Sapa-Topas Ecolodge Explore The Mountains

3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS  
Reference: MVL002
Activity: Hiking  
Grade: Easy
Duration: 3 days and 2 nights – it’s possible to extend with one or more nights.  

Summary 
Day 1: Take Topas Mountain Express to Sapa. Hike to Topas Ecolodge. 
Day 2: Explore the remote Red Dao village of Nam Cang and hike to the surrounding mountains. 
Day 3: Relax at Topas Ecolodge or visit Sapa town. Transfer by Topas Mountain Express to Hanoi.  

Itinerary  
Day 1: Comfortable drive to Sapa and hike to Topas Ecolodge (-,-,-) 

From 6:30 - 7:00 AM, you will commence from your hotel with TopasMountain Express for a 5 hours transfer to the mountain town of Sapa.After having lunch in Sapa town at your own expense, you will have atransfer to the trekking point near Hau Thao village. Trekking is thebest activity to enjoy the beautiful nature and get in touch with theunique culture of Sapa. The 2.5 hour trek today is on the trails runningthrough a pure and beautiful mountainous area, home to Black H’mongminority. Some parts of the trek are a little bit challenging with steepascents, but as compensation, you will enjoy the breathtaking views oftowering mountains and paddling rice terraces valleys. You will visitthe two villages of Hang Da and Hau Chu Ngai and be charmed by theunmixed culture of the Black H’mong minority, who has special skills inmaking agricultural tools, wooden furniture, musical instruments andjewelry. They are also famous for their hemp production and indigodying.

You then have another short transfer to the remote hilltop located TopasEcolodge. After checking in your bungalow, you will enjoy the beautifuland peaceful view of the surrounding mountains and valleys from yourprivate balcony.  

Day 2: Explore the most remote land of Sapa (B,L,-)
 
The Red Dao village of Nam Cang is 20km from Topas Ecolodge. At 8:45 AM,you have a drive to the village, enjoying the picturesque views ofpeaky mountains, endless rice terraces, waterfalls and Hill tribes’villages on the way. Nam Cang village locates at the far end of theroad. The Red Dao women wear some of the most colorful and diversecostumes of all Vietnam’s ethnic groups. Herbal bath, local medicine andembroidery are some of the things that the Red Dao are very skilled at.Accompanied by your guide, you will explore around the village andlearn how the local villagers make writing paper, jewelry andembroidery. You then have your lunch at the Nam Cang Riverside Lodge,enjoying the peaceful life on the banks of river. 

In the afternoon you can choose to relax at lodge, make more visits tothe village, take a swim in the river or join a trek to explore thebeautiful surrounding nature. The 3 hour moderate trek starts with anascent to a small Blue H’mong village, but from here it is mostlystraight and downhill with a beautiful view to the high mountains,waterfalls and the deep valley.  In the mid afternoon you will have atransfer back to Topas Ecolodge/ Sapa town.   

Day 3: Leaving the mountain and back to Hanoi (B,-,-) 

The morning is at your leisure at Topas Ecolodge. You can either relaxor borrow free of charge mountain bikes from the lodge for anexploration to the neighboring villages. You can also take a scheduledshuttle bus to Sapa to visit the town.  At 14:00, Topas Mountain Expressdeparts from Topas Ecolodge, pick you up if you are in Sapa town, andreturn you to your hotel in Hanoi.   

Please note: Topas Mountain Express can only pick up and return passengers at hotels in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
  
TOUR PRICE: USD 290/PERSON

Based on double occupancy. (There will be a single supplement of USD120/person if you are travelling alone)

This package includes: 
+ English speaking guide during shared excursions* 
+ 2 night at Topas Ecolodge (twin shared Deluxe bungalow) 
+ Indicated meals (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)** 
+ Mineral water and snack during walking trips 
+ Transfer by Topas Mountain Express bus Hanoi – Sapa – Topas Ecolodge – Sapa – Hanoi 
+ All other indicated transportation 
+ All entrance fees to the indicated places  

The excursions are based on sharing group of maximum 10 travelers 
Other meals at Topas Ecolodge are recommended to be booked in advance.  
If you would like to stay in our Executive bungalows, at surcharge of USD20/night, please request this when booking.

3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS  
Reference: MVL003
Activity: Hiking, Market visiting 
Grade: Easy 
Duration: 3 days and 2nights – it’s possible to extend with one or more nights. 
 
