Sapa Trekking and Homestay (Non – Touristic)
Trekking through the stunning rice fields in Sapa’s traditional villages
We will trek from Sapa town to the Muong Hoa valley, which is one of the large rice paddies in North Vietnam. We’ll visit some traditional villages such as Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, Ta Van, Giang Ta Chai, and the other conventional villages without tourism like Su Pan, Ban Lech, and Thanh Kim.
You will be witnessing the local daily life and learning about their traditions, customs, culture, and more. You’ll meet at 4 different ethnic minorities in different villages.
The country’s most representative animals are water buffalo, cows, goats, etc.
You can able to join cooking traditional with your guide and the host.
Depending on the time of year, we’ll see farmers planting or harvesting rice and witness the daily life of northern Vietnam’s minority tribes.
Reasons to book this experience
You will get to see the stunning view of the terraced rice fields and gorgeous landscaper of the mountains and valleys. We will trek across the 7 traditional villages and meet up at four different ethnic minority groups.
01. A local private guide: A Local guide in a private tour only get your needs focused, and has enough time to answer all your questions.
02. Get to see the famous and biggest rice terrace fields in Vietnam, the biggest river and valley in Sapa.
03. Trekking tours off the beaten tracks.
04. Meet good people and eat good foods.
05. Genuine homestay experience with authentic, local food.
06. Main attractions and points of interest include Vietnam’s rice terraces, bamboo forest, mountain trekking up to 1.800 meters above sea level.
Itinerary
Day 1: Trekking Through Amazing Rice Paddies and Traditional Villages
9:00 AM: Our guide will meet you at Sapa’s Church ((Notre Dame Cathedral) or your accommodation. After a short introduction, you will be taken by our local experience to the first village of Y Linh Ho.
9:30 AM: You will admire the most beautiful terraced rice fields – The idea to take a great photo (this is just below the town).
10:00 AM: We arrive in Y Linh Ho, a village of Black Hmong people. Here, we will walk across a hanging bridge to the next side of the Hoa Lien Son mountain.
10:30 AM: You will see the Back Hmong ethnic people’s daily life and learn more about their culture and traditions. This tribble has a unique arrange marriage, and best traditional skill house building.
11: 00 AM: Our guide will show you the indigo and hemp used to make traditional clothes.
Noon: We will have lunch at a local Black Hmong family restaurant.
1:00 PM: After lunch, we will continue the walk to the Lao Chai. Here, you also get to see the incredible view of the rice fields on the hills.
1:30 PM: Arrive at the Lao Chai village, where the Black Hmong people live; it is also the beginning of a valley called Muong Hoa valley.
2:00 PM: We will reach Ta Van, a village of Giay ethnic minorities. Here you will learn about two cultures of the Back Hmong and Giay people. You will see the design of those houses is different from the other ethnic minority. Ta Van is also the last village on the first-day hike.
4:00 – 5:00 PM: We will arrive at the homestay, where your local host family will welcome you. You will then have some time to rest, take a hot shower, and get ready for your dinner – if you want, you will also have the chance to participate in an informal cooking class!
Day 2: Bamboo Forest and Mountain Landscaper
7:30 AM: When you wake up the following day and open the window, you can see the clouds flowing through the valley while the sun rises above the mountains.
9:30 AM: After a nice breakfast in the homestay, we will begin the next day’s trek. From the village, we will walk uphill until we reach a bamboo forest.
10:30 AM: We keep walking until we reach the top of a waterfall. From here, you have a beautiful view of the village of Giang ta Chai.
11:30 – Noon: We reach Su Pan, where you will have lunch at the local Vietnamese restaurant.
1:00 PM: We will continue walking from the restaurant to the center of the Su Pan; this is a small village close to the mountains of Black Hmong people. From here, you can shoot photos with a panorama view of rice fields, the locals here live in small traditional houses, and life is still true to nature.
1:30 PM: After visiting Su Pan, we will continue on a little jungle route to Ban Lech Hmong village, where you will see the incredible view of Muong Hoa valley (forward to Sapa town), which is 1.500 meters above the level sea – this view will be your own. This hill, we also called Tiger Mountains because a long time ago the tigers are living in this place, it’s a true story – Our guide will explain to you more about it.
