Destinations: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Moc Chau – Nghia Lo – Mu Cang Chai – Sapa – Hanoi.

Duration: 6 Days

Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Moc Chau (L, D, G)

After breakfast at the homestay, you’ll be on the road by 07:30. You’ll have a long drive ahead of you today, with Nghia Lo as our destination. Along the way, you’ll pass through the Moc Chau plateau and may make a stop at a local tea plantation. You’ll continue traveling through the tribal lands of the Thai, Hmong, and Dao people. You’ll arrive at Nghia Lo town before dark, dinner at a local restaurant and sleep at a local guesthouse.

Driving Distance: 240 km

Day 2: Moc Chau – Nghia Lo (B, L, D, G)

Driving Distance: 240 km

Day 3: Nghia Lo – Mu Cang Chai (B, L, D, G)

After breakfast, you’ll drive into one of the most beautiful parts of Northwest Vietnam. Amidst the terraced landscape, you’ll stop for a short hike of about 1.5 hours to a Hmong village, where you will have lunch. Later, you’ll continue through stunning scenery and take another short afternoon walk to visit a Thai village. You’ll then hit the road one last time until you reach Mu Cang Chai, where you will spend the night.

Driving Distance: 100 km

Day 4: Mu Cang Chai – Than Uyen – Sapa (B, L, G)

You’ll depart at 08:30. Our goal is Sapa, and we will drive there through rice paddies, ethnic villages, and over the Tram Ton Pass. We’ll make a short stop for a welcome trek of about 2 hours to visit a local village. You’ll arrive in Sapa around 17:00 and check into your hotel. You’ll sepnd the night in Sapa.

Driving Distance: 170 km

Day 5: Sapa, trek and homestay (B, L, D, G)

After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll have the morning to explore Sapa on your own. Your guide will meet you at 10:30 to transfer you to the start of our beautiful trek. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet and talk with locals working in the fields. Enjoy a picnic lunch en route, then continue trekking to Ta Phin village, home of the Red Dao people. Your Dao host family will warmly welcome you to their traditional home, where you will share an ethnic-style dinner and spend the night.

Trekking Distance: 14 km (4-5 hours)

Trail Difficulty: 4/5

Day 6: Trek back to Sapa, then night train back to Hanoi (B, L, G)

At the first light of day, you’ll see and hear the sounds of morning village life. You can join your host family in their morning activities, such as feeding the animals, cleaning the house, gardening, or preparing breakfast. After breakfast, you can take a short walk around the village or spend more time enjoying the view and company at the homestay. You will then be transported by car or van back to Sapa (a 30-minute drive). Once back in Sapa, you’ll have the afternoon to shower, relax, and explore the town.

Your time will be your own until you’re picked up by car to return to to Sapa then to Lao Cai for the 21:30 overnight sleeper train back to Hanoi.

What’s included

Breakfast and accommodation sharing double/twin room or local homestay.
Pick-ups and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle as specified in the itinerary above .
Travel in an appropriate private air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced safe driver.
One-way train ticket: Lao Cai – Hanoi (air-conditioned soft four-berth cabin, good local standard in Fanxipan Train carriage)
The services of experienced English-speaking guides as indicated in the itinerary.
Where necessary, entry fees for all visits as mentioned in the programme.
Lunches and dinners (as specified in the itinerary) in the local restaurants, or picnics where no suitable restaurant is available.