Vietnam Hill Tribe Trek - Global Adventure Challenges

The challenge of a lifetime...
...for the charity of your choice
Vietnam
Hill Tribe
Trek
Join us on this magical Vietnamese adventure!
01244 676 454
enquiries@globaladventurechallenges.com
www.globaladventurechallenges.com
A truly magnif
icent trek,
deep into the h
eart of the
Highlands of N
orth Vietnam..
.
Your trekking challenge...
Crossing valleys and rivers and following winding trails through remote hill tribe
villages, this is an amazing challenge. We trek well off the beaten track and
experience a privileged chance to meet and stay with the people of the
Northern hill tribes – join us on this very special and magical Vietnamese
adventure.
Your itinerary...
Day 1
Depart UK for Hanoi, Vietnam.
Day 2
Arrive Hanoi and transfer to
Lao Cai
Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport,
we transfer to our hotel. We will
have the chance to leave our
luggage and freshen up after
our long flight.
Time allowing, we will take a
tour through the charming Old
Quarter of Hanoi and
experience first hand the hustle
and bustle of daily life in this
historic city.
In the evening after dinner we
will take the overnight train to
Lao Cai in comfortable 4 berth
cabins.
Day 3
Loop trek from Sapa
We arrive in Lao Cai early
morning and meet with our
trekking guides and support
vehicle. From here, we drive
into the mountains to Sapa and
check into our hotel. After
breakfast, we will receive a full
trek briefing before starting our
trekking challenge. The trek
today will be a warm up
preparing ourselves for the
tough days ahead, passing
through beautiful gardens and
lush pine forests. We continue
our trek to a village of the Black
Hmong people, where we will
have the opportunity to
observe and experience the
daily life of the friendly villagers
and also stop to have lunch.
After lunch we push on to Ta
Phin, inhabited by Red Dao and
Black Hmong ethnic minorities.
From here, we will transfer back
to our hotel. Dinner tonight will
be at a local restaurant in Sapa
town.
Trekking distance - 12km
4 hours approx.
Day 4
Sapa to Ta Trung Ho
We leave Sapa this morning and
transfer for approximately one
hour to Seo Mi Ty Village where
we start our trek. Our route
descends through the valley
following a steep dirt track until
we reach Den Thang Village.
After lunch we continue our
descent for about two hours
until we reach the suspension
bridge at Ta Trung Ho Village.
From here, it is a short 3km
uphill trek to our overnight
homestay at a small hamlet
inhabited by the Red Dao tribe
– a fantastic end to the second
day of our Vietnam Hill Tribe
challenge.
Trekking distance - 16km
6-7 hours approx.
Day 5
Ta Trung Ho to Ban Sai
After breakfast we set off on a
tough day’s trekking. This
morning we follow a dirt trail
that hugs the hillside and
continuously ascends until we
reach our lunch stop in the
thick rainforest at the top of the
mountain. After lunch, we
descend for about an hour and
a half through the rainforests of
Hoang Lien National Park to
lead us to Nam Ngan Village of
the Rad Dao tribe. After a quick
exploration of the village, we
push on and trek downhill to
Nam Sang Village of the Xa Pho
ethnic minority - the population
is only 6,500 people and their
traditional way of life is very
well preserved. It’s not long
until we reach our overnight
homestay in the village of Ban
Sai, home to the Tay ethnic
tribe.
Trekking distance - 16km
6-7 hours approx.
Day 6
Ban Sai to Sin Chai
Our trek today takes us from
our homestay along a large and
rocky path uphill to Nam Nhiu
village of the Red Dao tribe and
then continues for another hour
and a half to Nam Than Village
inhabited by both the Red Dao
and Black Hmong tribes. Today
offers stunning views of the
Nam Sai and Nam Cang valleys,
in addition to giving a real
insight into the tribal lifestyles
of Northern Vietnam. We trek
for another hour or so to lunch,
then continue passing through
the cultivated land of the Suoi
Thau Commune to the Red Dao
village of Sin Chai.
Trekking distance - 15km
5-6 hours approx.
Day 7
Sin Chai to Ban Ho
Our final day’s trekking leads us
towards My Son village, home
to the Xafo tribe – one of the
smallest ethnic minorities in
Northern Vietnam. We continue
trekking to the Red Dao village
of Nam Toong where we stop
for lunch. In the afternoon, we
continue our trek towards Ban
Ho village where it’s possible to
take a quick dip to cool off. This
marks the end of our trekking
challenge and we take the
transfer to our accommodation
for some well deserved ‘R & R’.
Trekking distance - 16km
5 hours approx.
