Real Sapa Trek & Homestay | 2 or 3 Days | from HANOI, VIETNAM

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Friends Travel Vietnam

4.84

(32 Reviews)

(18 customer reviews)
100% of travellers gave more than 4 star rating.
  • Incredible 2-Day Trek in Sapa with 1-Night Homestay.
  • Local Ethnic Minority Guide (Red Dzao or Hmong) for a True Insider Experience.
  • Off The Beaten Track, Non-Touristic Trails!
  • Includes: Overnight Journeys from Hanoi and back + All Food + Homestay Accommodation + Cooking Class + Foot Massage.
  • Read the article about this trek here.

From $125.00


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The Real Sapa Experience is organised by true Sapa experts. (Please read the reviews!) This 2-day, 3-night trek is the perfect itinerary for travellers to experience the very best of Sapa – without the tourist crowds! From start to finish, this will become a memorable experience that you carry with you for the rest of your life!


Overview of the Real Sapa Experience

After a comfortable overnight train ride from Hanoi, you will arrive at your destination of Sapa, “The Tonkinese Alps”. Sapa town is a colourful place, brought to life by the unique culture of the H’mong and Dzao tribal people.

You will be met by your local ethnic minority guide, who will lead you through the incredible landscapes that Sapa has to offer. From the luscious green of the region’s emblematic rice terraces to the rustic charm of the native dwellings, belonging to Dzay, Dzao, Tay, Xa Pho and H’Mong people – Sapa never fails to capture the imagination!

Over the course of your adventure, you’ll experience culture, breathtaking scenery and unique local cultures. This trek does not follow the same trails as the other tour groups. On this trek, you will hike the less trodden, non-touristic routes that skirt alongside the rice paddy fields and buffalo tracks. On the Real Sapa Experience, you’ll also enjoy a bonus cooking class and a 30-minute, well-deserved (by that point) herbal foot massage!


Itinerary – Real Sapa Experience – 4 Days, 3 Nights – Sleeper Bus Option

  • START – DAY 1: Hanoi 6.30 pm. (This is the start date you should choose above.)
  • FINISH – DAY 4: Hanoi 6.00 am.

DAY 1 # HANOI TO SAPA – OVERNIGHT SLEEPER BUS


Tonight we are departing from Hanoi, by overnight sleeper bus. You will have a “Meet & Greet” at the Friends Travel Office (15 Ly Nam De Str, Hanoi) anytime before 5:30 PM for instructions about your Sapa trekking. You will be required to go to the bus meeting point yourself at the required departing time we explain to you clearly. It’s possible to leave & store your luggage not needed for your Sapa trekking at our office and before your departure. 

You can use our lounge area to refresh yourself before 06:00 PM. You will receive from us a bus voucher for your bus tickets from Hanoi to Sapa and return. The sleeper bus throughout Vietnam are quite comfortable and an experience on their own. Each of you will have your own bunk bed. All bedding is provided. The bus is air-conditioned and has Western-style toilets your luggage can be stored under the bus. Food and drinks are not available for purchase on the bus. The bus might stop on the way.

Meet & Greet Tour Instructions 👇

 

Meeting Point Bus Departure 👇

Where: Friends Travel Vietnam Office

 

Where: 18C Hang Voi Str, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

15 Ly Nam De Str, Hanoi

 

9.15 PM present to exchange vouchers

Time: Anytime before 5:30 PM

 

Departing Time: 10 PM


DAY 2 # TREKKING – LAO CAI – SAPA – CAT CAT – Y LINH HO – LAO CHAI 


Route 1st Day trekking: Sapa – Y Linh Ho – Lao Chai, unique route non-touristic mountain area & on the rice paddy fields and buffalo tracks, 17KM+/-

Enjoy a very warm welcome at our hotel. After breakfast and a refreshing shower, our local Hmong or Red Dzao tour guide will be waiting for you. They will guide you through this stunning piece of Vietnam. From the lush terraced rice paddies to the rustic charm of the native dwellings, Sapa is a place you’re sure to fall in love with!
Many diverse groups like the Dzay, Dzao, Tay, Xa Pho or Hmong populate this richly cultural northern territory. You’ll sample their unique delights as you pass through each village where we trek on the rice paddy fields and buffalo tracks on a less-non touristic unique. Traditional meals with a local family. Cook & prepare the food with the family in the traditional way and enjoy a 30-min foot massage.
Overnight at our local homestay with the family, the accommodation for the evening is clean, basic bedding and mosquito nets are provided, western toilet & shower. It’s a great place to be! You will sleep on mattresses on the floor in a mixed-gender dormitory-style. There are a few better ways to understand a country and its people.


