Get ready for an unforgettable adventure through Sapa’s stunning landscapes! Trek from the vibrant town to the charming villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van. Picture yourself surrounded by lush greenery, cascading rice terraces, and breathtaking mountain views. But that’s not all—immerse yourself in local culture, taste traditional cuisine, and connect with friendly villagers along the way. This trek promises thrills, stunning sights, and memories that will last a lifetime.
Planning to visit Vietnam? Start here:
Trekking in Sapa – Overview
Sapa is located in a region renowned for its stunning landscapes, terraced rice fields and vibrant ethnic minority villages. Trekking through this lush environment is – by far – the best way to experience this unique area of Vietnam.
One of the most rewarding aspects of trekking in Sapa, however, is the opportunity to engage with the region’s vibrant ethnic minority communities.
Sapa is home to several ethnic groups, including the H’mong, Dao, and Giay, each with their own distinct cultures, traditions, and lifestyles. Trekking routes often pass through these villages, allowing travelers to interact with locals, learn about their customs, and gain insight into their way of life.
Whether it’s sharing a meal with a host family, participating in traditional activities, or simply exchanging smiles and greetings, these encounters add a rich layer of cultural immersion to the trekking experience.
Are you visiting Northern Vietnam? Check out our latest Ha Giang Loop guide!
Trekking Options
Trekking in Sapa can vary in duration and difficulty, meeting the needs of people with different fitness levels. From short day hikes to multi-day expeditions, there are options for everyone, whether you’re a seasoned trekker seeking a challenge or a casual hiker looking for a leisurely stroll amidst nature.
Sapa is surrounded by many charming villages, each offering its own unique blend of culture, tradition, and natural beauty. These villages are all accessible via various trekking routes, providing many hiking options.
While on this blog post we are focusing on the Sa Pa – Lao Chai – Ta Van trekking route, other options may include Ta Phin Village, Ban Ho Village, Giang Ta Chai Village, Muong Hoa Valley, Sin Chai Village, Nam Cang Village.
Booking a Hiking Tour in Sapa
In this chapter, we’ll dive deep into the world of booking your dream trekking tour in Sapa. Get ready for an exciting journey as we uncover all the details you need to make your adventure a reality!
Solo Trekking vs Joining a Tour
First, do you even need a guided tour?
When deciding whether to join a tour, it’s crucial to figure out what works best for you.
Unlike for other places like the Hang En Cave where a tour is mandatory, trekking on your own in Sapa is absolutely possible. As simple as it sounds, you can choose your route, do your research and just go.
Actually, we highly recommend hiking solo for at least one day in Sapa. It’s nice to explore the unknown and doing so at your own pace.
After doing some research however, we decided to hire a guide for our journey from Lao Chai to Ta Van. We opted for hiring just a guide instead of going solo or joining a large group tour, and it truly paid off.
Having a guide lets you explore and learn more in less time, making the experience even more valuable.
Our guide spoke English well and shared interesting information about the places we visited. He also interacted with local kids in a very genuine way, which made our experience feel more authentic and enjoyable.
Where to Book a Sapa Hiking Tour
In our case, we opted to hire only a guide instead of joining a group hike, given that the Lao Chai – Ta Van trek is just a day hike. This choice offers a chance for a more authentic experience, ideal for small groups or even solo travelers.
