Vietnam · Hiking

Private 3-day Sapa Hiking Tour at Topas Ecolodge

3 Days Round trip from Hanoi Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Stay 2 nights at Topas Ecolodge in Hoang Lien National Park
  • 02 Hike through rice terraces, valleys, waterfalls, and mountain trails
  • 03 Visit Red Dao villages and learn about local daily life and traditions
  • 04 Travel between Hanoi and Sapa by Topas Mountain Express limousine
  • 05 Enjoy guided trekking in remote areas near Sin Chai, Nam Nhiu, and Nam Cang
  • 06 Cross a suspension bridge and take in panoramic mountain views
  • 07 See traditional embroidery and village crafts in Red Dao communities
  • 08 Free time at the lodge with optional biking, Sapa visit, or Fansipan cable car

Discover the mountain landscapes and ethnic cultures of northern Vietnam on this private 3-day hiking journey based at Topas Ecolodge in Hoang Lien National Park. Travel from Hanoi by limousine transfer, stay in a Premium Executive bungalow, and explore quiet trails, rice terraces, valleys, waterfalls, and remote Red Dao villages with an English-speaking guide.

Along the way, meet local hosts, learn about daily life and traditional crafts, and enjoy sweeping views of the Sapa mountains. With time to relax at the lodge as well as opportunities for deeper exploration, this experience combines active trekking, cultural encounters, and a scenic ecolodge stay.

Discover the mountain landscapes and ethnic cultures of northern Vietnam on this private 3-day hiking journey based at Topas Ecolodge in Hoang Lien National Park.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Hanoi, Sa Pa
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Direct limousine drive to Topas Ecolodge and hike to neighboring Red Dao village

From 6:30 - 7:00 AM, you will commence from your Hanoi hotel with Topas Mountain Express for 5 hours transfer to Topas Ecolodge. After checking in your bungalow, you will enjoy the beautiful and peaceful view of the surrounding mountains and valleys from your private balcony. The walk in the afternoon starts from Topas Ecolodge on a quiet road with a great view of the rice terrace below. You then take a slightly ascent to Lech village. You will now visit a wooden local house, meet the friendly Red Dao hosts, and experience their daily way of life. The Red Dao women, like their ancestors, have hair and eyes brows shaved and wear very colorful customs. They are famous for beautiful handmade embroidery. On the way back to Topas Ecolodge, you will walk on small trails passing rice terraces and cross a suspension bridge, where you can take some great pictures of the natural landscape. Your guide will explain the interesting cultivating culture of the local farmers.

Enjoy a great breakfast and prepare for today´s walk. At 8:30 AM, you will commence the excursion with a transfer deeper into Hoang Lien National Park to the trek starting point near Sin Chai village. You are now “off the beaten track” enjoying beautiful views of high mountains, waterfalls and deep valleys. The trails will soon lead you to the Red Dao village of Nam Nhiu, here you will meet the villagers, visit their houses, and learn about their daily way of life. Leaving the village behind, you will turn into a small dirt trail and soon be inspired by the marvelous view of the rice valley dotted with bamboo huts, which are used by local farmers as overnight lodges on harvesting days. Passing the rice terraces and a river you will walk on a quiet road for a while before arriving at Nam Cang village. Your lunch is served at Topas Riverside Lodge, with jungle behind the lodge and river in front.

2
Day 02

Explore the most remote area of Sapa (B,L,-)

Enjoy a great breakfast and prepare for today´s walk. At 8:30 AM, you will commence the excursion with a transfer deeper into Hoang Lien National Park to the trek starting point near Sin Chai village. You are now “off the beaten track” enjoying beautiful views of high mountains, waterfalls and deep valleys. The trails will soon lead you to the Red Dao village of Nam Nhiu, here you will meet the villagers, visit their houses, and learn about their daily way of life. Leaving the village behind, you will turn into a small dirt trail and soon be inspired by the marvelous view of the rice valley dotted with bamboo huts, which are used by local farmers as overnight lodges on harvesting days. Passing the rice terraces and a river you will walk on a quiet road for a while before arriving at Nam Cang village. Your lunch is served at Topas Riverside Lodge, with jungle behind the lodge and river in front.

Nam Cang village is located in the most remote area of Sapa. The Red Dao women wear some of the most colorful and diverse costumes of all Vietnam’s ethnic groups. Herbal bath, local medicine, and embroidery are some of the things that the Red Dao are very skilled at. Accompanied by your guide, you will explore the village and learn how the local villagers to make writing paper, jewelry and embroidery. You may also want to take a swim in the river later. At 14:15, you will have a transfer back to Topas Ecolodge. Here you may want to book a traditional Red Dao herbal bath at the lodge’s spa.

3
Day 03

Leaving the mountain and back to Hanoi (B,-,-)

The morning is at your leisure at Topas Ecolodge. You can either relax or borrow free of charge high-quality mountain bikes from the lodge for an exploration to the surrounding areas. You can also take a scheduled shuttle bus to Sapa to visit the town or book a half-day tour to explore the highest peak of Indochina, Mt. Fansipan (3.143m) by the cable car. Topas Mountain Express departs from Sapa at 13:15; from Topas Ecolodge at 14:30 and returns you to your hotel in Hanoi. Please note: - Topas Mountain Express can only pick up and return passengers at hotels/residences in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and Tay Ho Distric

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Hanoi 2 cities · 3 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Lunch
  • Breakfast
  • English-speaking guide during excursions
  • 2 nights at Topas Ecolodge (twin shared Premium Executive bungalow)
  • 2 breakfasts + 1 lunch (B = breakfast, L = lunch)
  • Mineral water and snack during walking trips
  • Transfer by Topas Mountain Express Hanoi – Topas Ecolodge – Hanoi (SIC)
  • All other indicated transportation
  • All entrance fees to the indicated places

What's Not Included

  • Beverages, Personal Expenses and Tips
  • Fansipan Cable Car Ticket

Know before you go

  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not stroller accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • No public transportation nearby
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • Infant seats unavailable
  • Please be ready at your hotel lobby, our driver and limousine bus will pick you up from 06.30 AM to 06.45 AM if you stay in Hanoi Old Quarter area. If your hotel is outside of Old Quarter, please come to meeting point Hanoi Opera House and be ready at 6.30 am there.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Hanoi, VN
Tour start
Hanoi, VN
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 3 days finish where they began, in Hanoi.

Watch the tourHQ film Watch the film

Create your own adventure

Can't find the perfect tour? Tailor your dream trip.

  • Tell us your destination, dates and group size.
  • Our travel experts and local guides design a tailored itinerary, just for you.
  • Enjoy your trip with peace of mind, knowing everything is taken care of.
Plan my holiday

Say goodbye to travel stress.