Lao Cai
6 days, 5 nights
AH-LC44
7/10
$305 USD
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WHY THIS TOUR?

This tour is a perfect choice for travelers who want a truly immersive trekking experience in Sapa, going far beyond the usual short village walks. Over six days, the journey takes you from the well-known valleys of Cat Cat, Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, and Ta Van to more remote areas such as Seomity, Ta Trung Ho, Thanh Phu, Sin Chai, Ban Ho, and Su Pan. Along the way, you will walk through rice terraces, bamboo forest, rainforest trails, riverside paths, and quiet mountain villages while staying with local families from the Giay, Black H’mong, Red Dao, Xa Pho, and Tay communities. It is the ideal trip for trekkers who want a deeper connection with the landscape, local culture, and the slower rhythm of life in the Sapa highlands.

Highlights

  • Trek through the most beautiful and remote landscapes of Sapa
  • Visit Cat Cat, Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, Ta Van, Seomity, Den Thang, Ta Trung Ho, Thanh Phu, Sin Chai, Ban Ho, and Su Pan
  • Stay overnight in local homes of the Giay, Black H’mong, Red Dao, and Tay people
  • Walk through rice terraces, bamboo forest, rainforest, and mountain valleys
  • Cross old suspension bridges and follow scenic riverside trails
  • Discover the culture of the Black H’mong, Giay, Red Dao, Xa Pho, and Tay communities
  • Enjoy waterfalls, valley viewpoints, and the chance to swim in the river
  • A rewarding long-distance trek with both natural beauty and cultural immersion
SUMMARY

  • Departure Point: Lao Cai

  • Duration: 6 days, 5 nights

  • Destination: Lao Cai

  • Activities: Hiking / Trekking

  • Min : 2 people

  • Best time: Year-round

  • Max : 20 people

  • Difficulty level: 7/10

ITINERARY
Day 1: Sapa - Cat Cat - Y Linh Ho – Tavan (-, L, D) 

Meet your local guide at your hotel in Sapa and begin the trek through the market area, leaving the busy town behind.

After a short walk, follow the road downhill to Cat Cat Village. Along the way, stop at a waterfall and a hydroelectric station before continuing on a dirt trail through terraced rice fields. This section also offers beautiful scenery along a narrow river.

Arrive at Y Linh Ho Village, home to the Black H’mong people, where you can take a rest and enjoy lunch near the river.

After lunch, continue trekking through Muong Hoa Valley. The route passes through Lao Chai Village of the Black H’mong and then Ta Van Village, home to the Giay people, following one of the most popular trekking routes in the Sapa area.

Tonight, stay overnight in a local Giay house. In the late afternoon, you may take a short walk to enjoy the valley view or swim in the nearby river.

* Approximate duration:

  • Walking: 5 hours
  • Lunch: 1 hour

* Meals included: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Tavan - Seomity (B, L, D) 

After having breakfast, you start today’s trek, which is mostly uphill until lunchtime. Whenever you stop for a rest, you will be able to enjoy valley view. Before noon, you stop again at a nice spot for lunch.

After breakfast, begin today’s trek, which is mostly uphill until lunchtime. Along the way, every rest stop offers beautiful views over the valley.

Before noon, stop at a pleasant place for lunch.

In the afternoon, the trail becomes easier, while the scenery grows even more beautiful. Arrive at Seomity Village, home to the Black H’mong people, where you will stay overnight with a local family.

* Approximate duration:

  • Walking: 4–5 hours
  • Lunch: 1 hour

* Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Seomity – Den Thang - Ta Trung Ho (B, L, D) 

The trek today takes you through beautiful rice paddies and over old suspensio

Today’s trek takes you through beautiful rice terraces and across old suspension bridges. Follow small trails winding through the rainforest.

Arrive at Den Thang Village of the Black H’mong around midday. Lunch will be served either near a river or at a local school, depending on the weather.

After lunch, the trek becomes more challenging, with narrow footpaths going up and down through the mountains and requiring more concentration. Arrive at Ta Trung Ho Village, home to the Red Dao people, where you will spend the night in a local house. The experience becomes even more memorable thanks to the warm hospitality of the Red Dao community.

* Approximate duration:

  • Walking: 6 hours
  • Lunch: 1 hour

* Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

n bridges. You will trek on small trail sneaking through rainforest. You arrive in Den Thang village of Black Hmong by noon. Here you stop for lunch either nearby a river or in a local school according to the weather.

After lunch, the trek will becomes tough on tinny footpath going up and down, which requires a lot of concentration. You will reach to Ta Trung Ho village of Red Dao minority where you spend the night in local house. Both the valley and the village have just received foreign visitors. The night will be even more interesting when you are in the wonderful hospitable atmosphere of the Red Dao.

Approx: 6 hours walking, 1-hour lunch

Day 4: Ta Trung Ho - Nam Toong – My Son – Thanh Phu (B, L, D) 

Today you are trekking along the edge of the rainforest beneath the Hoang Lien Son Range, where Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina, is located.

Begin the day by climbing to Nam Toong Village, home to the Red Dao people. Lunch will be prepared at a local school.

After lunch, descend into the valley to My Son Village, where the Xa Pho people live, one of the smaller ethnic groups in northern Vietnam. From there, continue on a short walk to Thanh Phu Village, home to the Tay community.

Tonight, stay overnight in a traditional Tay house. You may take a short walk around the village to observe local daily life before dinner.

* Approximate duration:

  • Walking: 6 hours
  • Lunch: 1 hour

* Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Thanh Phu - Nam Cum – Sin Chai (B, L, D) 

Today’s trek is shorter and easier than the previous days. After leaving Thanh Phu, follow a trail along the bottom of the valley, where you can enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.

Stop at a pleasant place for lunch.

After lunch, continue walking toward Sin Chai Village, home to the Red Dao people. Tonight, stay overnight in a local house in the village.

* Approximate duration:

  • Walking: 3 hours
  • Lunch: 1 hour

* Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Sin Chai - Thanh Phu – Ban Ho – Sapa (B, L, -) 

After breakfast, leave Sin Chai and head toward Ban Ho. Along the way, trek beside the river and enjoy the chance to refresh near a waterfall.

At Ban Ho, lunch will be prepared and served in a friendly local Tay family’s house.

In the afternoon, continue the trek uphill toward Su Pan, where your vehicle will be waiting for the transfer back to Sapa. Along the way, enjoy one final look at the beautiful valleys and mountain scenery.

* Approximate duration:

  • Driving: 1 hour
  • Walking: 5 hours
  • Lunch: 1 hour

* Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

INCLUSION/EXCLUSION

Inclusion:

  • English speaking guide 
  • Black Hmong porters (to carry food and luggage)
  • Cook (from group sizes of 6 pax)
  • All needed transportation
  • All indicated meals, plus snacks (B as breakfast; L as lunch; D as dinner)
  • Water on the whole trip
  • Sleeping bag and mattresses
  • Waterproof bluebag for luggage
  • Tents if needed
  • Mosquito net
  • All entrance fees and permit
  • Overnight in local house or tent (if any)

Exclusion:

  • Tips
  • Soft drink (beer, coca cola…)
  • Medical Insurance
  • All other services not indicated above