PRIVATE GUIDES:
Here are some contacts that may come in handy if you’re considering a similar approach:
Quang Nguyen (Johny) – a freelance tour guide who arranges tours in Sapa. He’s not only friendly but also fluent in English. We had the pleasure of meeting him during another hike the day before, and we ended up choosing to go on the Lao Chai – Ta Van hike with him. We had a fantastic experience and would highly recommend his services. (Whatsapp: +84 91 699 95 35)
Sung Sapa Tours – Introducing Dinh, a local guide and descendant of the Black Hmong ethnic minority residing in Ta Van. She specializes in organizing both one-day and multi-day tours. We’ve heard nothing but rave reviews about her tours, making her a top recommendation for anyone exploring Sapa. (Whatsapp: +84 35 519 49 62 | Instagram: @sungdinhsapa)
TOUR OPERATORS:
Instead, if you want to book a tour in a more conventional way, you can either search them online or in one of the countless agencies in Sapa, or even Hanoi. Some of the best companies you can find online are:
SapaSisters: Meet Sapa Sisters, a unique Hmong trekking group in Vietnam’s stunning Sapa region. Run entirely by Hmong women, they defy the odds, creating opportunities for themselves and their community through tourism. Choosing Sapa Sisters means more than just a trek; it’s a step towards empowerment and prosperity for local women.
TrekkingTourSapa: A group of local guides, most of which are from the Black Hmong ethnic group, who offer treks in the region.
TrekkingSapa: A more established organisation with 15 years of experience in organising tours in Sapa.
Note: In Sapa, there’s a variety of tours available, ranging from popular tourist options to more specialized experiences. Before deciding, it’s crucial to read reviews and conduct thorough research. Whether you’re considering joining a guided tour with others or organizing it from a different city, like a 3-day guided tour from Hanoi, taking the time to find the best fit will ensure a rewarding adventure.
Cost of a Trekking in Sapa
A one-day trekking tour in Sapa like the Lao Chai – Ta Van typically ranges from 500,000 VND to 1,000,000 VND, depending on the tour and group size. This translates to approximately $22 to $44 USD.
The price usually covers pick-up service, an English-speaking guide, lunch at a local homestay, and a car transfer back to Sapa town or your accommodation after the tour.
Multi-day tour are more expensive as they include accommodation. Check the table at the end of this page from SapaSisters to have a rough idea.
Sa Pa – Lao Chai – Ta Van: Hike Details
Of all the walks in Sapa, the trek from Lao Chai to Ta Van stands out as stunningly beautiful. A local guide suggested it to us when we asked about the best views in Sapa. This path is a favourite amongst adventurers and nature fans, showing off the real beauty of Sapa.
Here is an overview of the trek:
TREK OVERVIEW
DISTANCE: 11km (6.8mi)
ELEVATION DIFFERENCE: -508m (-1.666ft)
DURATION: 6-7 hours (including several stops and lunch)
DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate, depending on the path
RETURN TRIP: Typically by taxi, included in the tour
The trek starts from the city center of Sapa, and you mostly walk downhill the whole time. There are various routes and lengths available, so you can tailor the trek to your preferences, making it either easier or more challenging.
From Sapa to Lao Chai
From Sapa, walk in the direction of “Moon Valley“. This is a cafè with beautiful views over the valley underneath. While we didn’t stop here for a drink, this is exactly where the trail to Lao Chai begins.
As soon as you set foot on this narrow trail, the landscape unfolds, revealing the lush cultivated fields surrounding Sapa.
It’s an engaging opportunity to observe the local way of life and gain insight into their customs. This experience helps you understand the area’s beauty and the farmers’ role in it.
As highlighted in the trek details, the trail starts with a steep descent for the first 3 km into the valley. While the initial views are undoubtedly picturesque, the true marvels of the rice terraces reveal themselves further along the path.
As you continue, the trail meanders through dense, verdant vegetation, immersing you in the tranquility of nature. Crossing a river on a small bridge adds some excitement, highlighting the big difference in height between the trail and the river. It’s a reminder of how rugged and beautiful the landscape is.
As you descend towards the river, you’ll notice the first settlements. Despite the significant development of the city of Sapa due to the thriving tourism industry, the essence of daily life for many residents has remained largely untouched.
Here, you’ll observe modest houses that mirror the humble lifestyle of the locals. These homes, though simple, exude a sense of warmth and authenticity that is characteristic of the community.
Even though more tourists come and things change, the old ways and traditions still stick around, showing the true spirit of the area.
