We will catch the overnight train soft sleeper with AC to Lao Cai. The train leaves at 22.00 from Hanoi railway station.

 

At 10 am  we  leave the hotel and start trekking.  The first part is on the road but we soon turn to the right and walk on a small path down the valley to the Muong Hoa River and from here to the Black H’mong village Lao Chai. Black H’mong is one of the biggest minority groups in the Sapa area. They are proud of their culture and keep their traditions and way of living. They have their own language and wear traditional indigio blue clothing.  After this you continue to Ta Van village (1.200 m) to visit Zay people. Zay is a fairly small minority group of about 38.000 people who live mainly in the mountains in Northwest Vietnam. The development has meant that some of their old customs have been lost but many women still wear traditional shirts with a purple, blue or green colour. The Zay houses are build of wood and bamboo with a clay floor. We stay overnight with a local family in Ta Van and have our dinner here.
Trekking distance: 15 km.

 Meeting a guide at Lao Cai railway station in the early morning we spend an hour driving up hills to Sapa. After checking in a hotel we embark on a lovely trek that will take us along buffalo paths and trails and through several hill tribe villages
Lao Chai & Ta Van, home to Black H'mong, and Dzay people. This is an absolutely spectacular walk through stunning scenery inhabited by some
of the friendliest people you can meet.  Once on the valley floor you
can really appreciate the wonderful scenery that surrounds you. The
walls of the valley are covered with multi-layered rice terraced fields and
scattered villages. Return to Sapa by jeep.

Trekking distance 10 km