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Hanging over 5000 km square with the population of 6000 people, with lush greenery of mountain ranges is just the beginning of your expedition to the jade of Far East. Imagine a land lush in tropical forest and emerald rice terrace fields and a land alive with very colorful tradition and culture. The old French-built hill station of Sapa (1600m above sea level) is the natural starting point for a unique experience of the Sapa area. This includes the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, and Indochina’s highest peaks, Fansipan (3143m), and 6 different ethnic minority groups, each one colorful, distinct and with its own language and cultural values.
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DETAILED ITINERARY
On Friday at 21:00 Pick up by taxi at your hotel and residence in Hanoi and transfer to the Hanoi train station to board night train (22:00) to Lao Cai. Stay overnight on the train.
Day 1: Lao Cai - Sapa/Saturday (Meals: B)
Arrive in the early morning at Lao Cai Station, near the Chinese border, and transfer to our private car for a scenic drive to the hill station of Sapa. Enjoy the spectacular views of rice-terraced mountains and Black H’mong and Red Dao hill tribe people dressed in their colorful wares walking along the roadside. After checking into the hotel and breakfast, begin a walking tour through the market, where hill tribe people from villages afar converge here on Saturday, and continue towards Cat Cat Village, home to the Black H'mong hill tribe. Back to the town for a late lunch at a local restaurant After lunch hang around the town to interact with the Dzao, H’mong and Dzay hill tribe people. Balance of the day is free at leisure.
Day 2: Sapa - Bac Ha market - Hanoi/Sunday (Meals: B)
Waking up early morning at 06:30. Drive to Bac Ha. This Sunday market also attracts a wide variety of ethnic minority groups including the Variegated H’mong, Dao, Phu La, La Chi, Tay who still retain their age old cultural traditions and are recognizably distinct from each other by their dress. The experience of this congregation is unique. After touring around the market, the car will take you to Ban Pho villages where inhabited of Flower H’mong people. Driver back to Lao Cai town to board Victoria Express back to Hanoi. Overnight on the train. Arrive in Hanoi at 5.30 AM next morning
NOTE: Upon arrival in Hanoi at about 05:30 AM on Monday, you will arrange transportation by your selves back to your hotel.
What to bring:
- Sun Block
- Wide brim hat
- Camera + Film
- Comfortable shoes
- Rain gear
- Warm clothes
- Insect Repellent
- Original Passport
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