Sapa Dragon’s Back Trail Running Adventure

Trip Overview

4 days 3 nights

Looking for a challenging trail holiday with some of the very best high mountain trails and views in Vietnam? Then this is the trip for you! Designed by the Race Director of Vietnam Trail Series, this getaway combines some of his favourite trails in the area, along with a night in Sapa town and two night at Topas Ecolodge.

TRIP TYPE

Trail Running

HIKING LEVEL

Hard

SERVICE LEVEL

Standard

Tour Price

Contact us for more infomation

Day 1: Hanoi – Sapa Town – Cow Mountain

Get on board the Topas Mountain Express for a trip direct from Hanoi to the mountain town of Sapa.

After checking in and enjoying a lunch, we will head about 30 minutes out of town to the start of today’s warm up run. Straight out the gate this route goes skyward, meaning today you will gain plenty of height and see some incredible views. After a couple of KM of up, you’ll reach more runnable terriroty with a trail leading you to an incredible lookout point with views of the Hoang Lien National Park and the highest mountain in the region – Fansipan.

You’ll then head down the mountain on a different trail and be picked up for a short drive back to Sapa.

While it is not quite the quaint, sleep mountain retreat of yesteryear, the modern Sapa has a buzz about it that many enjoy, with loads of restaurants, coffee shops and some bars making an evening here good fun. You’ll also find quite a few runners doing laps of the lake if you’re back in time for sunset.

*Note: please be informed that our Topas Mountain Express is sharing Limousine with fixed schedule: – Pick-up at hotel in Hanoi old quarter between 06:30-07:00 and cannot wait if you arrive late.

Meals: No

Accommodation: Sapa Highland Resort (Deluxe Mountain room)

Day 2: The Dragon’s Back | Sapa Town – Topas Ecolodge

Some at Topas call today’s run the Dragon’s Back and some say Dinosaur’s Back – either way, it deserves both names as this is a ridge line run to remember.

You’ll start in an extremely pretty minority village, then pass a small farmstead where Topas also sets up one of our wild camping spots for other tours. Then it’s onto the ridge line for a beautiful stretch of mountain running with expansive views all around.

At the end of the ridge you’ll drop down through a Red Dao village and arrive close to Topas Ecolodge, your home for the night.

Once here, check in to the bungalow and perhaps enjoy a bit of infinity pool time before your evening meal.

On the trail today you might like to ask your running guide to phone ahead and book a well earned massage at the lodge’s Rice Spa!

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Topas Ecolodge (Premium Executive bungalow)

Day 3: Running Remote | Topas Ecolodge – Nam Cang Village – Topas Ecolodge

Wake up and enjoy the mountain vistas surrounding your bungalow as a nutritious breakfast is delivered to your bungalow. Once you’re ready, begin preparation for today’s guided run through ethnic minority villages and magnificent natural settings to Nam Cang village.

The route starts on the same section as the famous VMM 100KM route, with a gentle descent to a nearby valley and then Thanh Phu Village. Cross rice terraces and corn fields, waving to members of the Red Dzao ethnic minority as your feet hit the trail. Stop for a breather in Nam Nhiu village, filling up your water bottle and replenishing your energy with some light snacks before continuing towards Nam Cang Village, one of the most remote villages in Sapa and the end of the run. Transfer back to Topas Ecolodge.

Running distance: 18 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Topas Ecolodge (Premium Executive bungalow)

*Note: The running distance can be shorten according to your requirement.

Day 4: The paradise above clouds| Topas Ecolodge – Bản Mới |Hanoi

Warm up gently and enjoy your breakfast before your running guide meets you today at 8:30. After carefully preparing your belongings, you will begin your 12km running journey through traditional Red Dzao villages, then follow the dirt road to the vast golden valley. Here, you can catch the beautiful scene of terraced fields and poetic streams crossing. Up to the mountain, you can encounter the locals black Hmong people. When you travel to downhill, take a rest, it’s time to get some snack, and maybe take a snap of this Sapa fantastic sights here.

Continue to Ban Moi, you will have the opportunity to see the sophisticated and colorful costume designs from the Red Dao people here. Then follow the sound of jungle, you will get to the wide grasslands. After you cross another beautiful stream, you will stop at the end of this journey – Topas Ecolodge. You can enjoy the unique infinity pool; pamper yourself with spa treatments at Rice Spa; or simply sip a drink at Topas Ecolodge.

At 14h30, take Topas Mountain Express back to Hanoi.

End of the trip.

Meals: Breakfast

Tour Includes

Important Notes

Round transfer Hanoi – Sapa/ Topas Ecolodge – Hanoi by Topas Mountain Express 8 seat Limousine
1 night at Sapa Highland Resort (Deluxe mountain room)
2 nights at Topas Ecolodge (Premium Executive bungalow)
All meals as indicated in the program.
All entrance tickets and permits to local villages and Hoang Lien National Park
Water & snack on the runs
Running guide