Day 8
Sapa to Lao Cai and transfer
to Hanoi
After breakfast, we will have free
time to walk around or just chill
out and relax. After lunch, we
transfer to Sapa for the
afternoon with an opportunity
to sample some of the local
markets before transferring
down to Lao Cai for our
overnight train back to Hanoi.
Day 9
Hanoi
We arrive in Hanoi at about 5am
and transfer to our hotel. There
will be some free time today
before we meet again as a
group and enjoy our final meal
together to celebrate our
fundraising achievements in
Hanoi!
Day 10
Depart Hanoi
Following breakfast, we transfer
to the airport for our flight back
to the UK.
Day 11
Arrive UK.
(Please note, this is a complex itinerary
and subject to change)
Your questions answered...
Is this trip for me?
ABSOLUTELY! This trek is suitable for people of all ages
(minimum 18 years old). The one thing everyone will have in
common is a great sense of adventure and the desire to
help their favourite charity. Most people will sign up as
individuals meaning you will all be in the same situation!
How fit do I need to be?
This trek has been designed to be challenging, but
achievable by anyone as long as you train before hand.
Remember, you are trekking for 5 consecutive days in varied
temperatures – the fitter you are the more you will enjoy
this challenge. Trekking training tips can be found on the
Global Adventure Challenges website to point you in the
right direction.
Where will we stay?
In Hanoi and Sapa we will stay in hotels with twin rooms
and en-suite washing facilities and we spend two nights
onboard the overnight train to Lao Cai and then back to
Hanoi in comfortable 4 berth cabins. Whilst on the trek, we
will stay in local homestays.
Do I need specialist kit?
We will supply you with a kit list of what to take once you
register for this challenge. Apart from some broken in
trekking boots and maybe some trekking poles, you do not
need any specialist kit.
Do I have to carry my own luggage?
No. All participants will only have to carry a day pack (for
items such as sun-screen, water, sun hat, camera, etc.) and
your kit bag will be carried from accommodation to
accommodation by our porters. You will be able to leave
your main piece of luggage at the hotel in Hanoi whilst we
are on the trail and a waterproof kit bag will be issued for
items needed on the trek.
Food matters…
All meals will be provided. Your celebratory meal is included.
We cater for all dietary requirements as long as we know in
advance – just fill in the appropriate section on your
registration form enclosed. Vietnamese food is very varied
and nutritious with plenty of vegetables, noodles, rice, meat
and fish.
What’s included?
Return flights from London to Hanoi, all transfers in private
air-conditioned vehicle, all accommodation, all meals and
bottled water on trek and celebratory dinner, professional
English speaking local guides, porters, cooks, tents, trekking
permits, Global Adventure Challenges leader from the UK,
comprehensive first aid kit.
Register online today!
www.globaladventurechallenges.com
What’s not included?
Personal airport taxes and fuel surcharge – these are
approximately £230 and payable 6 weeks prior to departure,
personal travel insurance – it is strongly advised that this is
taken out through Global Adventure Challenges - further
information will be sent after registration, gratuities,
alcoholic drinks and your personal kit.
Can I stay in Vietnam after the challenge?
All extensions are strictly limited, subject to availability and
are given on a first come, first served basis. Those wanting to
request an extension should contact Global Adventure
Challenges on enquiries@globaladventurechallenges.com
as soon as possible. There is a £60 + VAT charge for having
your return airline ticket extended. Please note, the final
decision always rests with the airline.
What sort of back-up is there?
There will be a strong support team with a professional
Global Adventure Challenges leader from the UK, as well as
local guides and porters. A full, comprehensive medical kit
will be taken and satellite/mobile telephones will be used to
ensure your safety and security at all times.
What happens if I get tired?
There will be regular rest stops for drinks and snacks – there
is no problem if you need to take more rest stops. A guide
will be bringing up the rear of the group ensuring no-one is
left behind – remember though, this is not a race!
How do I go about raising the sponsorship?
Once you have signed up you will receive a fundraising pack
from your charity in order to make your fundraising as easy
as possible. You will also receive a few tips and ideas from
Global Adventure Challenges to help you on your way.
I’m interested… what do I do now?
Places are limited and go on a first come, first served basis,
so try to register as soon as you can! You will need to fill in
the enclosed registration form and medical questionnaire
and post it back to us along with the registration fee, or
register online at www.globaladventurechallenges.com – all
payment options and costs are explained on the enclosed
information sheet. Once your registration is received, Global
Adventure Challenges will write to you sending you further
information on what to expect from this awesome
adventure! Your charity will also be in touch with you to
discuss your fundraising.
Join us on this magical
Vietnamese adventure!