Day 1: Hanoi to Nghia Lo
Today, we depart Hanoi and drive through verdant farmland along Hwy 32 then away from the Red River Delta and into the mountains of Yen Bai province and on to Nghia Lo. This area is home to Thai, Nung, H'mong, La Ha and Ma ethnic minority peoples. We spend the night in a local guesthouse.

Day 2: Nghia Lo to Than Uyen
We explore the local market in Nghia Lo Town, shopping for local handicrafts. Later we drive along an exciting stretch of road, climbing over the mountain pass to Mu Cang Chai and we will meet H'mong, La Ha and Dzao along the way. At the bottom of the valley we arrive in the town of Than Uyen. We spend the night in a local guesthouse.

Day 3: Than Uyen to Sapa
Leaving Than Uyen, we follow the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. Tea plantations and rice terraces hug the Nam Ma river that winds along this valley, dotted with Tay, Dzao and H'mong villages. We drive over the highest mountain pass in Vietnam at 1900m. We enjoy a short trek down this stunning valley sculpted with steep rice terraces, to Ta Van village for a homestay with our Dzay guests.

Day 4: Trek around Sapa
Today, we trek through lush bamboo forest and local villages, enjoy a picnic lunch. After lunch, we continue to trek to Ban Ho for an insightful night with our Tay hosts, where we sleep in the cozy loft, complete with comfy mattress and a mosquito net.

Day 5: Back to Hanoi
This morning, we have a short trek to the dirt road for the jeep ride back to Sapa, where we check into the hotel. The afternoon is free to explore Sapa town and the great shopping in the market. Later we transfer to Lao Cai to board the night train to Hanoi where the tour ends.