Sapa Adventure

5 Days | Travel from Hanoi to Sapa and back on this short Vietnam adventure

4.7 out of 5 based on 3 reviews submitted.
Short Breaks
Walking & Trekking
From
EUR €343
View dates and book

Northwest Vietnam is a captivating mix of dramatic mountain landscapes, crisp fresh air and colourfully clothed hilltribes. Set on the slopes of a beautiful green valley, Sapa is the heart of this unique piece of Vietnam. Travel to this peaceful land and meet resplendently dressed ethnic minorities at the local market, visit neighbouring villages and hike through rice terraces, witnessing how the current of life has thrived here for centuries. This five-day trekking adventure is full of opportunities to get to know traditional hilltribe culture and cuisine, while relishing the landscapes of Sapa and its surrounds.

Trip overview

Map of Sapa Adventure including Vietnam
Start
Hanoi, Vietnam
Finish
Hanoi, Vietnam
Theme
Short Breaks, Walking & Trekking
Destinations
Vietnam
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 12
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
TVAG
This trip generates 52.21 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Start your adventure in Hanoi, discovering the Old Quarter, delicious food and gorgeous landmarks in your free time.
  • Stay in a traditional homestay for one night – the perfect way to access the remote parts of Vietnam and get a real glimpse into local life. You’ll also be treated to home-cooked meals, among breathtaking mountain scenery.
  • Hike through the rolling rice terraces, waterfalls, mountains and lush green hills of Sapa and you’ll quickly realise why this has become an iconic image of Vietnam.
  • Discover Sapa town on a walking tour with a local guide, tasting local snacks along the way – a trademark of the local lifestyle.
  • Meet a community of hilltribe people who have been in Vietnam for over three centuries. Having emigrated from China, the H'mong settled in Cat Cat Village and will invite you to learn about their rich culture.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Vun Art. Donations help them empower people with disabilities in Vietnam by providing vocational training and employment opportunities.

Is this trip right for you?
  • This Short Break Adventure is a ‘join in’ group departure, which means for some portions of this trip, such as at the homestay, you may join-in with other travellers who have booked on a different style of trip, or through other companies.
  • With the flexibility of frequent departures there is a chance you may end up travelling solo on this trip. You will always have a local guide and all included activities will remain the same.
  • You’ll cover a lot of distance on this trip, including on overnight trains. Accommodation and amenities are shared and basic, but the experience of rubbing shoulders with the locals makes it all worthwhile. For more about what this experience is like, see our blog post here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/what-to-expect-on-an-overnight-train-in-vietnam/
  • This trip includes a moderate level of hiking in the hills for 3 days of this trip, ranging from 3 to 6 hours. Although this hiking is possible for most travellers, a good level of fitness will help increase your enjoyment of this experience.

Itinerary

Map of Sapa Adventure including Vietnam

Inclusions

Meals

3 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners

Transport

Minibus, Overnight sleeper train, Private vehicle

Accommodation

Homestay (1 night), Hotel (1 night), Overnight sleeper train (2 nights)

Activities
  • Guided trek
Add on activities
  • Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Complex - VND80000
  • Hanoi - Hoa Lo 'Hanoi Hilton' Prison - VND50000
  • Hanoi - Temple of Literature - VND70000
  • Hanoi - Fine Arts Museum - VND30000
  • Hanoi - Museum of Ethnology - VND40000
  • Hanoi - Women's Museum - VND30000
  • Hanoi - Street Food Experience Urban Adventure - USD40

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. This trip starts with a welcome meeting at around 7 pm - on Day 1 in Hanoi. This trip ends on Day 5 and you are free to leave at any time.
2. You will be picked up on Day 1 from the Joining Point Hotel listed in the Essential Trip Information for this itinerary. Pick-up will take place between 6.00 pm-6.30 pm in the hotel foyer.
3. If you require to pick up from another hotel located in Hanoi's Old Quarter, please inform your booking agent at least 14 days prior to departure.
4. Your adventure ends upon arrival at Hanoi train station in the early morning (around 5 am). If you would like to stay a little longer in Vietnam, Intrepid can book additional nights for you (if you wish to have the room available on your arrival, you may need to book the night before as check-in time is usually midday). Please note that it's not possible to organize a transfer from the train station, so please make your own way to your hotel or the airport.
5. Please note this trip is operated by one of our local partners, based in Vietnam.
6.Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for train and flight tickets. Fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 based on 3 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Lynette · Traveled November 2023
Great tour guide. Sapa us a really cool place to visit. Make sure you visit the Hill tribe villages and Mt Fancipan. Two days is not enough if you are doing a homestay - stay longer!!@
Review submitted 27 Nov 2023

Aaron · Traveled July 2023
Great trip, most stunning area. Definitely pack shoes with excellent grip for the hike if it rains.
Review submitted 09 Aug 2023

Sung In · Traveled June 2023
This was my first Short Break Adventure, having been a regular Intrepid traveller for many years. The trip was well-organized and I was the only guest, making it essentially a private tour! I strongly recommend booking ahead for early check-in at the hotel in Sapa upon arrival off the train and also before getting on the overnight train back to Hanoi - a hot shower makes a world of difference, especially as it was rainy and muddy for my last day of hiking. My Hmong guide May was a wonderful guide and she was both knowledgeable and also considerate and attentive to my needs. The meal before boarding the train in Hanoi was simple local fare, but the highlight meal for me was at the homestay. Despite the on and off rain throughout the trip, I loved walking through the villages and rice terraces and experiencing the peaceful countryside in Sapa. I’d definitely do this trip again!
Review submitted 01 Jul 2023
Sapa Adventure
From
EUR €343