3:00 PM: We will then go downhill to the Lech Dao, where you will see the different ethnic minorities of the Red Dao people; this tribe is known for their expertise in herbal medicine and the usage of plants from the land to treat many illnesses.
4:00 – 5:00 PM: We will arrive at the Red Dao tribe Homestay; you will have time to take a hot shower and wait for your dinner.
Day 3: Red Dao Culture and Homestay Experience
7:30 AM: Wake up in the morning; here, you will have a cup of coffee and enjoy the view of the rice terrace fields. Then you will have a delicious breakfast.
9:00 AM: We will start the trek to the Lech Hmong, a village of the Black H’Mong Ethnic minorities, where you will get to see the beautiful view and friendly people and learn more about the unique Hmong marriage traditional.
10:30: We arrive at the top of Lech Hmong Mountain View; here, you will see the panorama view of this village. It is a fabulous view. Here is no tourism; the light will be your own.
11: 30 AM: We then downhill to a valley with a fantastic panorama view.
Noon: We will arrive at the bottom, at a small traditional village of Red Dao people. You will have lunch at the local house and learn about their authentic life. This tribble has the traditional cooking wine, and they use many treatments, especially medicinal baths, and know which plants from the forest to use to treat many illnesses.
1:30 PM: After lunch, we will continue the trek on the hill to a different village.
2:30 – 3:00 PM: You will arrive at Ban Phung, a community of Red Dao ethnic minorities. There is a school on the top with a fantastic valley view. You will meet local students playing at the school.
4:00 – 4:30 PM: Arrive at the homestay, an accommodation of the Red Dao ethnic minorities, enjoy your shower, and have fun talking with your guide and the Red Dao people.
Day 4: Downward To The valley and Enjoy the fabulous View
7:30 AM: Get 9:00 AM: After saying bye-bye to your host, we will continue the trek to some traditional houses – here, you will learn about the local skill of house building and the way they make their beautiful red clothes.
10:00 PM: We will trek to a mountainside, and you will have the chance to admire the gorgeous view of the valley. This is the way from Sapa town to Lao Cai.up and enjoy a nice cut of coffee or tea, then prepare for your breakfast.
11:00 AM: We will reach the bottom of the valley; here, you will see a big hydroelectric built by the government in Sapa.
Noon: We will arrive at the next side of the valley; here is a different road from Lao Cai to Sapa.
Here we have 2 options for you to consider as follows:
The first option: If you booked a train from Lao Cai to Hanoi, our driver would bring your luggage and a tasty picnic lunch to you and your guide here. After lunch, from 1:00 – 2:00 PM, we will bring you back to Lao Cao Provence. You might reach Lao Cai at 3 PM. After that, our guide will show you a good coffee place, and then your guide will return to Sapa with the driver. – End of the tour
The second option: If you booked a bus from Sapa, our driver would bring you back to a small market, then you will have 30 minutes lunch at the market. After lunch, the driver will bring you back to Sapa ( at our office or your accommodation) – End of the tour,
Don’t forget to hug our guides and keep in touch. It’ll likely be an experience to remember, and a new friend made.
Please let us know what option you prefer.
(The tour will end at about 15:00 in Sapa town, so you can book a bus back to Hanoi or somewhere after that)
Bus From Hanoi to Sapa (Optionnal)
This is optional and will not include in the tour price.
Bus from Hanoi <=> Sapa, It takes about 6 hours. If you arrive at Sapa early, the bus will let you sleep until 5 AM.
The Cabin Sleeper Bus and Single Cabin Sleeper Bus are private, but if you are taller than 1m7, you might consider the Sleeper Bus because you can adjust the bed, making you more comfortable. However, if you want private, the other 2 options would be best.
Once we receive your booking, we will confirm and send you the bus tickets.
You can see the little Badge Text on the image below for more details about which bus to choose.
A Cabin Sleeper Bus/42USD/way: This is a cabin with 2 small beds that you can sleep 2 people. If you are a couple or want to make it private, this is the best choice (you can see it in the image).
