My last backpack trip in year 2011 (a◕‿◕a)
Done some research and friends recommendation, finally decided to go Sapa, Vietnam! Authentic and beautiful place that never forget. High mountains, rice padi and cooling weather! Great to go during November to February, as the weather is very cooling! Occasionally snowfall in winter. Phew! Fortunately during my trip, there wasn't any snow. Otherwise, trip will be affected.
Day 1 - Overnight train Journey
Took an overnight train from Hanoi station to Lao Cai city. Estimate 9 - 10 hours ride and arrived at Lao Cai city around 7am in the morning. Lao Cai is the last station.
You can book your train ticket at Train ticket booking
Day 2
Met our tour guide, Ah Bang. He bought us to a nearby restaurant to freshen up and had breakfast. After breakfast, we took a mini bus heading to Sapa. Around 1 hour bus ride. Finally we arrived Sapa town and alighted at one of the hotel. Repacked our backpack and getting ready our trekking trip. We passed thru the village and saw greenly bamboo forest!
During our trekking, we passed by an spectacular scenery of the highest part of Hoang Lien Son mountain range. As November to February is non harvest period, all of the crops were abandon.
While trekking, we came cross the kids heading to back home. The kids were lovely and sweet.
Not only the lovely kids, we saw some wild boars ....
After few hours, it was lunch time! We arrived at a small hut that managed by ethnic Y Linh Ho villagers. Our tour guide cooked fried rice and prepared some fruits! Simple but nice too...burp burp! After our lunch, we carried on our trek for few hours and finally we arrived Ta Van Village. Tonight we would stay in Ta Van Village for an unique life experience. The family prepared super nice dinner for us. Most of the food were from their own farm! Vegetables, chicken, pork and shāojiǔ! Omg ...super awesome. After dinner, we loitering around the village.
Day 3
As we were exhausted from the previous day, we forgo the bamboo forest trekking and opt for simple route! The tour guide bought us to the Cat Cat village. Getting through Cat Cat village of the H’mong, we visited some local homes, witnessing their daily life activities and experiencing their hospitality.
We continued walking down to the valley bottom, having a break at a stunning waterfall. After resting, we heading back to Sapa Town. Freshen up and having dinner at a fine restaurant serving local cuisine.
Day 4
Today we are heading to the Bac Ha market (Sunday market). Bac Ha hosts the biggest fair near the mountainous highlands and the Chinese border.The market was very crowded, local products for sale or barter are carried on horseback.
After wandering around market, we heading to Lao Cai station for taking the night train back to Hanoi.
If you interested to go Sapa trekking, you can email to Ah Bang. As his quote reasonable price.
Ah Bang's email address: bangsapa@hotmail.com
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