Vietnam Sapa Trek & Ha Long Bay
Hanoi, Vietnam
Trip Highlights
- Mountains of Vietnam
- Big Rivers & Beautiful Views
- Home-stay Lodging
- Amazing Vietnamese Cuisine
- Village Cultures of Vietnam
- Remote Villages & Rice Paddies
- Ha Long Bay Cruise
Description
“Xin Chao” from Vietnam! We start this epic Vietnam trekking adventure off in the ancient capital city, Hanoi, where we pick you up from the airport and transfer you to our hotel. We acclimatize in Hanoi and subsequently travel via train to Sapa, which lies on the Northwest border of Vietnam and China. Sapa sets our scene for the hiking portion of this trip as we trek through beautiful rice paddy terraces to remote ‘hill tribe’ villages. The trails we walk on connect village to village and are backdropped by rolling hills, pristine rivers and terraced mountainsides. We experience the lives of the Black H’mong, Red Dzao, Green Dzai and White Tay hill tribes by sleeping in comfortable home-stays, making personal connections and trekking from village to village. After the trekking portion of this trip, we head east to the South China Sea for a luxury cruise of Ha Long Bay. The World renown limestone archipelago is a must for any travelers who visit Vietnam and no better place to end our adventure tour of Vietnam. The cultures, mountains, trekking, food and Ha-long bay make this trip one of the best trips in the world!
$600 Single Supplement
Single Supplement on this trip includes single rooms in all hotels/lodges, a single occupancy sleeper cabin on the overnight train to Sapa and a single cabin on the overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay. We do not have single/private facilities available during the 2 nights we utilize Sapa home-stay accommodations along our trek. On both of these nights the group will be in a communal dorm type setting.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This trip features some long days of hiking with 9-10 miles in a day and moderate elevation gain/loss. The weather can be quite humid, which adds to the difficulty.
Hiking Distances:
Up to 10 mi
Backpack Weight:
10-20 lbs
Terrain:
Lightly Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
Up to 750 feet
Heights Exposure:
Light
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 10-20 lb backpack for 6-8 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on variable, uneven terrain
- River and creek crossings
- Hiking in humid conditions
SOLITUDE LEVEL 3
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Vietnam hiking tour a solitude 3. You can expect to have hours of solitude at a time while hiking.
BOOKING FLIGHTS
For this Vietnam trek you will need to fly into Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on Day 1, no later than 12 P.M. We will pick you up at the airport. An orientation meeting, dinner and accommodations are included on Day 1. Your return flight should be scheduled for the final day of the tour at 5 P.M. or later.
Flights to and from Hanoi are the guest’s responsibility. Multiple airlines operate flights into Hanoi from many international airports including those in Hong Kong; Seoul, South Korea; Beijing, China; Guangzhou, China; Taipei, Taiwan and others. Flights to Vietnam from the USA and Europe are often quite affordable.
Minimum of 2 Guests
We require a minimum of 2 guests to confirm this trip. If a trip date is not confirmed yet, you can register and will be notified when the trip is officially confirmed. We recommend not making final travel arrangements until your trip meets the minimum number of guests and is confirmed.
In most cases, if a trip does not reach the minimum number of guests, you may choose to transfer to another trip date or another trip, be refunded your payments in full, or you may have the choice to pay a supplemental fee to run the trip with fewer guests. We make the final determination for these trips 45 days before the departure date.
Private Trips
Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group!
Our sliding scale for private trips is based on the final number of guests in your group. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax, national park fees or guide gratuity. The final rate is based on the actual number of guests on the trip and may adjust based on cancellations or additions.
Please Note: you can also enjoy a private trip at our normal scheduled rates by filling any empty tour to capacity. However, if group members drop from the tour those spots will automatically become available on our website for instant booking. By purchasing a private trip at the rates listed below, your trip will remain exclusive to your group regardless of cancellations.
Private Rates FOr This Trip
- 2 People: Rate x 2.5
- 3 People: Rate x 2
- 4-5 People: Rate x 1.5
- 6-10 People: Rate x 1.15
- 11-12 People: Rate x 1
*all rates are per person and single supplements apply
Learn About Our Private Trips
View Private TripsITINERARY
DAY 1
Welcome to Vietnam and Southeast Asia! Get ready for new sounds, smells, and sights as we enter a unique, vibrant and colorful culture. Our team will pick you up from Noi Bai International airport in Hanoi, Vietnam and transfer you approximately 45 minutes to our elegant 4-star accommodations in the popular historic district of Hanoi. After joining the group at an orientation meeting, you will enjoy dinner with your guide(s) and the rest of the group. Here we can further get to know one another and talk in more detail of our upcoming adventure together on this Vietnam trek.