A single cabin sleeper bus/22USD/way: This is a single cabin with 1 bed that you can sleep with 1 person (Meaning: 1 person/ 1 single cabin). If you are one person and want to make your bus trip private, nothing is better than this option (you can see it in the image).
Sleeper bus/17USD/way: This is a single bed (not private) that you can sleep with 1 person (you can see it in the image).
The times below apply to all bus types.
Good to know
Price for a private tour (Recommend)
USD240 : One person
USD408 : 2 people(204USD/per person)
USD576 : 3 people(192USD/per person)
USD720: 4 people(180USD/per person)
USD840: 5 people(168USD/per person)
USD979: 6 people(163USD/per person)
USD1092: 7 people(156USD/per person)
USD1248: 8 people(156USD/per person)
USD1404: 9 people(156USD/per person)
USD1560: 10 people(156USD/per person)
Price for a group tour (Second recommend)
USD190 : A group of 2 - 6 people
How it works?
* We will let you know a day before the tour starts about 'how many people will join you on the day.'
* Extra USD18 (pay later), if nobody joins you on the departure day, then your tour will be one private (only one person)
* But if you are above 2 people and you still want to make a group tour, there will NOT extra charge if nobody joins you on departure the day.
The tour will include
🔉If you have a big bag or a big suitcase, no worries. I have a store in Sapa where you can leave your luggage when you arrive as well as take a shower before you leave Sapa. Then you can bring a small bag while trekking.
🔉 We can arrange a bus or train for you from Hanoi - to Sapa and back Hanoi. If you need any help with the service, please contact us for more information.
🔉 The tour starts at 9 am, ends at around 3 pm
We will trek from Sapa town to the Muong Hoa valley, which is one of the large rice paddies in North Vietnam. We’ll visit some traditional villages such as Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, Ta Van, Giang Ta Chai, and the other conventional villages without tourism like Su Pan, Ban Lech, and Thanh Kim.
You will be witnessing the local daily life and learning about their traditions, customs, culture, and more. You’ll meet at 4 different ethnic minorities in different villages.
The country’s most representative animals are water buffalo, cows, goats, etc.
You can able to join cooking traditional with your guide and the host.
Depending on the time of year, we’ll see farmers planting or harvesting rice and witness the daily life of northern Vietnam’s minority tribes.
Reasons to book this experience
You will get to see the stunning view of the terraced rice fields and gorgeous landscaper of the mountains and valleys. We will trek across the 7 traditional villages and meet up at four different ethnic minority groups.
01. A local private guide: A Local guide in a private tour only get your needs focused, and has enough time to answer all your questions.
02. Get to see the famous and biggest rice terrace fields in Vietnam, the biggest river and valley in Sapa.
03. Trekking tours off the beaten tracks.
04. Meet good people and eat good foods.
05. Genuine homestay experience with authentic, local food.
06. Main attractions and points of interest include Vietnam’s rice terraces, bamboo forest, mountain trekking up to 1.800 meters above sea level.
Itinerary
Day 1: Trekking Through Amazing Rice Paddies and Traditional Villages
9:00 AM: Our guide will meet you at Sapa’s Church ((Notre Dame Cathedral) or your accommodation. After a short introduction, you will be taken by our local experience to the first village of Y Linh Ho.
9:30 AM: You will admire the most beautiful terraced rice fields – The idea to take a great photo (this is just below the town).
10:00 AM: We arrive in Y Linh Ho, a village of Black Hmong people. Here, we will walk across a hanging bridge to the next side of the Hoa Lien Son mountain.
10:30 AM: You will see the Back Hmong ethnic people’s daily life and learn more about their culture and traditions. This tribble has a unique arrange marriage, and best traditional skill house building.
11: 00 AM: Our guide will show you the indigo and hemp used to make traditional clothes.
Noon: We will have lunch at a local Black Hmong family restaurant.
1:00 PM: After lunch, we will continue the walk to the Lao Chai. Here, you also get to see the incredible view of the rice fields on the hills.
