Tucked away in the winding mountainous roads of northern Vietnam is the trekking haven of SaPa. It’s well known by most travellers looking for both challenging and beautiful hiking trails. Want stunning rolling mountains and rice paddies, along with rich local life? Trekking SaPa ticks off all these boxes.

I should mention straightaway, you will need to leave the small town of SaPa (although it is quickly expanding) to find the lush green hills and the real beauty of this area.  All along the streets of SaPa town, a recurring encounter occurs “Shopping?” “Maybe later?”  is a common sentence from the locals selling trinkets on the streets. In my opinion, the town itself offers very little compared to its surroundings, so it’s time to explore!

If you’re looking for a small, self-guided hike, following the road to Cat Cat village is a great starting point. While the road is smooth, it gets quite steep. But it’s all worth it when you visit this little village and look out over the sprawling green vista from one of the few lookouts.

While Cat Cat village is a short, roughly half day attraction. In all honesty, there was quite a heavy tourist vibe. While the scenery was amazing when you got away from all the shops, it wasn’t what I came to SaPa in search of. The real adventure of northern Vietnam is outside the town of SaPa. It is worth noting that there is a small entrance fee to the town of Cat Cat.

If you’re looking for a full day, or even a multi-day trek you will have to venture a little farther out. Finding the correct trail and not getting lost in a maze of paths in the rural areas around SaPa is difficult, so taking a tour is the best way to make sure you see what you set out for.

 

Choosing a Company –  Why SaPa O’Chau

Trekking around SaPa is not only filled with amazing views, it’s also pretty cost effective on the travel budget. I’m usually all for saving money on the road, but there are times I feel like spending a little extra is well worth it. This is one of these times.

SaPa O’Chau’s tagline –“Responsible. Ethical. Sustainable” really shone through when our guide Xuan (pronounced Swan) began talking about her home and life in northern Vietnam.

SaPa O’Chau is my recommendation for hiking in SaPa. Being one of the only companies that give back to the community, including paying guides and homestay hosts a fair wage, the tours here a little more expensive than other companies found within SaPa town. But once again, I’ll gladly pay a bit extra to know those who deserve it are looked after.

Anyway, for $50 USD, I decided on the 2 Day, 1 Night “Off the Beaten Track” hike and loved it – even though at times my legs didn’t. Which really, for the adventure, all meals, and lodging, really isn’t hard on the wallet at all!

This hike is described as a medium to hard in difficulty and is advised in good weather only. One walker twisted her ankle on uneven ground, so make sure you’ve got good shoes not matter what path you take!

Another great company that gives back to the community is SaPa Sisters. While I didn’t trek directly with this company, one of the guides and their hiking guests stayed at the same homestay as my group. Not only do they offer incredible tours with local guides from the tribes of the area but they also pay fair wages to their employees and give back to the villages. I think to be able to give back while travelling is very important.

 

Off the Beaten Track Hike of SaPa O’Chau

Let me begin by saying I’m not the fittest traveller (too many beers I guess…) but I do enjoy a good and hard hike. So if you want something a little easier, check out SaPa O’Chau’s website and see what treks jump out at you, as they offer a good variety.

Our guide for this 29km hike, Xuan was not only our trek leader, she doubled as our homestay host. Being of the Red Dao minority group and growing up in these rural hills, she had extensive knowledge and history of the area. She was also an open book on everything you could possibly want to know about her culture and the daily life of her and her family.

One story that amazed me was the traditional costume she was wearing. With intricate embroidery, it had taken her 8 years to create. She was immensely proud of it and it’s easy to see why. It was beautiful.

Throughout the trek not only did she shoo away a poisonous snake, she taught the whole group many things from the local languages (though she was Red Dao, she also knew some H’mong) to how to harvest and eat sugar cane as a snack. We also learned how to make use of “nature’s plastic bag” – the banana leaf!

 

SaPa O’Chau – “Off the Beaten Track” Itinerary

Day 1

As this trekking tour begins and ends out of SaPa town, after meeting at the SaPa O’Chau town office at 9 am, a car will drive you around half an hour to the starting point.

From here the day consists of roughly 17km of walking. The route looks like this:

SaPa town – Ta Phin (this is where you get driven to) – Phin Ho – Lu Khau – Suoi Thau (where you spend the night).

Lunch with a local family along the way is included, as is dinner at the local homestay. However, drinks aren’t included (no drinks are included on the trek) so bring some cash.

Along the trail today, you will encounter two minorities, Red Dao and Blue Hmong people. The diversity of outfit and culture is amazing. The views were magnificent; all the incredibly green and lush rice paddies carved up into the sides of the tall mountains.

As the day wore on, waving to locals working away in the fields was a common activity.

I was treated to the absolute BEST spring rolls of my life here for dinner. Hands down.

 

Day 2

Today you will walk passed massive rice terraces and plenty more stunning scenery on the 12km hike. With your day ending back in SaPa, your route will look like this:

Suoi Thau – Gia Thau – Kim Ngan – Ta Giang Phinh – SaPa (you will be driven the last little portion).

Along the way, you’ll see a lot more of the daily lives of the people living off the land here. Including the Black Hmong People, another minority of SaPa region. Learning about the obvious and the subtle difference between the people living side by side is definitely a highlight of trekking SaPa.

More stunning mountains and rice terraces were constantly in the distance for the second day. It’s like they never ended. Crossing rivers walking through the overgrown jungle was also a major part of the trek, especially the final day – make sure you bring good footwear. Xuan even harvested some jungle food along the trail– berries and honey flower!

At one point, near the end of today, China is visible in the distance. I would never recognize a completely different country if not pointed out by my guide Xuan. It was constant green rolling hills, but it was the border of a completely different country!

 

Trekking with SaPa O’Chau – Information

If you have any questions, contacting SaPa O’Chau is easy through their website and they were never anything short of amazing. This is why I’m recommending them – this is not a paid post, just my personal opinion.

Vietnam’s local currency is the Vietnamese Dong VND. For $1 AUD, you receive roughly 17,200 VND.

Along the path, there are things to watch out for – snakes being one. Judging by my guide’s reaction when the one we spotted slithered away, they are very poisonous, potentially even fatal. Always watch your steps.

Most travellers arrive in SaPa from Hanoi (click here for the best things to do/see/drink in Hanoi!). There are daytime and nighttime buses – the trip can take 6-7 hours by bus. This bus from Hanoi to SaPa is one I regard to be one of the windiest roads I’ve ever been on. Seasickness tablets definitely help with nausea on the road.

 

Trekking with SaPa O’Chau – Tips

If you’re looking to visit the nearby islands, I know the pictures of Ha Long Bay are incredible, but after extensive online research, I decided on Lan Ha Bay instead. And I couldn’t be happier! (post coming soon!)

The trekking usuals – sunscreen, good walking/hiking shoes, water.

If you enjoy taking photos, make sure you bring your camera, maybe even a spare battery and/or SD card – there are so many beautiful sights to capture.

If you want drinks along the way, they are NOT included in the price. Transport for the whole trip, your guide, village entrance fees, permit fees, home-stay fees and all meals (lunch, breakfast, dinner) are included, just not your “happy water” or regular water ;).

 

Trekking with SaPa O’Chau – Highlights

• Learning about the local area and the minorities’ differences were all so interesting!
• My guide, Xuan, made the entire hike interesting and memorable – even when I was dragging my feet!
• Them springs rolls. Honestly!

 

 

Have you visited SaPa? Did you go trekking? What did you think of it all? Let me know in the comments below!

 

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