Sapa Hill Tribes +
Eco Lodge
(5 days / 5 nights)
Hanoi – Sapa – Tavan Village – Ban Ho Village – Topas Eco Lodge
Highlights
-
2 ½ day adventure trek through Sapa + Muong Hoa Valley
-
Home stays with hill tribe families
-
Relax in beautiful Topas Eco Lodge
Overview
This Sapa adventure tour and holiday in North Vietnam combines village home stays with a night in Topas Eco Lodge, located deep in the Sapa Valley. From Hanoi, travel overnight by train to Sapa and head off on a 2 ½ day hike to explore the Muong Hoa valley, staying in local Dzay and Tay villages. At the end of the trek, you are transferred to Topas Eco Lodge to stay in a bungalow with breathtaking views across cascading valleys. Here, you can simply relax and consume the mountain views with a glass of wine.
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1 |
Hanoi to Lao Cai (overnight train) |
Day |
Lao Cai to Sapa trek to Tavan Village |
Day 3 |
Full day trek to Ban Ho Village |
Day 4 |
Short trek and transfer to Topas Eco Lodge |
Day 5 |
Topas Eco Lodge to Sapa, transfer to Lao Cai (overnight train to Hanoi)
|
|
Prices
Private tour |
$AUD price per person |
3 to 4 people |
420 |
2 people |
485 |
1 person |
785 |
Single supplememt |
125 |
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
- Twin share bungalow at Topas Eco Lodge
- Village home stay permissions
- Round trip AC soft sleeper cabin on first class train - 4 berth cabin shared
- One way transfer from Hanoi hotel to train station
- Return transfers between Lao Cai and Sapa
- Return transfers to Topas Eco Lodge
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- English speaking guide for trekking
- One bottle of water per day for trekking
- Entrance and 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 and vaccination costs
- Other meals not specified in the itinerary
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, bar charges, tips, optional activities
Trip notes
Home stays
There is no better way to immerse in local culture than experiencing a village home stay. Not only is this a wonderful cultural exchange, it offers the visitor great respect for how people live without all the comforts and appliances of the West. By staying with a family we ensure that the economic benefits of our travel filter down to the villages and families that most need it. Home stays in villages are simple in terms of bedding and amenities. You sleep in a dormitory style room and are provided with a mattress, clean sheet and pillow. Amenities are shared with the host family. Toilets are usually western-style and hot water is available for a wash on request.
Topas Eco Lodge
Topas Eco Lodge consists of 25 individual bungalows all with breathtaking views and a Thai stilt house restaurant. The lodge uses solar power and has a wastewater facility to avoid pollution of the local area. Locals are employed and local products and goods are used wherever feasible to ensure economic benefits are filtered down to the local community. Topas Eco Lodge is a member of the Australian international organisation GreenGlobe21. Avoid disappointment and book this trip early so you can ensure you get a room and experience this peaceful eco lodge in the mountains.
Overnight train trips
You travel overnight by train between Hanoi and Lao Cai sleeping in a 4-berth soft-sleeper cabin with shared amenities. You share this cabin with other travellers - you can pay a little extra and book the cabin just for your group. Sheet and pillow are supplied. In Hanoi, your guide accompanies you to the train station and shows you to your cabin. In Lao Cai, a local guide meets you at the station for your transfer to Sapa. When you return to Hanoi at the end of your adventure, it is easy to find a taxi to your hotel or we can arrange a transfer to your next adventure.
Food
A local cook accompanies your trekking tour. All meals, indicated in the detailed itinerary, are included in the price. When you are trekking, the emphasis is on healthy and nutritious fresh local produce, for example; Vietnamese spring rolls, eggs, chicken, pork, rice and noodles. Please advise us if you have any special dietary requirements.
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 Vietnam and have internationally recognized first aid qualifications.
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, as you are carrying your own pack. Remember, you are only going for three nights and can leave a change of clothes in Sapa for your return. 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 a waterproof cover.
Your luggage should include: trekking boots or walking shoes, thongs or comfortable slip-on shoes for at night, light weight long pants & shorts, shirt & t-shirt, warm clothes for at night, raincoat, hat, sunglasses, sun block, insect repellent, flashlight, essential toiletries, water bottle, camera, spare batteries, pen & paper, original passport, barley sugar / lollies for sustenance, zip lock bags, toilet paper and personal medication. (Optional: sleeping bag for the cooler months between November and February.)
Equipment provided
Silk inner sheet, first-aid kit, walking pole and gaiters (on request).
Note on client safety
We reserve the right to deviate from this itinerary for any reason, 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 hotel 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 - triple share is subject to availability.
The price is based upon shared 4-berth cabin on the train. If you want sole use of the overnight train, you can pay a little extra and book the entire cabin for your group.
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.
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
