3 days Lao cai - Lung Khau Nhin market - Cao Son - Chay river - Sapa

Lao cai - Lung Khau Nhin Market - Cao Son Lodge (Must be on Thursday)

The first destination is Lung Khau Nhin market. This small market is surrounded by a lush pine tree forest.

Coming here, you will not only see different ethnic minority people in their colourful traditional dress, such as Flower Hmong, Tu Di, Tay and Giay minorities, but also see a wide range of homemade products such as vegetables, fruits and even domestic animals sold by the locals. In addition, you can interact with the local and enjoy their traditional dishes.

After exploring the market, you will be driven to Cao Son lodge to check in and enjoy lunch there.

In the afternoon, you start the program by walking to a peaceful village named Tin Thang. You will enter the village and explore the life of the locals there. You will see and learn about the traditional way of making bacon, enjoy the corn wine and corn cake offered by the locals.

Overnight at homestay in the village

Cao Son - Chay river - Trung Do - Sapa (Must be on Friday)

walking to Sicala village. This is one of the oldest villages in Cao Son area. Coming here, you will have chance to experience the unique tradition and customs of the locals there. In addition, you can enjoy the stunning view of lush valley located on the banks of the Chay River.

Then, you will have lunch prepared in Ta Thang school.

After lunch and a short rest, you will start the afternoon program by enjoying an amazing boat trip along the Chay River. You will not only enjoy the cool fresh atmosphere, beautiful sceneries of the riverside villages but also observe the life of the locals in villages situated on the river banks.

Then, you take a bamboo raft to visit the Tien (Fairy) Cave.

The last destination of the second day tour is Trung Do village where Tay ethnic people are living. Tay villages are often situated on the foot of a mountain or along a stream and are named after a mountain, a field, or a river. There are about 15-20 households in each village. A large village is divided into small hamlets. Their houses are often built on stilts. When exploring the village, you can stop and enter a traditional Tay house to enjoy a cup of tea.

Leaving the village, you will be transferred to Sapa. The second day tour ends.

Overnight at Bamboo hotel (3-star) or similar

Sapa - Ta Phin - Mong sen - Lao Cai (Must be on Saturday)

The third-day itinerary will start by travelling to Taphin village where Red Dao and Black Hmong people are living. Here, you can observe the unmixed cultural life of Black Hmong and Red Dao minorities, 2 largest ethnic groups in the area. They live happily together while maintaining their own tradition from generation to generation. You will walk along the lanes to see and visit local houses. Your will be interested in the unique architectural styles and furniture arrangement in these houses as well as their handicraft products.

Leaving the village, you will climb downhill on a dirt trail through a mountainous area. On the way, you will have opportunity to enjoy stunning views over the spectacular rice terraces and corn fields. Don’t forget to keep your camera handy to capture these fantastic images. You will stop to have lunch at a nice spot.

After lunch and a short rest, you will continue the tour by trekking down the hill to reach Mong Sen where a car is waiting to drive you back to Lao Cai station. Here, you will catch a nice train back to Hanoi.