Sapa is the most favorite tourist destination in Northern Vietnam. If you are going to this magnificent town but don’t know when to visit or where to go in Sapa? Then follow this for some Sapa trekking experience from easy to difficult with detailed information that will help even those who are new to trekking can join the journey.
When should I visit to have the best treks in Sapa
Sapa in Spring with see flowers blooming (February to May of the solar calendar)
This is the season that many tourists consider the best to enjoy the sun, wind, and fresh air of the highland mountains. Spring in Sapa is full of flower forests, peach blossoms, plum blossoms, and thousands of flowers blooming all over the hillsides; halfway up the slopes, the valleys, the mountainside or the roads in the town are full of flowers. , all will be the most beautiful and colorful pictures you can see when traveling to Sapa in the spring.
If you want to come to see the cherry blossoms, please research carefully before going because the weather is different each year, peaches will bloom earlier or later than previous years, so you may not have the opportunity to admire a masterpiece. of creation. You should go from February to April, or at the latest the first week of May because that is the most beautiful time, at the end of May the flowers will start to wither, no longer keeping the full flavor.
From March to May, the weather is extremely cool and pleasant, the night is dry, the morning is so cloudy that when staying in the hotel room, visitors can also feel the clouds flying indifferently. right in front. In addition, this is the time when people start sowing seeds, you can admire the green rice fields on the majestic terraces. From April to May, ethnic minorities will plant rice on those terraced fields, the scene of rice transplanting, the idyllic labor of local people is very beautiful, tourists and paparazzi love to go in summer. this and the ripe rice season.
There is a note for you: Because it is not yet the water season of Sapa, the stream will dry up and the waterfall will have very little water.
Go to Sapa to avoid the heat and see the terraced fields in Summer (June – August of the solar calendar)
With a country with a tropical monsoon climate like Vietnam, the summer is harsh, the heat is like burning skin, but in Sapa, the air is much softer, it’s like a city. miniature temperate of Europe. In Sapa, there is only one rice crop of 6 months, people sow seedlings around early May, in July, the rice turns green and is much higher. The terraced fields seem to be wearing a new green shirt.
Besides, in this season, the fields of vegetables as well as other fresh vegetables also come to the harvest season, Sapa gradually transforms from the bright, pink colors of peach blossoms, roses, plum blossoms… To the green, fresh color of vegetables and young rice, visitors will indeed be able to open their eyes to the green colors everywhere of Sapa. Going to Sapa in the summer to avoid the heat is a wonderful thing, the air is really cooler, the eyes looking at the green colors also make us more comfortable and feel fresh.
Sapa 1 Day Tours
- 1 day experience
- Moderate to challenging
- Cultural immersion & active adventure
- Rice fields, valleys & villages
- Private tours
- Vegan-friendly
Sapa 2 Day Tours
- 2 days 1 night experience
- Moderate to challenging
- Cultural immersion & active adventure
- Mountains, valleys, rice fields and villages
- Private tours
- Vegan-friendly
Sapa 3 Day Tours
- 3 days 2 night experience
- Moderate to challenging
- Cultural immersion & active adventure
- Mountains, valley, rice fields & villages
- Private tours
- Vegan-friendly
Sapa 4 Day Tours
- 4 days 3 night experience
- Moderate to challenging
- Cultural immersion & active adventure
- Mountains, valleys, rice fields & villages
- Private tours – Less Touristic
- Vegan-friendly
Go to see Sapa in the golden color of ripe rice in Autumn (September to November of the solar calendar)
At this time, the rice begins to ripen, the scenery of Sapa “stirs” again, turning to a brilliant yellow color, embracing the Northwest mountains and forests. If you want to go on vacation with your family, combined with going to see rice, you should come around July-September, if you come in October-December, the weather may have turned cold, cold and foggy. This is also the water season in Sapa, so the waterfall will flow strongly, very majestic and lively.
The ripe rice season is in September and October, when Sapa is golden in every angle, this is the time when many tourists traveling to Sapa share that they like it the most. However, you should go in the middle or the end of September, because in October, there are many places where the harvest has been completed, so it will not be as beautiful and you cannot admire the shiny golden color of the new rice like at the end of September.
