You are planning from Lao Cai to Sapa for trekking tours? Then, get ready for your lifetime adventure! The distance between Lao Cai and Sapa is about 38 km, offering travelers breathtaking views of the Northern Vietnam beauty with rugged landscapes. This route is well-known for its picturesque beauty and cultural richness, making it a haven for trekkers. This guide is going to deliver detailed information and some useful tips to travelers planning a trekking tour from Lao Cai to Sapa. Else being an experienced trekker or a novice explorer, the overview below will guarantee that you get the most out of your trip.
Trekking Sapa in Muong Hoa
The distance for trekking tours from Lao Cai to Sapa is about 38 km; depending on individual modes of transportation, the time spent is as follows:
The trek from Lao Cai to Sapa is a journey to be savored as much for the getting there as it is for the destination. The route leads down to the bottom of the lush green valleys, through the terraced rice fields which are typical landscapes in Vietnam. You will pass by very photogenic spots with a peek into the hard local way of living. You will pass some spectacular scenic landscapes that change with the seasons: from vibrant green paddies in the summertime to golden-filled fields during the harvest season.
Trekking tours from Lao Cai to Sapa offer routes and trails for different experience levels. If you are either an experienced or inexperienced trekker, some paths would serve your taste in fitness and adventure. The paths normally wind around sparkling spectacular landscapes of terraced rice fields, lush valleys, and serene mountains, and give a unique chance to get deep into nature and local culture.
One of the major highlights of trekking tours from Lao Cai to Sapa is the varied attractions and landmarks on the way. Here are some must-visited places:
Cat Cat Village
Cat Cat Village
This Cat Cat Village is an ideal start for your trek, only some kilometers away from Sapa. This Hmong ethnic minority village will give you a glimpse into the traditional rural way of life. Beautiful wooden houses and waterfalls line Cat Cat as one passes through it; many locally created handicrafts can also be found here. It is rich in culture; one can gain insight into the traditional activities of the Hmong, such as weaving and silverwork.
Muong Hoa Valley
Muong Hoa Valley is among the most beautiful places along the trekking road from Lao Cai to Sapa for trekking tours. It has stunningly beautiful terraced rice fields, with colors changing with the seasons: green when the rice is young and golden yellow when it is ready for harvest. The Muong Hoa River winds its way along the bottom of the valley, making it even more beautiful. Along the trek, you will pass through several small villages: here, you can get in touch with local ethnic communities and know their way of life.
Ham Rong Mountain
Those who want a bit of a challenge, do go for the Ham Rong Mountain trek. This mountain is next to Sapa town and offers a truly great panorama. Landscaped gardens, orchid gardens, and rock formations will be found while one climbs up. You can witness breathtaking views at the peak of Ham Rong Mountain—the so-called Cloud Yard—and it becomes perfect for any kind of photography.
Silver Waterfall (Thac Bac)
Another Awaited Feature of Trekking Tours from Lao Cai to Sapa: is Silver Waterfall, Nearly 12km from Sapa. It was a wonderful naturality with its fall from over 200 meters high. The trek to the Silver Waterfall was rather easy and offered great views of the Mountains and Forests lying around. A great spot for a break in the journey, being able to enjoy the scenery, and shoot some memorable picture snaps.
One of the most enriching aspects of trekking tours from Lao Cai to Sapa is getting to know the culture of local ethnic communities. It is inhabited by many different ethnic groups: Hmong, Dao, and Tay. All of these tribes have their traditions, habits, and handicrafts.
Hmong Community
The Hmong people are famous for their colorful traditional garb and stunning embroidery. Exploring the Hmong villages during your treks and experiencing their lifestyle is a great possibility. They are expert craftsmen, so you can buy nice handmade stuff, like textiles and silver jewelry, directly from the villagers.
Dao Community
Another well-known Ethnic group in Sapa is that of the Dao people with their exciting red headscarves. After trekking through the breathtaking scenery, a visit to a Dao village allows for getting an inside look at their tradition, herbal medicine, and agriculture. The Dao people are indigenous to traditional herbal baths; it’s a perfect relaxation after a whole day of trekking.
Tay Community
The cultural diversity is added by the Tay people, who typically reside in the houses on stilts. Visiting a Tay village will give you an insight into their architecture, gastronomy, and farming methods. The Tay is famous for hospitality, so maybe you will be invited by a family to share dinner with them and become familiar with their warm and open culture.
Ham Rong Mountain
06:30 – 07:00: The journey from Lao Cai to Sapa for trekking tours begins as Impressive Travel’s bus and tour guide will pick you up from the stated point. Then, depart for Sapa by Noi Bai – Lao Cai expressway. En route, you will enjoy the beautiful scene of Northwest Mountains dotted with fields shining in the morning sun or dimly covered with mist. One 30-minute stop on the way for breaks.
