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Tour code: IDT-VNHT11
Price: $1000 - $1500
Destination: Vietnam
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS!!
Our 10 days off the beaten path trekking trip is an amazing experience as it leads us through Lao Cai and Ha Giang, two of the most beautiful provinces in northern Vietnam. We start our trip in Sapa the ex hill spa resort once frequented by the French, we head to Bac Ha then to Ha Giang taking in some of the most stunning scenery imaginable and with a few challenging hills along the way. It’s a great opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the tribal people in the north of Vietnam with their colourful costumes and unique traditions
Trip valid: 01 Nov 2011- 31 Oct 2012
Duration: 10 Days
Main Activity: Trekking
Trip Type: Small Group Holidays
Suitability: All Levels
Location: Lao Cai and Ha Giang Provinces in the north of Vietnam
Best time to travel: Octber to April
Supported: Porter for trekking days
Product Code: IDT-VNHT11
Guaranteed to depart: From 2 pax
TRIP INCLUSIVE:
Experienced English speaking guide.
Local English speaking guide for trekking days
01 Air-conditioned vehicle for transfers as per itinerary. (Airport transfers, city tour in Hanoi, transfer from Ha Giang
to Hanoi)
Train tickets Hanoi- Lao Cai on Sapaly Train (4 berth cabin).
Motor bike support for trekking days.
Trekking permits.
Porter for trekking days
Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch & D= Dinner)
Healthy snack, fresh local fruits for trekking days.
Bottled drinking water for trekking days
All sightseeing entrance fee where required in the itinerary.
Water puppet ticket.
Accommodation for trekking day at local homes. Please note that majority of local homes are simple, we will provide
clean matresses, blanket, mosquito net, pillow and sleeping bag)
Accommodation in 3 star hotel in Hanoi with daily breakfast (Twin /Double shared room).
Simple First Aid Kit.
International flight reconfirmation.
TRIP EXCLUSIVE:
International flight to/from Vietnam and international airport departure tax.
Vietnamese Visa. Please assure that you have visa before departure.
Travel Insurance. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance before departure.
Personal expenditure (telephone, laundry, shopping and so on…)
Tips for guide, driver, porters. We recommend 5 USD/person/day for guide, 3 USD/person/day for driver and 2
USD/person/hotel when you check in/out.
Beverage and alcoholic drinks.
Any other services not clearly mentioned in the itinerary or trip inclusions.
Day 1: Hanoi
Arrival at Hanoi airport where you will be met by your local guide and transferred to the hotel, breakfast and day use of the room. Dependant on the time of your flight you may like to take a guided walk to explore the bustling old quarter of Hanoi. The old Quarter, home to more than 1000 traditional houses, dates from 1010, when King Ly Thai To moved his capital from Hoa Lu in northern Ninh Binh Province to Hanoi. The Old Quarter became the trading centre of the metropolis and its 36 streets are named after the merchants’ crafts and trades. For example Hang Gai Street is full of silk shops, Hang Giay overflowing with shoes and Hang Bac with small silversmiths. It is fascinating to walk around the labyrinthine streets. Alternatively, taking a cyclo (motorcycle rickshaw) is a great way to get a sense of the city. We will dine in Hanoi before transferring to Hanoi station for the overnight train to Sapa. Overnight on board the train.