DAY 3 # LAO CHAI – GIANG TA CHAI – SAPA


Route 2nd Day trekking: Lao Chai – Giang Ta Chai – Sapa, a unique non-touristic route on the rice paddy fields and buffalo tracks, 12KM+/-

On day 3, after a traditional breakfast, we leave the homestay and continue our trek to visit the minorities in Giang Ta Chai village. We pass bamboo forest and stunning scenery and a lovely waterfall along our route. The terrain can be steep at times and slightly challenging.
However, passengers with a moderate fitness level should be fine. Our journey leads us along the small paths edging the rice fields, cross the Muong Hoa River and lunch will be on the way at a fantastic spot. We’ll head back after our second amazing trekking in the afternoon where we enjoy our lunch before slowly heading back to Sapa town, we arrive around +/-4PM.
You have free time to discover Sapa town on your own if you like, shower service is available and dinner will be offered around 6 PM at our hotel.

Your sleeper bus is departing between 9-10 PM at the bus station for your departure to Hanoi. Please note to present at the registration desk of the bus company before 9 PM it will take you +/- 20 min walk from our hotel. Taxi service upon your request (not included)


DAY 4 # SAPA – HANOI


Arriving back at Hanoi, arrival times are early, between 3 and 3:30 AM, it might be possible to stay at the appointed recommendations till 6 AM. Our office is open at 6 AM, where a lovely breakfast, coffee and a refreshing shower are waiting for you.

It’s possible to get a direct connection for tours to Halong Bay the departure times are around +/-7:30AM & 8 AM.

Itinerary – Real Sapa Experience – 4 Days, 3 Nights – Sleeper Train Option

  • START – DAY 1: Hanoi 5.30pm. (This is the start date you should choose above.)
  • FINISH – DAY 4: Hanoi 6.00am.

The information below is intended to assist you to have a clear view in expectations as you consider your travel options for Vietnam with us. In addition to the detailed itinerary each tour has been supported with some useful information to provide you with an overview of your accommodation & meals, all things money, passports, visas, vaccinations, insurance, clothing, personal equipment and much more to help you with your travel preparations.


Day 1 : Day 01: Hanoi – Sapa (Lai Cai) by Sleeper Train


12:00 AM – 05:30 PM: Tonight we are departing from Hanoi, by overnight sleeper train. You will have a Meet & Greet today at our office between 12:00 PM and before 17:30 PM for instructions about your Sapa trekking. It’s possible to leave & store your luggage not needed for your Sapa trekking at our office and before your departure. You can use our lounge area to refresh yourself or repack and organize your stuff for your adventure. You will receive from us a train ticket or voucher for Hanoi to Sapa and return and we discuss the pickup location for your train departure for tonight. You will have leisure time to wander around Hanoi’s Old Quarter and arrange your dinner yourself.

21:00 PM: Our guide & driver will pick you up at our discussed meeting point for your train departure, we will guide you to the train station all the way to your cabin, you will be required to be on time at the discussed meeting point.

22:00 PM: The sleeper trains throughout Vietnam are quite comfortable and an experience on their own. We booked a shared tourist class berth in a 4-berth cabin, each of you will have your own sleeper berth. All bedding is provided. The sleeper train is air-conditioned and has Western-style toilets, your luggage can be stored under the berth. Though restaurant carriage is not available, food and drinks are not available for purchase. Each carriage also includes one toilet at the end.

Overnight sleeper train
Includes: guide, transfer, train tickets and entrance fees.