1:30 PM: Arrive at the Lao Chai village, where the Black Hmong people live; it is also the beginning of a valley called Muong Hoa valley.
2:00 PM: We will reach Ta Van, a village of Giay ethnic minorities. Here you will learn about two cultures of the Back Hmong and Giay people. You will see the design of those houses is different from the other ethnic minority. Ta Van is also the last village on the first-day hike.
4:00 – 5:00 PM: We will arrive at the homestay, where your local host family will welcome you. You will then have some time to rest, take a hot shower, and get ready for your dinner – if you want, you will also have the chance to participate in an informal cooking class!
Day 2: Bamboo Forest and Mountain Landscaper
7:30 AM: When you wake up the following day and open the window, you can see the clouds flowing through the valley while the sun rises above the mountains.
9:30 AM: After a nice breakfast in the homestay, we will begin the next day’s trek. From the village, we will walk uphill until we reach a bamboo forest.
10:30 AM: We keep walking until we reach the top of a waterfall. From here, you have a beautiful view of the village of Giang ta Chai.
11:30 – Noon: We reach Su Pan, where you will have lunch at the local Vietnamese restaurant.
1:00 PM: We will continue walking from the restaurant to the center of the Su Pan; this is a small village close to the mountains of Black Hmong people. From here, you can shoot photos with a panorama view of rice fields, the locals here live in small traditional houses, and life is still true to nature.
1:30 PM: After visiting Su Pan, we will continue on a little jungle route to Ban Lech Hmong village, where you will see the incredible view of Muong Hoa valley (forward to Sapa town), which is 1.500 meters above the level sea – this view will be your own. This hill, we also called Tiger Mountains because a long time ago the tigers are living in this place, it’s a true story – Our guide will explain to you more about it.
3:00 PM: We will then go downhill to the Lech Dao, where you will see the different ethnic minorities of the Red Dao people; this tribe is known for their expertise in herbal medicine and the usage of plants from the land to treat many illnesses.
4:00 – 5:00 PM: We will arrive at the Red Dao tribe Homestay; you will have time to take a hot shower and wait for your dinner.
Day 3: Red Dao Culture and Homestay Experience
7:30 AM: Wake up in the morning; here, you will have a cup of coffee and enjoy the view of the rice terrace fields. Then you will have a delicious breakfast.
9:00 AM: We will start the trek to the Lech Hmong, a village of the Black H’Mong Ethnic minorities, where you will get to see the beautiful view and friendly people and learn more about the unique Hmong marriage traditional.
10:30: We arrive at the top of Lech Hmong Mountain View; here, you will see the panorama view of this village. It is a fabulous view. Here is no tourism; the light will be your own.
11: 30 AM: We then downhill to a valley with a fantastic panorama view.
Noon: We will arrive at the bottom, at a small traditional village of Red Dao people. You will have lunch at the local house and learn about their authentic life. This tribble has the traditional cooking wine, and they use many treatments, especially medicinal baths, and know which plants from the forest to use to treat many illnesses.
1:30 PM: After lunch, we will continue the trek on the hill to a different village.
2:30 – 3:00 PM: You will arrive at Ban Phung, a community of Red Dao ethnic minorities. There is a school on the top with a fantastic valley view. You will meet local students playing at the school.
4:00 – 4:30 PM: Arrive at the homestay, an accommodation of the Red Dao ethnic minorities, enjoy your shower, and have fun talking with your guide and the Red Dao people.
Day 4: Downward To The valley and Enjoy the fabulous View
7:30 AM: Get 9:00 AM: After saying bye-bye to your host, we will continue the trek to some traditional houses – here, you will learn about the local skill of house building and the way they make their beautiful red clothes.
10:00 PM: We will trek to a mountainside, and you will have the chance to admire the gorgeous view of the valley. This is the way from Sapa town to Lao Cai.up and enjoy a nice cut of coffee or tea, then prepare for your breakfast.
11:00 AM: We will reach the bottom of the valley; here, you will see a big hydroelectric built by the government in Sapa.
Noon: We will arrive at the next side of the valley; here is a different road from Lao Cai to Sapa.
