Though Muong Hoa valley to Hoang Lien National Park, ref: T5C (5 days)

Though Muong Hoa valley to Hoang Lien National Park, ref: T5C
(5 days)

Sapa – Y Linh Ho – Tavan – Seomity – Ta Trung Ho – Thanh Phu - Sapa

Highlights:

On this trip you have an opportunity to explore one of the most beautiful parts in Sapa area, which is under protection of Hoang Lien National Park. The night you spend in campsite nearby a river will be memorial moments along the trek.  You will also be able to meet several different minorities, which cannot be found in other areas of Sapa, such as Giay in Muong Hoa valley, Tay and Xa Pho in Ban Ho valley. Both valleys are beautiful with mountainous surrounding and rice paddy terraces

Itinerary:

Day 1: Sapa - Cat Cat - Y Linh Ho – Tavan (-, L, D)

Met up at your hotel in Sapa by local guide and start your trek through the market and leave the busy town behind. After a couple of minutes, you follow a road going downhill to Cat Cat village.

You  will  stop  by  a  waterfall and a  hydroelectric  station  for a while  before you  trek  on a  dirt trail through rice paddy terraces. You also will enjoy spectacular scenery while walking along a narrow river. You eventually arrive in Y Linh Ho village of Black Hmong minority, where you can take a rest while you are served lunch nearby the river.

After lunch, you head Muong Hoa valley.  You will pass through Lao Chai village of Black Hmong minority and then Tavan village of Giay minority by following a very popular trekking route.  You will spend the night in local house of Giay minority. You will be able to take a walk to enjoy the valley view as well as swim in the river nearby.

Approx: 5 hours walking/ 1-hour lunch.

Day 2: Tavan - Seomity (B, L, D)

After having breakfast, you start today’s trek, which is mostly uphill until lunchtime. Whenever you stop for a rest, you will be able to enjoy valley view. Before noon, you stop again at a nice spot for lunch.

The trek will be softer in the afternoon. But the scenery becomes even more beautiful. You pass by Seomity village of Black Hmong minority before you arrive in a campsite, which locates nearby a river outside the village. While porters put up tents and cook dinner, you can take a walk to stretch the legs.

Approx: 4,5 hours walking/ 1 hour lunch

Day 3: Seomity – Den Thang - Ta Trung Ho (B, L, D)

The trek today takes you through beautiful rice paddies and over old suspension bridges. You will trek on small trail sneaking through rainforest. You arrive in Den Thang village of Black Hmong by noon. Here you stop for lunch either nearby a river or in a local school according to the weather.

After lunch, the trek will becomes tough on tinny footpath going up and down, which requires a lot of concentration. You will reach to Ta  Trung Ho village of Red Dao minority where you spend the night in local house. Both the valley and the village have just received foreign visitors. The night will be even more interesting when you are in the wonderful hospitable atmosphere of the Red Dao.

Approx: 6 hours walking, 1-hour lunch

Day 4: Ta Trung Ho - Nam Toong – My Son – Thanh Phu (B, L, D)

You are now at the fringe of the rain forest by the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina with its 3143 m, is located in this mountain range. You will start the trek today by ascending to Nam Toong village of Red Dao minority. Here y our lunch will be prepared in a local school.

After lunchtime, you descend to the valley where locates My Son village of Xa Pho minority, one of the smallest groups ethnic in Northern Vietnam.  From there you take a short walk to Thanh Phu village of Tay minority. Here you spend the night in traditional house of the Tay.  You can take a walk to explore local daily life while your dinner will be served with Vietnamese dishes.

Approx: 7 hours walking/ 1-hour lunch

Day 5: Thanh Phu – Ban Ho – Su Pan - Sapa (B, L, -)

Today’s trek is relatively short compared to other days.  On the last  day  of  the trek  you  will cross several suspension bridges. You will be able to stop by a waterfall and have time to swim in the river before arriving in Ban Ho village of Tay minority. Here you stop for lunch in a traditional Tay house.

In the afternoon, you start climbing uphill. On the last hours you can enjoy the valley one final time while heading to Su Pan. Here your car takes you on the journey back to Sapa.

Approx: 1-hour driving/ 4 hours walking/ 1-hour lunch

Cost in US$ per person in the party of (valid 30 Sep '11)	From Hoang Lien National Park to Ban Ho valley, ref. T5C
1 pax	360
2 pax	270
3 pax	235
4 pax	223
5-8 pax	204
9-12 pax	197
13-16 pax	186

 INCLUDING:
• Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
• Accommodation in homestay
• Meal as mentioned: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner
• English or French speaking guide
• Entrance fee to indicated sights

EXCLUDING: Other meals, tip, drinks, single room, personal expenses, insurance...