Posted in In the North |
For the first time travellers will be able to explain the key sites of Northern Vietnam by Luxury Train and river ship traversing the Red River delta and its main tributaries, connecting the wonders of Halong Bay with the excitements of down town Hanoi, and then on into the interior, well off the beaten track. Sailing deep into Highland Vietnam we will discover the mountain villages and a number of tribal areas. We will go as far as is navigable up the Song Red River and then down the little known Da or Black River. BOOK THIS PACKAGE: Person in charge: Mr. Tran Quoc Long Telephone: +84912217448 Email: Personal email at longquoctran@hotmail.com and his email at work info@travelsapa.com OUTLINE Day 1: Hanoi – Lao Cai station for Sapa Day 2: Lao Cai – Sapa (B/L) Day 3: Sapa – Lao Cai – Viet Tri (B/L/D) Day 4: The Upper Red River (B/L/D) Day 5: Da River (B/L/D) Day 6: Hoa Binh (B/L/D) Day 7: Mai Chau (B/L/D) Day 8: The Lower Red River (B/L/D) Day 9: Hanoi (B/L/D) Day 10: Further explorations of Hanoi (B/L/D) Day 11: The Duong River (B/L/D) Day 12: The Kinh Thay River (B/L/D) Day 13: Halong Bay- Hanoi (B) Meal note: B= breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner DEPARTURE SCHEDULE: 8 July 2018 8 August 2018 8 September 2018 8 October 2018 28 October 2018 17 November 2018 27 December 2018 16 January 2019 5 February 2019 25 February 2019 16 March 2019 DETAILED ITINERARY Day 1: Hanoi – Lao Cai for Sapa Our luxury adventure trip starts with an overnight train journey from Hanoi to the border town of Lao Cai. Our TravelSapa English assistance will pick up & bring you to the Hanoi Station at 120 Le Duan Str., Hanoi for getting on the Victoria Express departure at 21:55-08:00. Day 2: Lao Cai – Sapa The Victoria Express train arrives at the Lao Cai train station at approximately 6:00am. There will be a vehicle from Sapa Travel Company waiting to transfer us to Sapa. The drive to Sapa is only 33 km but it takes around 1.5 hours. Once at Sapa, we will check into Victoria Resort and Spa (Early check-in subject to availability) and have breakfast at the Ta Van Restaurant of Victoria Resort and Spa and then enjoy a free morning to explore around town. Meet your guide from Sapa Travel in the hotel lobby at 14:00 for a walking tour to the hilltribe villages of Cat Cat, home to the H’mong ethnic minority peoples. As you walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa, you will meet some of the local minority people on their way to and from Sapa. In the village you have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families that live in the area. Overnight at Victoria Sapa Resort and Spa. Day...
Read More »
Posted in Blog |
Vietnam’s longest Noi Bai-Lao Cai highway is finalizing the final stages before officially opening to the public on September 21st. The highway is expected to help shorten travel time from Hanoi to Lao Cai from the current 7 hours to only 3.5 hours. Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC) Vice Director General Nguyen Van Nhi said his corporation is urging contractors to finish their final punch lists and supporting work on the roadside. Some images on the highway before opening to public Hanoi- Sapa by bus in the new highway Advantages of travelling from Hanoi to Sapa by bus – Faster than the train (taking 3,5 hours to go by bus in comparison 9 hours by train) – No waiting in the early morning for Sapa hotel check in (if going by train, arrival is 6:00 and customers need wait until noon to check in) – Keep confortable as per on the train – Save your budget (US$ 19/person while having to pay US$ 40 for a train tickets) – Sightseeing on the way if going by bus as it is day time See our ticketing services at http://www.travelsapa.com/guide/express-bus/ Route: Ha Noi- Vinh Phuc- Phu Tho- Yen Bai- Lao Cai Type: Highway A Hanoi- Yen Bai with 4 lanes, maximum speed 100km/h Yen Bai- Lao Cai with 2 lanes, maximum speed 80km/h Distance: 245 km Hanoi – Lao Cai Highway start from the first intersection Thang Long – Noi Bai which belongs to Hanoi. The driver can choose ways by the entrance to the intersection of roundabouts in the road and then turn right after passing over charging station at North Thang Long – Noi Bai, then turn left over the Thuy Huong 2 overpass and enter the highway. Book hotels at our First Choice travel agency, address at 18 lane 32 Chua Ha street, Cau Giay district, Hanoi, Vietnam Lao Cai Hanoi highway 21 Sep 2014 about to open finalize the work Lao Cai Hanoi highway first drivers Lao Cai Hanoi HW Motor Bike on the new road some trucks in new highway Hanoi Lao Cai the Hanoi Lao Cai Highway work Lao Cai Hanoi...
