Overview
A seven day, privately-guided tour, exploring northern Vietnam and its inland villages and valleys, starting and ending in Hanoi. This is more about exploring the region’s unique cultural heritage, in particular life in the Thái, Hmong and Dao villages, staying in local guesthouses and homestays. Natural highlights include visiting a tea plantation on Mộc Châu Plateau, Tram Ton Pass, and a sleeper train journey. This extraordinary cultural holiday through inland Vietnam, away from the usual tourist trail, is a memorable immersion in local life, perfect for those who don’t have a lot of walking holiday experience.
- Tả Phìn
- Tram Ton Pass
- Sapa
- Thái, Hmong and Dao villages
- Hanoi
Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Mộc Châu | 2-3km
This morning you are picked up from your accommodation in Hanoi (independently booked). The private transfer takes you through the countryside, heading into a region of limestone mountains towards the Hòa Bình province, with a stop in Mai Châu for lunch. Shortly after, you arrive in Mộc Châu, before continuing on to Vat, an ethnic Thái village, to experience their culture and hospitality.
- Accommodation: homestay at a traditional house on stilts in Mộc Châu
- Walking for the day: 2-3km
- Driving for the day: 190km
- Meals included: lunch and dinner
Day 2: Mộc Châu – Nghĩa Lộ | 2-3km
After breakfast, a transfer takes you to Nghĩa Lộ. Along the way, drive past Mộc Châu Plateau, where there is an opportunity to stop at a local tea plantation nearby. Travel through the tribal lands of the Thái, Hmong and Dao, before arriving in Nghĩa Lộ. Take a stroll around the town and head for dinner at a local restaurant.
- Accommodation: Muong Lo Hotel or similar in Nghĩa Lộ
- Walking for the day: 2-3km
- Driving for the day: 240km
- Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3: Nghĩa Lộ – Mù Cang Chải | 5km
Today’s morning transfer takes you to one of the most picturesque parts of north-west Vietnam. Stop for a short hike (1.5h) among the terraced landscape, walking towards the Hmong village of La Pán Tẩn, where lunch is served. The drive continues, heading through the countryside of northern Vietnam, with another break for a short walk to visit the Thái village of Lìm Thái. Hit the road one last time, before arriving in Mù Cang Chải, the final destination of the day.
- Accommodation: Mu Cang Chai Eco Lodge or similar in Mù Cang Chải
- Walking for the day: 5km
- Driving for the day: 100km
- Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4: Mù Cang Chải – Than Uyên – Sapa | 5-7km
An early morning transfer takes you towards the town of Sapa, heading through paddy fields and traditional villages along the way, as well as past Tram Ton Pass (1,900m). Stop along the way for a walk to the village of Chu Va (2h), before your transfer continues towards Sapa. Arrive in Sapa at around 17.00 and spend the evening exploring the town.
- Accommodation: Sapa Relax Hotel & Spa or similar in Sapa
- Walking for the day: 5-7km
- Driving for the day: 170km
- Meals included: breakfast and lunch
Day 5: Sapa – Tả Phìn | 14km
Head for a morning stroll around Sapa, before meeting your guide for the transfer to the start of the trek. Today, there are many opportunities to meet and talk with local people working in the fields. Stop for a picnic lunch en route, before continuing your trek to Tả Phìn village, home of the Red Dao people. Stay with a welcoming Dao host family for the evening and share a traditional dinner in their home.
- Accommodation: homestay in Tả Phìn
- Walking for the day: 14km
- Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6: Tả Phìn – Sapa – night train to Hanoi
Wake up to the sounds of village life. Join your host family in some of their morning activities, such as feeding the animals, cleaning the houses, gardening or preparing breakfast. After breakfast, take a short walk around the village or spend some time taking in the view, before your transfer back to Sapa (30mins). Spend the afternoon in Sapa, until your evening transfer to Lào Cai railway station. The train to Hanoi departs at around 20.15 and you are accommodated in an air-conditioned soft sleeper cabin.
Please be aware that trains are subject to availability. When trains are cancelled or delayed, we will try to secure alternative arrangements of a similar value. Train details will be updated once your booking is confirmed.
- Sleeper train
- Driving for the day: 30km
- Meals included: breakfast and lunch
Day 7: Departure
Arrive in Hanoi on the sleeper train at around 05.00. Departure upon arrival, or book an extra night to explore Hanoi.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of small, locally-owned hotels and traditional homestays. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. The rooms at the homestays are mostly dormitory-style rooms with shared bathrooms.
Click to view the default accommodation
- Homestay (Mộc Châu)
- Muong Lo Hotel (Nghĩa Lộ)
- Mu Cang Chai Eco Lodge (Mù Cang Chải)
- Sapa Relax Hotel & Spa (Sapa)
- Homestay (Tả Phìn)
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of any being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with an accommodation of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Five breakfasts, six lunches and four dinners are included. On days when dinner is not included, it is available either at the accommodation or from restaurants in the local area.
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is rated easy to moderate and is suitable for those with a little walking experience. A good level of fitness and stamina is required. However, there is some flexibility, as your guide can suggest a suitable route depending on your fitness level. Routes can also change due to external circumstances, such as weather conditions (the rainy season between June and early September can cause muddy paths, which can become dangerous). Many of the roads in this region are unpaved and there are many steep cliffs that are regularly damaged by landslides during the wet season, blocking the route (read more about difficulty grades).
When to go
This trip is available all year round. The summer months (May-August) are generally warm and humid, while the winter months (December-February) can be chilly, with occasional frost. Spring and autumn offer pleasant weather for trekking. Monsoon season typically occurs from July to early September, bringing occasional heavy rain showers. Please note that there will be a surcharge applied for bookings that fall during holiday periods, such as the Lunar New Year.
For more information, see our blog, Best time to go to Vietnam.
Getting there
Click to view travel options and route planner
Our recommended airport for this tour is Nội Bài Airport in Hanoi.
- From Nôi Bài Airport you can take bus number 86 to the city centre (50mins), with departures every 45mins from 07.00 until 22.00. Tickets cost around ₫45,000
- Taxis from Nôi Bài Airport to the city centre cost around ₫300,000 to ₫350,000
Inclusions
Included
- 5 nights accommodation
- Sleeper train from Lào Cai to Hanoi
- Five breakfasts, six lunches and four dinners
- Transfers as per itinerary
- Local English-speaking guide
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and airport transfers
- Visa for Vietnam (if applicable*)
- Accommodation in Hanoi
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Surcharge for peak season (eg New Year, Vietnamese Lunar New Year, Christmas), public holidays and/or compulsory meals (if applicable)
- Any drinks and meals not listed in the itinerary
- Personal expenses and tips
- Any items not specifically listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
*From 15 March 2022, Vietnam has reintroduced visa waivers for the nationals of 13 countries, including the UK. Visa waivers allow for visits to Vietnam for up to 15 days without needing to apply for a visa. If needed, Vietnamese e-visas can be applied for here
Options, extras and supplements
- If you are travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Accommodation in Hanoi
- Two days and three days optional extension trips to Hạ Long Bay (available on request)
- Airport transfers
