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Days
6
Price from
$1,317NZD
Map of Vietnam's Essential Sapa including Vietnam

Journey into the misty, tribe-filled hills of northern Vietnam

Travel to Sapa and uncover the jewel of Vietnam's verdant northwest. The region is home to terraced mountainsides descending into valleys like magnificent staircases, a multitude of minority cultures, and quaint villages hidden in the distant green hills. This short six-day adventure features a stay at a lodge deep in the misty mountains of Hoang Lien National Park, a stand out destination for budding shutterbugs with photographic opportunities around every turn. With plenty of scenery and exotic wildlife to discover, this is Vietnam at its picturesque best.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Hanoi, Vietnam
Finish
Hanoi, Vietnam
Destination
Vietnam
Style
Peregrine
Code
PAES
Physical rating
Traveller’s rating
2 reviews
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Embark on several of Sapa's scenic day treks. With idyllic green landscapes, ethnic hill-tribe villages and hidden waterfalls, this is a slice of Vietnam that will linger long in the memory.

  • Your two night feature stay on the verdant hilltops surrounding Sapa will give you a stunning perspective of this beautiful country.

  • Be rewarded at the end of your trekking with spectacular views of the Hoang Lien mountains while enjoying the comforts of your hilltop lodge.

  • Pick a path through the terraced rice fields of Sapa, which shimmer like mirrors after being watered by local farmers. 

  • Finish with a superb dining experience at KOTO, a Hanoi institution sponsored by The Intrepid Foundation dedicated to training disadvantaged youth in hospitality.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip includes a pair of day hikes—both are considered easy to moderate.

  • While the walking is not overly strenuous, terrain can be quite steep and unpredictable, with uneven and slippery or muddy surfaces. It's important to bring sturdy walking shoes.

  • Winter (November–February) can get cold, wet and foggy. Even outside of winter, Sapa is known for having four seasons in one day. It's best to pack layers and be prepared for varied conditions throughout the day (and for cooler nights).

vietnam sapa lodge 2
vietnam sapa people
vietnam sapa people
vietnam sapa walking

Itinerary
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This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2019 to 31 December 2019. View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2018 - 31 December 2018

Welcome to Hanoi. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. There will be a welcome meeting at 6 pm where insurance details and next of kin information will be collected. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend the meeting. Subject to availability, additional accommodation may be arranged. If you find yourself with free time before the meeting, why not visit the Temple of Literature or Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum.
Accommodation
  • Lan Vien Hotel or similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Complex: Ho Chi Minh, Stilt House and Museum - VND80000
  • Hanoi - Village Discovery by Bike Urban Adventure - USD33
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Your journey to the verdant mountains of northwest Vietnam begins with a private vehicle ride to Sapa (approximately 5 hours). Considered a summer capital by the French in the early 20th century, Sapa’s grown into the crown jewel of Vietnamese tourism since being opened to international visitors in 1993. The mix of ethnic cultures, eye-popping scenery and hill-tribe villages make it an ideal place to see on foot. Trek about 5 kilometres / 3.1 miles from the center of Sapa town to Cat Cat and return, one of the oldest Hmong ethnic minority villages in the region. Here you’ll see rice growing on terraced fields using traditional methods of cultivation, plus the Hmong people’s famed method of making cloth from hemp and dying it deep indigo.
You will have an evening to relax and enjoy crisp mountain air and vistas. 

Notes: Total trekking time today is 2.5 - 3 hours.
Accommodation
  • Victoria Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Sapa - Cat Cat Village trek
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

After breakfast meet your local guide and drive to Lao Chai. From here you delve deeper into serene Vietnam with a trek past isolated mountain hamlets to Ta Van (approximately 7km / 4.4mi). Passing rice terraces and farm animals you’ll have opportunities to learn about the daily life and traditional culture of the Hmong people. The trek may vary depending on local conditions. Afterwards you’ll need a well-earned rest and rest is what you’ll find at your hilltop lodge in Hoang Lien National Park. After arriving via private vehicle (approximately 1 hour) take in the views from your private room across the valley in this majestic location. Perhaps even take a massage or simply unwind at the lodge’s hilltop spa.

Notes: Total trekking time today is 1.5 - 2 hours.
Accommodation
  • Topas Ecolodge or similar (feature stay) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Sapa - Guided trek with local lunch
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Please note on occasion we may stay at an alternate lodge in the Sapa region if Topas Ecolodge is fully booked.

Make the short trek to Lech Village and back this morning. About 5km / 3.1mi from Sapa, the village is home to the Red Dao ethnic minority, a remarkable people whose culture has remained relatively unaffected by outside visitors. Your camera will get a workout as you encounter the stunning vistas and rice paddies of the Thanh Kim valley. Stop to try the regional speciality of 3 colours sticky rice. This dish is so named as the rice is coloured with locally sourced natural ingredients such as leaves and flowers. Afterwards, the day is yours to spend as you please. Those with the energy can venture down further scenic trails (ask your leader for a recommendation). There are many more hill-tribe cultures and photographic opportunities to be found in the surrounding hills. Alternatively, simply sit back and soak it all up from your perfectly appointed lodge.

Notes: Total trekking time today is 2.5 - 3 hours.
Accommodation
  • Topas Ecolodge or similar (feature stay) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Sapa - Tea with local family
  • Sapa - Sample 3 colours sticky rice
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Return to Hanoi (approximately 5 hours) and use free time to discover its many treasures. Perhaps visit Hoan Kiem Lake, the excellent Ethnology Museum or the Hanoi Social Club. In the evening, sit down to a farewell dinner with your fellow travellers at KOTO restaurant. This philanthropic Hanoi institution is a long-time friend of Peregrine and is supported by our sibling charity, The Intrepid Foundation. Not only is it a lovely place to dine, it's also a great cause, doubling as a hospitality training program for disadvantaged local youth.
Accommodation
  • Lan Vien Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Hanoi - KOTO dinner
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Your trip comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to stay on in Hanoi, we can help arrange additional accommodation for you on request. Why not soak up all that Hanoi has to offer on an immersive one-day Urban Adventure tour? Visit www.urbanadventues.com for more details.
Optional Activities
  • Hanoi - Citadels, Karsts & Cycle Urban Adventure - USD88
  • Hanoi - Hanoi Street Food By Night Urban Adventure - USD31
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Taxi

Accommodation

Comfortable hotel (3 nights), Lodge in Sapa (2 nights)

Included Activities

  • Sapa - Cat Cat Village trek
  • Sapa - Guided trek with local lunch
  • Sapa - Tea with local family
  • Sapa - Sample 3 colours sticky rice
  • Hanoi - KOTO dinner

Reviews

Our Vietnam's Essential Sapa trips score an average of 5 out of 5 based on 2 reviews in the last year.

Essential Sapa , May 2018

Howard Missen

Review submitted 08 Jul 2018

Essential Sapa , May 2018

Silvia Dawson

Review submitted 06 Jul 2018

Dates & availability

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Important notes

1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking.
2. A single supplement is available on this trip, subject to availability. Please contact your sales agent if you would like to book this. Please note the single supplement is available on every night of this trip.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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