Meal: Dinner
Accommodation: Sapaly Express Train- Superior Cabin
Hanoi: Day room at standard hotel
Day 2: Lao Cai – Sapa – Trekking to Muong Hoa Valley
We have a very early arrival in Lao Cai, where we’ll meet our local guide. We take a van one hour up into the mountains to the former French hill station of Sapa, home to some of Vietnam’s most colourful ethnic groups. After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, we begin our day with a short walk to explore the Sapa market. We will see many local minority groups trading their wares, including the Black H’mong, Red Zao, Tay, Giay, and Xa Pho. We then continue toLao Chai village by car. The village is mostly inhabited by the Black Hmong hill tribe. We walk down the valley to the village to Ta Van - the only village in the Sa Pa valley where the Giay people live. In Ta Van we enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by our guide in a local house. After lunch we continue our walk through the bamboo forest before reaching Giang Ta Chai, where we have the opportunity to meet the Red Dao minority people. Return to Sapa in the afternoon
Trek: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: 3* Chau Long Hotel- Superior Room
Day 3: Sapa - Bac Ha- Lung Phinh- Pa Chu Ty- Lung Cai (Reccommend Sunday for Bac Ha market)
After breakfast, we drive 2.5 hours down to Bac Ha, where our trek begins at Lung Phin village. Our guide will hold a trip briefing about the region and trekking terrain. We start with a gentle descent passing through the jungle, valley and local villages of minority people. Mist wafts over the mountains and lifts to reveal a brief, teasing glimpse of terraced rice and corn paddies. Enjoy a picnic lunch at Pa Chu Ty village before we conclude the walk on a single track and hardpack trail to Lung Cai village, home to the H’Mong people. Overnight at a local home.
Trekking hours: 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Home stay
Day 4: Lung Cai- Hoang Nhi Pho- Ban Gia
Wake to mountain serenity, breakfast then pack up our baggage and begin a full day’s trek on great trails. The day starts with a descent from our present altitude of 1700m. Along the way we will walk through valleys of terraced rice paddies and corn fields meeting H’Mong and Dzao people in their traditional colorful costume as we go. A stroll to one of the many hamlets will give us a good insight into the rural mountain life of Northern Vietnam. Enjoy a picnic lunch en route and keep trekking to Ban Gia, where we spend the night with a friendly local family.
Trekking hour: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Home stay
Day 5: Ban Gia- Nam Ma (Ha Giang province)
Today, the trek will take us to the most remote village of Ha Giang province, where the majority of the population are H’Mong ethnic minority people. This is no doubt one of the most interesting treks of our journey. The trail leads us up and down mountain steps with views of ragged mountain scenery and some stunning photo opportunities. A rest for lunch on a quiet side road before the final push to Nam Na Village. Dinner and overnight in a local home.
Trekking hours:5-6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Home stay
Day 6: Nam Ma- Nan Lung- Coc Pu
A wonderful day ahead as we follow the single track and dirt roads, traversing this beautiful valley. The trek today is mainly downhill and over the next two days we descend from about 1500meters to sea level and the scenery is stunning in its natural beauty. Take a break for lunch with further trekking in the afternoon before ending our day at Coc Pu village, home to the H’Mong People. Dinner and overnight at a local home.
Trekking hours: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Home stay
Day 7: Coc Pu- Coc Pai- Hoi Luong
We start the day with an hour’s trek to Xin Man town which we can explore before transferring by van 36km to Cau Chan, our next trekking place. From here, we explore the area on foot stopping to visit a local Sunday market, where ethnic minority people gather. The scenery is quite a contrast to previous days, as we are now in the lowlands of Ha Giang province. We will hike from Cau Chan to Hoi Luong village and spend our night with a local family.
Trekking hours: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Home stay
Day 8 Hoi Luong- Tung San- Dan Khao- Cao Banh
After breakfast at our homestay, we start hiking through the villages of the Red Dzao people. Our first leg will be climbing gentle hills with beautiful views over the valley of vast tea plantations. Picnic lunch en route and continue trekking to Cao Banh village, home to Black Dzao group. Dinner and overnight in a local home.
Trekking hours: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Home stay
Day 9 Cao Banh - Hanoi
Only a short hike today. After breakfast, we start the day with a moderate descent through the beautiful valley of Cao Banh and then continue to Viet Lam village, where our bus awaits to take us to Hanoi. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi
Trekking hours: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hanoi Conifer Boutique Hotel- Superior Room
Day 10: Departure:
At your leisure until transfer to airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast
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Should I purchase insurance?
Yes! This must cover medical care and emergency evacuation/repatriation. Also keep hardcopy of emergency contact numbers as well as insurance policy number.
What are the main vaccination and health procedures?
Before travel please consult a general practitioner for up to date advice on recommended vaccines and malaria prophylaxis.
Is there anything I can do to better prepare for a situation requiring first aid?