12:30: Arrive in Sapa; enjoy lunch at a local restaurant—suggested is Red Dao House at 4B Thác Bạc, Sapa Town, check-in hotel later.
14:00: The guide will take you for a hike to learn about Ham Rong Mountain, renowned for its wild beauty. Entrance fee for adults: approximately VND 70,000; children: VND 20,000. Take a close look at the Indochina Orchid Gardens 1, 2, and 3, as all of them have abundant colors of orchids. You will also pass by the majestic Dragon Head Thach Lam, then Heaven Gates 1 and 2 until you reach the Cloud Yard—where sky and earth meet—to see a panoramic view of Sapa from above.
18:00: Dinner will be served at the hotel.
19:00: Free time to dinner and wander around Sapa town at night, enjoying the fresh atmosphere with OMO’s lively nightlife.
08:30: Breakfast at the hotel before taking a trek to Cat Cat, a village inhabited by H’Mong people. Discovered by the French and turned into a retreat for French officials in the early 20th century, Cat Cat Village brings guests closer to the H’Mong traditional way of living. Its entrance fee is approximately 70,000 VND. You will visit Cat Cat Waterfall and the old hydroelectric station; thus, getting familiar with the specific culture and customs, and traditional handicrafts: weaving, carving silver, and forging tools.
11:30: Return to Sapa for lunch in a restaurant like Good Morning Vietnam, 69 Fan Si Pang Street, and rest time at the hotel.
14:00: Free time in Sapa town for exploration, photo taking, and shopping for souvenirs till dinner time.
19:00: Dinner at the hotel, then you will be free to go to the night market and taste the special dishes of locals as grilled egg and meat, etc. on Cau May Street in Sapa. If this is Saturday night, you will have an opportunity to attend the live market – a cultural activity of local highland people.
07:00: Breakfast served at the hotel. After breakfast, feel free in the morning to self-explore or go shopping at Sapa Market where many artistic local crafts and local products are on sale.
11:30: Return to the hotel to check out and have lunch.
14:00: In the afternoon, visit Sapa town shrouded in mystical fog, go to the highland market, and shop for souvenirs.
16:00: Back to Hanoi by Bus, ending the unforgettable trekking tour from Lao Cai to Sapa.
22:00: Once you arrive at Hanoi, the tour.
Enjoy this journey in life, as well as the memorable experience with a deep appreciation of Sapa’s beauty and unique culture one more time. I would like to welcome you on the next possible coming trips with Impressive Travel!
Muong Hoa Valley
While taking part in the trekking tour from Lao Cai to Sapa, don’t forget to buy some special products of this land as souvenirs. Besides breathtaking scenery, Sapa also offers an abundance of local specialties worthy of being bought as gifts.
Thit trau gac bep is dried buffalo meat, a mountainous region delicacy. This type of meat has been marinated with many spices and herbs in advance and then hung over the fire to dry. The result is this smoky treat is strangely excellent as a gift item for friends and family.
Sapa is home to a variety of wild mushrooms, including Nam Huong rung and Nam chan chim. These mushrooms are prized for their rich flavor and nutritional benefits. They are perfect for soups, stir-fries, or as a health-boosting ingredient in various dishes.
Muoi cham cheo is a weird mixture of salt mixed with mac khen, thảo quả, ớt, and other local herbs and spices. The exceptional kind of salt serves as the dipping sauce for fruits, meats, and others to add a little local twist from Sapa to any dish.
Another must-purchase specialty from Sapa would have to be Muong Khuong chili sauce. Bright red and very spicy, this sauce is made from chilies grown locally. It’s perfect for adding a kick to your meals and makes for a nice spice gift.
Sapa boasts cool weather, perfect for the growing of a thousand types of fruit. Plums and apricots enjoy great demand throughout the country from Sapa. Fresh, dried, or made into jams and preserves—these fruits give users a taste of Sapa’s fine and beautiful nature.
Ethnic community in Sapa
Sapa is famous for the handicrafts and textiles from its ethnic communities. Beautiful blanks, well-woven blankets, scarves, bags, and silver jewelry come out from this land as typical products that truly represent the rich cultural heritage there. It’s these handmade products that form great souvenirs or gifts one could give to their loved ones.
Trekking from Lao Cai to Sapa for trekking tours combines the best of nature, culture, and sports activities. The route passes through stunningly sweeping terraced rice fields, lush green valleys, and ethnic villages that give singular insights into the cultural traditions of the H’Mong, Dao, and Tay communities. It’s going to be a wonderful and inspiring experience with the highlights being Ham Rong Mountain, Cat Cat Village, Muong Hoa Valley, and Silver Waterfall.
