Escape the bustle of the big city and set out on an adventure through Northwest Vietnam’s stunning countryside. This 7-day itinerary takes you off the beaten path on a tour through enchanting, gaping valleys and towering mountains to remote hill tribe villages, cascading waterfalls and quaint colonial towns.. your first step to Mai Chau – a nice valley with stilt-house and friendly local people and then move to Moc Chau to visit team farm. Continue your journey to Dien Bien Phu to know the famous historical battleground, where the Vietnamese successfully defeated the French, marking the end of French colonial occupation. Depart to Sapa via Phong Tho, on the way enjoy magnificent scenery: yawning valleys, winding rivers, and canonical mountains – a photographer’s dream. Spend 2 days in Sapa to visit minority villages and trekking and enjoy breathtaking mountain scenery and tribal villages amongst perfect nature setting are highlights of Sapa
- Depart Hanoi early morning for approximately 4 hour drive to Mai Chau located about 150 km southwest of Hanoi. Just an hour beyond Hanoi, after Hoa Binh Town, the road weaves through mountains, fertile valleys and traditional villages.Arrive in the picturesque Mai Chau Valley surrounded by spectacular karst rock formations and rice paddies. After lunch, spend the afternoon exploring the idyllic natural surroundings and visit the extraordinary Mo Luong (Soldier) Cave.This evening enjoy a traditional Thai performance of music and dance. The Thai ethnic group has inhabited this area for centuries and much of their lifestyle and traditions have remained unchanged over the years.Stay overnight in a traditional stilt-house* of the Thai people, an incredibly enriching experience in which you can learn about this fascinating culture first hand. (The home stay accommodation consists of comfortable curtained-off sleeping areas in one long room; all bedding and mosquito nets are provided).Overnight at homestay in Mai Chau.
Start the day with a simple breakfast with your host family. Farewell to your host of homestay drive to Son La. Let’s stop en route to visit villages of various tribes including the H’mong, Thai, Muong and Dzao and orchard, tea farm in Moc Chau plateau – Vietnam’s premier tea-growing region, before reach Son La (200km from Mai Chau) for a late lunch. In the afternoon, continue along winding mountain roads through North Vietnam’s stunning countryside. The most picturesque scenery here is Pha Din Pass, well-known as a historical site during the 1st Indochina War ended in 1954, and a charming and dangerous pass at elevation 1,300m with breathtaking view. According to local legend, “Pha Din” means the connection between Heaven and Earth. On arrival, check in your hotel and spend rest of day at leisure. Overnight at hotel in Dien Bien Phu
- Nestled in a heart shaped basin near the border with Laos, lies Dien Bien Phu, the famous historical battleground, where the Vietnamese successfully defeated the French, marking the end of French colonial occupation.Start the day early with a visit to the local market where you will meet charming Thai tribes in their traditional costume purchasing their farm products.Next, you will visit Dien Bien Phu Museum and A1 hill then continue to Dien Bien Phu Cemetery to observe a minute’s silence in memory of the heroes who devoted their lives for the victory of the historical Dien Bien Phu Campaign. Visit General De Castries’s Bunker, Old Muong Thanh Bridge and Nam Rom river.After the lunch, proceed to Lai Chau along a bumpy road, passing a series of ethnic villages of Kho Mu (Xa), Huoi Chan, and Bung Giat. Continue to Phong Tho on scenic roads, crossing the junctions of Da and Na rivers by the way of the Chinese-built Hang Tom suspension bridge. From here, the road weaves its way northwards through the picturesque and steadily more spectacular Na River valley, past more ethnic villages of White Thai, Kho Mu and later Red and White H’mong minorities. Arrive in Phong Tho and spend rest of the day to cycle around the village.Overnight at hotel in Phong Tho
This morning, leave Phong Tho for Sapa. The road is a bit bumpy at times, but the rough route is quickly compensated by the magnificent scenery: yawning valleys, winding rivers, and canonical mountains – a photographer’s dream. The drive to Sapa takes you up Tram Son – the highest pass in Vietnam – and views of the Fansipan Peak, known as “the roof of Indochina”. Stop en route to visit Heaven’s Gate and the Silver Waterfall. You arrive in Sapa in the afternoon. Nestled in a sweeping valley near the Chinese border, Sapa is Northwest Vietnam’s premier travel destination. Built in 1922 as a French colonial hill station, this quaint town is now a trekker’s paradise, offering hiking routes through terraced rice fields and enchanting hill tribe villages. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the colorful town on your own. Have dinner and stay overnight in Sapa.
9:00 am The road from Sa Pa winds through hilly terrain passing terraced rice paddy fields,. Follow a dirt trail snaking through the mountain. Enjoy spectacular scenery while trekking along a narrow stream until you reach Y Linh Ho village also home of the Black H'mong minority. Head toward Muong Hoa valley. Descending into the valley, you will see the largest terraced rice fields in the Sa Pa area. (If you visit the valley between May and October, you have the chance to observe and experience how the local people plant and harvest rice). The walk takes you from Lao Chai village of the Black H'mong minority to Ta Van village of the Giay minority. You will take a break to enjoy lunch at local cafe before transferring back to Sa Pa. Overenight at hotel in Sapa
We begin by driving to Love Waterfall and on the way you see the great views of Hoang Lien Mountain Range and some plantations of roses and vegetables in the valley. The car will stop at the Tram Ton Pass which at 2,047 meters is the highest road in Vietnam, then you will walk about 1.1 km along the Golden Stream to see the Love Waterfall. After this walk the car will drive you to Silver Waterfall. You have 30 minutes to walk around this area and enjoy the stunning views of the mountains and the valley. From here you will start the trek down to the valley towards Sin Chai village - the home of Black Hmong people. You will enjoy a picnic lunch on the way to Sin Chai village. Then you will walk on to the Sapa town. Overnight at hotel in Sapa.
Have breakfat at hotel and free at your lesure for explore Sapa by yourself. Visit Sapa Market and Sapa Cathedral
- Accommodation in shared twin room with air-condition (AC) and private bathroom (Check in time: 14.00/ Check out time: 12.00)
- Meals as stated in the programme B= breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner
- Transfers and tours with local English speaking guides in private air-conditioned vehicles
- All entrance fees, boat fees and / or cyclo fees as mentioned in the programme
- Drinking water and cold towels available on the vehicles
- International and Domestic flights (quoted separately, if requested)
- Surcharges for other language guides
- Surcharges for night-time services, especially applied for transfers with arrivals after 23:00 hrs and arrivals or departures before 06:00 hrs.
- Surcharges for Lunar New Year (TET) holiday, Peak season and Compulsory Gala Dinner (TBA at booking time)
- Personal travel insurance
- Personal expenditure, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, camera fees, communications, postage, gratuities etc.
- Meals and services other than mentioned in the programme
- Drinks with meals
- Visa
- Early check-in and late check-out at hotels, if not mentioned in the programme
- Tips
