Impress travel’s staff pick you up in the hotel then drive to Hanoi station for a night train to Sapa (overnight on the train, the cabin with 4 berths, soft sleeper and air-conditioning), you can book the whole cabin or you can share with 2 other persons. There are several train depart from Hanoi station between 7pm to 10pm, the journey is about 8,5 hours, the end in Lao Cai Station.
Breakfast and then we get well and truly off the beaten track as we trek through tropical rain forest, using the local tracks and passing through corn fields as we descend in to Mai Chau Valley. The trek takes around 5 hours and is quite steep in places. Lunch will be provided at the local stall at the foot of the valley. From here, we pass through several ethnic minority villages, long spread out fields decorated with water wheels to make our way to Van village by late afternoon, then we have time to walk around this charming little white Thai village, enabling us to understand a little more about how the people live. Tonight we will be hourned guests in one of their traditional stilt houses. Dinner will be served here and you are able to sample some of their homemade rice wine! O/N at Van village.
Day 2: Summit and conquer Mt. Fansipan ( B, L,D)
Breakfast at the first sign of daylight then final preparations for today, the longest day of hiking to the summit of Mt. Fansipan. The first section is steep and very challenging as we weave our way through the bamboo forests. At some points we are even forced to use ropes and harnesses for safety.
We are rewarded with all our hardships forgotten and with the impression of standing on the top of Indochina. After a picnic lunch and a rest at the summit, we begin our descent to base camp. Clean off and refresh at a mountain stream while our Hmong porters set up camp and prepare dinner. Overnight again under the stars with the satisfaction of the day's accomplishment.
Day 3: Back down to Sapa. Overnight in Hotel ( B, L)
Upon leaving the camping base, we begin walking downhill back to Sapa Town. The steep trail is somewhat arduous but we have a chance to get some fantastic views over the surrounding mountains to the valley and the quite villages in the far distance. Picnic lunch on the way then we will get picked up in Sin Chai village and transferred back to Sapa town. Check in hotel free time to explore the small mountain town and dinner on your own a restaurant. Overnight in a hotel in Sapa town
Day 4: Sapa around - Lao Cai station (B)
Today you are free at leisure, to visit around the town of Sapa (Dragon mount, Orchid garden, Waterfall…) or relax in town and inhale the fresh air. Leave Sapa by Van / Car in the late afternoon (5.30 p.m.) to Lao Cai station for our night train back to Hanoi. After 8 hours, you arrive in Hanoi station at 5.30 Am, Impress team will support you to get back your hotel in early morning
