Itinerary: Hanoi – Sapa – Ham Rong Mountain – Cat Cat Village – Sapa – Hanoi

Day 1: Hanoi – Sapa – Ham Rong (L, D)

07:00 – 07:30: Pick up at your hotel or at the meeting point and then departure to Sapa, following Noi Bai – Lao Cai High-way. Along the way, you will have chance to contemplate the beauty of northwest mountains that terraced fields are sparkling in sunlight or dim in thick fog. Have a short break for 30 minutes then continue the trip to Sapa.

13:00: Arrive in Sapa, check in your hotel and have lunch.

Afternoon: You will begin the trek up Ham Rong (Dragon’s Jaw) Mountain. Ham Rong Botanical Garden: don’t miss the lovely botanical gardens above the main square in town with their spectacular viewpoint from the top. There are fabulous views of the town and the wider landscape as well as tended gardens to visit. This park is essentially a long cobblestone walkway to the top of Ham Rong Mountain. It’s a strenuous climb, but the panoramic vista at the top is well worth tackling all those stairs. Along the way, there are countless potted orchids, beautiful landscaped gardens and a few really tacky statues of cartoon characters like Scooby Doo and Mickey Mouse. One word of caution, the stone stairs could be treacherous on a rainy or misty day.

Evening: After dinner, you are free to explore the charm of Sapa by night: enjoy roasted corn, baked eggs beside charcoal fire or go shopping. Especially on Saturday night, we highly recommend a stop at the Love Market which is one of unique cultures of ethnic minorities H’mong, Dzao in Lao Cai in particular and North West of Vietnam in general.

Overnight at the hotel in Sapa.

Day 2: Cat Cat Village – Sapa – Hanoi (B, L)

09:00: After breakfast, start trekking to Cat Cat village, about 45 minutes walking from Sapa, this is the village of the Black H’mong hill tribe. The village is on the slope of the hill and easy walking, rice and corn are grown here. You will have a chance to visit a big waterfall on the stream and the old Hydroelectric Power Station built by French people. That is the image of young women sitting by looms with colorful pieces of brocade decorated with designs of flowers and birds. When these pieces of brocade are finished, they are dyed and embroidered with beautiful designs. A note worthy is that H’mong women use indigo plants and leaves to dye these brocade fabrics. And then they roll around and smooth section of wood covered with wax on fabrics to polish them, making their colors durable.

Go back by car to the hotel for check out and have lunch.

Afternoon: Free time to explore Sapa town or go shopping at Sapa Market.

16:00: It’s time to say “Good bye Sapa!” and drive back to Hanoi.

21:30: We arrive in Ha Noi and you will be dropped off at your hotels in Old Quarter.

Inclusion:

– Pick-up and drop-off at the hotels in Old Quarter

– English speaking guide

– Eco Sapa Bus (2 ways)

– Accommodation in a 3 star hotel in Sapa (4 star hotels are available as request)

– All meals as mentioned

– All entrance fees as mentioned

– Small bottles of water

Exclusion:

– Personal expenses

– Insurance

– Tips

– Drinks

– Pre & post accommodation

– Others not mentioned