Day 2 : Day 2: Lao Cai – Sapa – Cat Cat – Y Linh Ho – Lao Chai (B, L, D)

06:00 AM: After arriving at Lao Cai train station in the early morning, our driver is waiting for you with a signboard with your name on it and will pick you up from Lao Cai train station for a +/- 1-hour drive to Sapa town by car or bus. We will drive you to our hotel as the meeting point.

07:00 AM: On arrival at our hotel you’ll be offered a refreshing shower and enjoy breakfast on with stunning views of Sapa town and the Muong Hoa valley.

08:30 AM: Our local Hmong or Red Dzao tour guide is happy to meet you and will introduce her/himself, who will guide you the next days through this stunning piece of Vietnam. From the lush terraced rice paddies to the rustic charm of the native dwellings, Sapa is a place you’re sure to fall in love with!

Many diverse groups like the Dzay, Dzao, Tay, Xa Pho or Hmong populate this richly cultural northern territory. You’ll sample their unique delights as you pass through each village where we trek on the rice paddy fields and buffalo tracks on a less-non-tourist unique.

12:00 AM: Traditional lunch with a local family, our guide will explain how local life is around here the get a deeper understanding.

13:00 PM: Continue trekking to our homestay.

16:00 PM: After a beautiful day of trekking & adventure in the mountains of Sapa we reach our homestay where the family is waiting for you with a refreshing drink. Here we will experience local life and get deeper into the details of the minority families living here. Our local host is happy to get your bearings around the homestay, showing the rooms where we sleep that night and will invite you later that afternoon to assist with local cooking. We think you are ready for a refreshing shower after an interesting day like this, for sure you have earned your rest after such a challenging day of trekking to enjoy the breathtaking scenery

Overnight at our local homestay with the family, the accommodation for the evening is clean, basic bedding and mosquito nets are provided, western toilet & shower, just a great place to be with ways to better understand a country and its people.

18:00 PM: Prepare & assist local traditional meals with the family as a small cooking class

19:00 PM: Traditional dinner with a local family

20:30 PM: For sure you going to love this, 30 min foot massage with a herbal foot bath.

Route: Lai Cai – Sapa – Cat Cat – Y Linh Ho – Lao Chai
Scenery: Mountains area
Duration trekking: 6 – 7 hours
Length trekking: 17 KM +/-
Accommodation: Homestay shared with the group

Overnight local homestay
Includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, cooking class, transfer, English speaking guide and entrance fees.

Overnight at our local homestay with the family, the accommodation for the evening is clean, basic bedding and mosquito nets are provided, western toilet & shower, are just a great place to be. You will sleep in a private room or on mattresses on the floor in a mixed-gender dormitory style and there are few ways to better understand a country and its people.

Day 3 : Day 3: Lao Chai – Giang Ta Chai – Sapa (B, L, D)

07:30 AM: Breakfast

08:30 AM: Time to say goodbye to our family and we leave the homestay and continue our trek to visit the minorities in Giang Ta Chai village. We pass bamboo forest and stunning scenery and a lovely waterfall along our route. The terrain can be steep at times and slightly challenging. However, passengers with a moderate fitness level should be fine. Our journey leads us along the small paths edging the rice fields, cross the Muong Hoa River

12:00 AM: Lunch will be on the way to a fantastic spot.  

13:00 PM: We’ll head back after our second amazing trekking in the afternoon where we enjoy our lunch before slowly heading back to Sapa town.

16:00 PM: Arrive in Sapa Town at our hotel, time to say goodbye to your guide as memories are made. Our team at the hotel will help you to get your bearings and shower service is available and dinner will be offered later today. Leisure time to discover Sapa town on your own if you like.

17:30 PM: Dinner served.

18:45 PM: Our driver will pick you up from our hotel, it’s +/- 1-hour drive to Lao Cai station

20:00 PM: Arrive at Lai Cai Train Station, please present at the registration desk to exchange your train voucher for a train ticket.

