You have the entire day today to visit Vietnam’s lovely capital. Hanoi is an eclectic blend that provides something for everyone, with its broad tree-lined boulevards, French colonial buildings, calm lakes, and ancient oriental pagodas. The Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and stilt home); the Presidential Palace; the neighboring One Pillar Pagoda; the Temple of Literature; West Lake; the calm Tran Quoc Pagoda & Quan Thanh Temple; and one of the city’s museums are all included in your city trip (a choice between the History Museum and the Ethnology Museum). In the evening, take in a traditional Water Puppet Performance – a one-of-a-kind Vietnamese art form originating in Southeast Asia’s wet-rice culture – before traveling to the train station to catch your night train to Laocai.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Soft Sleeper Cabin with AC.

The train arrives at Laocai early in the morning. After breakfast at a local eatery, take a picturesque journey up the mountain to Sapa, the primary vacation destination in Northwest Vietnam. Sapa was founded as a mountain hideaway for French officials wishing to escape the summer heat, at 1,600 meters above vast valleys and terraced rice farms. Sapa, home to several hill tribal peoples, has a distinct charm due to its different traditions and solitude. Check in at the hotel (if a room is available before 2 p.m.) and take a walking tour around the charming town to enjoy the pure mountain air.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa.

Fansipan Mountain, Vietnam’s highest peak, towers in alpine splendor above Sapa. After breakfast at the hotel, depart on your adventure, hiking over cascading rice terraces to several of the local hill tribal settlements. Before continuing your journey to the night’s campground, stop for a picnic lunch at an elevation of 1,300 meters (1,650 meters ASL). The tents will be pitched and a lovely meal will be prepared over the campfire by your guide and porters.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Tent.

Spend a whole day climbing up Fansipan Mountain. The climb can be physically demanding at times and necessitates some physical preparation. Stop for lunch on a hill 2,200 meters above sea level. Stretch your legs and take in the spectacular views of the Sapa Valley before making your way to the night’s campground at 2,900 meters above sea level.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Tent.

The adventure continues as you scale Fansipan Summit, reaching an elevation of 3,143 meters. Weave through bamboo trees as we ascend the mountain’s steep slope to the summit. The trek is difficult, but the panoramic views from the “top of Vietnam” make the effort worthwhile. At the peak, have lunch and relax while taking in the raw beauty of nature. Descend in the afternoon and spend the night in the campground from the day before.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Tent.

Have breakfast at the campground before beginning your descent back to Sapa. You take your time descending the steep slopes, taking in the vistas of the mist-woven mountains and distant settlements. Your adventure concludes in Sapa with a goodbye meal at one of the town’s best eateries, the ideal opportunity to thank the local staff.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa.

Take advantage of a free day to explore Sapa at your leisure. Explore the local market and orchid garden, hike to Dragon Mountain, or simply sit back and relax. In the late afternoon, depart Sapa for Laocai Station, where you will take a train back to Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Soft Sleeper Cabin with AC.

After breakfast, enjoy a free morning to explore Hanoi before transferring to Noi Bai Airport to take your departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: N/A.