Lao Cai
2 days, 1 night
Walking
$109 USD
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DESCRIBE

Both Can Cau and Bac Ha markets are very well known in the area for its color painted to local hill tribe people. There are Flower Hmong, Phu La, Black Dzao, Tay and Nung…They all gather to these markets to sell their homemade products such as corn wine, handicraft… as well as an interesting animal. Another highlight is the short walk to Ban Pho village of Nung and Flower Hmong and the boat trip upstream Chay River.

 

SUMMARY

  • Duration: 2 days, 1 night

  • Destination: Lao Cai

  • Activities: Walking

ITINERARY
1st day (Saturday): Lao Cai – Bac Ha – Can Cau – Bac Ha (-, L, D)

You will be met by local guide and driver upon your arrival at Lao Cai station then transferred to a local restaurant for breakfast (optional). Then start our drive to Can Cau market. The road is relatively flat from Lao Cai to Bao Nhai bridge. After crossing the bridge, we begin our journey uphill offering beautiful views over the valleys. Situated 20 km from Bac Ha, Can Cau is a small, but very colorful market. Opening only on Saturdays, it always delivers a very photogenic display of Flower Hmong, Black Zao, Phu La ethnic costumes. After spending the whole morning exploring the market, you will leave the market for Bac Ha town for lunch. In the afternoon, you will take a walk to Ban Pho, a small village of Nung and Flower Hmong. The villagers grow vegetables and fruit trees. One of the most famous fruit of the area is plum. Visit a local house and taste a cup of corn wine, another famous product of the village. Then go back to homestay of Tay people for overnight in the afternoon.

Approx: 3-hour driving/ 1.5 hours walking.

2nd day (Sunday): Bac Ha – Trung Do – boat trip on Chay river – Lao Cai (B, L, -)

After breakfast, we take a short walk to visit the old castle of the former Hmong King. Then continue to visit Bac Ha market, the biggest Sunday market in the area. Every Sunday, the different and colorful ethnic minority come all here to sell their homemade products or buy something for the family. They are Hmong, Phu La, Back Dzao, Tay or Nung minorities. Some of these ethnic minorities can’t be met in any other areas. Your lunch will be provided in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we drive downhill towards Lao Cai for about half an hour. We stop on the way (before reaching Lao Cai) to take a short walk to Trung Do village inhabited by Tay people. Tay villages are always set up at the foot of a mountain or along a stream and are named after a mountain, a field, or a river. Each village contains about 15-20 households. A large village is divided into many small hamlets. The houses are built on stilts or level with the ground. Stop by a traditional Tay house for a short visit before taking a boat cruise upstream the Chay River. The scenery is very beautiful on both sides of the river. The boat trip will end at Bao Nhai bridge where your vehicle will be waiting for you for the journey back to Lao Cai. End of tour.

Approx: 2-hour driving/ 1 hour’s walking/  30 mins boat cruise. 

Note: In case the level of water is not able to take boat trip, you can change to take a  buffalo cart in Trung Do village instead.

INCLUSION/EXCLUSION

Inclusion:

  • English speaking guide 
  • Transportation
  • All indicated meals (B as breakfast; L as lunch; D as dinner)
  • All entrance fees and permits
  • All needed accommodation (Hotel or homestay if any)
  • Boat on Chay River (if any)

Exclusion:

  • Tips
  • Soft drink (beer, coca cola…)
  • Medical Insurance
  • All other services not indicated above