Overview 
The markets are always the colorful meeting places for the hill tribesof Vietnam. Minorities come down from the mountains to sell theirproduce. Sometimes it is a long hike for the tribes to come to sell orexchange their goods. Others may simply come in order to catch up on thelatest news or gossips. With the various tribes in their colorfultraditional dress, the smell of exotic herbs and spices, abundant ricewine and food stalls - you can be assured that market day in Vietnam istruly an unforgettable experience.  

Summary 
Day 1 (Friday): Take Topas Mountain Express via the mountain town of Sapa to Topas Ecolodge. 
Day 2 (Saturday): Explore the remote area dominated by the Red Dao minority. 
Day 3 (Sunday): Visit Bac Ha market. Transfer by Topas Mountain Express to Hanoi.
  
Itinerary  
Day 1 (Friday): Comfortable drive via Sapa to Topas Ecolodge (-,-,-) 

From 6:30 - 7:00 AM, you will commence from your hotel with TopasMountain Express for a 5 hours transfer to the mountain town of Sapa.You then continue the ride to the remote hilltop located Topas Ecolodge.After checking in your bungalow, you will enjoy the beautiful andpeaceful view of the surrounding mountains and valleys from your privatebalcony.  

Day 2 (Saturday): Explore the most remote land of Sapa (B,L,-) 

The Red Dao village of Nam Cang is 20km from Topas Ecolodge. At 8:45 AM,you have a drive to the village, enjoying the picturesque views ofpeaky mountains, endless rice terraces, waterfalls and Hill tribes’villages on the way. Nam Cang village locates at the far end of theroad. The Red Dao women wear some of the most colorful and diversecostumes of all Vietnam’s ethnic groups. Herbal bath, local medicine andembroidery are some of the things that the Red Dao are very skilled at.Accompanied by your guide, you will explore around the village andlearn how the local villagers make writing paper, jewelry andembroidery. 
You then have your lunch at the Nam Cang Riverside Lodge, enjoying thepeaceful life on the banks of river. In the afternoon you can choose torelax at lodge, make more visits to the village, take a swim in theriver or join a trek to explore the beautiful surrounding nature. The 3hour moderate trek starts with an ascent to a small Blue H’mong village,but from here it is mostly straight and downhill with a beautiful viewto the high mountains, waterfalls and the deep valley.  In the midafternoon you will have a transfer back to Topas Ecolodge/ Sapa town.   

Day 3 (Sunday): Visit Bac Ha minority market. Take Topas Mountain Express to Hanoi (B,L,-) 

At 6:30, you will commence the market tour from Topas Ecolodge by atransfer to Bac Ha, which is 70 kms Northeast of Lao Cai. Bac Ha is thelargest market in the area, situated inside the small town of Bac Ha. Onevery Sunday mornings, it is literally a riot of color as manydifferent ethnic groups such as the Flower H’mong, Phu La, Black Dao,Tay and Nung minorities gather to trade. 
After spending the whole morning exploring the market, you will have atransfer to a nearby minority village, where you will enjoy lunch in alocal house which is well prepared by your friendly hosts.

After lunch, you drive downhill for about half an hour to visit Trung Dovillage. The beautiful village, located by the Chay river, is inhabitedby Tay minortiy. Hereafter you will get on a motor-boat and have acruise to Bao Nhai, experiencing the picturesque scenes on the riverbanks, if the Chay river’s water level is high enough, or continue tovisit another of many interesting minority villages. Your vehicle thenpicks you up for the journey to Lao Cai, where you continue the drivewith Topas Mountain Express back to Hanoi.  

Please note: Topas Mountain Express can only pick up and return passengers at hotels/ residence in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.   

TOUR PRICE: USD 340/PERSON

Based on double occupancy. (There will be a single supplement of USD120/person if you are travelling alone)

This package includes: 
- English speaking guide during shared excursions* 
2 nights at Topas Ecolodge (twin shared Deluxe bungalow) • Indicated meals (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)** 
- Transfer by Topas Mountain Express bus Hanoi – Sapa – Topas Ecolodge – Sapa – Hanoi
- Mineral water and snack during excursions 
- All entrance fees to the indicated places  

The excursions are based on sharing group of maximum 10 travelers 
Other meals at Topas Ecolodge are recommended to be booked in advance.  
If you would like to stay in our Executive bungalows, at surcharge of USD20/night, please request this when booking