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sapa
Culture Tours

Tours - Sapa

These hiking and cultural tours will introduce you to some of the local ethnic tribes of the Muong Hoa Valley with its rice terraces and rivers. The steep sided valley offers some of the best trekking Vietnam has to offer. My tribe has lived here for centuries living off the land - so we know the area pretty well.

These private tour are for groups of 1 to 10 people, so you are guaranteed a personal experience and memories to last a lifetime. If there is a little extra something you would like to do or see, please just ask us and we will see how we can make your trip just that little bit extra special.

We have 2 starting points for the trekking. Starting in Sapa, this is the classic tour. With a town centre pickup. Because Sapa has become a Vietnamese holiday town in the last 2-3 years with a rapid development of the centre, we also have the option of starting in Ta Van for a far more chill and less touristy start. The village is not far from Sapa (around 12km) and very easy to get to by taxi. It’s also a bit cheaper there so better value for money is always a good thing.


Getting to know Sapa

Sapa, also known as Sa Pả, is part of the Lào Cai region—one and home to many ethic minorities since the 17th century. The Chinese called people of the nearby villages (a mix of Hmong, Red Dao, Green Zay tribes) - “Sa Ba” which means “sand beach” in Mandarin. The French the name of the area became Chapa because of the sound. This was later translated to Vietnamese changing the French “Ch” to a more favourable “S” - Sapa.

The French are the ones credited with established the town in 1905. It was chosen for its cooler air at higher altitude (1500m) and was seen as the perfect escape from Hanoi, especially with a railway that went to Lao Cai for easy access. The area was also quite undeveloped as the location had nothing to offer the ethnic homesteader who preferred the Muong Hoa Valley because it offered much better farming and access routes.

Sapa’s Moung Hoa Valley is famous for its steep sided rice terraces and beautiful views of the valley below. We trek along local trails that once were the only means of passage between villages and farmlands. Too steep and wild to make in to roads, these trails have remained mostly unchanged and make for excellent trekking adventures. Today, Sapa remains a fashionable and sought-after location for both Vietnamese and international tourists.

While staying in the Sapa region, many foreign tourists prefer the homestay experience. People have the best choice in Ta Van. There are however also homestay options in Su Pan and Giang Ta Chai.


Sapa town centre start

The town centre also has many nice hotels and restaurants to choose from not to mention near attractions like Cat Cat village, Fansipan cable car and Glass Bridge. Collection is from the town square or your hotel and back again. Sapa also has a vibrant night life with many restaurant, bars and hotels to choose from.

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1 days
Sapa

Bac Ha Market + Palace + Boat Ride

Traditional markets of the local ethnic minorities. We visit sunday to see livestock, fabrics as well as visiting the nearby palace and take a gentle boat ride on the river.
*From
$63
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2 days
1 nights
Sapa

Bac Ha Market + Can Cau Market

We visit two of the best markets of the region. Can Cau and Bac Ha. There is the Palace to see as well as a boat cruise to enjoy.
*From
$POA
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1 days
Sapa

Meet the Hmong + Trekking in the valley

Trekking deep into the valley we pass rice terraces and meet many ethnic Hmong and Red Dao. We also see a local family making batik, finally arriving in Ta Van with lunch included.
*From
$40
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2 days
1 nights
Sapa

Sapa to Su Pan 2

This tour takes us down the valley to Ta Van for an overnight stay, though the bamboo forest and along the Muong Hoa River
*From
$73
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3 days
2 nights
Sapa

Top to bottom! The furthest any Sapa tour goes...

Explore deep into the valley, seeing many different ethnic cultures, the bamboo forest, the hot springs of Ban Ho and the isolated Nam Toong village on this epic three day adventure.
*From
$148
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1 days
Sapa

Silver + Love Waterfalls

Our classic half day tour to the 2 most beautiful waterfalls of the region. A must see for anyone visiting Sapa, especially june-july when they are at their strongest flow!
*From
$32

*Prices are intended as a guide based on a group of 4 persons with a per person price. To see the actual price, check on the page. Depending on how many people are in your group, the cost may be higher or lower per person.


Ta Van start

The biggest village in the valley with many homestay’s, coffee shops and places to see. It’s like Sapa town was 10 years ago but with WiFi. There is much to explore locally and the people here are very friendly. Tours from Ta Van make the most sense for people already in the valley on holiday. Please note It may be the biggest village in the valley but it still does not have a bank / cash machine.

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1 days
Ta Van

Ta Van to Su Pan + Waterfall

Trekking further down the valley in the bamboo forest we come across a waterfall next to the river crossing. There we find some friendly Red Dao. We wind our way back up the other side all the way to Su Pan for a wonderful day.
*From
$40
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2 days
1 nights
Ta Van

Ta Van to the high up Hang Da Village

Enjoy more local foods, a more peaceful and less touristy trek, see two waterfalls, a bamboo forest while also overnighting in Su Pan 2. Finally ending up in Hang Da where some of the best views of the valley are to be had.
*From
$73
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3 days
2 nights
Ta Van

Ta Van, Seo My Ty to Sapa

This intense experience takes you inside the Hoang Lien Son National Park, down as far as Su Pan before coming back up the valley to Sapa via countryside single track roads and buffalo paths.
*From
$148

*Prices are intended as a guide based on a group of 4 persons with a per person price. To see the actual price, check on the page. Depending on how many people are in your group, the cost may be higher or lower per person.