Here we have 2 options for you to consider as follows:
The first option: If you booked a train from Lao Cai to Hanoi, our driver would bring your luggage and a tasty picnic lunch to you and your guide here. After lunch, from 1:00 – 2:00 PM, we will bring you back to Lao Cao Provence. You might reach Lao Cai at 3 PM. After that, our guide will show you a good coffee place, and then your guide will return to Sapa with the driver. – End of the tour
The second option: If you booked a bus from Sapa, our driver would bring you back to a small market, then you will have 30 minutes lunch at the market. After lunch, the driver will bring you back to Sapa ( at our office or your accommodation) – End of the tour,
Don’t forget to hug our guides and keep in touch. It’ll likely be an experience to remember, and a new friend made.
Please let us know what option you prefer.
(The tour will end at about 15:00 in Sapa town, so you can book a bus back to Hanoi or somewhere after that)
Bus From Hanoi to Sapa (Optionnal)
This is optional and will not include in the tour price.
Bus from Hanoi <=> Sapa, It takes about 6 hours. If you arrive at Sapa early, the bus will let you sleep until 5 AM.
The Cabin Sleeper Bus and Single Cabin Sleeper Bus are private, but if you are taller than 1m7, you might consider the Sleeper Bus because you can adjust the bed, making you more comfortable. However, if you want private, the other 2 options would be best.
Once we receive your booking, we will confirm and send you the bus tickets.
You can see the little Badge Text on the image below for more details about which bus to choose.
A Cabin Sleeper Bus/42USD/way: This is a cabin with 2 small beds that you can sleep 2 people. If you are a couple or want to make it private, this is the best choice (you can see it in the image).
A single cabin sleeper bus/22USD/way: This is a single cabin with 1 bed that you can sleep with 1 person (Meaning: 1 person/ 1 single cabin). If you are one person and want to make your bus trip private, nothing is better than this option (you can see it in the image).
Sleeper bus/17USD/way: This is a single bed (not private) that you can sleep with 1 person (you can see it in the image).
The times below apply to all bus types.
Good to know
Price for a private tour (Recommend)
USD240 : One person
USD408 : 2 people(204USD/per person)
USD576 : 3 people(192USD/per person)
USD720: 4 people(180USD/per person)
USD840: 5 people(168USD/per person)
USD979: 6 people(163USD/per person)
USD1092: 7 people(156USD/per person)
USD1248: 8 people(156USD/per person)
USD1404: 9 people(156USD/per person)
USD1560: 10 people(156USD/per person)
Price for a group tour (Second recommend)
USD190 : A group of 2 - 6 people
How it works?
* We will let you know a day before the tour starts about 'how many people will join you on the day.'
* Extra USD18 (pay later), if nobody joins you on the departure day, then your tour will be one private (only one person)
* But if you are above 2 people and you still want to make a group tour, there will NOT extra charge if nobody joins you on departure the day.
The tour will include
- 3 breakfast + 4 lunches + 3 dinners
- 3-night accommodation (homestay)
- Village entry fees
- English speaking guide
- 2 big bottle of water/per person
- Transport back to Sapa after the end of the tour in villages
- Personal travel insurance
- Extra drinks during hiking (e.g., bottled water or beer)
- Tips
- Waterproof Jacket - Prepare in case of bad weather.
- Comfortable clothes - Use while trekking, especially in summer
- Mosquito repellent
- Cash for additional purchases - You might want to buy some local traditional products or your drink at homestays.
- Trekking shoes - Good shoes are OK, but trekking is the best.
- A Jacket - Use when you do this tour in winter (The temperature is about 6 -10 °C in winter)
- Sunscreen
🔉If you have a big bag or a big suitcase, no worries. I have a store in Sapa where you can leave your luggage when you arrive as well as take a shower before you leave Sapa. Then you can bring a small bag while trekking.
🔉 We can arrange a bus or train for you from Hanoi - to Sapa and back Hanoi. If you need any help with the service, please contact us for more information.
🔉 The tour starts at 9 am, ends at around 3 pm
Mandatory fields are marked as "*", but by providing more information it will allow us to better address your needs.