September to November is a beautiful season to travel to Sapa because besides the beautiful autumn colors and golden ripe rice, the atmosphere is also pleasant: golden sunshine, dry weather, moderate cold. During the day, visitors can see Muong Hoa valley, admire the terraced fields and go trekking down Ta Phin village, at night can go for a walk and enjoy delicious food in Sapa.
If traveling to Sapa by self-sufficiency at the end of November, it is winter at this time, the weather is quite cold but not bitter. In the morning, the whole town floats in the clouds, the air is fresh and peaceful.
Go to Sapa to watch the snowfall in Winter (December to February of the solar calendar)
Who said Vietnam doesn’t have snow? Who says a tropical country will never snow? That’s why nature is extremely favorable to Sapa when it snows in winter. The weather has been harsh in recent years, so Sapa almost always has snow. In winter, the whole town of Sapa is like floating in clouds, mist and snow. Snow falls white, covering all creatures, houses, even up to half a meter thick, covering the landscape with a white space that makes the scene both bleak and surprisingly beautiful. We cannot determine the exact day when it will snow, so if you want to go to Sapa to see the snow, you have to watch it continuously on TV, radio or contact the locals (where your hotel is located). settled in)…
From December to February, Sapa is very cold, especially at night, can appear ice and sometimes snow. This is also the cherry blossom season. At this time, many young couples want to witness the romance of the snowy scenery, watch the forest peach blossoms shyly in the wind and dew as well as the dawn in the high valley in the early morning, so they came to Sapa at this time. this time. It will be an experience that is hard to find anywhere else in Vietnam. However, this time in Sapa is very crowded with tourists, so it is often very crowded and the price of services is very expensive.
Fansipan Hiking 1 Day
- 1 day fansipan experience
- Moderate to challenging
- Cultural immersion & active adventure
- Visit Fansipan, highest mountain of Indochina
- Private tours
- Vegan-friendly
Fansipan Trekking 2 Days
- 2 days 1 night fansipan experience
- Moderate to challenging
- Cultural immersion & active adventure
- Visit Fansipan, highest mountain of Indochina
- Private tours
- Vegan-friendly
Buy Cable Ticket Online
- [QR Code] Buy Fansipan Cable Car Tickets Online
- Non-refundable
- Present your e-voucher
- Fixed-day ticket
- Admission with voucher
Guide to trekking in Sapa: Transportation
Currently, the transportation system is increasingly developed, so moving to Sapa becomes quite easy and convenient. You can choose from a number of vehicles such as passenger cars, trains, motorbikes, personal cars, airplanes, …
For places near Sapa, it is quite easy to move. However, it will be more difficult for tourists living in remote provinces such as the Central or the South. Therefore, you need to move to Hanoi first, then you can continue to Sapa.
From Hanoi, you can choose 2 popular ways to get to Sapa town, which is the choice of taking a bus or traveling by train. To help you have a more objective view, in today’s article I will compare these two ways of moving:
By train
- The price will be higher than traveling by bus
- Clean, quiet, and good service
- You can choose from a comfortable chair or bed
- Comfortable space, spacious enough
- The sound of the tracks will sometimes wake you up at night.
- After arriving at Lao Cai station, you will have to travel by bus to reach Sapa town
- Travel time is about 7-9 hours
By bus
- Fares are much cheaper than train
- You can choose between a seat or a sleeper car
- However, you will not be able to lie down comfortably so it will be more difficult to sleep when traveling by bus
- No restrooms (cars will stop at rest stops along the way)
- Travel time only takes about 5-6 hours
What to pack when you do trekking in Sapa Vietnam
Before going trekking in Sapa, you should prepare the necessary items to prevent any possible cases. Because on the way there will be very wild roads, so it will be difficult for us to find essential shops or services. Check out the list of items below:
Necessary tools
- Climbing shoes and sticks.
- Camping tents, tent stakes, pins.
- Sleeping bag and sleeping bag lining.
- Travel backpack (can refer to specialized backpack models at MIA.vn), map and GPS navigation tool.
Clothes
- Water-resistant jacket, if you go in the summer, you need to add a sunscreen, in the winter it’s a thermal jacket.
- Sleepwear in comfortable materials, preferably long-sleeve.
- Clothing worn while trekking has soft materials, priority is given to the type that dries quickly.
- 1 pair of camping sandals.
Food and drink
- Instant foods such as sausages, cakes, pate, bread, dry food.