DAY 2
Today will serve as a sightseeing and rest/acclimatization day from our International travel. After breakfast, your guide will host you on a tour of this historic city. Among Hanoi’s sightseeing highlights is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where we will see ‘Uncle Ho’ (Ho Chi Minh) laid out to rest. Ho Chi Minh was the founder and president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and a very important figure in the development of Vietnam. We will also visit the Hanoi Hilton museum where John McCain and other prisoners were held during the Vietnam-USA War; the Ethnology museum and the Temple of Literature, which serves as an excellent example of Vietnamese architecture. We will have lunch during the day and return to the hotel in the late afternoon. We will have free time until meeting up for dinner. After dinner, we will return to the hotel and pack our bags to head to the train station for our departure for Sapa around 10PM. No Vietnam adventure would be complete without taking a deluxe overnight sleeper train. (ours has air conditioning and very clean nice bathrooms)
DAY 3
This morning between 6 and 7 AM our train will arrive at the Lao Cai train station in the mountain city of Sapa. Our driver will be waiting for our arrival and transfer us roughly 1 hour to our hotel, the Aira Boutique Sapa Hotel and Spa. After check-in, we will have breakfast at the hotel. We will meet up for lunch and dinner, and between meals you will have time to explore this amazing town. Sapa is known for its colorful markets, friendly people and beautiful textiles. You will love and be intrigued by this amazing place!
DAY 4
- Hiking Mileage: 9 miles
- Elevation Loss: 1,914 feet
- Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours
This morning after breakfast we will begin our hike. We will meet our local Black H’mong guide and begin our beautiful trek through the mountains. Expect there to be many local women walking with the group, asking to sell us goods. It is awesome to get to know the people, their culture and how they live their daily lives in Sapa. We will have lunch along the way and continue trekking through beautiful terraced rice fields, until we reach Ta Van Village. This village is nestled in the mountains and provides a great opportunity to be immersed in the local culture and daily routine of the Black Hmong and Red Dzao people. The majority of people in Ta Van are rice farmers and our local guide will be able to answer all of the questions we have. Upon arrival at our Home-stay, we will be welcomed by our ‘host mother’ who will be in charge of cooking dinner and breakfast for us. We may even have the option to help prepare spring rolls or appetizers! Getting to know the local people is one of our favorite things about this trek!
Day 5
- Hiking Mileage: 10 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: appx 500 feet
- Trekking Duration: 7-8 hours
This morning after more amazing food and hospitality, we will pack our bags and begin walking to the village of Giang Tai Chai. The rolling hills and rice terraces of this area shape the local people’s culture and it is evident how the environment plays an impact on the people’s lives. Along the way, we will have lunch and then continue on to Ban Ho village where we will stay for the second night of our trek. Ban Ho is one of the most interesting and diverse villages in the Sapa area. Black Hmong, Red Dzao, White Tay and other minority hill tribes all live together here. Ban Ho is a lovely village surrounded by rice terraces, glistening streams and traditional stilted houses. We check into our accommodation at tonight’s Home-stay. We will have free time for showers, rest or village exploration before our delicious traditional meal is served. Our guides will provide the plan for the next day.
DAY 6
- Hiking Mileage: 6 miles
- Elevation Gain: appx 600 feet
- Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours
This morning after another hearty breakfast, we pack our backpacks and set off for the village of Thanh Phu. Our trek today starts off by climbing roughly 600 ft until we level off near Nam Tong village. The terrain is sub-tropical and the trails are used by local people to connect the villages. We will have lunch in route and continue trekking until we reach the village of Thanh Phu. Upon arrival at Thanh Phu, we will be picked up and transferred to our luxurious unique Ecolodge accommodation for the night! We will have free time for showers, village exploration or rest until dinner is served. Our guides will provide the plan for the following day.
DAY 7
- Hiking Mileage: 4 miles
- Elevation Gain: appx 500 feet
- Trekking Duration: 3 hours
This morning we have a leisurely breakfast, pack our day packs and hike to Lech, a Red Dzao minority village. Upon arrival at Lech, we will visit with the Red Dzao people and learn about their culture and daily life in their village. After our visit with the Dzao, we will head back to our Ecolodge, have free time until lunch is served. We will then board our private mini-bus for our 5 ½ hour scenic ride back to Hanoi. It will be roughly 8:30pm when we arrive back to Hanoi, so we will have some snacks and drinks planned in route during our drive. Once we arrive back to Hanoi, we’ll check into our hotel and all go to a late dinner together. Our guides will provide the plan for the next day.
