Secrets of Sapa

Hanoi - Sapa. Upon arrival in Hanoi, you’ll be met by your local guide and transferred to the train station. We board the Chapa Express Train for an overnight journey to Sapa, where you can settle in and enjoy the evening onboard.

Please note: Depending on your point of origin, we recommend arriving in Hanoi a day early to acclimatize. As the evening train to Sapa departs late, a pre-night stay in Hanoi can be arranged if needed.

This morning begins with an early arrival at Lao Cai station, where we disembark and transfer to our hotel in Sapa town. Along the way, we take in the sweeping mountain views that characterise this remote region of northwest Vietnam, near the Chinese border. After breakfast with our fellow travellers, we head to the Fansipan Cable Car. This impressive journey carries us nearly 3,000 metres to the summit of Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina. At the top, we explore mountaintop temples and take in panoramic views of the Hoang Lien Son range and Muong Hoa Valley.

After, we will make our way to our accommodation , where you will have the rest of the day at leisure.

Today we set off from our hotel in Sapa with our local guide and driver, heading north along National Road 4C to O Quy Ho. Along the way, we stop to admire the stunning landscapes of Fansipan, Sin Chai Valley and the vibrant flower and vegetable farms that dot the hillsides. We then turn onto a narrow road that winds through a remote, forested region, passing waterfalls and steep mountains before reaching Ban Khoang, a Red Zao village. Here, we spend over an hour on foot exploring the village, learning about the community’s traditional way of life and its mix of rice farming and cardamom cultivation.

We continue about 10 km to Ta Giang Phinh Valley, home to the Black Hmong people. After an hour’s lunch break by the banks of a stream, we then walk along village paths connecting small settlements scattered through the valley. As we go, we witness daily life—locals ploughing fields, harvesting crops or doing household tasks. During quieter months, men often build or repair homes while women focus on traditional embroidery. Our walk ends in the mid-afternoon, and we return by road to Sapa. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Sapa - Hanoi. After breakfast, you’ll have some free time to explore Sapa at your own pace. We then set off on a scenic drive through the mountains, returning to Hanoi. As we descend from the highlands, enjoy the shifting landscapes before arriving back in the city, where you will need to make your way to the airport for your onward flight.

Please note: You will arrive back in Hanoi in the late afternoon; please ensure your departure flight is not booked for earlier.