All guides have basic first aid training and carry a small first aid kit. But each client should also bring personal first aid supplies including antiseptic wipes, antiseptic liquid/cream, steristrips, sterile gauze and bandage as well as oral rehydration sachets.
What about the weather?
The climate is hot and humid throughout with some variation between North and South. The South is tropical and warm throughout the year. Hanoi is cooler from November to February with a pronounced wet season in the centre of the country from September to October. For biking, September, October, November, March, April and May are the best times – not so hot and dry enough! Be prepared for anything, though. (That’s part of the fun.)
What gear do I need?
The objective is to stay cool in hot weather and warm in cool weather. Plan accordingly. Basic items are lightweight walking boots; water bottle, eye protection; lightweight shirt and trousers; waterproof jacket; mosquito repellent; sun hat; shorts; sandals; sheet sleeping bag; strong sunscreen; torch; towel; fleece; small backpack for day use; biodegradable toiletries; swimming gear. All of these things are indispensable.
What can I do to improve safety on my trip?
Safety is our most important consideration. Be aware that trekking can be dangerous and accidents can happen. You can never do too much to look out for yourself. Always notify the guide if you feel sick particularly at altitude. And if you don’t know, ask?
What are the accommodations?
We provide two-person tents with sewn-in ground sheets and mosquito nets in the Northwest of the country. Accommodation is mostly in local village homestays. Here the family may supply a simple mattress, mosquito net, pillow, sheet and blanket. Or in the case of more remote locations, bedding will be provided by TITC. The houses are usually on stilts with a bamboo floor – surprisingly comfortable! The facilities are clean but very basic.
What is the food like?
All or most meals are included on our trips. You will be treated to an extensive variety of traditional Vietnamese cuisine. We choose the finest restaurants in the cities to give you the opportunity to taste a great variety of local delicacies and flavors. In camps our cooks are experts in preparing nourishing wholesome and delicious meals. We will accommodate any special diet requests you may have including vegetarian, please request prior to the trip.
What sort of transport and support are available?
All equipment and luggage will be carried by porters or by jeep. Please try to keep baggage to a minimum weight. Often a cook will accompany the tour. Depending on the nature of the trek, there will be a private air-conditioned bus, minibus or jeep for transfer between destinations.
Do these tours support responsible travel?
Yes! We try to make sure that these holidays are as socially, economically and environmentally sound as possible. We are affiliate members of the Environmental Certification Green Globe 21 Scheme. Our goal is to deliver trekking tours that do not contribute to the destruction of Vietnam’s unique cultural and natural environment.
| Date | Availability | Price | Single | Book now | |
 |
04 Oct - 13 Oct 2012 | Contact us | $1593 | $108 |  |
|
08 Nov - 17 Nov 2012 | Contact us | $1649 | $128 | |
|
14 Mar - 23 Mar 2013 | Contact us | $1649 | $128 | |
|
18 Apr - 27 Apr 2013 | Contact us | $1649 | $128 | |
 |
17 Oct - 26 Oct 2013 | Available | $1649 | $128 |  |
The trip has been very well organised with the right balance of cycling, sight-seeing and getting a taste for local culture. Reno always went beyond the duties of a guide to keep us informed and entertained, he has a great skill for interacting with many different people. Tsung was a very safe driver and always very efficient in getting us organised to start riding and never far away at anytime. I look forward to my next trip with Indotrek- Jason Fitzpatrick 
- Hotline: +84 945568669
- Tel: +84 4.3772.6348
- Fax: +84 4. 3772.6349
- VN Opening Hours
- Mon-Fri: 8.30am - 5.30pm GMT
- Sat: 8.30am - 12.00pm GMT
- For New Zealand and Australia, please dial: +64 (0) 3 445 4927 | 0800 326 228
The Indochina Trekking Company Australian & New Zealand GSA: ACTIVE TRAVEL- P O Box 308, Central Otago 9310, New Zealand | Tel: ++64 3 445 4927 | Reservations: info@activetravelco.com
Business License: 0102031319. International Tour Operator License: 0942/2009/TCDL-GPLHQT
©2009 The Indochina Trekking. All rights reserved.
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