Remote Sapa Trek
(6 days / 6 nights)
Hanoi – Nam Ket Village – Ban Ho Village – Tavan Village – Sapa
Highlights
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4 day trek off the beaten track
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Challenging trails + beautiful scenery
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Home stays with hill tribe families
Overview
If you are looking for an adventure that offers a challenge, luscious landscapes and fewer tourists, then this is the trip for you! From Hanoi, you travel overnight by train to Lao Cai where you are transferred to the small village of Ben Den to start your trek over hills and valleys staying in the remote hill tribe villages of Dzay, Tay and Dzao communities. Four days later arrive in Sapa, the jewel of this mountain region, where you can enjoy a well deserved hot shower in your hotel. This tough trek combines spectacular scenery with authentic hill tribe village culture.
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1 |
Hanoi to Lao Cai (overnight train) |
Day 2 |
Lao Cai to Ben Den to campsite |
Day 3 |
Campsite to Ban Ho Village |
Day 4 |
Ban Ho Village to Supan to Tavan Village |
Day 5 |
Tavan to Sapa |
Day 6 |
Sapa to Lao Cai (overnight train to Hanoi) |
Prices
Private tour |
$AUD price per person |
3 to 4 people |
515 |
2 people |
590 |
1 person |
910 |
Validity |
31 December 2010 |
Prices are in Australian dollars, per person, based upon the number of people travelling together. Price is land content only + subject to currency fluctuations. Payment by credit card incurs an additional 3% surcharge. See Booking Conditions for more details. Prices beyond validity available on request. Price reduces as your travel group size increases. Call 1300 43 10 69 or email us for a booking form.
Includes
- Hotel accommodation based on twin share. If a single room is required a single supplement will apply.
- Village home stays permission
- Camping
- Round trip sharted 4-berth soft sleeper train cabin
- One way transfer from Hanoi hotel to train station
- Return transfers to Lao Cai train station
- English speaking guide for trekking
- Porter/s + cook for the trek
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- One bottle of water per day for trekking
- Entrance + sightseeing fees
- Donation for teaching materials to hill tribe school
- Bank fees, Vietnam government taxes and service fee
Excludes
- Airfares and departure taxes
- Travel insurance
- Visa, passport or vaccination costs
- Other meals not specified in the itinerary
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, bar charges, tips, optional activities
Trip grade
CHALLENGING: Ideal for people with a great sense of adventure. Previous trekking experience is preferred as we travel remote areas over hilly terrain for up to eight hours a day, (occasionally more). A high level of fitness is required.
Trip notes
Hotels, home stays + camping
In Sapa you stay in a centrally located comfortable 3-star hotel with private facilities. For an additional cost you can upgrade you to a 4 or 5 star hotel.
Home stays in villages are simple in terms of bedding and amenities. You are provided with a mattress, pillow and mosquito net. Accommodation and amenities may be shared with the host family. Toilets are usually western-style style, hot water is not available for showers. A two-man tent with sleeping bag and inflatable mattress are provided for your camping night.
Food
A local cook accompanies your trekking tour. All meals, which are indicated in the detailed itinerary, are included in the price. When trekking, the emphasis is on healthy and nutritious fresh local produce for example rice; Vietnamese spring rolls, eggs, chicken, pork and noodles. Please advise us if you have any special dietary requirements.
Overnight train trips
We travel overnight by train between Hanoi and Lao Cai sleeping in a 4-berth soft-sleeper cabin with shared amenities. Sheet and pillow are supplied. You share your cabin with other travellers. If you pay a little extra, you can book a private cabin just for your travel group if less than 4 people. In Hanoi, our local representative accompanies you to the train station and shows you to your cabin. In Lao Cai, your local guide meets you at the station for your transfer to Ben Den. When you return to Hanoi at the end of your adventure, it is easy to find a taxi to your hotel.
Local guides
English speaking guides support your sightseeing and trekking activities. These guides love their job and are on hand to ensure you have a great trip. They have extensive experience in guiding outdoor tours in North Vietnam and have internationally recognised first aid qualifications. If you feel your guide and support crew provided you with excellent service, a tip at the end of the tour would be truly appreciated… a little bit goes a long way in Vietnam.
Porters + cook
Local porter/s and a cook accompany you when trekking. The porter/s transports your overnight luggage, tents, sleeping equipment, water and food – so please pack thoughtfully!
