Vietnam trek - Sapa hill tribe, Vietnam

Vietnam is a country filled with captivating natural beauty and tranquil village life. Its highlands continue to yield new species and team with exotic wildlife. Its islands and beaches are among the finest in all of Southeast Asia, and its cuisine is excellent. Vietnam borders Cambodia, Laos and China and stretches over 1,600kms along the eastern coast of the Indochinese Peninsula. Your Sapa Hill Tribe Trek will start in the capital city of Hanoi in the north, heading further north to Sapa on the Victoria Express Train. Arriving in Lao Cai you will head into the hills trekking through the remote villages, meeting local tribes along the way with a two day overnight stop at an Eco-lodge with breathtaking views of towering mountains where you will climb Mount Silverstone before you depart for a further three day jungle trek on barely trodden mountain farmer’s trails. The trails are seasonal, only being used for cardamom harvesting deep in the forest. You will camp two nights in this remote and beautiful rainforest before heading back to Lao Cai once more for an overnight train to Hanoi.

You will be trekking into one of the most densely populated hill tribe areas of the country with a natural and wild feel about the region. Sapa is a typical rugged northern Vietnamese area with lots of terraces, large rolling hills, deep valleys and rice fields. Your trek takes you along scenic trails and off the beaten

path, through remote hill tribe villages of Nam Ket, Red Dao Village of Sin Chai, Nam Cum village, Thanh Phu and Seo Mi Ty village of the Black H’mong. Unlike other treks passing over similar terrain, this challenge has the essence of a challenge without the discomfort, making culture shock less ‘shocking’. International Flights Flights are not included as part of the challenge costs. You will need to organize your own international flights to arrive in Hanoi Noi Bai international Airport on the morning of day 1 (see below). Please contact us at flights@charitychallenge.ca BEFORE you commit and pay for your flights. We can help you organize your flights, and put you in touch with our partners at Flight Centre.

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi This afternoon you will meet with your group at the hotel (we will confirm the hotel information closer to your departure date). You have the rest of the afternoon at your leisure to rest and relax after your long journey. If time allows you can take a stroll to get your first impression of this incredible city. Hanoi became Vietnam’s capital in 1010, and still has many preserved ancient architectural works including the One Pillar Pagoda (built in 1042) and the Temple of Literature (built in 1070). It has a lovely landscape of lakes, shaded boulevards, verdant public parks, colonial French houses and astounding modern

skyscrapers. Hanoi's enchanting Old Quarter is rich with over a thousand years of history. This evening you will be briefed on the challenge ahead over a delicious dinner. Overnight in Hanoi. (D) Day 2: Hanoi and night train to Lao Cai Today you’ll get to spend time getting to grips with some of Vietnam’s rich culture and history. After breakfast you’ll set off to see some of the city’s famous sites; the Temple of Literature, where Vietnam’s royalty, mandarins and elite were educated; The One Pillar Pagoda, one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples and the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, the father of modern day Vietnam, to mention just a few! After a nice lunch you’ll cram in some more learning of both historic and modern traditions. This evening after dinner you’ll board your overnight train to Sapa, where your trekking will begin. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Lao Cai to Muong Hum (4-5 hr trek) Arriving into Lao Cai railway station very early in the morning (at around 5am), you’ll have the chance to take a quick bath at a simple yet clean guesthouse, and have breakfast at local restaurant. You’ll head out to the stunning Muong Hum where you’ll enjoy lunch with our host before starting the trek. Head up to a narrow dirt track, get downhill to the bottom of Ky Quan San valley, meeting up with White Hmong, Dao & Giay people. Enjoy the breath taking view of high mountains, deep valleys, streams and stunning terraced rice paddies. Overnight at homestay in Muong Hum. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Nam Pung - Mong Xoa (5-6 hr trek) After breakfast, we take a walk to Nam Pung village where the Ha Nhi people are famous for their beautiful clay houses and then continue the trek up through plantations and terraced rice fields before reaching a village of Red Dao people. Lunch will be beside a cooling river, in the Kji Chu Phin valley. Crossing the stream well continue up through the bamboo plantations to our home stay with Mong people is located among mountains in Ta Giang Phinh. Overnight at homestay in Mong Xoa. (B,L,D) Day 5: MONG XOA – KIM NGAN – SUOI THAU (5-6hr trek) An easier day after yesterday's tough trek. Walk through the village meeting local people and learning about their lives. You’ll have picnic lunch on the top of Ta Giang Phinh Mountain from which you can oversee far and wide over the lower land of Sapa & Bat Xat districts stretching along the Chinese border. Overnight at homestay in Suoi Thau. (B,L,D) Day 6: SUOI THAU – LAO CHAI – CAN HO DAO – SAPA (5-6 hr trek) Today you’ll continue down towards Sapa and follow the river back through the beautiful mountain valley. After lunch on route with a local family you’ll trek though a spectacular bamboo forest before the final part of your trek to Can Ho, form here you’ll transfer back to Sapa. Overnight in Sapa. (B,L,D)

