Day 1 Son La
By vehicle from Hanoi to Son La. Journey towards the Lao border, west along Highway 6 past Hoa Binh and Moc Chau. Overnight in Son La.
Day 2 Dien Bien Phu
By vehicle from Son La to Dien Bien Phu. Excursion by boat to Pakhoang. Overnight in Dien Bien Phu.
Day 3 Sapa
Sightseeing in Dien Bien Phu. In one of the most remote areas of Vietnam, surrounded by steep forested mountains, Dien Bien Phu was where the Vietnamese decisively defeated the French in a single battle, thereby ending their colonial control of Indochina. Begin at the Dien Bien Phu Museum, which contains artifacts and exhibits relating to the battle before going to Hill A1, where the defenders fought a seemingly never ending onrush of French forces. When the Vietnamese finally planted a bomb on top of the hill, this ended the battle and the war. Today, there are realistic re-creations of the bunkers, and the bomb crater is still fenced off and visible. Continue outside town to the Bunker of De Castries, where the headquarters of this French commander have been re-created, with old French tanks and artillery pieces nearby. By vehicle from Dien Bien Phu to Sapa. Journey north through Lai Chau Province, with great mountain vistas and villages inhabitated by many distinct hill tribes. Overnight in Sapa.
Day 4 Sapa
Excursion to Ta Phin with soft trek (Red Dzao village)Visit the handicraft village of Ta Phin, inhabited by the Red Dzao people, known for their distinctive red headscarves and skill at handicrafts. Visit Ham Rong Mountain and San May (Cloud Yard). Overnight in Sapa.
Day 5 Local Village
Trekking around Sapa. Depart Sapa in the mid-morning and begin trekking on small paths. Descend deep into a valley and up again through forested hills until reaching the villages of Cat Cat, Y Linh Ho and Lao Chai. These villages are mainly Black Hmong, noted for their distinct culture, language and deep blue indigo clothing. After breaking for lunch, continue to the Dzay village of Tavan village of Giay minorities have adapted their traditions somewhat, many women still wear the traditional shirts of purple, blue or green. Dzay houses are generally wooden with clay floor. Enjoy the hospitality of a local Dzay family for dinner and accommodation. Total trekking distance for the day is 15 kilometers, over hilly terrain. Overnight in Local Village.
Day 6 Sapa
Trekking around Sapa, hike up the mountain to the Red Dzao village of Giang Ta Chai, passing a cascading waterfall on the way. The Red Dzao continue to wear their traditional, colorfully embroidered clothing and red headscarves. Many of the women have shaved eyebrows, according to a local legend. Continue along the rice fields, crossing the Muong Hoa river and trek to the village of Supan to meet the jeep and transfer back to Sapa. Total trekking distance for the day is 10 kilometers, over hilly terrain. Overnight in Sapa.
Day 7 Sapa
By vehicle from Sapa to Hanoi