Refreshments Stations
On the way to Lao Chai – Ta Van you’ll also come across some very basic convenience stores where you can grab snacks, drinks, fruit, and more.
These places are really handy and are important in the daily life of locals, especially for kids. You’ll come across many of these shops along the route, so you don’t have to stress about packing too much for the hike.
The Rice Terraces
The previous shop is highlighted as point (2) on our map, from which the most scenic section of the hike begins.
If you’re looking for the most beautiful rice terraces in Sapa, this is the place to go to! We visited in January, which is one of the worst times of the year to see rice terraces, yet they were so incredibly beautiful.
For those hiking without a guide, check out Ruộng Bậc Thang Sa Pa. These terraces are to die for, and they’re particularly charming early in the morning or from a drone’s perspective.
Lunch Break
Lunch was part of our Lao Chai – Ta Van tour package, and we enjoyed it at a local restaurant along the way, boasting even more stunning views. We were treated to a selection of local dishes, including rice and vegetarian options.
If you hike without a guide or a tour, keep in mind that restaurants on this route are present but limited.
More Rice Terraces
The hike continued towards Lao Chai, unveiling one stunning view after another. Rice terraces change so much depending on the time of the year.
The pictures below were taken in January, which is arguably the worst time of the year for visiting Sapa. Yet, the landscapes are still so beautiful.
We continued walking amongst these rice fields for some more km before finally reaching the Lao Chai village.
Lao Chai Village
Nestled in the picturesque Muong Hoa Valley, Lao Chai village captivates visitors with its stunning terraced rice fields and traditional ethnic culture.
Home primarily to the Black Hmong people, the village offers an authentic glimpse into rural life, with agriculture as its mainstay. Rice terraces surround every building of the town.
Moreover, some visitors opt for homestays to immerse themselves in the local culture and explore hiking trails that showcase the village’s scenic beauty.
Our time in Lao Chai was truly special. We took our time to walk through its authentic streets, engaging in conversations with locals and marveling at their daily routines.
This genuine interaction offered us a profound insight into the local way of life, making it one of the most memorable experiences of our entire Vietnam trip.
Lao Chai to Ta Van
Ta Van village is a short 2km stroll downstream from Lao Chai. Instead of sticking to the main Lao Chai – Ta Van road which connects the two villages, our guide opted for a different route to add variety to our hike.
Choosing a secondary road, we headed towards the river, where we continued our trek alongside its banks. The views remained impressive, with the serene river and surrounding landscapes providing a peaceful backdrop to our journey.
This diversion offered a different perspective of Ta Van’s scenery. It was a pleasant change that allowed us to appreciate the natural beauty of the area from a new angle.
End of our Lao Chai – Ta Van Trek in Sapa
In Ta Van, our 11km trek through the rice fields of Sapa came to an end. If you joined an organised tour, a car will pick you up here and take you to your accommodation (or back to the city centre).
For those hiking solo, consider getting a mototaxi from either Ta Van or Lao Chai to get back to your place.
Where to Stay in Sapa
When selecting your accommodation in Sapa, you’ll need to consider whether you prioritize comfort or scenic beauty. The most straightforward option, in terms of logistics, is to stay near the Sapa city center. Here, you’ll find all the amenities you need, such as restaurants, cafes, and shops, and access to taxis and tours is hassle-free—it’s simply convenient.
Alternatively, you can choose to stay in one of the many accommodations nestled among the rice terraces that make Sapa unique. While staying here requires arranging private taxis or renting a motorbike for transportation, the unparalleled beauty of the surroundings and the authentic experience make it worthwhile.
Whatever option you choose, here are our top picks:
Stay in Sapa City Centre
ON A BUDGET: YoLoHome | The 1996 House
MID-RANGE: Central Sapa Charm Hotel & Spa | Sapa Garden Hotel | Tiger Sapa hotel
LUXURY: Sapa Relax Hotel & Spa | Sapa Mountain Queen House
Among these, we recommend Central Sapa Charm Hotel & Spa (especially when they offer discounted rates) and The 1996 House.
