Region & Excursions in the Sapa area

Sapa was originally a hill station settled by the French in 1922. The town itself is nestled in a spectacular valley and there are wonderful and ever changing views in all directions.

The local H'mong and Dao people are in the majority here and their smiles are as bright as the colours and designs of their distinctive clothing. In all, there are more than 30 ethnic groups living in and around Sapa.
 
Sapa is 1650 metres (5413 feet) above sea level and enjoys a cooler climate than most of Vietnam. It is only 9 km (5.6 miles) away from Mount Fansipan, Vietnam's highest point at 3143 metres (10311 feet).
 
A visit to Sapa can be as relaxing or as energetic as you choose to make it. Whether your idea of pleasure is climbing to the peak of Fansipan or nestling in front of a roaring fire with a good book, you'll find that Sapa offers the ideal spot to do either.
 

Valley views: Silver Waterfall and Heaven's Gate Excursion (3 hours)

You will be taken by car to the Silver Waterfall; from there you can see stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the lush forests belonging to Hoang Lien National Park. Along the way, you can stop by a farm for a cup of tea while your guide explains about this special part of Sapa where many species are grown such as plum trees and squash. You will continue by car uphill to Heaven's Gate, the highest stretch of road in Vietnam as well as the provincial border of Lao Cai and Lai Chau provinces. Here you will have a fantastic opportunity to view the magnificent scenery.
 

Lao Chai - Ta Van - Giang Ta Chai Excursion (half day)

You will commence your short journey by driving south toward Muong Hoa valley. You will then start your walk by descending into the valley, which is the largest terraced rice paddy in the Sapa area. Your guide will provide you with interesting information about the cultivation of rice. If you visit the valley sometime in between May and October, you will be able to observe and experience how the locals plant and harvest, one of the most important activities in their daily life. The walk takes you from Lao Chai village of the Black H'mong minority to Ta Van village of the Giay minority including a visit to the local Catholic Church.

Ta Phin Village Excursion (half day)

Your journey will be mostly driving downhill toward Lao Cai, before taking a left turn into a small paved road leading to Ta Phin village. Here you can experience the unmixed cultural life of Black H'mong and Red Dao minorities, the two largest ethnic groups in the area. They live happily together while maintaining their own traditions from generation to generation. You can differentiate the two groups by their traditional ways of dressing and the handicrafts they produce. The trip also offers you the opportunity to visit the local houses as well as visit the local caves.
 

Cat Cat Y Linh Ho Excursion (half day)

You first sneak through the market and leave the busy town behind. After a couple of minutes, you will follow a road going downhill to Cat Cat village. You will stop by a waterfall before trekking along a dirt trail through terraced rice paddies. You will enjoy spectacular scenery while walking along a narrow river. The area is still covered by rain forest under the protection of Hoang Lien National Park. You eventually arrive in Y Linh Ho village of Black H'mong minority, where you can take a rest in a nice spot near the beautiful river before climbing toward a road, where you will return Sapa by car.
 

Black H'Mong village of Matra Excursion (half day)

This trip commences with a short walk through the town of Sapa and along a dirt trail through beautiful gardens and lush pine forests. You will then pass through the Black H'mong ethnic minority village of Matra, a very small village hidden away from civilisation. You will then continue your walk through rice paddy fields and spectacular scenery. During the day you will also be able to visit a local school. From the school, you head to the church of Ta Phin, where your car will take you back to Sapa.

Binh Lu Excursion (full day)

You first travel by car uphill toward Tram Ton. On the way, you can take a short walk to the Silver Waterfall and then head to Heaven's Gate, where you will be amazed by breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains including Mount Fansipan, the highest peak of Indochina. Your ride will be mostly downhill toward Binh Lu. You will stop by Chu Va village of Flower H'mong for a break before you arrive in Binh Lu. Here you will have lunch in a local restaurant.
 
After lunch, you will drive along a dirt road to the villages, which are set in a beautiful valley of terraced rice paddies surrounded by mountains. You will have time to stop by Pa Pen village of Lu minority. Here you can take a walk around the village as well as visit a local school.
 

Tram Ton -Sin Chai Excursion (full day)

You travel by car toward the Silver Waterfall where you will be able to take a short walk to the waterfall. You will then drive further to Heaven's Gate, the highest road in Vietnam. From there you can see Mount Fansipan, the highest peak of Indochina and enjoy stunning views.
 
The walk commences at a point near the waterfall, along a trail through bamboo forests, which belong to Hoang Lien National Park. Your picnic lunch will be served at a nice spot near a river.
 
After lunch, you continue to trek to Sin Chai village, where you will have the opportunity to visit the village, inhabited by the Black H'mong minority, one of the largest ethnic minorities in the Sapa area.

Bac Ha Market Excursion (on Sunday's only - full day)

Bac Ha is the largest and most colourful market in the area. Every Sunday morning, many different ethnic groups such as Flower H'mong, Phu La, Black Dao, Tay and Nung minorities gather to buy and sell local products that cannot be found elsewhere. In the afternoon, you will walk to the Tay minority village of Trung Do where you will get onboard a traditional boat and cruise along the Chay River.
 
 

The hidden Muong Hum Market Excursion (on Sunday's only - full day)

This hidden Sunday market close to the Chinese border will allow you to meet a large variety of ethnic minorities such as Ha Nhi, Giay, Red H'mong, Flower H'mong and Red Dao. The ethnic groups gather once a week to trade in livestock, produce and to meet with their friends and family to drink rice and corn wine.

Coc Ly Market Excursion (on Tuesday's only - full day)

Coc Ly market is a very small market which takes place every Tuesday. You can meet several ethnic minorities from surrounding villages such as Flower H'mong, Black Dao, Phu La, Nung and Tay. After visiting the market, you will board a traditional boat for a one-way cruise along the Chay River followed by a short walk to the minority village of Trung Do.

Can Cau Market Excursion (on Saturday's only- full day)

Situated in the mountains near the Chinese border, 20 km (12 miles) from Bac Ha, Can Cau is a small, but very colourful market. Taking place only on Saturdays, it always delivers a very photogenic display of Flower H'mong, Black Dao, Phu La ethnic costumes. Chinese people also come for trading. After spending the whole morning exploring the market, you will leave the market for Bac Ha town, where you will have lunch in a local restaurant.
 
After lunch, you will board a traditional boat for a one-way cruise along the Chay River followed by a short walk to the minority village of Trung Do.

Lung Khau Nhin Market Excursion (on Thursday's only - full day)

This tiny market is surrounded by pine trees forests and villages. Flower H'mong, Tu Di, Tay and Giay ethnic minorities come to buy and sell local products such as food and material for agriculture and fabric. After exploring the market, you will be able to visit a village of Black Dao.
 
You will then head back to Muong Khuong and have lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, you will travel by car back to Sapa.
 
 

Bicycle Village Trip (full day)

Enjoy magnificent views and experience traditional ethnic villages while mountain biking and walking. A unique and fun way to visit the Sapa area!
 
For excursion prices and booking, please contact us.