Sapa is a beautiful destination in northern Vietnam. It is known for its many rice fields, phenomenal views and the cool Sapa trekking you can do there. Explore the amazing surroundings of Sapa and get out into nature. In this article we cover everything you need for preperation of a trekking in Sapa, including a packing list and tips for the best guides.
Content of this blog:
Sapa-town
Sapa-town is busy and chaotic with lots of lights and stores. When you arrive here in the evening, it’s like being in the Alps while après-skiing. In any case, there are plenty of restaurants to have a good meal and a drink. Do make sure you go to sleep on time because the next day you will start your trekking early.
Where to stay in Sapa?
Sapa Alley Homestay is a nice, inexpensive hotel to stay at. In addition, you can rent cheap scooters here if you plan to spend a day exploring the area by scooter. If you prefer a slightly more luxurious hotel, you can sleep at the beautiful Sapa Relax Hotel & Spa for €35 a night. Are you a solo traveller looking for a nice hostel? Check the image below for the best hostels in Vietnam.
Guide for Sapa trekking
There are many different guides in the area available for your Sapa trekking. Most guides run fairly similar (beautiful) routes. They can all speak good English and talk a lot about the landscapes and local life. At your hotel in Sapa, you can arrange a (multi-day) Sapa trekking in the breathtaking surroundings. You can then leave your belongings at the hotel and go out with the guide.
You can also arrange your own guide for the trekking in Sapa. Two well-known guides are Lala and Mama Chi. We went out with Mama Chi ourselves and had a great time. You then often go with a larger group (between 4 and 10 people). Along the way it is very pleasant with the guide and the other tourists. A two-day trekking in Sapa with these guides costs between $35 and $40 per person. This includes 4 meals, one night’s accommodation and a cab back to the village on the last day. The only thing you still pay for yourself are your drinks.
You can whatsap Mama Chi at +84 9165 42958. Lala can be reached on the whatsapp number +84 9734 87062. They can’t read but if you leave a message they will get back to you. They can both speak English very well, though.
Tip: read all about Hoi An: Vietnam’s cutest town here
What do you bring for the two-day Sapa trekking?
If you do the two-day trekking in Sapa, you will only carry a small backpack. You can often leave your large backpack or suitcase at the hotel (especially if you sleep here for another night after returning). Be sure to bring the following items in your daypack for the Sapa trekking:
- A clean t-shirt or top
- Sports shorts or hiking pants
- Long-sleeved sweater or cardigan
- Clean underwear
- Two pairs of clean socks
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- One bottle of water
- Flipflops
- Rainwear
- Possibly a towel (they also often have them at the homestay)
- Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, shower gel, lens solution)
- Phone charger
- Camera
- Enough cash ($35 for the guide, possibly another tip and money for souvenirs along the way). A minimum of 1,500,000 dong (€60) per person is recommended.
Sapa trekking day 1
On the first day, you will be picked up by the guide at your hotel in Sapa in the morning. Together you walk out of the town and within 15 minutes you are already walking past nature and seeing the amazing views that Sapa is known for. Soon you get off the paved road and hike among the rice fields, over the stones. Here you will keep hiking for a while while enjoying the mountains, rice fields and local villages. A trekking in Sapa is definitely one of the best things to do in Vietnam.
Around lunchtime, eat local Vietnamese food at a nice little restaurant next to the rice fields. Food is (often) included in the guide’s tour and she will order everything. If you eat vegetarian or vegan, it is helpful to let them know in advance (chay = vegetarian).
After lunch, you’ll have enough energy to continue hiking for the Sapa trekking. It will be some more climbing and scrambling through the rice fields to arrive at the homestay but the views are truly phenomenal. Around 16:00 you will arrive at the guide’s homestay. Take a nice shower and sit down with a beer to enjoy the beautiful view from the homestay. In the evening, the entire group will be served a delicious meal with lots of happy water. It is time to sleep early because you are probably broken from this day. Be aware that the homestay is basic; you will probably sleep on a very hard bed.
Sapa trekking Day 2
Good morning! Breakfast is served around 08:00 and at 09:00 it is time to start hiking again for day 2 of the Sapa trekking. From the homestay, you walk directly through the rice fields and beautiful nature. Along the way you will encounter animals everywhere: buffalos, chickens, dogs, pigs and cows. Everything is running loose in front of your feet, very special to see.
After lunch, you will walk a little further and then the guide will call a cab for you to take you back to Sapa town. After all, you walked quite a bit further today so you don’t walk the same roads twice. In the afternoon, you will be dropped off back at your hotel in Sapa and have a chance to unwind. Enjoy the relaxation, book a massage and look back at the amazing photos from your trekking in Sapa.
Rainy season in Sapa
It is good to take the rainy season in northern Vietnam into account . Because Sapa is in the mountains and it is already a bit colder anyway, Sapa also experiences heavy showers. The rainy season in Sapa runs from March until September. June and July showers are at their most intense. At the same time, Sapa is at its most beautiful during this period. Because of the rain, nature, and especially the rice fields, are beautifully green.
During the rainy season, many women will join the group during the Sapa trekking. They help you while hiking so you don’t slip on the wet patches or in the mud. After a while you will walk flatter and it is time to say goodbye to these women. They then conjure up local souvenirs and it is appropriate to buy some of these. They charge very high prices but of course this is also for the help they offered you. Be sure to carry enough cash for this as well.
How to get to Sapa
From Hanoi, the bus takes about 6 hours to Sapa. These are often comfortable sleeper buses that you can rest well in. From Ha Giang, where you can do the amazing Ha Giang Loop, you are also 6 hours away. When coming from Cat Ba, it takes a little longer. You will be on the road for about 12 hours. You can choose to travel by day or by night bus. All buses in Vietnam can be easily booked online through 12GO.Asia.
