Railways & Rice Fields of Sapa
Bite-sized trip
Days 1-2 – Overnight train to Sapa and trek into the hills
You’ll board the sleeper train in Hanoi and steam off towards Lao Cai, an hour or so from Sapa. The 4-bed cabins aren’t huge, but they’re comfortable enough for an evening. Once the train pulls in, you’ll join a transfer to Sapa where you can stretch your legs and enjoy a tasty breakfast.
Afterwards, you’ll be met by a local guide who’ll lead you on a private 12km hike into the countryside, stopping at several hill tribe villages along the way. In the final village you’ll stop to spend the night with a hill tribe family, who will give you a large dose of local hospitality and some delicious homecooked food to fill your belly after a long day. The accommodation is simple but gives a real experience of life in this part of the world.
Day 3 – Sapa and surrounding area
You’ll cover a fair bit of ground today, and you’ll stop in to see the Giang Ta Chai and Red Dzao tribes, who have both wandered these hills for centuries. As the trek is private, you can set the pace, stopping for scenic breathers whenever you need a break. In the afternoon, you’ll stop for lunch at a picturesque spot before returning back along the mountain roads to Sapa, arriving late afternoon. You’ll stay in the heart of Sapa, the lively tourist hub of the highlands.
Days 4-5 – Cat Cat village & overnight train
This morning you’ll hike to Cat Cat, a Black H’mong village not far from Sapa. The Black H’mong are known for their striking black dress and are one of the biggest hill tribes in these mountains. Being so close to Sapa, Cat Cat itself is no stranger to tourism, but it’s still a great place to pick up souvenirs. You’ll visit the village during the morning, and will have the afternoon free to relax in Sapa. Finally, you’ll be taken back to the station for the overnight journey back to Hanoi.
*It costs a little more, but if you’d rather get back to Hanoi a little quicker then we can arrange an earlier road transfer which would get you there in the evening, so you can sleep in a hotel bed….just ask!
Accommodation
For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options
Sapa - Ta Phin Trekking
Experience a whole day of trekking, following the buffalo trails, along the rice terraces, through the forest and across the stream, visiting the hospitality villagers of the Black Hmong tribe at Ma Tra, Suoi Ho. You will enjoy a tasty picnic lunch on the way, then continue the trek to Ta Phin of the Red Zao people, where you will be collected for your transfer back to Sapa.
Trekking distance: 13 Km
