Itinerary

Day 1: Ha Noi - Mai Chau - Son La

Drive: 320kms/8hours

7:30am. Travel through the Red River Delta before stopping in Mai Chau for a short walk, and then drive onto Son La. Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Son La - Dien Bien Phu

Drive: 220kms/7hours

Son La has an old French prison and museum, perfect for a small walk to visit in the morning before your departure to Dien Bien Phu . You enjoy the picturesque scenery as you pass the villages of Black Thai, White Thai, Meo and Muong peoples. Overnight in a hotel.

Day 3: Dien Bien Phu - Lai Chau

Drive: 200kms/7hours

From Muong Lay, the drive is stunning with tiered tea plantations and verdant rice terraces carved into the landscape. Continue to Lai Chau for the night. If you happen to be in Lai Chau on a Sunday morning, the town is bustling with activity as the local hill tribes gather for their weekly market day. Overnight at hotel or guesthouse.

Day 4: Lai Chau - Sa Pa(D)

Drive: 80kms/3hrs

From Lai Chau to Sa Pa you pass through Tam Duong, and over the 1900 meter Tram Ton pass, Viet Nam′s highest mountain pass and considered the most beautiful stretch of road in the country. Sa Pa is nestled at over 1600 meters in the breathtaking Hoang Lien Son Mountains . After lunch, take a short 3-hour trek down this stunning valley sculpted with steep rice terraces to Ta Van village for a home stay. Enjoy the savory food and the hospitality of your Dzay hosts.

Day 5: Sa Pa - Ban Ho (B-L-D)

A good day trekking along rice terraces, through lush bamboo forest and local villages including that of the colorful Dzao hill tribe, and down to a rolling stream for a picnic lunch. After lunch, continue trekking along the rice terraces, trails and dirt roads into Ban Ho for an insightful night with your Tay hosts, where you sleep in the cozy loft complete with comfy mattress and a mosquito net.

Day 6: Ban Ho - Sa Pa - Lao Cai (B)

Short trek to the dirt road for the jeep ride back to Sa Pa. Enjoy an afternoon to explore Sa Pa town, great shopping in the market for local produce and you can buy handicrafts from many of the local hill tribes selling their wares there. Transfer to Lao Cai Station for night train back to Ha Noi (soft sleeper with A/C).

Day 7: Ha Noi Train Station 5am

Tour ends

Tour includes:

• First 3.5 days: Transportation, and driver.
• English speaking guide.
• Trekking tour in Sa Pa: Tour guide,
• 2 nights′ home stay, meals as indicated
• Jeep transfer from Su Pan to Sa Pa.
• Transfer one way from Sa Pa to Lao Cai station by shared bus.
• Lao Cai-Hanoi soft sleeper train cabin with A/C
• All entrance fees and permits

Tour excludes:

• Travel insurance, Vietnam visa
• Personal expenses, Drinks
• Tips and gratuities
• Things not mentioned clearly in the itinerary