Read More »
Posted in Trains |
2014 Chapa Express Train Carriage Hanoi Lao Cai by Sapa U Hotel and Sapa Petrol Tourist Company, Tel: +8420 3832299
Read More »
Posted in FAQs |
Question from Jasmine from Singapore: Can you name some new hotels in Sapa in 2014? Answer from Sapa Travel expert: Recently Sapa has some new hotels: U Sapa Resort, Sapa Eden Hotel, Sapa House Hotel, Muong Thanh Sapa Hotel
Read More »
Posted in Blog |
Ethos (on their site and forum) states themselves as an ethical travel group strives to offer tours while supporting local minority tribes. Their guides are committed to have “vast knowledge and skills to support you (the travelers). But what are behind the screen? Ethros have lots & lots of excellent reviews on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor reviews: can we trust them? On Telegraph, Charles Starmer Smith has pointed out that “Tripadvisor’s online reviews now shape the way we plan our holidays but, as Charles Starmer-Smith discovers, they are not always what they seem See the reviews for Ethos “Highlight of our Vietnam Trip”- from CaffreyFamily- Briagolong, Australia. CaffreyFamily has only one review on Tripadvisor so far. Is this the first time CaffreyFamily travelled and reviewed? Or is this a fake review on tripadvisor for Ethros? Another title from the review “Fantastic experience!” from the user Spencer_Knight on tripadvisor with only one review in the tripadvisor history. TripAdvisor is not the only site to have built a business around user-generated reviews – Holiday Watchdog and Holidays Uncovered are among its rivals – but it is by far the most influential. Holidaymakers are increasingly aware of the power they have at their fingertips. Privately, hoteliers admit that guests and corporate groups have tried to use the threat of a bad TripAdvisor review or the promise of a series of good reviews to secure discounted room rates or upgrades. Hotel and b & b owners also complain that it is difficult to have a review changed or removed even when they present proof that it is untrue. They claim that TripAdvisor adopts a “guilty until proven innocent” policy with hotel management. McCready said: “The process involved in posting a management response is arduous, and I have found it almost impossible to have a response posted without censorship.” I want to ask Phil Hoolihan if the Ethos is a real group of ethnic travel...
Read More »
Posted in Blog |
Unique trail runs of 10km, 21km, 42km or 70km in a spectacular mountain region of north Vietnam. Welcome to the mountains of Vietnam to thousands of yellow rice fields, water buffaloes and colorful ethnic minority groups. The small dirt roads and narrow trails will take you through the majestic mountains and valleys that are only used by locals. Each route will encompass challenging climbs, exhilarating descents and a true glimpse of local life through the rice fields and ethnic minority villages. In general The trails – with cumulative positive vertical meters ranging from around 1000m (21km) to round 3000 meters (70km) – will be on a marked route, tagged at crucial navigational points. Water and fruit will be available at aid stations every 10-15km. Runners doing the marathon or the ultra-distance must bring their own additional energy bars, gel or personal food and other important mandatory equipment (see equipment). Given the altitude and general hard conditions this cannot be your first Full or Ultra Marathon. Very strong sun or heavy rain is always a possibility in the mountains. Any participation in this unique event is completely at your own risk and you will be required to sign a waiver in order to participate. After the race we will enjoy the very special social life of mountain runners and a good meal around a big bonfire where we can share our running experiences, the mountains and the twinkling stars above. Bring your family, your friends or join this unique event on your own. You don’t have to be a fast runner, but you better be tough and looking for a unique adventure of hiking or running. Organizer: Topas Ecolodge Date: 18-22nd of September 2014. (Race day 20th of September) This run is arranged by Topas Travel, Topas Ecolodge and The Danish Embassy in Vietnam. The run is a social event, planned and organized by runners for runners, nature lovers and people who want an extraordinary, remote and unique experience. The event is a result of a long lasting relation between Topas Ecolodge and the Embassy of Denmark in Vietnam. The ecolodge is remote located in the Sapa mountains and was partly funded by Danish development assistance as a developing project and a showcase for sustainable green tourism in the early 2000. Source: Travel Sapa- travel agency in Sapa Town- Lao Cai,...
Read More »