- Filtered water, mineral salt water or glucose water in case of loss of strength.
Some other personal belongings
- Personal papers such as identity card/citizen identity card, driver’s license, etc.
- Because the weather in Sapa is quite cold compared to many other places, it is necessary to prepare a thermal paste.
- Personal hygiene items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, face towel, etc.
- Medicines for some common ailments such as abdominal pain, diarrhea or antiseptics, bandages, pain relievers…
- Sunscreen and insect spray.
Best Assistant For Your Trek
Some Sapa trekking experience
You should find yourself a guide, or take part in a Sapa trekking tour from Hanoi, if you are a local here, there is nothing more reasonable. With their knowledge of the terrain and experience of Trekking, they will accompany you throughout the trip with very clear and convincing opinions and advice. Usually, your guide can be a Porter (the person who carries your belongings during the journey) to assist you.
In case you want to go alone, you must carefully research the routes that you want to go in advance. The best way is that you should choose a stop in the nearby villages so that you can rest temporarily, then you can ask people about the route. Then, it will be easier for you to visualize the way. much. In addition, you can hire a local Porter to show you the way to move, and assist with the porter.
Porter rental costs range from: 20 USD – 24 USD/person. Remember to call before your trip so they can prepare the necessary things.
There is a note that you should not forget, that locals often come to those who go Trekking to offer, this can make you uncomfortable but you should politely decline. In particular, you should not ask or confide in the guide about this matter, because they may come from a village and have a close relationship with each other.
Above is some Sapa trekking experience for you. Hope this article will help you consult and prepare yourself before your trip. If you are interested in the Sapa trekking tour, please contact us!
Is trekking in Sapa difficult?
Sapa trekking requires a lot of walking up and down the hills, therefore, you need to be very prepared to avoid getting too exhausted. A regular trek is about 12-15km a day, and it often lasts about 7-8 hours. However, these difficulties aren’t like when you are climbing a mountain, as the roads here are not that bad.
How long is the Trek in Sapa?
For trekking alone, it is recommended that one full day is enough. But if you don’t want to miss an opportunity to discover a new lifestyle as well as totally unwind experiencing the beauty of nature, then a 3-day-2-night trip will be perfect.
Can you trek in Sapa without a guide?
Except for trekking to Fansipan Peak, you do not require a guide for many of the treks in Sapa. Fansipan Peak is a very challenging hike that will take up to three days to complete. The trek requires an experienced local guide and porter who know the route and possible conditions.
How many days in Sapa is enough?
Because of the 6-9 hour journey to get here, a day trip is not recommended. One night and two days is certainly enough time to experience the Sapa area, trek down through the rice paddies and villages, visit both the rural villages and more heavily touristed Cat Cat, and have a massage.
What Hiking Tours in Sapa are good for avoiding crowds?
If you want to stay away from crowds, you can consider to take part in some private trekking tours in Sapa. There are many companies that privide private tours for group, family or even one person
Is Sapa Trekking Difficult?
Sapa trekking requires a lot of walking up and down the hills, therefore, you need to be very prepared to avoid getting too exhausted. A regular trek is about 12-15km a day, and it often lasts about 7-8 hours. However, these difficulties aren’t like when you are climbing a mountain, as the roads here are not that bad.
How Long Is The Trek In Sapa?
For trekking alone, it is recommended that one full day is enough. But if you don’t want to miss an opportunity to discover a new lifestyle as well as totally unwind experiencing the beauty of nature, then a 3-day-2-night trip will be perfect.
Sapa 1 Day Tours
- 1 day experience
- Moderate to challenging
- Cultural immersion & active adventure
- Rice fields, valleys & villages
- Private tours
- Vegan-friendly
Sapa 2 Day Tours
- 2 days 1 night experience
- Moderate to challenging
- Cultural immersion & active adventure
- Mountains, valleys, rice fields and villages
- Private tours
- Vegan-friendly
Sapa 3 Day Tours
- 3 days 2 night experience
- Moderate to challenging
- Cultural immersion & active adventure
- Mountains, valley, rice fields & villages
- Private tours
- Vegan-friendly
Sapa 4 Day Tours
- 4 days 3 night experience
- Moderate to challenging
- Cultural immersion & active adventure
- Mountains, valleys, rice fields & villages
- Private tours – Less Touristic
- Vegan-friendly