21:30 PM: Departing sleeper train. We booked a shared tourist class berth in a 4-berth cabin, each of you will have your own sleeper berth. All bedding is provided. The sleeper train is air-conditioned and has Western-style toilets, your luggage can be stored under the berth. Though restaurant carriage is not available, food and drinks are not available for purchase. Each carriage also includes one toilet at the end.

Route: Lai Cai – Sapa – Cat Cat – Y Linh Ho – Lao Chai
Scenery: Mountains area
Duration trekking: 4 – 5 hours
Length trekking: 12 KM +/-
Accommodation: Sleeper Train

Overnight in Sleeper Train
Including breakfast, lunch, dinner, train ticket, English speaking guide and entrance fees.

Day 4 : Day 04: Sapa (Lai Cai) – Hanoi

04:45 AM – 05:30 AM: Arriving back at Hanoi, arrival times are early depending on your train booking, You will be required to find your way back to our office yourself, pick up service not included.

06:00 AM: Our office is open at 6 AM, where a lovely breakfast, hot coffee or our famous iced coffee and a refreshing shower are waiting for you and you can use our lounge waiting area. Included: Breakfast, shower service, waiting lounge, free laundry

Want an extra day in Sapa?

Do you want to stay longer in Sapa? You may want to add another day’s trekking to your trip in Sapa. Or, you may just want a day to relax in Sapa Town and explore the area at your own pace. Or perhaps, you want to add on an Easy Rider adventure! There are several options to extend your Sapa adventure. Choose one of the additional options when you book or contact us if you would like us to personally adapt your trip.

  • Extra Option 1: One more night’s homestay in Sapa, with extra day trekking. All meals included.
  • Extra Option 2: One more night’s homestay in Sapa, with a free day to explore by yourself on the third day. Breakfast included.
  • Extra Option 3: An Easy Rider Adventure Tour! Explore the local countryside around Sapa with an experienced local motorbike rider from a local ethnic minority hill tribe community. Ride pillion (on the back) and take in the amazing mountain vistas. These guys know the area like nobody else! In the evening, spend the night at a local homestay in the countryside. All meals included. (+$95 US)

Solo Travellers, Families & Dietary Requirements

  • Solo travellers – There is no extra cost when you book this trek as a solo traveller. Solo travellers will be joined with a group if there is a group trek already running that day. If not, the tour will still run with one person with no extra fee!
  • Families with children – We are very happy to arrange a trek for you and your family. However, due to the difficulty level of the trek, children under 9 years are not advised to join the Sapa trek.
  • Dietary requirements – Are you vegetarian, vegan or have an allergy? Please let us know when booking if you have any special dietary requirements and we will try our best to accommodate. 

Refund Policy

  • In order to book this experience, you will need to pay a deposit online via South East Asia Backpacker.
  • This deposit is fully refundable if you wish to cancel up until 72 hours before the start of the activity. PLEASE NOTE: This policy refers to the payment made to South East Asia Backpacker at the time of booking. All subsequent payments to the operator of your chosen activity fall under their own refund policy
  • For cancellations made fewer than 72 hours before the start of the activity there is no refund available.
  • You can request a change of date at any time.
  • Date changes are entirely down to the availability of the operator and nothing to do with South East Asia Backpacker. 
  • If your date change is not agreed upon, as long as it is more than 72 hours before the start date you originally made your booking for, your deposit can be refunded in full if you wish to cancel.
  • The remaining payment for the experience is payable directly to the operator.
  • The operator can request the remaining payment via an online payment link OR upon arrival at the destination.
  • The refund of the second payment, which goes directly to the operator, is based on the terms and conditions of the operator, over which South East Asia Backpacker have no control.
  • Please see our customer terms and conditions for more information.

Why Book With Us?

Hi, I’m Nikki and I started South East Asia Backpacker in 2008 after my own first solo backpacking trip! My vision was to create a travel diary for everyone, a place for travellers to share their experiences from the road. After backpacking and writing about Southeast Asia for over 10 years, I saw the opportunity to provide backpackers with the kind of experiences that I’d treasured myself in the region! 

Today, there is so much choice, but there are a lot of poor-quality tours and companies that offer mediocre experiences with little care for the environment. I wanted to create a selection of the best tours and activities to help backpackers avoid scams and dodgy tour companies.

