Day 1: (THU) Hanoi – Laocai - Train
We will catch the overnight train soft sleeper with AC to Lao Cai. The train leaves at 22.00 from Hanoi railway station.
Day 2: (FRI): Sapa-Y linh ho-Lao chai San-Lao chai-Ta van. (O/N)(L/D)
At 10 am we leave the
hotel and start trekking. The first part is on the road but we soon
turn to the right and walk on a small path down the valley to the Muong
Hoa River and from here to the Black H’mong village Lao Chai. Black
H’mong is one of the biggest minority groups in the Sapa area. They are
proud of their culture and keep their traditions and way of living.
They have their own language and wear traditional indigio blue
clothing. After this you continue to Ta Van village (1.200 m) to visit
Zay people. Zay is a fairly small minority group of about 38.000 people
who live mainly in the mountains in Northwest Vietnam. The development
has meant that some of their old customs have been lost but many women
still wear traditional shirts with a purple, blue or green color. The
Zay houses are build of wood and bamboo with a clay floor. We stay
overnight with a local family in Ta Van and have our dinner here.
Trekking distance: 15 km.
Day 3: (SAT): Tavan – Giang Ta Chai – Su pan -Sapa (B)
After
the breakfast we continue to visit Red Dao people at Giang Ta Chai
where we also see a waterfall. The Red Dao women have very colourful
red embroideryand coins on their clothing. On their head they wear a
red scarf. Some of the women have shaved off their eyebrows because of
a nice Red Zao Legend.
We continue along small paths in the rice
fields, cross the Muong Hoa River and trek up to Su pan where you will
meet the jeep and transfer back to Sapa.
Trekking distance: 10 km.
Day 4: (SUN) Bac ha Market (L)
After having early breakfast in the morning we drive to Bac Ha Market. It takes us 3 huor driving to get there.
This
is the largest market in the region, a place where many ethnic groups
gather to buy and sell, eat and drink together. There are 10 minority
groups in the Bac Ha region. You can buy homemade handicrafts and
clothes. In the afternoon we will have a 2 hour trek to Ban Pho village
(Flower H’Mong people).In the village we can have a look in their house
and understand little more about their lifestyle and traditional
customs. Especially, we can try homemade wine from corn. And then we
drive back to Lao Cai railway station.
The guide sees you off at Lao Cai train station and takes you on the train to Ha Noi.