06 Days - Sapa Local Hilltribe Village Trek
With 54 different ethnic groups in Vietnam. The villages around Sapa are the perfect place to see the lives, culture and costumes of some of these colorful minorities. The minorities still dress in their traditional colorful clothing – especially the women. Each group has its own distinct color and style of dress. On this tour with Ethnic Voyage, you will explore the beautiful nature in the minority villages, visit the friendly locals in their homestay and see the impressive minority market.
Highlight of the trip:
· Trek through hilltribe villages, stay overnight in their homestay and get an excellent insight into their unique culture and customs
· Visit one of the colourful and famous minority markets where the minority people come to sell and buy their products
· Suitable for both backpackers, friends and families alike
Day by day Itinerary:
Day 01: Night train Hanoi - Lao Cai.
Pick-up at the hotel 20:00 - 20:30 and transfer to the train station. From here, you take a night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on train (soft sleeper with A/C).
The train arrives at Lao Cai train station early in the morning, from where you will be picked up and transported by shared bus to Sapa (35km - about 1 hour drive). The bus will drop you off at Cat Cat View Hotel. Here, you will have time to have breakfast (on your own expense) and relax before our tour guide comes to meet you. He will then provide you with more information about the trek. At 09:00 we transfer you by car to Km7 O Quy Ho. From this place, you start trekking down the field and have time to visit Doi Bang. Having luch at a local family by a primary school. After lunch, you continue trekking to visit Sin Chai village, where the Black H'mong people live - the Black H'mong are proud of their culture, they have their own language and wear traditional indigo blue clothing.
You will arrive at your homestay at around 15:00. Free time to explore the area. Having dinner with the family and spend the night at Sin Chai village (L, D)
Trekking distance: 9km (approx.)
Driving distance: 9km
After having early breakfast, at 07:30 you say good bye to the host and walk through Cat Cat tourism area and then continue your trek to Y Linh Ho - a small community in the hill's. In the afternoon, visiting Lao Chai village and learning more about their culture and customs. Then walking to Ta Van village to visit Zay people - The Zay minority people in Ta Van have their own traditional culture and lifestyle. They still live in traditional houses, which are built in wood and bamboo with clay floor. You'll have dinner and sleep overnight in Ta Van village. (B, L, D)
Trekking distance: 15km (approx.)
After having breakfast, visiting the Red Dao people in Giang Ta Chai. The Red Dao women have very colorful red embroideries, coins on their clothing and on their head they wear a red scarf. Some of the women have shaved off their eyebrows, because a hairless face is considered, by the Red Dao, to be very beautiful. Having lunch in the village. Then you continue the trek to Ban Ho and visit Tay ethnic people. Visiting a traditional house on stilt made by wood and bamboo. Arriving at the homestay, you will be welcome by friendly Tay ethnic people. Having dinner and overnight stay in Ban Ho village. (B, L, D)
Trekking distance: 15km (approx.)
After breakfast, pick-up by car/mini bus and transfer to visit the local ethnic markets. Depending on the day of departure from Hanoi, we'll visit one of the following markets.
- Bac Ha Sunday market: This is the largest market in the region, a place where many minority groups gather to buy, sell, eat and drink. You can buy homemade handicraft and clothes, before we'll take a short trek to Ban Pho village (Flower H'Mong)
- Can Cau Saturday market: This is a colorful market in the mountains. You will see several different minority groups here, but mainly the Flower H'mong. The local people come here to buy and sell clothes, vegetables, meat and cattle. In the afternoon we will take a short trek to Ban Pho village (Flower H'Mong)
- Coc Ly Tuesday market: This is a small but very colorful market. After visiting the market we'll take a boat trip down the river and trek to Trung Do village (Tay).
You'll then head back to Lao Cai to catch the night train to Hanoi. Overnight on train (soft sleeper with A/C). (B)
Arrival early in the morning at Hanoi train station, where the tour ends. if you would like to extend your trip, please do let us know. Thanks for traveling with Ethnic Voyage
Key: B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner
Included:
+ Meals: 3 x breakfast, 3 x lunch, 3 x dinner
+ Accommodation: 2 nights on train in 4-berth cabin, 3 nights in home-stay with shared bathroom in Sin Chai, Ta Van and Ban Ho village
+ Entrance fees: Admission fee for villages are included in the trip
+ Transport: Train and car/minibus
+ English speaking tour guide: Included on part of the tour, please refer to itinerary
Not included:
· Travel insurance
· Tips to guide and driver
· Drinks and personal expenses
· All other expenses not stated as included in the above