Today, I run this website with my partner, Dave, from Spain, where we live with our energetic two-year-old daughter, Evie. All of the bookable activities that you will find on this website have been vetted by a member of our team and we have a friendly relationship with the operator. There are real humans behind South East Asia Backpacker and we are passionate about sustainable travel and development in Southeast Asia.

We are committed to helping travellers at every stage of the journey and understand that plans can change which is why we offer a full discount on the deposit up to 48 hours before the start of your trip, no questions asked. We offer advice on flights, visas, itineraries, hostels, backpacks, packing and more!

If you have any questions about our business or any of the tours that we provide, feel free to contact me on Whatsapp.

Practical Info

What’s Included in the Real Sapa Experience?

  • Meals (3 x breakfasts, 2 x lunches, 2 x dinners) – Vietnamese Cuisine
  • Trekking tour – 2 days
  • Local homestay accommodation
  • Bus tickets (2-way sleeper)
  • English speaking ethnic-minority guide
  • Cooking class with local family
  • 30 min foot massage
  • All transfers
  • All entry fees

What’s NOT Included in the Real Sapa Experience?

  • Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
  • Tips
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance

What should you pack for the Real Sapa Experience?

Most travellers carry their luggage in a day backpack, though an overnight bag with a shoulder strap is okay if you are travelling light. Backpacks with wheels are not convenient.

  • Day backpack: You will need a day pack/bag to carry water and personal belongings.
  • Shoes: Comfortable walking shoes/boots with a good grip. Sandals/flip-flops for the evening. Rubber flip-flops for the shower.
  • Hiking poles/walking sticks if you like.
  • Trekking socks.
  • Camera/mobile phone. Plus spare batteries/charger/camera bag.
    Personal items: Toiletries.
  • Personal Health: Mini first aid kit, personal medication, sunscreen (high factor), lip protection, hat, sunglasses, insect repellant, anti-histamine, insect bit cream, hand sanitiser, anti-bacterial gel/wipes, motion sickness tablets, after-sun, paracetamol, dehydration powder (salts & glucose), diarrhoea pills.

This packing list is based on feedback from previous travellers. Please use it as a guide only.

When is the best time to trek in Sapa?

Sapa has four distinct seasons:

  • March-June = Spring. One of the best times to trek in Sapa with cool, sunny days and plants and flowers starting to bloom. You can see ethnic minorities planting rice at this time.
  • July-August = Summer / Rainy Season. With downpours in the afternoon, you can still trek in Sapa during the rainy season, you just need to bring a rain jacket. At this time you’ll see lush rice fields and rainbows and you may experience four seasons in a day.
  • September – November = Autumn. Another great time of year to trek when the rice reaches its harvest and the terraces are lush and green.
  • December – February = Winter. Temperatures can reach below zero at night during winter in Sapa, but if you’re willing to brave the cold, the landscape is astonishingly beautiful with a touch of frost on the mountains.

Can you do the Real Sapa Experience all year round?

Yes! You can trek in Sapa all year round, depending you have the right gear. If you’re unsure about what to pack, please ask us for advice depending on the season.

Winter – If you are trekking in Sapa during late December to February, you will need to bring warm clothing. Woollen hat, gloves, scarf, thermal underwear or several layers, jumper, fleece, woollen socks, boots.

Wet Season – If you are trekking in Sapa during the rainy season, May to September, you will need a rain jacket, waterproof bags for keeping your belongings and waterproof trousers.

Should you tip your guide, porter, trekking crew?

Tipping is at your own discretion and Friends Travel Vietnam would like to stress that they pay our guides well and they do not rely on the tips from tourists in order to earn their living.

However, with the influx of tourism to Sapa, and the different nationalities who come to Sapa to trek, in particular, those nations for whom tips are the norm, tips are becoming more and more expected.

If you feel like you have experienced excellent service from your guide and trekking crew then a tip is an accepted form of saying ‘thank you’ – no doubt it will be greatly appreciated.

