Vietnam Sapa Trek - Trails of the Red Dzao
3 Days Starting and ending in Hanoi, Vietnam
Visiting: Hanoi, Topas Ecolodge, Nam Cang
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TP - SEH3
Specialist Group:
18-30 Somethings
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 10
Age range:
6-75
Special diets catered:
No
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Private Available:
Request A Private Tour
Tour Overview
Topas Ecolodge, set deep in the Hoang Lien National Park, 18 km from Sapa town, offers you an ideal stay during your hiking tour into the Sapa Mountains. Enjoy the direct Hanoi – Sapa ride with our luxurious Topas Mountain Express limousine; take the best hiking tours along hilly trails to experience the ethnic communities and their interesting cultures, explore the deep valleys covered by terraced rice fields, and relax with breathtaking mountain views at Topas Ecolodge.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Direct Limousine Drive To Topas Ecolodge And Hike To Neighboring Red Dao Village
Location: Hanoi, Topas Ecolodge
Accommodation: Lodge, LodgeLodge
Accommodation Name: Topas Ecolodge – Premium Executive bungalow
From 6:30 – 7:00 AM, you will commence from your Hanoi hotel with Topas Mountain Express for 5 hours transfer to Topas Ecolodge. After checking in your bungalow, you will enjoy the beautiful and peaceful view of the surrounding mountains and valleys from your private 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 eyes 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
Day 2 : Explore The Most Remote Area Of Sapa
Location: Topas Ecolodge, Nam Cang
Accommodation: Lodge, Lodge
Accommodation Name: Topas Ecolodge – Premium Executive bungalow
Meals Included: 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 Nam Cang village. Your lunch is served at 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
Day 3 : Leaving The Mountain And Back To Hanoi
Location: Hanoi, Topas Ecolodge
Meals Included: 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. You can also take a scheduled shuttle bus to Sapa to visit the town or book a half-day tour to explore the highest peak of Indochina, Mt. Fansipan (3.143m) by cable car.
Topas Mountain Express departs from Sapa at 13:15; from Topas Ecolodge at 14:30 and returns you to your hotel in Hanoi.
Please note for Topas Mountain Express:
Only pick up and return passengers at hotels/residences in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and Tay Ho Area.
Pick-up time is around 6.30 – 7.00 am but clients need to be ready at 6.30 for smooth services.
Due to limited space, guests are requested to bring only 1 cabin bag/suitcase 115cm (56cm x 36cm x 23cm) per person.
What's Included
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Accommodation
2 nights in a premium executive bungalow at Topas Ecolodge
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Fully Guided
English speaking local tour guide on day 1 and 2 hikes Please note for excursions: The excursions in Sapa are based on sharing a group of maximum of 10 travelers
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Meals
All meals as indicated in the program
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Transport
Join-in Topas Mountain Express direct shuttle between Hanoi and Topas Ecolodge: Please note for Topas Mountain Express: Only pick up and return passengers at hotels/residences in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and Tay Ho Area. Pick-up time is around 6.30 – 7.00 am but clients need to be ready at 6.30 for smooth services. Due to limited space, guests are requested to bring only 1 cabin bag/suitcase 115cm (56cm x 36cm x 23cm) per person.
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Free refillable water during transfers and at Topas Ecolodge (Please check with your guide or driver and bring your own water bottle)
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All entrance tickets and permits to local villages and Hoang Lien National Park
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Government Value Added Tax
What's Not Included
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Drinks and alcohol
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Vietnam visa
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Travel insurance
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Upgrades to higher standard rooms or single supplements. Early check in or late check out at all hotels/boat (Standard check-in time: 1pm, check-out time: 11am)
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Personal travel items
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Tips
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Other services not mentioned in itinerary and inclusive portion
Optional Extras
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Compulsory Gala Dinner: USD 121 per person
Christmas 24 Dec 2024
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Compulsory Gala Dinner: USD 121 per person
New Year 31 Dec 2024
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Peak season surcharge at Topas Ecolodge in 2024: USD 32 per person per night
New Year: 1 Jan 2024 (1 night) Luna New Year: 9-17 Feb 2024 (9 nights) Hung King: 18-20 Apr 2024 (3 nights) Victory and Labor day: 30 Apr – 1 May 2024 (2 nights) National Day: 31 Aug - 2 Sep 2024 (3 nights) Xmas: 23 – 25 Dec 2024 (3 nights) New Year Eve: 30-31 Dec 2024 (2 nights)
Mode of Transport
Sharing Topas Mountain Express 8-seater limousine from Hanoi - Topas Ecolodge - Hanoi
Shuttle bus from Topas Ecolodge - Sin Chai, Nam Cang - Topas Ecolodge
Accommodation
Topas Ecolodge is based on sustainable hotel operation values to ensure minimum impact on the surrounding environment while offering guests a unique position to immerse themselves in local communities.
