Tour from AUD: Prices available upon request
Join us on this incredible ten-day adventure through Northern Vietnam.
Spend five-days trekking in lush rainforests, through villages in the mountains and enjoying homestays with the local community. Travel to the depths of the valley, following winding streams and hike up steep rises to admire magnificent views from the mountain tops. Learn about the locals who live traditional lives in these forests and have the rare experience of sharing time with them in their villages. Bask in the tranquillity of being fully immersed in nature while challenging yourself to trek each day.
Explore the fascinating city of Hanoi; winding through the bustling streets lined with markets. Wander around historic temples filled with stories of times gone by. Ask questions of your local guides and get to know the true history, culture and wonders of Vietnam with them. Be inspired by the museums of the city, especially the Vietnam Women’s Museum - sharing the lives and roles of the women of this country. You’ll also sample plenty of local delicacies and eat typical dishes such as pho during an authentic street food tour on your last day in Vietnam.
We know travel is better when you can give back as much as you get. That’s why we have designed our trips around contributing, supporting and participating in local projects and community initiatives that have a positive social and environmental impact.
Each of our tours provide a unique way to get up close and personal with the destination and incorporates a fundraising target or donation into the travel costs, which enables travellers to connect, give back and travel with purpose.
If you are a charity, corporate or a private group interested in trekking Sapa Valley please get in touch.
Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival at Hanoi (Noi Bai) International Airport you will be met by our friendly local guides and transferred to your hotel.
Accommodation: The Q hotel
Meals: D
We spend our first day in Vietnam learning about the culture and history of this historically rich country. We will depart the hotel at 8.30am for our first stop, the Temple of Literature. In 1076 Quoc Tu Giam – Vietnam’s first university, also referred to as Van Mieu, was established within a temple to educate Vietnam’s royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. The university has operated for an incredible 700 years and its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past.
We then head to the One Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049. This structure is one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples. Close by is the mausoleum of the historic figure and father of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh. We can also see here the former president's house on stilts where he lived from 1958 to 1969.
Our tour then takes us to West Lake and the sixth century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda. Spend time admiring this picturesque and tranquil area before we enjoy lunch at one of the city’s finest restaurants.
In the afternoon we visit the highly acclaimed Vietnam Women’s Museum. Located near Hoan Kiem Lake, the museum offers wonderful insight into the lives of Vietnamese women and the important roles they play in Vietnamese society.
We’ll then step back in time to Hanoi’s Old Quarter, also known as the ’36 streets’. Wander through charming Hang Be market and stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys are home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers.
Our day ends with a water puppet show. This unique Northern Vietnam art form depicts scenes from rural life and episodes of national history. Enjoy a delicious dinner with your team, share stories of your first adventurous day before transferring to Hanoi Railway Station for the overnight train to Lao Cai.
Accommodation: Overnight on the sleeper train to Lao Cai
Meals: B,L,D
After a refreshing break, we’ll drive to visit a local market in Coc Ly. The market offers a variety of local products, including unique meats, which can’t be found in other areas of Vietnam. The market is also a very important place for the local villagers to meet and socialise with each other once a week, dressed in their brightest clothing.
After the market we’ll take a short walk to a hill-tribe village. Here you’ll have the opportunity to visit some local homes and learn more about the daily life of these tribes as well as their heritage, culture and traditions.
In the afternoon it’s time to transfer to Sapa town where we’ll rest before beginning our incredible trek in Sapa Valley the following day.
Accommodation: Lotus Aroma Sapa hotel
Meals: B,L,D
This morning we will trek uphill along Hoang Lien mountain range and witness the many views over incredible rice paddy terraces in Muong Hoa Valley. After descending into the bottom of the valley we will get to enjoy a well-earned lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you’ll pass through Lao Chai village of the Black Hmong minority and visit some local houses and workshops of batik weaving. Make sure to spend a little time shopping here and picking out some unique gifts for family and friends back home.
We then travel on to Tavan village of Giay minority on a popular trekking route and spend the night in a traditional house of this local community. Make sure to save some energy for a little afternoon walk from our homestay to enjoy the valley view and take a swim in the river nearby.
Accommodation: Homestay of Giay minority in Tavan
Meals: B,L,D
Trekking distance: 5 – 6 hours, approx. 16 km
Altitude: 1018m (Y Linh Ho) – 1250m (Lao Chai) – 1089m (Ta Van)
We then trek on to visit the village of the Red Dao. After an uphill climb, we reach the village of Su Pan and enjoy another delicious lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we continue to walk along the valley and through rows of green terraced fields down to Ban Ho.
We’ll spend tonight in a traditional homestay of the Tay people in Ban Ho village. Make sure to spend some time with the locals to learn about their unique culture. There are many ethnic minorities in this region, each with different histories and traditions to share.
Accommodation: Homestay of Tay people in Ban Ho village
Meals: B,L,D
Trekking distance: 5 – 6 hours, approx. 16 km
Altitude: 1089m (Ta Van) – 900m (Giang Ta Chai) – 1100m (Su Pan) – 400m (Ban Ho)
After admiring the views over another magnificent valley, we’ll go down to Nam Sai village where we will rest our adventurous feet for the night.
