Sapa Eco Retreat (4 days)

This short trip has been designed to allow you to explore the Muong Hoa Valley by foot, as well as having the opportunity to experience the highlights of northern Vietnam including the ethnic communities with their unique cultures, the deep valleys covered by terraced rice fields and the breathtaking mountain scenery. We overnight at the Topas Ecolodge, located 18km from Sapa, with just 25 bungalows overlooking the entire valley with the ethnic minority villages of Ban Ho and Thanh Phu below and enjoy day walks through the surrounding area

Name	Sapa Eco Retreat
Duration	4 days / 3 nights
Price from	220 USD / pax (based on 2 pax)
Itinerary in short	Day 1 : Hanoi / Lao Cai Day 2 : Lao Cai / Sapa / Muong Hoa trekking Day 3 : Topas Ecolodge / Sapa / Lao Cai / Hanoi Day 4 : Hanoi

TRAVEL NOTES
This package is not for everyone’s taste
Topas Ecolodge is situated 18 km outside Sapa town and the bus ride is approximately 45 min. We call it an “adventurous bus ride” mainly because the road conditions are not too good, but also because you’ll meet many of the ethnic minorities of this area and probably a few buffalos. We call ourselves a ‘lodge’ because we are not an ordinary hotel. Our bungalows have no TV or other entertainment and we have no swimming pool or spa facilities. We often experience break down of the power supply and during the rice planting season we struggle with the lack of water. However, we have a very unusual location with a spectacular view and lots of unique trekking and mountain biking trails in our backyard. We invite people out here to experience Vietnam in a different way and to escape the busy city life for a true and quiet mountain getaway

When to travel
The best period to do the trek in Sa Pa is from late September to November. The weather at this time is nice and relatively cool with little or no rain. The next best period is between February and April, this is spring season in Sapa, when the unpaved roads are not yet turned into a mud bath. Whenever you choose to travel in Sa Pa, you're bound to have a great time.

DAY 1 : HANOI / LAO CAI (-/-/-)
Depart from Hanoi’s train station for your evening train to Lao Cai, the transit town for Sapa -famous for its stunning scenery and rich cultural diversity. Overnight on train

DAY 2 : LAI CAI / SAPA / MUONG HOA TREKKING (B/L/-)
The train arrives at Lao Cai Station approx at 05h30. From here you will take Topas Shuttle bus to Sapa, where you enjoy your locally produced and homemade breakfast at a one of the nicest places in Sapa. At 9h00 you will commence the excursion today with a walk through the town of Sapa and along a dirt trail through vegetable gardens and rice paddy terraces. The spectacular scenery of Muong Hoa valley gradually appears within your eyesight. You will then reach the river running at the bottom of the valley and continue the walk on the bank of the river. You eventually arrive in Y Linh Ho village of Black H’mong minority, where you will take a rest and have lunch at a nice spot. After lunch, the walk from Y Linh Ho village to Lao Chai village of Black H’mong minority is almost on the hillsides. The view of the valley is more and more extending and stretching to the horizon. You take a stop at Lao Chai village to visit a local house, before following the dirt path linking the village with Ta Van village, the only one in the valley inhabited by Giay minority. From Ta Van, you will have a transfer to Topas Ecolodge. You check in to your bungalow and enjoy the view into the valley and dotted mountain surroundings.Overnight at Topas Ecolodge

DAY 3 : SAPA / LAO CAI / HANOI (B/-/-)
The day is at your leisure at Topas Ecolodge. You can either relax or book a smaller hike/bike trip, or you can leave early and spent the day exploring Sapa town. At 17h30, you will take the shuttle bus from Sapa to Lao Cai for the night train back to Hanoi.

DAY 4 : HANOI (-/-/-)
Early morning arrival in Hanoi at approximately 4:30 am, trip concludes.

This is a sample itinerary so the cost really depends on the number of people in your group and time of travel. Please send us your enquiry for availabilities & the most up dated price.

INCLUSION
• Accommodation at Topas Ecolodge, based on twin sharing bungalow, in deluxe category
• All meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
• ½ liter bottle of mineral water/person/day
• Fresh napskins
• Return transfer by private shuttle Lao Cai train station//Sapa//Topas Ecolodge
• Return transfer by private shuttle Hanoi Hotel//Hanoi train station
• All transfers by private shuttle during your trekking days
• Return soft sleeper in 4-berth cabin on the train Hanoi //Lao Cai//Hanoi
• All sightseeing fees
• Local English-speaking tour guide
• 24/24h assistance from our company
• Service charges and government tax

EXCLUSION
• Travel insurance
• Visa arrangement for Vietnam
• Drink and beverage
• Personal expenses
• Camera fees (if any)
• Tips for guide & driver
• Early check-in & late check-out charge at hotel (normally check-in time is at 02:00 PM and check-out time is at 12:00 PM)
• Supplement single 60$
• Surcharge in peak season (Christmas, New Year, local public holidays)
• Other items than mentioned in the program
• Any additional expenses caused by reasons beyond our control such as natural calamities (typhoon, floods), flight delays, rescheduling or cancellations, any accidents, medical evacuations, riots, strikes etc.

ACCOMMODATION
Overlooking a plunging valley, Topas Ecolodge has 25 lovely stone-and-thatch bungalows, each with front balconies to make the most of the magnificent views. The whole project is sustainable and environmentally friendly, with sunlight providing the power. The hotel staff and guides (for treks and mountain biking) are minority people. It’s near Tan Kim village, about 18km from Sapa, and located at a much milder (and warmer) altitude.