Day 7: SAPA – BAN DEN – NAM TONG – NAM SAI (5-6 hr trek) Leaving Sapa in the morning we’ll transfer to Ban Den Village admiring to the marvellous scenery of Hoang Lien mountain range and Muong Hoa valley. Today’s trek starts from Ban Den Village uphill along a steep trail for 1.5 hours to Nam Toong Village of the Red Zao. Leaving Nam Toong for Nam Sang along a narrow trail up into the mountain range, you’ll trek a series of short ascents and descents but not to worry, you will have enjoyed a picnic lunch along the way. The afternoon trek will see you pass through Nam Sang village of the Xa Pho peoples in mid afternoon, with time to explore this charming village which beautifully sits near the bottom of Nam Sai valley. Later, enjoy an easy walk for nearly an hour through Nam Sai valley heading to Ban Sai village. Overnight at homestay in Ban Sai. (B,L,D)

Day 8: NAM SAI – NAM NHIU – SIN CHAI B (5 hr trek) Post breakfast trek will star along a large & rocky path uphill towards Nam Nhiu village of the Red Zao, continuing along a dirt path on to Nam Than Village of the Red Zao and Black Hmong This portion of the trek offers stunning view of Nam Sai and Nam Cang Valleys as well chances to understand life of tribal peoples in remotest region of Sapa. Leaving Nam Than for an hour through wild land dotting with terraced fields amongst mountain and rain forest. Time for lunch break! Continue trekking for 2.5 hours in the afternoon along the same trail passing through the cultivated hilly land of Suoi Thau Commune to Sin Chai B Village of the Red Zao. Check in home-stay, have a short rest and easy walk to explore this small and quiet village. Overnight at homestay in Sin Chai B. (B,L,D)

Day 9: SIN CHAI B – NAM LANG A – TA THANG – LAO CAI. OVERNIGHT TRAIN (6-7 hrs trek) Leave Sin Chai B after breakfast and then trek along a narrow dirt trail to the bottom of the valley and gradually uphill to Nam Lang A which becomes Nam Lang B, the 2 village of the Red Zao, where we will enjoy several visits to local homes and learn about the people of the Red Zao and lunch. The post lunch trek will take you to the top of the mountain range where gradually you’ll descent to Nam Ket Village of the Red Zao. Then on to Tay, eventually ending up at Ta Thang Village where you’ll see a view of the Red River which runs through the Bao Thang District. Here you’ll be picked up and transfered to Lao Cai where you’ll have a farewell dinner in this beautiful mountainous area before taking night train back to Hanoi capital. Overnight on train. (B,L,D)

Day 10: HANOI TO CANADA You’ll arrive in Hanoi very early morning, where you’ll be picked up and taken to the hotel for a quick shower before being transferred to the airport for your onward flight back home to Canada. (B)

Optional extension:

N.B. The itinerary is there as a guide and may change due to unusual weather patterns, the strength of the group and so on. We will do our very best to keep to the set itinerary, however we cannot be held responsible for any last minute changes that might occur. In all such circumstances, your challenge leader will have the final say.

Halong Bay Cruise (3 days, 2 nights)

• Visit enormous caves in several Islands along the bay on board of a wonderful replica of the classics steamships of the French Indochina era.

• Cruise through the limestone karsts and clear waters.

• Explore wonderful beaches by kayak.

For more information please visit the Sapa Hill Tribe Trek challenge page of our website or click on “extensions” in your member’s area.