As the capital of Vietnam for almost a thousand years, Hanoi is considered to be the cultural center of Vietnam, where every dynasty has left behind their imprint. Even though some relics have not survived through wars and time, the city still has many interesting cultural and historic monuments for visitors and residents alike.

 North-west Vietnam offers travellers some of the country's most spectacular scenery. The mountainous areas are home to many distict hill tribes, some still living as they have for generations, despite ever-increasing Vietnamese and Western influences.

Highway 6 has recently renovated and bitumened from Hanoi to Dien Bien Phu. Even more exciting is Highway 32 between Dien Bien Phu and Lai Chau - a dangerous cliffhanger frequently wiped out by landslides. The ensuring stretch from Lai Chau into Sapa is bumpy in places but offers some of the best mountain vistas in South-East Asia.

Depart from: Hanoi, 6 days and 5 nights

During this cultural expedition, you will enjoy the best of Northern Viet Nam in the areas of Mai Chau, Lai Chau and Sa Pa. The mountainous North West provides the perfect terrain for trekking routes. The Thai minority, a warm and friendly ethnic group, will welcome you into their homes and share their stilt house lifestyle. The roads wind precariously across the mountain ranges, capturing the intensely varied lifestyles of Vietnamese people. The final two days of your journey will be spent trekking to stay in minority villages around Sa Pa.

Day 1 (L,D): Ha Noi - Mai Chau - Son La (320kms / 8 hours)

 8h00 Pick up at the hotel. Travel through the verdant Red River Delta and witness the day to daylylife of the peasant farmers. Stop in Mai Chau for a short walk then drive onto Son La - the capital of Son La province. Overnight in hotel.

 Day 2 (B,L,D): Son La - Tuan Giao - Muong Lay (220kms / 7 hours) 

Son La has an old French prison and museum, perfect for a small walk to visit in the morning before your departure. From here you'll carry on to Tuan Giao, then onto Muong Lay (formerly Lai Chau) for the night. You'll enjoy the picturesque scenery as you pass the villages of Black Thai, White Thai, Meo and Muong peoples.

Day 3 (B,L,D): Muong Lay - Sin Ho - Lai Chau (200kms/7 hours) 

From Muong Lay, the drive to Sin Ho is stunning with tiered tea plantations and verdant rice terraces carved into the landscape. Continue to Lai Chau (formerly Tam Duong) for the night. If you happen to be in Lai Chau on a Sunday morning, the town is bustling with activity as the local hill tribes gather for their weekly market day here. Overnight in a hotel or guesthouse.

Day 4 (B,L,D): Lai Chau - Sa Pa (80kms / 3 hours)

From Lai Chau to Sa Pa you pass through Tam Duong (formerly Binh Lu), up over the 1900 meter Tram Ton pass, considered the most beautiful stretch of road in Vietnam. Sa Pa is nestled at over 1600 meters in the Hoang Lien Son Mountains and the valley truly is breathtaking. Enjoy lunch and relax before a 3 hour short trek down this stunning valley, which is sculpted with steep rice terraces, to Ta Van village for a homestay. Vietnam TripAdvisor's guide will cook you a savoury dinner of traditional Vietnamese food that you'll be raving about, as you enjoy the hospitality of your Dzay hosts.

Day 5 (B-L-D): Sapa

 A good day trekking along rice terraces, through lush bamboo forest and local villages including that of the colourful Dzao hill tribe, and down to a rolling stream for a picnic lunch. After lunch, continue trekking along the rice terraces, trails and dirt roads into Ban Ho for an insightful night with your Tay hosts, where you'll sleep in the cozy loft complete with comfy mattress and a mosquito net.

Day 6 (B):  Sapa - Lao Cai - Hanoi

Short trek to the dirt road for the jeep ride back to Sa Pa. Enjoy a afternoon to explore Sa Pa town, great shopping in the market for local produce and you can buy handicrafts from many of the local hill tribes selling their wares there. Bus departs Sa Pa at 4:30pm, arrive Lao Cai 6:00pm Night train back to Ha Noi (soft sleeper aircon). Trip ends 5:00am at Ha Noi station.

Size of Group	1 pax	2 - 3 pax	4 - 6 pax	Over 7
Cost/pax (USD)	$725	$440	$335	$286

Inclusions:

• Russian Army Jeep and driver
• Trekking tour in Sa Pa: 2 nights' homestay,
• Meals as mentioned
• Jeep transfer from Su Pan to Sa Pa.
• Et Pumpkin / Friendly Cafe soft sleeper train Lao Cai- Ha Noi
• English/French speaking tour guide
• Hotels 03 star based on double/twin standard room
• All entrance fees and permits

Exclusions:
- Personal expenses, drinks