Trip Duration: 7 Days
Starting: Hanoi, Vietnam
Finishing: Hanoi, Vietnam
Destinations: Hanoi - Mai Chau - Son La - Dien Bien - Lai Chau - Sapa - Hanoi
Description: The North -West of Vietnam is still relatively untouched by the outside world. With possibly some of the most beautiful scenery in Vietnam, those who visit see this region will be greatly rewarded. Rich in history, visit such places as the former French hill station of Sapa and Dien Bien Phu with its famous battlefields. Travel along roads snaking through high passes, journey through fertile valleys, see incredible rice terraces and visit colorful ethnic-minority markets.
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BRIEF ITINERARY:
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Day 1: Hanoi - Mai Chau |
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Day 2: Mai Chau – Son La |
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Day 3: Son La – Dien Bien Phu |
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Day 4: Dien Bien – Lai Chau |
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Day 5: Lai Chau - Sapa |
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Day 6: Sapa |
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Day 7: Sapa – Hanoi |
ITINERARY:
Day 1: Hanoi - Mai Chau
Pick up at your hotel and leave at 8:00 this morning. The road from Hanoi to Hoa Binh on highway 6 has been upgraded. The pretty landscape is dotted with churches, pagodas and villages. You will stop to visit the Muong tribe en-route, then another break at Thung Khe Pass for the spectacular view of Mai Chau valley.
Have lunch in Mai Chau. Spend the afternoon for trekking away from the tourist track, close to Song Ma River. Here, you will discover the beauty of this valley and the culture of Thai people who is living in this area. Tonight, you will have dinner and stay with a Thai family. Distance: 160 km or 100 miles.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Home Stay in Mai Chau.
Day 2: Mai Chau – Son La
Have breakfast at the home-stay before embark on a beautiful drive north to Son La. This good stretch of road is filled with stunning sceneries; you will make frequent photo stops and visit to the minority villages of the H’mong and Black Thai.
Lunch is served at a local restaurant en-route.
The highlight on your drive today will be a visit of a tea plantation in Moc Chau plateau. Here, you will find the best Vietnam tea growing region, along the roads and on the hillsides. You will reach Son La in the afternoon. Dinner and stay overnight in Son La. Distance: 187 km or 116 miles.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Son La
Day 3: Son La – Dien Bien Phu
Today you will travel on more winding & stunning roads, longer passes and see more colorful minority groups. Just as in the previous day, you may want to stop more often for pictures and visits the villagers to learn more about their rich cultures.
After lunch, the drive to the impressive Pha Din pass will be the highlight of the day.
Pha Din pass sits 1,000 meter or 3280 feet above the sea level. According to local legend, Pha Din means the connection between Heaven and Earth. Climbing and descending the slopes with the many bends and deep gorges is an unforgettable experience. You will reach Dien Bien Phu early in the afternoon and spend the rest of the day visiting the historical site of the Vietnamese / French war. Dien Bien Phu Museum and A 1 Hill are on the list to see.
Dinner and stay overnight in Dien Bien Phu. Distance: 170 km or 105 miles.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Dien Bien Phu
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Day 4: Dien Bien – Lai Chau
After breakfast, you will have some free time before we begin another spectacular drive, passing the stunning gorges and the Nam Na River. There will be stops to visit the H’mong and Red Dao villages on the way. Arrive in Lai Chau in early afternoon, have lunch & free rest of the afternoon in Lai Chau town to relax. Dinner and stay overnight in Lai Chau. Distance: 180 km or 110 miles.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Lai Chau
Day 5: Lai Chau - Sapa
The drive today is the highlight of this trip. The road is a bit bumpy at times but it compensates by the magnificent scenery of the surrounding fertile valley, pristine rivers and high mountains - the photographer’s dream. The 25 miles drive to Sapa goes up the Chin Co pass and Tram Son pass, the highest pass in Vietnam with the view to Fansipan Peak – The roof of “Indochina”. En-route is the beautiful areas of Heaven’s Gate and Silver Waterfall.
Nested in the spectacular valley near the border of China, Sapa is the premier destination of Northwest Vietnam. Built in 1922 it was the former hill station for the French colonists. Today, Sapa is a paradise for trekkers, thanks to its beautiful trekking routes, stunning rice terrace, colorful minority groups and the back drop of mountain Fansipan. At 3143 meters or 10,311 feet from sea level, it is Vietnam’s highest peak.
You will reach Sapa in the afternoon and the rest of the day is free to explore on your own. Dinner and stay overnight in Sapa.
Note: The colorful Sunday market in Tam Duong is very interesting to see, with lots of colorful ethnic minorities. Today we will visit the Fair market en route. (Twice a week on Thu and Sun). Distance: 180km or 110 miles.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa
Day 6: Sapa
After breakfast at the hotel you will start the great trekking day downhill to the Muong Hoa valley. To begin the most beautiful trekking route in Vietnam. You will trek on dirt path away from tourist tracks, through pine forest, terraces and Hmong villages. You will visit a school in the village and have a picnic lunch by the river. In the afternoon, you will hike through the village of Zay and end of the hike today, Driver will pickup at Ta Van Bridge for the drive back to Sapa.
Evening, relax in the hotel area and have dinner on your own. Trekking: 5 hours, downhill.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa
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Day 7: Sapa – Hanoi
After an early breakfast at the hotel, you will depart from Sapa for the long and beautiful drive to Hanoi. You will have many stop breaks on the way to make the trip more interesting. You will see how the views quickly changed from mountains into the flat plains of the Red River Delta.
Arrive in Hanoi in the late afternoon. For a supplement, you can take the night train from the town of Lao Cai to Hanoi for a more comfortable journey. Distance: 340 km or 236 miles.
Meals: Breakfast
End of trip.
PRICE & INCLUSION
This is a sample itinerary so the cost really depends on your hotel choice, number of people in your group and time of travel.
This rate is quoted in USD per person, based on Double/Twin occupancy.
Apply from 1.January - 2011 to 31.December - 2011
| Group Size | 2 persons | 4 persons | 6 persons | Single Supp* |
| Price / pp | 660 | 464 | 376 | 97 |
Please enquire for availabilities & the most up dated price. ( hawkhuongt1982gpt@gmail.com )
Price Inclusions:
• All land transportation by private air conditioned vehicles
• Tour arrival and departure airport transfers
• Hotel accommodation on a double or twin-share basic
• Meals as mention in the program
• Local English speaking guides
• All entrance and sightseeing fees
• Mineral water
Price Exclusions:
• International airfare and airport tax in & out Vietnam
• Drinks and other meals do not indicate in the program
• Visa to Vietnam
• Early check-in and late check-out at all hotels
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, shopping...)
• Tipping/ Gratuities
• Additional expenses in case of force majeure
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