DAY 8
This morning we will enjoy waking up in our elegant accommodations in Hanoi. An outstanding buffet breakfast will be available and after we will depart Tuan Chau Harbor. Around midday, we will transfer by a smaller boat to the main cruise ship. We will enjoy a welcome drink and receive a safety and orientation briefing from our cruise manager. Our cruise will set sail through the amazing Ha Long Bay and lunch will be served in route on board. After our meal, we continue sailing past thousands of amazing limestone karst formations rising out of the water; making this journey so spectacularly picturesque. It is absolutely stunning scenery! We will continue toward Lan Ha Bay for time to kayak, swim and relax. Back on board, we will have an afternoon tea ceremony. We will then have dinner and you can enjoy the landscape of Ha Long Bay, while relaxing and soaking up all the views. After dinner their are multiple optional activities to choose from.
DAY 9
This morning you can sleep in or rise early to witness Ha Long bay at sunrise! After a light breakfast, we will continue our journey and head out among small, wooden rowing boats to explore the bay, local fishing culture and enjoy more time paddling in sea-kayaks. After the optional morning of activities, we will return to the boat to complete the check-out procedure and enjoy a delightful brunch while cruising back to port. Once at the port we will meet our driver and begin the drive back to Hanoi and our hotel. We have the afternoon free to do any last minute shopping and/or site seeing before gathering back for our final celebratory dinner.
DAY 10
After breakfast, your Wildland guide will meet you in the hotel lobby for your transfer back to Noi Bai International Airport. We will ensure that you arrive in time for your flight back home or you can continue your adventure in Vietnam. We hope you have had an amazing time and thanks for choosing Wildland Trekking!
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however occasionally trips are subject to itinerary changes based on a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to: lodging/campground availability, extreme weather, political or bureaucratic obstacles, earthquakes, fires, flooding and more. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- A detailed trip packet that takes the guesswork out of your travel, training, packing, and preparing for the trip
- Access to our Adventure Consultant team 7 days a week
- Transportation for the duration of the tour starting on Day 1 and ending on the day you depart
- Lodging for the duration of the tour
- Use of a day pack and trekking poles
- All meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast the final morning
- Professional, certified Wildland hiking and tour guides
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and emergency communication device
- Gratuities for support staff (drivers, luggage porters, etc.)
- A Lifetime Hiking Membership entitling you, your spouse and dependents to a discount of 10% off any Wildland hiking trip after your first one (must book directly with us to receive the discount)!
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Transportation to Hanoi
- Trip insurance that includes medical coverage and at least $200,000 in evacuation and repatriation coverage (required in Vietnam)
- Bar bills, drink bills, extra snacks, telephone bills, wifi bills and other personal expenses (shopping/ laundry)
- All expenses due to unavoidable events e.g. flight cancellation, personal illness, strikes, etc. (we recommend trip insurance coverage for these variables)
- Clothes, rain gear, and footwear (see recommendations)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Gratuity for guide(s) (industry recommendation is 10-20% of total trip cost. Local currency recommended or USD is acceptable.)
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
MEALS: WHAT TO EXPECT
This Vietnam hiking tour features a combination of in-town meals and meals prepared by your guide. For the most part we’ll be enjoying in-town meals for dinner and some breakfasts and carefully-selected restaurants and lodges, and lunches are prepared on the trail by your guides.
For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables. In addition, we provide you with with an assortment of trail mix, snacks, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion.
We can often accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee, and in some countries may be more difficult to accommodate than others. Please inquire with us for more information about the specific trip you’re interested in.
GEAR WE PROVIDE
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Backpacks
- Trekking poles
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device(s)
WHAT GEAR TO BRING
We ask that you supply a couple of gear items on your hiking tour. These items are two 1-liter water bottles per person and basic items like sunscreen, bug repellent (where and when applicable), lip balm, and toiletries are also important.
WHAT CLOTHES TO BRING
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with detailed guidance about what clothes to pack (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, and our recommended clothing system. A minimum of three pairs of wool or synthetic hiking socks are also required.
Trip Logistics
HOW DO I REGISTER?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
WHERE DO WE MEET?
We will meet you at Noi Bai International Airport (in Hanoi) on Day 1 and transport you to the first night’s hotel (included), where we’ll conduct an orientation meeting the first evening (your flight needs to arrive before 12PM). Your guide will be in contact approximately 45 days before your trip to coordinate your rendezvous and answer any last-minute questions you have.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
Your safety is our top priority. This trek is led by professional hiking guides along with additional support staff. All of our guides are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. We’ve developed comprehensive risk management protocols that our guides adhere to in case of an emergency, and all tours carry a satellite phone. If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
In the interest of your safety, it’s important to refer to the Center for Disease Control website for up-to-date recommendations on immunizations before your trip.