A reservation with Impress Travel will instill confidence in guests that very well-organized and enriching tours will be delivered—from a knowledgeable guide to comfortable accommodations, and careful itineraries, not missing anything. From hardcore trekkers to first-time adventurers, there is something in our tours for everyone. Let’s plan your trekking tour from Lao Cai to Sapa today for a journey of discovery and adventure. Don’t forget to regularly follow our Impress Travel for more interesting information about traveling Sapa to and to book Sapa Tours at the best prices.
For more information and to book your tour, please contact us:
Hanoi Head Office
Saigon Office
Sapa Tours offers travelers three days of Sapa easy trekking to explore the most iconic attractiveness of Sapa such as rice terraces, lush-green valleys, imposing mountains rows of mountains, the cultural diversity of ethnic minority groups such like Hmong, Dzay, Tay, Red Dzao people. We take part in athletic activities as easy trekking to visit the rustic hill tribe villages via the stunning rice terraces, to meet at the friendly communication with local ethnic people, enjoy the delicious local foods. For the most friendly Sapa Vietnam Tour Consultancy, please email us at please email:sapatour@impresstravel.com or contact the hotline (Whatsapp, Zalo, Viber, Skype) at +84.912 379 189 – Mr. Alex
Hotels in Sapa
Homestay in Sapa
We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.
Impress travel were amazing. Did my bookings with Daniel for our tour of Vietnam and I must say Daniel was very professional and prompt with his services. All the arrangement, plans, pick-up & drop-off services, hotels, vehicles, sightseeing tours and guides were spot on and excellent. Did 4 nights Hanoi, 1 night Hà Long Bay cruise, 3 nights Hoian, 4 nights Saigon and 1 night in Can Tho. It was totally awesome. Every part of the journey was superbly arranged and planned. I will highly recommend Impress Travel for anyone interested in visiting Vietnam. Very organized and reliable!
I booked with Impress Travel in July. My contact person was Tommy Thang. He is an amazing person. He was very helpful. He changed my program twice for me. Very accommodating!
We started our holiday in the north (Sapa)of Vietnam and travelled down to HCMC.
The tour was fantastic, Tommy's arrangements were to the"T".
I will always use them if I have to visit the area again and recommend them to one and all.
Thank you once again Mr.Tommy and the Impress Team.
Sulaiman Pochee
Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.
This is the second time we travel to Vietnam with IMPRESS Travel. First time, we booked our holiday to Hanoi, Halong Bay & Sapa during Dec 2018 with Impress.
Second time, we travel to Hoi An, Hue & Danang (Central Vietnam) during Jan 2019.
My friends & I are very glad & happy with all the hotels stay in Central Vietnam, the meals provided are delicious. We are greatly appreciated with all the tour arrangement by Tommy & his team (tour guide).
Especially, Mr. NHAT C.V. He is helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and very professional. He always volunteer to take a nice pictures for six of us (group) .
We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress
Inclusion: Night train tickets, Tour guide, Transfer from Hanoi to Lao Cai station
Inclusion: Breakfast; lunch; dinner, Homestay in Ta Van, Entrance fee; Tour guide, Private air-conditioned vehicle pick up from Lao Cai train station to Sapa town
After breakfast, we keep the easy trekking through the rice terrace track to Giang Ta Chai village where is home of Red Dao people, and then to Su Pan village where the vehicle is awaiting for transferring back to Sapa town.
The afternoon time is free at leisure and explore Sapa town by self
Hotel overnight in Sapa town
Inclusion: Breakfast; Entrance fee; Tour guide, Private air-conditioned vehicle pick up from Su Phan village back to Sapa town, Hotel in Sapa
Inclusion: Breakfast; Entrance fee; Tour guide, Private air-conditioned vehicle pick up from Cat Cat village back to Sapa town and transfer to Lao Cai station and Night train tickets to Hanoi.
Impress Travel – Sapa tours offers classic and easy tours, trekking tours (easy trek, medium trek & hard trek) to discover the remote ethnic minority villages & adventurous tours to conquer Fansipan’s highest mountain peak or motorbike to travel around and mountain biking, market day tours, homestay with an ethnic family. For the most trusted and most saving for North Vietnam Tour Packages to explore Sapa Vietnam. Email: Sapatours@impresstravel.com & call to Mr. Alex Impress Travel Manager at his cell phone (+84) 9123 79 189
Contact us about any of our tours, or discuss your trip ideas, about Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar with Impress travel consultants. All replies asap and always within 24 hours.
