Waterfall
Photo credit: O Quy Ho Pass view by Khai Nguyen.
The sound at Silver Waterfall hits you before you see it — a low roar that gets louder as you climb the stone steps, then suddenly you are standing in front of 200 meters of white water dropping off the cliff face above Tram Ton pass. This is at 1,800 meters elevation. The mist blows cold even in August. Most visitors spend 20 minutes here and leave. We stay long enough for it to settle in.
From Silver Waterfall, we drive up through Heaven Gate — the highest mountain pass on the Hanoi–Lao Cai road — and then down into the pine forest to Love Waterfall. The trail to Love Waterfall runs about 1 km through forest that smells of resin and damp earth, and the waterfall itself drops roughly 100 meters into a pool you can approach closely. This area sits in Black H'mong and Red Dao territory, along the O Quy Ho ridge. Then the day takes a turn most visitors don't expect: we drive 34 km into Lai Chau province to reach Tac Tinh Waterfall in Tam Duong district — 120 meters high, 40 meters wide at the base, and almost never crowded because it takes the extra driving to get there.
Lunch is in Tam Duong, and we're back in Sapa by 4:30–5:00 PM. Our local guide was born in the area and has been to Tac Tinh more times than he can count; he knows which viewpoint angle photographs best depending on the season. If you have questions about fitness or altitude sensitivity before booking, message us on WhatsApp — we'll answer honestly. Trekking Tour Sapa holds a Vietnam National Tourism Authority operator license (No. 10-078/2023).
Age and children. The minimum age is 5. It is a full day, roughly 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with three waterfalls and Heaven Gate, so the Private Tour lets you set the pace for a young child. Group departures take adults and travelers aged 12 and over. On a Private Tour, children aged 5 to 8 pay $60 each and travelers aged 9 and over count as adults in the Private Tour price, always with a parent or guardian. On the day your guide decides whether to carry on or turn back.
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
Route: Sapa Town → Silver Waterfall → Heaven Gate → Love Waterfall → Tam Duong (Lunch) → Tac Tinh Waterfall → Sapa | Car transport · short walks at each site
Join a small group of up to 12 travelers — same local guide, same gentle route, best value.
| Group Size | Price per Person |
|---|---|
| All group sizes Flat rate | $71 USD / person |
Group tours require a minimum of 2 people. Travelling solo? Book a Private Tour (from $110) — or message us on WhatsApp and we'll try to pair you with an existing group.
Most of the day is spent in the car — the walks at each waterfall are short. But Silver Waterfall is at 1,800 meters and can be cold, and the paths near Tac Tinh have uneven rock. Pack accordingly:
A rain jacket is not optional on this tour — even on a sunny day, standing near Silver Waterfall will soak your front. Bring one or buy a cheap poncho in Sapa before we leave.
Our office in Sapa Town is your base. Drop in before the trek or use our facilities when you return.
Moderate fitness is needed. Most of the day is in the car between waterfalls — the walks at each site are short (5–15 minutes each way). But Silver Waterfall involves stairs up to a viewpoint at 1,800 meters elevation, which can affect people sensitive to altitude. The Tac Tinh trail has some uneven rock. If you have a heart condition or serious altitude sensitivity, message us on WhatsApp before booking and we'll advise you honestly.
Included: English-speaking local guide for the full day, comfortable car transport between all three waterfalls and Heaven Gate, waterfall entrance fees, lunch in Tam Duong district, and a large water bottle per person.
Not included: personal travel insurance, extra drinks, tips for the guide, and Hanoi–Sapa transport (available as an add-on).
The tour visits Silver Waterfall (Thac Bac) — over 200m high at 1,800m elevation near Tram Ton pass; Love Waterfall (Thac Tinh Yeu) — about 100m high, reached via a 1 km forest trail in O Quy Ho pine forest; and Tac Tinh Waterfall in Tam Duong district, Lai Chau — 120m high, 40m wide, rarely visited by organized tours. Heaven Gate viewpoint at the mountain pass is also included.
We pick you up from your hotel anywhere in Sapa Town at 8:30 AM — or you can meet us at the Trekking Tour Sapa Office, 105 Thach Son Street. The 8:30 start is needed because Tac Tinh Waterfall is 34 km from Sapa and we want proper time at each site without rushing. We return to Sapa by 4:30–5:00 PM.
The waterfalls are most powerful during and just after rainy season — July through September. Silver Waterfall becomes a full-force cascade after heavy rain. Love Waterfall stays strong year-round due to forest catchment. The dry season (November–April) offers clearer skies for photography but lower water volume. We run this tour year-round — both seasons have their own character.
Yes. Private tours are available from $110 for 1 person up to $360 for 10 people. A private tour gives your group the full car to yourselves, flexible timing at each site, and the option to add or skip stops. Popular for photography groups who want more time at each waterfall, and for families with children aged 5 and over who need flexibility. Message us on WhatsApp to discuss options before booking.
The minimum age is 5. The route is a full day from about 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with three waterfalls and Heaven Gate. Travelers aged 12 and over join the group departure at the adult price. On a Private Tour, children aged 5 to 8 pay $60 each and travelers aged 9 and over count as adults in the Private Tour price, and anyone under 18 must be with a parent or guardian. We do not take children under 5 on this tour. On the day your guide decides whether to carry on or turn back.
Travel plans change — if something comes up, message us and we'll do our best to find a solution. We've never left a traveler stuck.
"Tac Tinh was the one that got me. I'd never heard of it before this tour — Silver Waterfall is in every guidebook, but Tac Tinh is something else entirely. It's wide rather than tall and you can walk right up to the base. The drive there takes time, but it's worth every minute. One small thing: bring a proper rain jacket for Silver Waterfall — the spray soaks you from the front."
"I went in August when the waterfalls are at full power — Silver Waterfall is absolutely overwhelming from the viewpoint. The guide told us when exactly to position ourselves for the best photos at each site. Love Waterfall through the pine forest was the most atmospheric of the three. We were lucky to have a clear day at Heaven Gate and could see all the way to Lai Chau. Completely memorable."
"Came with my partner in February — dry season, so the water volume wasn't at its peak, but Love Waterfall still ran beautifully through the misty forest. The guide explained that the pine forest holds water from the Hoang Lien Son range even in the dry months, which is why this one stays full. We appreciated that he shared that kind of detail without being asked. The drive through Lai Chau was a bonus — we hadn't seen that part of Vietnam before."
More ways to explore Sapa — from village treks to overnight homestays
Best Value
Message us on WhatsApp — we reply within 5–10 minutes, 7 days a week. If you have questions about fitness, altitude, or the best season to visit, ask us before booking and we'll answer honestly.