Sapa Town & Topas Ecolodge - 5 Days 4 Nights

DETAILED ITINERARY

DAY 1: HANOI – LAO CAI (MEALS NOT INCLUDED)

In the evening, transfer to Hanoi Railway Station for the overnight train to Lao Cai, the gateway to Sapa and the mountainous northwest of Vietnam.

Overnight on the train in a soft sleeper compartment.

DAY 2: LAO CAI – SAPA (MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH)

The train arrives early in the morning at Lao Cai Railway Station, at around 5:00 AM. Upon arrival, guests may freshen up with a quick shower at a simple but clean guesthouse before enjoying breakfast at a local restaurant.

After breakfast, continue to one of the region’s colorful ethnic markets, depending on the day of travel: Can Cau Market (Saturday only), Bac Ha Market (Sunday only), Cao Son Market (Wednesday only), Muong Hum Market (Sunday only), Coc Ly Market (Tuesday only), Muong Khuong Market (Sunday only), or Lung Khau Nhin Market (Thursday only).

These markets are lively gathering places for the highland communities of northern Vietnam. People come down from the surrounding mountains to trade produce, livestock, textiles, and daily goods. For many, market day is not only an economic activity but also an important social occasion to meet relatives, friends, and neighboring communities. With vibrant traditional costumes, the scent of local herbs and spices, lively food stalls, and the unique atmosphere of the uplands, a market visit offers a memorable insight into local life.

After the market visit, continue to Sapa Town and check in at your hotel.

Spend the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure, exploring Sapa Town independently.

Overnight in Sapa.

Ethnic Market

DAY 3: SAPA – TOPAS ECOLODGE – LECH VILLAGE (MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH)

This morning, guests may choose to book an optional half-day excursion to explore Mount Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina at 3,143 metres, by cable car at their own expense. Alternatively, enjoy free time at leisure in Sapa until departure.

Later in the day, depart by Topas Mountain Express for the 1.5-hour transfer to Topas Ecolodge.

After check-in, take time to enjoy the peaceful surroundings and beautiful views of the mountains and valleys from your private bungalow balcony.

The walk in the afternoon starts from Topas Ecolodge on a quiet road with a great view of the rice terrace below. You then take a slight ascent to Lech village. You will visit a wooden local house, meet the friendly Red Dao hosts and experience their daily way of life. The Red Dao women, like their ancestors, have hair and eye brows shaved and wear very colorful customs. They are famous for beautiful handmade embroidery. On the way back to Topas Ecolodge, you will walk on small trails passing rice terraces and cross a suspension bridge, where you can take some great pictures of the natural landscape. Your guide will explain the interesting cultivating culture of the local farmers.

Approx: Grade: Easy / 2.5 – 3 hours walking

Overnight in Topas Ecolodge

Topas Ecolodge Sapa

DAY 4: EXPLORE THE MOST REMOTE AREA OF SAPA (MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH)

Enjoy a great breakfast and prepare for today’s walk. At 8:30 AM, you will commence the excursion with a transfer deeper into Hoang Lien National Park to the trek starting point near Sin Chai village. You are now “off the beaten track”, enjoying beautiful views of high mountains, waterfalls and deep valleys. The trails will soon lead you to the Red Dao village of Nam Nhiu. Here you will meet the villagers, visit their houses, and learn about their daily way of life.

Leaving the village behind, you will turn into a small dirt trail and soon be inspired by the marvelous view of the rice valley dotted with bamboo huts, which are used by local farmers as overnight lodges on harvesting days. Passing the rice terraces and a river, you will walk on a quiet road for a while before arriving at Nam Cang village. Your lunch is served at a local restaurant.

Nam Cang village locates in the most remote area of Sapa. The Red Dao women wear some of the most colorful and diverse costumes of all Vietnam’s ethnic groups. Herbal bath, local medicine and embroidery are some of the things that the Red Dao are very skilled at. Accompanied by your guide, you will explore the village and learn how the local villagers make writing paper, jewelry and embroidery.

At 14:15, you will have a transfer back to Topas Ecolodge. Here you may want to book a traditional Red Dao herbal bath at the lodge’s spa.

Approx: Grade: Moderate / 3 – 3.5 hours walking

Overnight in Topas Ecolodge

Nam Cang

DAY 5: LEAVING THE MOUNTAIN AND BACK TO HA NOI (MEALS: BREAKFAST)

The morning is at your leisure at Topas Ecolodge. You can either relax or borrow high-quality mountain bikes from the lodge for an exploration of the surrounding areas.

Topas Mountain Express departs at 1:30 PM from Topas Ecolodge and returns you to your hotel in Hanoi.

***END OF SERVICES***

SERVICES

✅ WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Overnight train Hanoi – Lao Cai in a shared soft sleeper compartment
• Accommodation in double or twin rooms (2 guests per room) as specified in the itinerary
• Meals as indicated in the program
• English-speaking local guide during sightseeing and walking days
• Shared transfer by Topas Mountain Express between Sapa / Topas Ecolodge / Hanoi as stated in the itinerary
• Tours and transfers as mentioned by private air-conditioned vehicle
• Visit to an ethnic market according to the market schedule corresponding to the departure date
• Entrance fees and sightseeing tickets where applicable
• 2 bottles of drinking water per person per day

❌ WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:

• Drinks and meals not specifically mentioned in the itinerary
• Single room supplement, if required
• Optional cable car excursion to Mount Fansipan
• Red Dao herbal bath at Topas Ecolodge spa
• Private train cabin upgrade if requested
• Domestic or international flights (quoted separately), if requested
• Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, shopping, and souvenirs
• Travel insurance, unless otherwise confirmed in the quotation
• Vietnam Visa arrangement
• Tips for guide and driver, at the guests’ discretion
• Any services not clearly specified in the itinerary and inclusion section

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• The market visit is subject to the departure date, as each ethnic market operates on specific days of the week.
• The market included in the program should be reconfirmed at the time of booking, depending on the actual travel date.
• Train schedules are subject to change in accordance with railway operations and actual seat availability.
• Topas Mountain Express schedules are subject to confirmation based on the lodge’s operating arrangements.
• Walking activities range from easy to moderate and are suitable for guests with a reasonable level of fitness and mobility.
• Weather conditions, trail conditions, and local operational factors may require adjustments to the order of visits or walking duration where necessary.
• Standard hotel and lodge check-in and check-out times are subject to each property’s policy.
• All services are proposed for reference only until official confirmation and deposit are received.
• In the event that one or more proposed services are unavailable at the time of booking, suitable alternatives of comparable standard will be arranged whenever possible in order to maintain the overall quality of the journey.