.

If you'd like to start building your Vietnam holiday, take a look at our range of bite-sized Vietnam tours. Alternatively, if you'd rather leave the planning to us, you can take your pick from our selection of ready-made holidays in Vietnam.

Duration	5 days / 4 nights Departs Thursdays and sometimes Friday from Hanoi	Accommodation	2 nights sleeper train travel to and from Sapa, 2 nights in a comfortable hotel in Sapa. Comfort Level 3 (see accommodation).
Price	£189 per person - based on 2 people	Included	Overnight train fare, accommodation with breakfast, transport to Sapa, guided hill tribe and Sapa trekking.
Transport	Air-conditioned overnight train, car/jeep	Excluded	All other meals and drinks, excursions

Days 1 and 2: Overnight train - Sapa - Y Linh Ho village - Sapa

Today you'll be collected from your hotel in Hanoi in the late afternoon to begin your Sapa trip. First you'll be taken to the train station where you can stock up on snacks for the overnight journey into the north. The train is air-conditioned and you'll sleep in a 4-bedded couchette. These are generally pretty comfortable.

The next morning, you'll arrive in Lao Cai, where you'll be met by your local guide to begin the 2½-hour road trip to Sapa. On the way, you'll see paddy terraces climbing up the mountainsides like giant staircases. When you arrive in Sapa you'll check into your comfortable hotel and have breakfast there. It is full of local charm and lies in the centre of Sapa, with wonderful views across the rich, green valley.

Today, your Sapa trip will start with an easy half-day trek from your hotel to Y Linh Ho village, located about 7 km southwest of Sapa town, on the west side of Muong Hoa River. On the way, you'll cross a couple of bamboo bridges over clear mountain streams. There will be plenty of magnificent views and you'll come across many women working in the fields. Though they may only speak a few words of English, they are incredibly warm and welcoming people, and may even invite you for tea in their homes. Initially, the villagers might seem rather shy, but if you give them a smile, you'll quickly be rewarded with beaming faces. You'll spend the night at your comfortable hotel in Sapa.

Day 3: Sapa - Red Dao Village of TaPhin - Sapa

It's day three of your Sapa trip in Vietnam and after breakfast you'll be driven to Khoang village where you'll begin trekking to Taphin, home to the striking Black H’mong people. The Black H'mong wear mainly black clothing, as their name suggests. The dye that they use tends to run and, as a result, their hands are also stained a little black. Along the way you'll trek through numerous Hmong and Red Dao villages, through some of the most stunning scenery Vietnam has to offer.

On Saturday evening from about 7pm, the Love Market takes place in Sapa. Young eligible men and women from the Dzao region meet here, dressed in finery, in the hope of snagging a partner. We can definitely recommend taking a look at this spectacle during your Sapa trip.

Note: This trek is approximately 10km and takes around 5 hours on average. As lunch is not included, we would recommend that you prepare a picnic lunch before your trek begins. Alternatively, you can ask your guide to prepare a lunch for you for a small fee.

Day 4: Bac Ha Market – Overnight Train to Hanoi

This morning, it's time to grab your backpack and say farewell as your Sapa trip comes to an end. You'll travel by car to Bac Ha, a small mountain village famous for its busy market. You'll visit this market, where many mountain tribes come to sell their wares. It is a feast for the senses, with traders dressed in a rainbow of colours displaying fresh vegetables, meats, flowers and other products. It's also a perfect opportunity to pick up a few unique Vietnamese souvenirs made by local people.

After exploring the market, you'll take a walk to nearby Ban Pho, a H’Mong village where you'll encounter some of the kindest local villagers in Vietnam! You'll pass by a local school, sweeping rice terraces and also visit a local house to spend some time relaxing and sharing stories with the owner. At the end of the afternoon, you'll travel to Lao Cai where you'll have plenty of time to grab an evening meal before boarding the night train back to Hanoi where this Vietnam trip ends.

Day 5: Arrival in Hanoi - End of tour

You'll arrive in Hanoi on day five at about 5.30am in the morning and this is where your Sapa trip draws to a close.

Taxis and tuk-tuks will not be in short supply, so you can easily travel from the train station back to your hotel. It will be a little too early to check in at your hotel, so we would recommend arranging an early check-in in advance. If this is something that you would like to organise, then just let one of our travel specialists know.

If you're continuing your Vietnam holiday, you could follow your Sapa trip with something a little more relaxing, such as our Halong Bay trip or you could begin your journey south, stopping to update your wardrobe with our Hoi An trip on the way.

Sapa trip - Accommodation (click to enlarge)

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