The trekking day
A typical trekking day starts at around 8.30am. We aim to reach the next overnight stop between 4.30pm and 5.00pm. During the trek you have short breaks for rests, snacks and there’s plenty of opportunity for photographs.
What to bring
Pack lightly for the trek, no more than 10kg is recommended using a small sports bag for the porters to carry. Use your day pack and travel wallet to carry your personal items and important documents. We recommend using a sturdy day pack with good back support and waterproof cover.
Your luggage should include: trekking boots or walking shoes; thongs/comfortable slip on shoes for evenings; light weight long pants & shorts; shirt & t-shirt; warm clothes for at night; raincoat; hat, sunglasses+ sun block; insect repellent; small medical kit; flashlight; essential toiletries; water bottle; camera + spare batteries; pen & paper; original passport; barley sugar / lollies for sustenance; zip lock bags; toilet paper; personal medication. Your own sleeping bag is optional – could be ideal for cooler months (Dec–Feb) if you feel the cold.
Equipment provided
Silk inner sheet, first-aid kit, inflatable mattress, tent, walking pole and gaiters (on request).
Note on client safety
We reserve the right to deviate from this itinerary for any reasons, including road and weather conditions, frequency of visits to a village, or for any other factor that may impact client safety.
Your group + share accommodation
Prices are based upon twin share accommodation. A single traveller pays the single supplement price for sole use of a room. If you are travelling in a group of three and are happy to share a triple room and a triple room is available, you will not be charged the single supplement price. For groups of five or seven people, the single traveller pays the single supplement price if a triple room is not available or you do not want to share. The number of single rooms and triple rooms available may be limited – so book early to avoid disappointment.
Tipping guidelines
It is customary to express a personal thank you to your guide and driver at the end of your trip, especially if he or she has provided you with excellent service. As a guideline only, we suggest tipping around AUD$4-$5 per day for the guide and AUD$2-$3 per day for the driver. You can pay this in local currency or US dollars. Of course whether you tip and how much is always at your discretion.
Vietnam visa
Most visitors to Vietnam need a visa to enter the country. Inner Journey Expeditions offers a Vietnam visa on arrival service where you obtain an entry visa stamp on arrival at HCMC, Hanoi or Danang International Airports. We arrange a Vietnam visa approval letter which you present with a valid passport, passport photo and your visa stamp fee to the Personnel of Vietnamese Immigration. This service is inexpensive, easy to arrange, only takes four working days and is all done on email - no need to mail your passport.
For more details, CLICK HERE.
Climate
Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta in the South are hot all year round with average day time temperatures at 30 degrees Celsius. The hottest period is from March to May with average temperatures of 35 degree Celsius. The wet season runs from May to November where it down pours for an hour or so in the afternoon. Hanoi and Northern Vietnam experience four seasons. Summer from May to October can be hot and wet with regular downpours and occasional typhoons. July to August is the hottest months with temperatures reaching 33 degrees Celsius. Winter runs from November to April with cold and humid conditions. December and January can be particularly cold with temperatures ranging between 10 – 20 degrees Celsius.
Health issues
Good medical advice usually recommends vaccinations in advance of travel to Vietnam. We suggest you consult with your doctor to discuss health care needs specific to your holiday.
Insurance
You must have comprehensive travel insurance to travel with us. Insurance should include cover for personal accident and medical expenses, evacuation and repatriation, baggage loss and cancellation or curtailment of your holiday. Your trip notes + vouchers will not be issued until you confirm possession of appropriate insurance. Better be safe than sorry!
Pre and post tour arrangements
We can arrange additional hotel nights at the beginning or the end of your tour or if you are interested in doing additional touring we can organise a private tour to cater to your interests and time frame. Check out the IJE website for more details.
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Handy travel tips + travelling responsibly
For more information on how you can participate in sustainable tourism go to Handy Travel Tips. To help plan your trip go to Vietnam Visa + Travel Guide.
What next
To reserve a place on this trip, contact us now and we will send you a booking form. To guarantee your booking you must email the first section of the booking form to us and pay your non-refundable deposit of 30% of total tour cost. The balance of payment is due 50 days prior to departure. Once your booking is confirmed and you have paid in full, you will receive your tour voucher and detailed itinerary for this tour.Book now
> CLICK HERE + request a booking form
> Get in touch with us via EMAIL
> Live in Australia call 1300 43 10 69
> Find out more about our other trips at www.IJE.com.au
> About Inner Journey Expeditions
