Day 1: Hanoi – Sapa (L/D)
Your adventure begins with the drive to the mountain town of Sapa. The journey to Sapa will take the best part of the day. The drive is, however, worthwhile as the scenery that unfolds as we travel north and into the highlands is both dramatic and breathtaking. Arriving in Sapa late in the afternoon, we check into our hotel and use the remaining daylight to stretch our legs with a short walk around town. This evening we will dine at one of the local restaurants. Overnight in Sapa.
Day 2: Sapa (B/L)
Today you start by getting some exercise with a five to six hour trek to the hill tribe villages of Lao Chai , Ta Van villages of H’Mong and the Zay ethnic people. The H'mong women wear long aprons with embroidered waistcoats and have their hair rolled up into a turban-like hat, whilst the men wear a black skullcap, long waistcoat and loose trousers. Ta Van is home to the Zay people. They have become very adept at rice cultivation and, in marked contrast to the H'mong, they have a higher living standard as a result. As we walk through these villages nestled in the valleys below Sapa, we will meet some of the local ethnic minority people on their way to and from Sapa. These minority people, including the Red Dao, H'mong and Tay people, walk to Sapa to trade at the markets. Overnight in Sapa.
Day 3: Sapa - Phong Tho / Lai Chau (B/L/D)
In the morning you will leave Sapa for Phong Tho town located in the Lai Chau valley, where the Thai ethnic minority people have lived for centuries. After checkin hotel you will have time to discover the town and market and visit the Thai hill tribe villages. Overnight in Phong Tho.
Day 4: Phong Tho / Lai Chau - Dien Bien Phu (B/L/D)
After breakfast at our hotel you board your vehicle for the drive to Dien Bien Phu. It is a 6-hour journey on rough roads, but the dramatic scenery is worthwhile. By midday, we arrive in Dien Bien town and check into our guesthouse for the night.
The name Dien Bien Phu will always be linked with a historical battle, for it was here that Viet Minh soldiers overran a French garrison on May 7, 1954 and ended French colonialism in Indochina. To achieve this legendary victory, Vietnamese forces under the command of General Vo Nguyen Giap dismantled heavy anti-aircraft guns, lugged them up the sleep slopes overlooking the town of Dien Bien Phu and reassembled them. Encircled by artillery, the French could not receive supplies or reinforcements.
In the afternoon visit Dien Bien Phu Old battle field, A1 hill and Dien Bien Phu Museum. Overnight in Dien Bien Phu.
Day 5: Dien Bien Phu - Son La (B/L)
After breakfast you will set out on our drive to Son La. This is in quite a remote area, and as a result some of the roads will be fairly rough and uneven. Yet this is to our advantage as there will be fewer tourists along the way to spoil our views of the beautiful and dramatic scenery that we will encounter along the way. Once you reach Son La, you will check into our hotel and have the remainder of the day to visit the former French prison and SonLa Museum. Overnight in Son La.
Day 6: Son La – Mai Chau (B/L/D)
After breakfast you make your way to Mai Chau valley after a 5-hour drive along a scenic route. You stop at Moc Chau plateau for a cup of tea and visit green tea fields. Upon arrival in Mai Chau valley you are welcome to the village of the White Thai ethnic people. Lunch in the local house and enjoy free time to explore several neighbor villages. Overnight home-stay in the traditional house-on-stilts.
Day 7: Mai Chau – Hoa Binh – Hanoi (B/L)
Wake up to the sounds of the village: roosters, morning vendors and people's voices. You have an early breakfast this morning before bidding farewell to Mai Chau and its friendly people. Your destination for today is Hanoi. It is an 5-hour journey back to the nation's capital with a visit to the Muong ethnic minority in Hoa Binh province. End of services.
We have teamed up with Asia Charm Tours, one of the leading tour operators in Vietnam. All the tours on our site are provided by Asia Charm Tours, and will be handled by their experienced travel advisors.
