Sapa Jungle Expedition
3 Days, 2 Nights at Topas Riverside Lodge
Experience the best that northern Vietnam has to offer on this 3-day itinerary filled with hikes through the jungles of remote Hoang Lien National Park and meeting members of the Red Dzao community. Spend each night at Topas Riverside Lodge, a cozy, boutique home-stay where nature is the main attraction before spending a day in Topas Ecolodge’s double infinity swimming pools.
Trip Type: Culture | Activity Level: Easy | Service Level: Standard
Departs every day!
Highlights
- Trekking through jungles and rice terraces
- Learning about Red Dzao minority culture
- Sampling traditional Vietnamese dishes during family-style dinners
- Experiencing the comforts of Topas Riverside Lodge, a place only reached on foot
This tour is perfect for
- Enjoying the outdoors even when short on time
- Experiencing Vietnamese hospitality
- Cultural immersion and authentic encounters
- Families with children of all ages, however, some activities listed are recommended for active children at least 9 years old. Please speak with your travel designer about potential modifications to this proposed itinerary
In Brief
Day 1: Hanoi – Nam Cang Village – Topas Riverside Lodge
Day 2: Topas Riverside Lodge
Day 3: Topas Riverside Lodge – Hanoi
Itinerary
Day 1: Into the Wild | Hanoi – Nam Cang Village – Topas Riverside Lodge
After an early morning breakfast, sit back and relax aboard the Topas Mountain Express (TME), a plush minivan outfitted with snacks, water, and Wi-Fi that covers the 4.5-hour journey from Hanoi to Thanh Phu Bridge. Then, disembark from the TME and board a shuttle bus for the final 30-minute drive to Nam Cang Village. A short stroll through the quiet village ends in an adventurous crossing of a wooden suspension bridge to Topas Riverside Lodge, just in time for lunch.
In the afternoon, join the tour group and visit the attached village of the Dzao, famous for their exquisite embroidery and botanical knowledge. Peer in on silver jewelers and families creating paper from rice for spiritual reasons and if you’re brave enough, jump into the refreshing waters of the river running next to Topas Riverside Lodge.
Dinner is served in the communal style associated with Vietnamese families, all at once and among friends. If you’re a bit sore from the car ride, sample a traditional herbal bath made by a local Dzao specialist (additional surcharge), famous for its medicinal and therapeutic qualities.
Pick-up in Hanoi is available from hotels in the Old Quarter or Tayho from 6:45 – 7:15 or Noi Bai Domestic Terminal at 7:45 – 8:15 every day
Included meals: Lunch, Dinner
Distance and Activities: 5h drive – 3km village walk
Day 2: Deep in the Jungle | Topas Riverside Lodge
Discover the most remote corners of Sapa Valley on an upstream hike this morning. See where the villagers plant cardamom along with other herbs and spices that can fetch a good price in the local markets at the foot of Hoang Lien Mountains before meeting the river where it forms a picturesque waterfall under a suspended bridge. Dip your toes in or go for a swim as your BBQ lunch is set up, complete with fresh trout and a variety of vegetables and jungle herbs.
Return to Topas Riverside Lodge after lunch, with the day at leisure to soak up the wild ambiance with a hot cup of fresh lemongrass and ginger tea or a mug of traditional Vietnamese coffee on the wrap-around outdoor patio. Or, play in the river with local families looking to beat the heat!
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance and Activities: 8km Jungle Hike
Day 3: A Day in the Clouds | Topas Riverside Lodge – Hanoi
Wake up to the sounds of nature and enjoy a final breakfast cooked by the Topas Riverside Lodge staff. The morning is free to relaxing at the lodge or borrow our bicycle to explore the area on your own.
At 14:15 departure by shuttle bus to Thanh Phu to catch Topas Mountain Express for 4,5 hours transfer back to Hanoi.
Sunbathe and splash in the two infinity pools, sample delicious cuisine at the restaurant, breathe in the fresh mountain air from your bungalow’s patio, or indulge in some locally-inspired treatments at the wonderful spa on site.
Drop-off in Hanoi is available to Noi Bai Domestic Airport at 19:00 – 19:30 or Hanoi hotels in Hoan Kiem/Tay Ho districts from 19:30 – 20:00.
Included meals: Breakfast
Distance and Activities: 5h drive
Tour Inclusions
- Return join-in Mountain Express Limousine between Hanoi, Topas Riverside Lodge
- All accommodation indicated as twin-shared standard room
- All meals as indicated in the program
- All entrance tickets to local villages and Hoang Lien National Park
- Refillable water in vans (Please check with your guide or driver)
- 1 x English/Vietnamese speaking local tour guide on days with activities (not transfers)
- Day-Pass to Topas Ecolodge for use of facilities
- Government VAT
Tour Exclusions
- Drinks and alcohol
- Herbal baths at the lodge
- Optional tours not listed in the itinerary
- Upgrades to higher standard rooms or single supplements
Important Notes
Prices calculated with Value Added Tax
Surcharge applicable during peak season and public holidays
Your adventure starts with only the click of a button...
Rates and Special Offers
Looking for something else? We have many other packages for you to consider, whether you like to hike, bike, learn about ethnic minority cultures, take photos, or relax at Topas Ecolodge.