GUIDES
This trip is led by expert, local Wildland guides. Our approach to international travel is to combine the best of two worlds: the dialed-in details, professionalism and consistency Wildland trips are known for; and the cultural immersion and intimate regional knowledge that only locals can provide. To excel with this approach, we vet and hire the best local guides, welcome them into the Wildland family and train them to meet our standard of excellence with every aspect of a trip. But along with managing logistics and safety, your guides will teach you about the area’s history and culture, and provide a level of familiarity and intimate detail only locals can.
Check out our Meet Our Team page for staff bios.
GUIDE WORKING PARAMETERS
Guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24-hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time…etc. In addition, as part of the 8 hours off they must sleep/rest or be in their tents/rooms uninterrupted for a minimum of 5 hours each night. We ask guests to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ off time and sleep time unless there is a true emergency.
GROUP SIZE AND AGE RESTRICTIONS
The standard group size on this hiking tour is 12 guests. If you have more questions about group size, please give us a call at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) and we’ll answer all your questions.
Age restrictions are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
TRIP INSURANCE
Field evacuation, repatriation and medical coverage insurance (at least $200,000) is required on all Vietnam trips as a condition of partnership terms with our Vietnam vendors. Additional travel coverage is strongly recommended.
If you wish to purchase trip insurance, we recommend IMG/iTravelinsured. They are one of the world’s leading providers of travel insurance.
For information on recommended IMG/iTravelinsured policies please click here.
For even greater information, or if you simply prefer communicating with a real, live person, feel free to contact our exclusive agent Michael Bennett. Michael will help you identify the best product for your needs, and there is no cost associated with his assistance. You may contact him at:
Email: WildLandTrekking@EasyToInsureME.com
US by Phone: 877-305-9083
Direct/International by Phone: 702-448-3664
If you already have insurance or wish to purchase from anyone other than IMG/iTravelinsured, we recommend careful consultation with the provider to ensure appropriate coverage. This is because many providers have a number of policy exclusions.
Please bring a copy of your insurance policy to provide to your guides at the orientation meeting.
WEATHER IN NORTHERN VIETNAM
The weather in the mountains of Northern Vietnam is often rainy with moderate temperatures and relatively high humidity.
| Month | Hi | Low | Precip |
| March | 64° F | 52° F | 5 in |
| April | 70° F | 55° F | 7 in |
| May | 75° F | 64° F | 15 in |
| August | 75° F | 64° F | 18 in |
| September | 73° F | 61° F | 12 in |
| October | 68° F | 55° F | 8 in |
Accommodations
LA SIESTA CLASSIC MA MAY
3 NIGHTS
This exceptional hotel is an unrivaled luxury boutique just steps from the “Lake of the Restored Sword”, Hanoi’s most famous body of water. Nestled in the vibrant, exciting historic district, this hotel puts us right where we want to be to begin exploring Vietnam. Their Moonlight Sky Bar is a perfect place to relax after a long travel.
OVERNIGHT SLEEPER TRAIN
1 NIGHT
We only use the most deluxe available sleeper trains for our guests. These accommodations are luxurious, comfortable and just an outstanding way to travel through Vietnam. All trains include air conditioning, clean bathroom facilities and a dining car.
AIRA BOUTIQUE HOTEL & SPA
1 NIGHT
Nestled at the base of a lush mountain slope and just far enough away from Sapa’s busy downtown center, this luxury hotel provides a peaceful but modern experience. We will soak up the comfort and tranquility here before we begin our trek.
SAPA HOME-STAY
2 NIGHTS
Homestay accommodations offer a unique opportunity to learn about and be intimately part of the locals’ daily lives, by sharing their home and table. Expect these stays to be fun but also rustic and basic, as we’re hosted by villagers. The outstanding hospitality, food and this overall cultural experience is often one of the main highlights of the trip for our guests. There will be a mix of bungalows/rooms and dormitory set ups (beds/mattresses with fresh linens, hot showers and clean shared bathrooms).
TOPAS ECOLODGE
1 NIGHT
One of National Geographic’s certified “Unique Lodges of the World,” this fantastic, boutique inn is perched on a hilltop deep in the mountains of Hoang Lien National Park. With amazing mountain bungalows and a swimming pool built at the edge of a precipice, this is one “hotel” you’ll never forget!
SENA CRUISES
1 Night
Sena Cruises offers authentic traditional, boutique experiences. With premier service, wonderful meals, luxurious rooms and stunning scenery, Sena offers a top-notch experience. Our time cruising on Ha Long Bay many guests say was one of their favorite parts of this extraordinary journey through Vietnam.
* These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some instances alternative accommodations of similar quality and location may be used.
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