Duration: 04 Days
Topas Ecolodge is located 18 km from Sapa, deep in the Hoang Lien Mountains. The 25 bungalows overlook the entire valley with the ethnic minority villages of Ban Ho and Thanh Phu, 400 altitude meters below you. This package has been designed to give you the best Mountain Bike trip as well as the opportunity to enjoy the best possibility in the North of Vietnam - to explore the deep valleys, breathtaking mountain views and ethnic communities of this unspoiled corner of Vietnam.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Hanoi - Lao Cai
In the evening: Car pick you up at the hotel transfer to Hanoi Railway station. You will take the night train from Hanoi Station to Lao Cai.
Day 2: Full day cycling - Topas Ecolodge (B, L, D)
The train arrives at Lao Cai Station early in the morning. Here you will take Topas shuttle bus to Sapa, where you enjoy your breakfast at a local restaurant.
At 9h00 you will be transferred uphill to Heavens Gate (Tram Ton Pass), the highest pass of Vietnam. Here is the breathtaking view over the Muong Hoa valley, where you will have opportunity to pass by during the days cycling trip. You will get on your bike and start descending into the Sapa valley, observing the fantastic scenery of mountains and rice paddy fields along the way. After leaving Sapa town behind for a while, you make a turn and follow a dirt road to the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai.
From Lao Chai the road will take you to a village inhabited by the Giay tribe. You stop in a local house where you will enjoy lunch and have time to explore the village. After lunch you continue your ride along the valley. You arrive at Topas Ecolodge in the mid afternoon. You check in to your bungalow and enjoy the view over the valley and dotted mountain surroundings.
Approx: Total distance: 35 km
Up / straight / down: 1 km/ 8 km/ 26 km
After breakfast, you will start the cycling trip by following the main road for three km. to Lech village of the Red Dao minority, observing the magnificent valley view on the way. Here you will leave your bikes and take a short walk on dirt road to visit a traditional Red Dao family, where you experience the culture of the minority villagers who are living the same life as their Ancestors hundreds of years ago. Back at the parking place, you will take a further ride to the new Lech village, where you will take a longer break to learn how the women embroidery, which the Red Dao people are very famous for. From the village, you head back to the lodge for checking out. You will have lunch at the lodge.
The afternoon is at your leisure. At 16h30 you will take the Topas Ecolodge shuttle bus to Sapa.
At 17h30, you will take the shuttle bus to Lao Cai for the night train back to Hanoi.
Day 4: Arrival in Hanoi
The train will arrive in Hanoi Station around 4h30 am. End of trip.
Inclusive:
English/French speaking guide during excursions.
1 night at Topas Ecolodge in a twin bungalow, shared accommodation.
Return train ticket Hanoi - Lao Cai - Hanoi (soft sleeper in a 4-berth A/C cabin).
All indicated transportation.
All indicated meals (B as breakfast; L as lunch; D as dinner).
Cycle.
All entrance fees to the indicated places.
Exclusive:
Insurance.
Pre and post trip accommodation.
Private expenses.
Drinks and beverage.
All other services not mentioned as inclusive