Sometimes, you may find that giving a tip is difficult as in Vietnamese culture, it’s common for people to get embarrassed when being thanked or praised. One idea is to gently put the tip in someone’s pocket and walk away giving them a nice surprise!

How much should you tip?

We suggest that you tip 50,000 VND – 100,000 VND per person ($2-5 US). This is based on suggestions, local considerations and feedback for a 2-day, 1-night trek.

FAQs

What can I do with my luggage?

You can leave your luggage at the office in Hanoi and collect it again after completing the tour.

What date should I choose when booking?

You should choose the date of the evening that you will meet in Hanoi at 6 pm. You will start trekking in Sapa the next day.

Operator Information

18 reviews for Real Sapa Trek & Homestay | 2 or 3 Days | from HANOI, VIETNAM

  1. Kelsey

    We did a 2 day/1 night trek with our guide Su May.
    We had the best time! Su May was very knowledgeable, we learnt a lot about the villages and their culture and lifestyles along our trek. The landscape is beautiful and the trekking on each day was not too difficult. We had beautiful weather (October), with no rain, lots of sun but not too hot for a full day of walking.
    Su May and her family were very welcoming during our home stay, and cooked us a delicious dinner and breakfast.

    Would recommend this trek and our guide!

  2. Shan

    Came across the site for a trekking trip in Sapa with the borders opening up. Signed up for a 2 days 1 night trip with local homestay. The trekking was adventurous as we trekked across rice terraces, on slopes and across rocks. The views are spectacular despite the seasons being a foggy. Needless to say, the tour guides were amazing and displayed great hospitality! Definitely recommend this experience 🙂

  3. Jonathan Wilkes

    This experience was absolutely excellent. Friends Travel organised everything very well and also helped us arrange onward travel following our return to Hanoi. Our local guide around Sapa, Ping, was brilliant. She took the time to explain local customs and answer any questions that we had. The homestay family were extremely friendly and looked after all of us very well. I would definitely recommend this experience.

  4. May

    Overall great experience – beautiful, solid trekking, great guide, comfortable accommodations the whole way. As mentioned in an earlier review, we did get very pressured to buy items by a few local women who hiked part way with us on the first day. Understandable, but very uncomfortable and caught me off guard in the moment. Also, it felt like we were shuffled between many different chaperones with lots of time between each one on the trip back to Hanoi. I would still recommend booking with Friends Travel Vietnam – worth the money.

  5. Tim

    Fantastic trip. Enjoyed Sapa valley in mid/late November. Although Rice is long harvested by that time, nature and view are hauntingly beautiful.

    The friends travel team was super helpful and reliable in answering all of our questions. Once arrived at Sapa we met our super welcoming and knowledgeable guide Chu who took us through fantastic paths with wonderful views into the valley over the two days.

    Thank you for everything – wonderful trip!!

  6. Florence

    Great tour – pricey but recommended.
    Our guide was fabulous, the honesty equally good. Food served very food too. Everything was very well organised.
    The only thing I don’t quite understand (henxe 4 stars not 5) is why get some people on the overnight train where you hardly sleep and that takes 8 hours where the bus takes 4 and gets you to sleep in a proper bed (esp ahead of trekking 12 kms in the Vietnamese mountains).

  7. Joanna

    Our three days trekking couldn’t have been better. Ping our guide knew everything there is to know about the area, she was keen to answer questions but also not imposing if we wanted to enjoy the amazing views and nature. We could not finish the amount of food provided for every meal and it was delicious! The two homestays were a fantastic experience, chickens and cows and all! The transport, timing and facilities of friends travel was impeccable, everything was planned to a t. I would recommend friends travel in a heartbeat…we hope to be back in the future.

  8. Peter

    Amazing experience and incredible views.
    Knowledgeable and friendly guide. Homestay gave an authentic taste of Vietnamese life. Professional logistics. Vegetarian options made available. Appreciated the showers at the office and Eden Hotel in Sapa. Dinner at the hotel was also good.
    Some hard, persistent selling from locals who walked part of the way could make for uncomfortable moments.

    Overall, very happy with the service provided by Friends Travel Vietnam.

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