Night 1: Hanoi – Lao Cai

In the evening, your private guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to the railway station for the night train to Lao Cai

Overnight on the train is in an air-conditioned cabin with a sleeper berth (4 persons per cabin)

Note: There are 4-soft berths per cabin with A/C. You may share it with other passengers. It takes around 8 hours from Hanoi to Sapa. Please contact us if you want to upgrade to the private train cabin.

*** Travel to Sapa by train which provides two “free” nights of accommodation and offers an insight into Vietnamese culture and hospitality

*** The overnight train from Hanoi to Sapa is one of the most popular experiences which tourists often seek when planning a trip to this mountainous destination. Trains operate between Hanoi and Lao Cai station, about 35 km from Sapa. They leave Hanoi at 10 pm each day and they take from 7.5 to 8.5 hours to reach Lao Cai. From this station, it is more than another hour of driving to reach Sapa town.

Day 1: Lao Cai – Bac Ha Sunday Market - Sapa (B,L,D)    

The train arrives in the early morning. Your private guide will meet you at your train cabin and then escort you to a restaurant nearby for a short rest and breakfast. 

After breakfast, drive to Bac Ha Town (about 2 hours), the Capital of the Flower Hmong, one of Vietnam’s most vibrant ethnic groups. Bac Ha Market, which takes place once a week on Sunday morning, is one of the biggest and most colorful markets for Minority people in Vietnam.

Every Sunday morning, many different ethnic groups such as Flower Hmong, Phu La, Black Dao, Tay, and Nung minorities gather to buy and sell local products that cannot be found elsewhere. You will observe and explore the lifestyle and culture of local people through the market. Have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, you will have a short transfer to Trung Do village of the Tay minority. On arrival, board a private motor boat and cruise along the Chay River - admire the breathtaking views as you float through this beautiful landscape. Back to the private vehicle for the journey to Sapa and spend the night there. Dinner at a local restaurant in Sapa. 

Overnight in Sapa.

* Note: In case the level of water is not able to take a boat trip, you can change to take a buffalo cart in Trung Do village instead

- The fast train SP3 will set off from Hanoi at 9.50 PM and reach Lao Cai at 6.30 am the next day. The route back to Hanoi with SP4 fast train will start from 8:20 PM and arrive in Hanoi at 6.00 am the following day. 

Option 2: You will arrive at Lao Cai Railway Station at around 6.00 am and transfer to the restaurant nearby for a short rest and enjoy breakfast. Afterward, you will spend the day visiting Ta Phin and Ma Tra villages. We drive from Lao Cai to Ta Phin village where we will get to know the daily lifestyle, handicraft traditions, and specific customs of the Red Dzao tribe. Take a walk through rice paddies and enjoy spectacular scenery along the way before arriving at Ma Tra village, home of the black H’Mong ethnic people. Hidden away from civilization the villagers still maintain their way of living and life as they have for many centuries. Later on, transfer to Sapa town in the late morning. Lunch at a local restaurant. Check-in at your hotel. The balance of the day is free at your leisure. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 2:  Lao Chai – Ta Van – Night train to Hanoi (B, L, D)  

Today our guide takes you to villages populated by H'Mong and Dzay peoples, respectively called Lao Chai and Ta Van. You have the opportunity to take beautiful photos of rice terraces and enjoy the breathtaking mountain scenery. Walk through villages where ethnic people live. Visit their homes and witness their daily activities. Lunch at a local family.

In the afternoon, free to walk around Sapa town or go shopping at a local market or have a soothing massage, facial, or pedicure. From here you drive to Lao Cai station for the night train back to Hanoi.  Dinner at a local restaurant in Lao Cai

Overnight on train with A/C, soft sleeper cabin (4 people/cabin).

Day 3: Hanoi (B)

The train arrives at Hanoi Railway Station in the early morning (05.00 AM). Pick up from here and walk to a local restaurant for breakfast before a journey to Ha Long Bay or Ninh Binh.

End of services.

Thank you for travelling with us!

Wishing You a Happy and Safe Journey

SPECIAL NOTE FOR SAPA TOUR: 

- Bring along a light cotton dress/trousers, a warm jacket (rain and wind, a silk sleeping bag, mosquito repellent, good walking/hiking shoes, a walking stick, sun hat/sun lotion, hand lotion, and lip balm. 

- Roads: Driving can be a challenge as roads can be bumpy or under construction, and driving time depends on weather and road conditions – only rough estimates can be given.

- Standard Hotel Check-in time: 2:00pm – 3:00 pm (local time)

- Standard Hotel Check out time: 11:00am-12pm (local time)

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