Stay among the Rice Terraces
ON A BUDGET: MT House Sa Pa | Hoa’s homestay Sapa
MID-RANGE: Moc Home Sapa | Pavi home
LUXURY: Eco Palms House – Sapa Retreat | Maison de Lao Chai
Out of all these options, our favourite is definitely Moc Home Sapa. The hosts are wonderful, and both the rooms and the location are lovely.
Stay in Lao Chai – Ta Van
LAO CHAI: Chapa Farmstay – Mountain Retreat (mid-range) | Laxsik Ecolodge (luxury)
TA VAN: Desi house Ta Van Sapa (budget) | Sapa Riverside Ecolodge & Spa (mid-range)
Backpackers In The World is community-supported. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Local Women of Sapa
Over the years, women from local ethnic groups like the H’mong, Dao, and Giay have supported themselves by selling textiles to tourists. Some operate shops in their villages, while others venture to Sapa city center, displaying their goods along the streets.
Interestingly, there are also women who silently shadow hikers for kilometers without saying a word, only to eventually offer their wares. This encounter on the Lao Chai – Ta Van route was both intriguing and unexpected.
These women were friendly and warm, even though they didn’t talk much while walking with us along part of the trail. It was only when we stopped for lunch that they all began selling us things, quite persistently.
Some of us made purchases, feeling somewhat obligated after the women had accompanied us for a significant portion of the journey. Others chose not to buy anything, and you could visibly see their mood shift in that situation.
When you’re hiking in Sapa, be ready for this and make sure to tell them your buying intentions to avoid any confusion.
Best Time for Visiting the Rice Terraces in Sapa
The best time for visiting the rice terraces in Sapa is August to September/October. This is when the rice is tall and Sapa’s beauty is at its peak.
Alternatively, another beautiful time of the year for visiting Sapa is from April to June, during the planting season. Here is when the rice terraces are filled with water and becomes mirrors.
Here is an in-depth look at each season:
Spring: March to May – Preparing for Growth
In spring, the terraces are filled with water in anticipation of planting. This period, from March to May, marks the start of a new growing season. The terraces become watery mirrors reflecting the clear skies, signaling the beginning of preparations for rice cultivation.
Summer: June to August – Lush Greenery
By summer, from June to August, the terraces are lush with greenery as the rice plants grow vigorously. The flooded fields transform into a sea of vibrant green, symbolizing the peak of growth and abundance. It’s a time of nurturing and tending to the crops as they thrive in the warm, humid climate.
Autumn: September to November – Harvesting Gold
As autumn sets in, from September to November, the rice plants mature, turning the terraces into a golden tapestry. It’s harvest time in Sapa as farmers gather the ripe grains, marking the culmination of the growing season. Against the backdrop of the golden terraces, the landscape comes alive with the sights and sounds of a bountiful harvest.
Winter: December to February – Rest and Renewal
Winter, from December to February, brings a period of rest and renewal to the terraces. While snow is very rare, the land lies dormant as it recuperates from the previous season’s efforts. It’s a time of quiet reflection as nature prepares for the cycle to begin anew with the arrival of spring.
Winter is also the time we visited Sapa. All the photos used in this post were taken in January 2024.
What to Bring on the Lao Chai – Ta Van Trek
The Sapa – Lao Chai – Ta Van trek is a one-day hike that require minimum preparation. During the trail you won’t need much, and you should see it more like a long walk than an actual hike.
Having hiking shoes is handy, especially after rainy days. As of 2024, a significant portion of the road near Lao Chai – Ta Van is under construction and might be very muddy.
Other must-have items are a water bottle, and a raincoat. Even on a sunny day, the weather in Sapa can change unpredictably due to its mountainous environment.
