Sapa is a relatively small town located in the lush-green highlands of Vietnam and popular for trekking by the rice terraces and in the mountains. A trekking and homestay tour in Sapa has the ability to provide an unforgettable and unique experience.
Beyond exploring the gorgeous landscapes, this type of trip is great to learn more about the day-to-day life of the local tribal people. Staying in a homestay for the night means sharing a home with a local family while eating with them and exposing yourself to their culture and daily routine. A Sapa tour organized through a Vietnam travel agent makes it possible to trek through thatch villages, bamboo groves and terraced rice paddies.
What to expect
Sapa’s incredible scenery makes it a perfect destination for the trekking tours. Travellers to the small town of Sapa have the option to sign up for a wide range of trekking tours. For instance, there are the short, single day trips to the multi-day trips that include relaxing with a local family for the night in a homestay. To get the full trekking experience, try to spend at least one or two nights in Sapa. Also, it is quite a distance to travel from Hanoi to Sapa (approx 317 km) for a single day.
Plus, by organizing the longer trek and overnight homestay on the Vietnam tour packages, it is possible to trek further out which means a lot less tourist groups. The longer the trek into the mountains, the quieter it will start to become and scenery only gets more impressive.
A typical trek in Sapa is likely to pass through plenty of villages, rice paddies and farm houses. Plus, the trek gives the stunning scenery consisting of the local villages, valleys and mountains. There are plenty of opportunities to stop along the way and take in the day-to-day lives of the people. This can include watching the local women dye clothes using natural flowers, as well as different weaving techniques. On any trek there is certain to be a few obstacles that are encountered, such as water buffalo, muddy ditches, fallen trees and boulders.
A great way to trek in Sapa and see the less touristy areas is to use the services of a local tour guide. A tour guide from one of the local tribes can take the tourists to see the places with jaw-dropping scenery, which are less likely to be seen by the independent traveller.
Prices
The cost of staying in a homestay for the night can cost in the region of $64 for 2 days and 1 night, or $78 for 3 days and 2 nights. An all-inclusive trip organized with a Vietnam travel company is likely to include the round trip transportation, homestay accommodation, and food for the duration of the stay.
So try not to scrimp on this fun activity that gives the more authentic feel and gets you away from the hustle and bustle of the cities. If planning to trek in Sapa, it is well worth staying one or two nights to fully appreciate the homestay experience.