First and foremost, we are situated 18 km outside of Sapa town, (a 45-minute drive). The road meanders through valleys, local villages, and mountains and can be expected to be in poor condition at times. You may have to stop once in awhile to let a buffalo cross the street!
While we do have “luxury” in terms of our awe-inspiring mountain views, we are not a 5-star resort but a lodge similar to what you would find in Scandinavia.
Our bungalows were surrounded by pure nature with rustic but comfy interior design, hoping to help you completely escape from everyday life and immerse yourself into pure nature. You can spend the whole day on your private balcony mesmerized by the mountains, in our two saltwater infinity pools, or the Rice spa.
One of the pillars of our organization is our committment to the local community, therefore all of our employees are hired from the nearby local tribes. As they work at Topas, they learn English as well as other hospitality skills through training. We ask guests to be patient and kind when ordering in English, and that in the event of any language barriers, you can always find someone to help you at Reception!
Due to our mountain location, the weather can be unpredictable – so please do pack something for all seasons when coming, as we have a famous phrase that this location can experience all 4 seasons in one day!
We are so excited to welcome you here at Topas Ecolodge and our little slice of Vietnam. So go ahead and escape your busy city life and truly experience the peacefulness and authenticity of a real mountain getaway.
Check out our Q&As
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes, they are included in the price
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
No need
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Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
Yes, wifi is available at Topas Ecolodge
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, they are English-speaking tour guides
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
We are thrilled to share that your upcoming tour with us contributes to our meaningful charity initiatives. At Topas, giving back is at the heart of what we do, and your booking plays a significant role in supporting various projects aimed at making a positive impact in the communities we hold dear. Our Charity Streams: Own Projects in Sapa: Rooted in Sapa, we conduct numerous projects focusing on education, including rebuilding schools, constructing bridges, and improving homes for those facing hardship. A dedicated project manager in Sapa oversees our charitable work. NGO Partnerships: Newborns Vietnam: Trains neonatal medical staff and provides vital equipment for critically ill newborns. Works with Lao Cai Hospital near Sapa and Moc Chau, a direct result of our partnership. Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation: Supports street kids and victims of human trafficking. Besides funding, we offer free slots in our Vietnam Trail Series races and sponsor the Blue Dragon Running Club kids, celebrating their achievements at events like the Vietnam Trail Marathon. Hue Help: Addresses drowning prevention, teaching kids and educators to become swim safety instructors. Collaborative projects in Thanh Hoa province, an area where we host the Vietnam Jungle Marathon. Operation Smile: Performs facial surgery, changing the lives of young people in Vietnam. We've witnessed firsthand the impact, supporting kids from Sapa and Pu Luong for corrective surgery in Hanoi. Your travel experience with us goes beyond exploration; it becomes a conduit for positive change in these communities. We deeply appreciate your contribution to our charitable endeavors. Thank you for being a part of our journey to make a difference.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Traveling to Vietnam is now as comfortable as any other destination, with COVID-19 policies reflecting a sense of normalcy. As of the latest updates, there's no special treatment required for COVID-19, and travelers are no longer obligated to undergo testing or purchase specific COVID insurance. While Vietnam has embraced a more relaxed approach, we strongly recommend securing a comprehensive travel insurance package. This insurance should cover essential aspects such as medical treatment, personal accidents, medical evacuation, and extend beyond unforeseen circumstances like natural disasters and cancellation fees. Client's safety and well-being remain our top priority, and we encourage travelers to explore Vietnam with confidence, armed with a robust travel insurance plan that ensures peace of mind throughout your journey.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
We’ve been creating Vietnam travel experiences since 1993 and our team is here to help you create the perfect trip for your own travel style. We love travel, we love Vietnam, and we love sharing our passion for both. Whether you want to see the bucket list sites with a twist or discover lesser-known destinations, our team is ready to make it happen. We will ensure you have the best possible experience discovering the sites, sounds, and scents of beautiful Vietnam. What’s more, doing travel the right way and giving back to the communities where we work is at the very heart of the Topas philosophy. Read our charity page to learn more about why to travel with us if you want to travel responsibly.
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Free Date Changes
Topas Travel allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 60 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Topas Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform topas travel, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Topas Travel requires a minimum deposit of 30% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of topas travel charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.