Daily Life in Northwest Vietnam - 3 Day 4 Night

  H . O . T

The best of both worlds, colourful markets, homestay and trekking.

Homestay included: Choose from*

• Mrs Phan Man May
• Mrs Ly Man May
• Mrs Tan May Sinh
• Mrs Chao Man May

*Subject to availability

Night 1
Make your way to Hanoi Station one hour before your overnight sleeper train is due to depart for Lao Cai Station. Your ticket vouchers will be sent to you by e-mail in advance.

Day 1
Arriving in the morning at Lao Cai Station you will be met by our driver at the station’s exit. The driver will be holding a sign with the Sapa O’Chau logo and your name clearly marked.

After breakfast in a local restaurant you will be driven to the ethnic minority ‘Market of the Day’.

On the way back from the market you will stop briefly in Lao Cai to visit the Chinese Border Gate and the bridge spanning the Green River which links these two countries. After this you will be driven 34kms up scenic mountain roads to the Sapa O’Chau Café or your hotel in Sapa as you wish.

Night 2
Sleep in a hotel in Sapa.

Day 2 (Trek - 14km)

After breakfast at your hotel you will check-out and your guide will meet you in the reception. The trek will start with a 3km trek to the picturesque village of Suoi Ho, home to the Black Hmong minority people. From here you can enjoy stunning views of rice terraces, and you will have the opportunity to see some of the farming techniques used by the locals. Continuing on to Matra village you will come across the impressive ruins of a French monastery dating back to the colonial days. Take a minute to learn about its history and take some photos.

The next stop is the village of Ta Phin where you will be able to meet both Hmong and Red Dao minorities. The Red Dao are known for their expertise in herbal medicine, especially medicinal baths, and they use plants from the forest to treat many illnesses. Your guide will be able to introduce you to some Red Dao women who can tell you more about their many remedies. You will be welcomed into the home of Mrs. May and her Red Dao family, where dinner will be cooked on an open fire. You can join in with the traditional cooking or relax on the terrace with a refreshing drink. After dinner take the unique chance to soak your body in a herbal medicine bath and then sleep soundly in a clean and comfortable bed with mosquito net and plenty of blankets. Enjoying the serenity of sleeping out in the mountains.

Night 3
Authentic timber frame Red Dao family Homestay in Ta Phin village.

Day 3 (Trek - 10km)
In the village there is no need for alarm clocks as the resident rooster will kindly let you know it’s time to get up… and if that doesn’t rouse you, maybe the pigs asking for their food will. After breakfast you will begin your trek to Trung Chai village, with a choice of routes depending on the weather and your preferences. Trung Chai is home to Red Dao and Black Hmong minorities, and they have chosen a location with an exceptional landscape! You will be provided with a picnic lunch on route to the village and upon arrival to Trung Chai there will be transport back to Sapa where you can explore the town or visit the ethnology museum before your transfer to Lao Cai Station where you will have dinner in a local restaurant before boarding your return train.

Night 4
Overnight sleeper train arriving early in the morning at Hanoi Station. Tour ends.