Hanoi coach pickup, trekking & relax time

Getting around in Vietnam is not the easiest, especially for people new to the country. That is why we have options that collect you from Hanoi Old Quarter itself. We use Sapa Express coaches and book the executive service for you. Arrive in Sapa relaxed. We also include with the tour a little time off so you can explore the villages and valley by yourself. You can ask to extend if you wish - it really is quite affordable with prices from $20 per night for a private room.

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4 days
3 nights
Hanoi

Su Pan 2 Trek + Free time

Package - 4 days with luxury bus from Old Quarter in Hanoi to Sapa with 2 day trekking tour to Su Pan 2 and time to relax and explore the village of Ta Van.
*From
$203
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5 days
4 nights
Hanoi

Ban Ho Trek + Free time

Package - 5 days with luxury bus from Old Quarter in Hanoi to Sapa with 3 day trekking tour to the hot springs and time to relax and explore the village of Ta Van.
*From
$251

*Prices are intended as a guide based on a group of 4 persons with a per person price. To see the actual price, check on the page. Depending on how many people are in your group, the cost may be higher or lower per person.


Light trekking senior and family tours

For people who want to see the beauty of Sapa, engage with the local ethnic cultures and have a less intense trekking adventure we have tours specially for you. These tours have a maximum of 4km of trekking per day, taking a more leisurely pace, engaging with the local community more as well more time with scenic locations.

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1 days
Sapa

Meet the Hmong + Light trekking easy tour

We trek rice terraces of the Muong Hoa valley, meet local ethnic cultures and see a local family making batik. Finally we arrive in Ta Van with lunch included.
*From
$POA
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2 days
1 nights
Sapa

Light trekking + Local sightseeing

Light trekking in Sapa suitable for all, especially seniors and families with young children.
*From
$POA

*Prices are intended as a guide based on a group of 4 persons with a per person price. To see the actual price, check on the page. Depending on how many people are in your group, the cost may be higher or lower per person.

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My family threshing the rice by hand at harvest time. There is one rice crop per year
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Rice terraces of Ta Van just after planting, with very low hanging clouds in the valley. These tend to roll in mid-morning before disappearing.

Featured Sights

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Bamboo Forest of Ta Van
High up and close to Ta Van, this is one of the biggest forests in the valley. It is also one of our toughest treks on any of our tours!
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Ban Ho Village
This lovely village is just past Su Pan next to the Muong Hoa river. The Tay tribe is the most common here.
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Fansipan Mountain
With a height over 3km, Fansipan mountain the tallest mountain in Vietnam. Accessible today by cable car or 3 days of trekking / climbing.
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Giang Ta Chai Village
Home of the Dao tribe. This beautiful village is on both side of the Muong Hoa River complete with a suspension bridge crossing, waterfall and a selection of homestays to visit!
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Hang Da Village
Home of the Hmong tribe. High up on the side of the valley this village has some of the best views in the valley.
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Lao Chai Village
Home to the Black Hmong, this delightful little village sits between Ta Van and Sapa in the Moung Hoa Valley.
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Love Waterfall
This 100m high waterfall has impressive views for travellers. Flowing in to the equally beautifully named Golden Stream. Complete with fairy backstory.
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Muong Hoa River
The region where we will be doing all the trekking. Home to some 30 thousand people.
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Muong Hoa Valley
The region where we will be doing all the trekking. Home to some 30 thousand people.
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Nam Toong Village
A Red Dao village still doing farming the old way. A lovely village that still favours the traditional houses.
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San Sả Hồ Village
Known for its beautiful steep sided rice terraces, this village sits further down the valley between Y Linh Ho and Lao Chai.
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Seo My Ty
This charming village of just a few houses sits right next to the large reservoir where fish are farmed high up in the national park.
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Silver falls Waterfall
Visit between February and June to see this sight in its full glory with the strongest water flows. One of the two must see waterfalls of the region.
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Su Pan / 2 Villages
This village is also a commune - a collection of other villages. Su Pan (1) is high up, where people farm and there are many nice new homestays overlooking the valley below. Su Pan 2 is further into the valley and has a single high-street.
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Ta Van Village
A beautiful location with choices of homestays and easy access to many trekking paths.
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Y Ling Ho Village
One of our first stops on the way out of Sapa town square, just 2km away but another world from the busy centre.

*Main / featured sights are listed only as there are too many otherwise. Thank you for your understanding.


Treks / Activities

*Featured treks only, otherwise too many to list.