Enjoy a delicious lunch with your team before spending the afternoon exploring the beauty and life of the Xa Pho people.
Accommodation: Homestay of Tay people in Ban Sai village
Meals: B,L,D
Trekking distance: 4 – 6 hours, hours approx. 12 km
Altitude: 400m (Ban Ho) – 600m (Nam Tong) – 500m (My Son) – 400m (Nam Sai)
Today we’ll travel along the road while being rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views. We will then tackle the steep slopes of this hilly region to see some of the most beautiful terraces of Sapa. Continue trekking on up to the top of the mountain, the residence of the Red Dao, and stop here to enjoy lunch and a well-earned rest.
The next part of our journey will take us through the bamboo forest, following a winding trail up and down the slope that leads us into Sin Chai, where we will spend the night.
Rest those weary feet and enjoy the time with your travel companions, sharing stories over a delicious meal before your final day of trekking. Join the locals over dinner and enjoy soaking in the rich and diverse culture of Sapa Valley.
Accommodation: Homestay of Red Dao people in Sin Chai village
Meals: B,L,D
Trekking distance: 5 – 6 hours, approx 16 km
Altitude: Altitude: 400m (Ban Sai) – 650m (Nam Nhiu) – 800m (Sin Chai)
Wake up for an early breakfast and repack your luggage for the final day on the track. Once you leave Sin Chai, the trip takes you into a naturally abundant mountainous area, the most remote part of Sapa. You’ll get to interact with the Red Dao ethnic minority, the only community to inhabit the entire area. Enjoy the change of scenery as we indulge in the freshness of the bamboo forest and jungle before stopping at Nam Ket for lunch.
After lunch, your trek will be mostly downhill. In our final hours of the trek, we’ll have the opportunity to enjoy spectacular views over a beautiful green valley with the Red River flowing through it.
And finally, we arrive at Thang village of the Tay minority. This is our final stop. Congratulations, you’ve completed your 5-day trek in Vietnam. Take some time to reflect on how far you’ve come and soak up the last moments of this incredible rainforest setting.
We transfer from here back to Sapa by van. You’ll have the opportunity to check-in to the hotel for a quick, yet luxurious shower and enjoy a short rest before returning to Lao Cai Railway Station for the overnight train back to Hanoi. We’re sure you’ll have no trouble sleeping tonight after your amazing adventure in the Sapa Valley.
Accommodation: Overnight on train
Meals: B,L,D
Trekking distance: 5 – 7 hours, approx 16 km
Altitude: 733m (Sin Chai) – 115m – 733m – 195m (Ben Den)
Bus transfer to train station: 1.5 hours – 40 km
Welcome back to Hanoi! We arrive early in the morning at Hanoi Railway Station and transfer to our hotel for a quick shower and refresh before another day exploring this fine city.
Get your taste buds ready as we are treated today to a Vietnamese street food tour. Join with a local foodie to sample the best food that Hanoi has to offer. We must of course start with a bowl of pho, Vietnam’s national dish and most famous export. Slurp a bowl of this delicious noodle soup at a popular local shop, getting a real taste of Hanoi’s culinary culture.
We travel next to a ‘wet market’ and browse the aisles of fresh produce and exotic delicacies such as live frogs. This market is always alive and busy with shoppers buying ingredients for their daily meals. Step out of the market and back onto the streets in search of more tasty treats. Wander through laneways where vendors set up shop by the roadside. Grab a small stool and sample typical Hanoi dishes like banh xeo, a crispy pancake, and bun cha, fresh rice noodles with grilled pork.
We then get the chance to walk off some of the rich and delicious food we’ve enjoyed with a stroll through the bustling Old Quarter. Find a street side café and sip a cup of traditional Vietnamese coffee while indulging in a bit of people watching.
With a full belly and a better understanding of Vietnamese gastronomy, we return to the hotel for an afternoon at leisure.
In the evening, we’ll meet as a team for our farewell dinner. Share your memories and magical moments with new friends while enjoying exquisite food at another fabulous Hanoi Restaurant.
Accommodation: The Q hotel
Meals: B,L,D
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy the morning at leisure soaking up the last of the Vietnamese culture and picking up a few more souvenirs from the many market stalls and shops in Hanoi.
Before long, it’s time to say farewell to our incredible local guides and fly back home or continue your travels.
Meals: B
* Travellers are responsible for valid visas throughout the duration of the trip
Bonney Moloney, Oxfam's Trek to Tackle Poverty 2019
Thanks Soulful Concepts for a great adventure, I enjoyed seeing where the money we raised went and visiting the local people and seeing how they lived in the country villages. They took the stress out of organising transport, meals and accommodation. The caring nature of the tour group meant we all got along, supported each other and we had plenty of laughs. I would totally recommend these tours to others.
Claudia Mah, Oxfam's Trek to Tackle Poverty, 2019
For me, the trip ticked so many boxes – the soul, my humility and of course the challenge of the trek itself. The trip was left raw for a true experience, whilst accompanied by warm and friendly troop especially the guides.
Barry Parsons, Oxfam's Trek to Tackle Poverty 2019
It was a great experience and honour to raise funds for these worthy Oxfam projects and experience their effect in the commune, then trek in the nearby Sapa valley. I can’t recommend it highly enough!