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Sapa trekking homestay
4 days
INTRODUCTION
Visitors
to Vietnam all agree that Sapa is the country's crown
jewel. The combination of fresh mountain air, relaxed
ambience, sweeping panoramas and fascinating hill tribes
make Sapa a most - wanted destination.
An adventure into a wide variety of ethnic minority groups
generally retaining their lifestyle, traditional costume
with high mountains, deep ravines and
terraced fields will excite your spirit of adventure.
The adventurous trek takes us deep
into a hilltribe region where tourists are still something
of a novelty. Staying in village homes allows us to
experience, at first hand, a lifestyle that has been
little touched by the modern world and a curiosity from
our hosts just as great as our own. The trekking is fairly
strenuous at times but the spectacular scenery and sense
of adventure make this an outstanding trek.
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ITINERARY
trip map -
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Day
1: Overnight train to Sapa
In the evening our guide picks you up from the
hotel. Transfer to railway station for a 10 hour
night train to Sapa.
Day 2 : Sapa
We are met on arrival into Lao Cao in the
early morning and transferred to Sapa by minibus,
driving through dramatic and breathtaking scenery.
The remainder of your day is at leisure to explore
this fascinating town. You can take some exercise
with a walk to Cat Cat village, set in a beautiful
valley just outside Sapa. Cat Cat is home to the
H'mong people who originated from China about 3000
years ago. The H'mong people are easily
recognisable by their dark blue or black clothing.
The dye is made from the indigo plant which is
native to the area. H'mong women wear long aprons
with embroidered waistcoats and have their hair
rolled up into a turban-like hat, while the men
wear a black skullcap, long waistcoat and loose
trousers.
As you walk to the village nestled in the valley
below Sapa, you will meet some of the local
minority people on their way to and from Sapa.
These minority people walk to Sapa to trade at the
markets - always an exciting place. As well as
the H'mong, you can expect to see the Dao
(pronounced Zao). Dao women are particularly
striking as they wear a large red turban often
covered with old coins or jewellery, and shave
their hair and eyebrows.
Day 3 Sapa Trek- Ta Van homestay
trekking route -
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Following
breakfast you embark on a six hour trek which
takes you along buffalo paths and trails and
through several hilltribe villages. This is an
absolutely spectacular walk through stunning
scenery inhabited by some of the friendliest
people you can hope to meet. Stopping for a picnic
lunch along the way, you spend the night with a
family in Ta Van Village, inhabited by the Zay
people. These people have become very adept at
rice cultivation, in marked contrast to the H'mong,
and have a higher living standard as a result.
Day 4 Giang Ta Chai - Sapa, Overnight train
back to Ha Noi
After breakfast, you set off for a two hour
walk to Giang Ta Chai village where you meet up
with your vehicle to take you back to Sapa town.
Arriving back in Sapa around lunchtime, you have a
free afternoon to further explore the town before
your transfer to the train station for the night
train to Hanoxi.
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DESCRIPTION
accommodation & meal inclusions
Sapa
Overnight train
Meals included: none
Chau
Long Hotel
Meals included: breakfast
Ta Van village homestay
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
*Note: This trip operates on a twin share basis (two
single beds in one room) except when we are in a home-stay
where we are one big happy family. Single supplements are
only applicable to single travellers who wish to have
their own room and are not applicable on overnight trains
transport
Overnight train, private transport and
transfer, walking
Tour includes:
* Local English speaking guide the whole trip
*Accommodation with daily breakfast, entrance fees, meals,
transportation, and sightseeing excursions as itinerary.
*Permits
Tour excludes:
* Visa costs
* Pre/post trip arrangements
* Drinks, tips, laundry and other items of a personal
nature.
* International flights
* Arrival and departure transfers
* Meals other than those listed
* Travel insurance
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Tour cost: US
$240 per person in the party of 2
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