2-Day Sapa Trek: Rice Terraces & Ethnic Homestay

Two days crossing five villages, rice fields, and two hanging bridges with a local guide

A 2-day trek through Sapa's rice terraces and mountain villages with overnight homestay accommodation in Ta Van, a Giay minority settlement. You walk 15 km on day one through Hmong and Giay areas to the rice fields and Hoang Lien mountain views, then 12 km on day two through Red Dao territory to Giang Ta Chai waterfalls. The guide speaks English or Vietnamese, pickup is included from your hotel, and meals, a hot shower, and an optional cooking class happen at the homestay.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Sapa to Ta Van village trek

• Meet guide at hotel or church
• Walk 2km to Cat Cat village
• Cross Muong Hoa river hanging bridge
• Hike uphill through bamboo forest
• Visit Y Linh Ho village and have lunch
• Admire rice terraces and mountain views
• Reach Ta Van village and meet host family
• Rest and take hot shower
• Optional informal cooking class

Day 2: Ta Van to Sapa via Giang Ta Chai

• Enjoy coffee or tea at homestay
• Explore homestay surroundings and rice fields
• Hike uphill to Giang Ta Chai waterfalls
• Visit Red Dao family and learn culture
• Return to waterfalls via alternative trail
• Cross second hanging bridge
• Have lunch in Giang Ta Chai village
• Take bus back to Sapa Town

The experience

The trek starts at 9 am when your guide meets you at your Sapa hotel or the main church. You walk 2 km down to Cat Cat village, cross the hanging bridge over the Muong Hoa river, then climb through bamboo forest into the mountains. By midday you reach Y Linh Ho village for lunch at a family-run restaurant, then continue to the rice terraces on Hoang Lien mountain: some of the biggest in Vietnam. The afternoon ends in Ta Van, where your host family welcomes you to a shared or private room (you choose at booking). Dinner is included, and if you want, you can join an informal cooking class with the family.

Day two starts with coffee or tea while you explore the homestay grounds and nearby rice fields. After breakfast, you trek uphill to Giang Ta Chai waterfalls, entering Red Dao territory where your guide explains their daily life and culture in detail. You visit a Red Dao family, then return to the waterfalls by a different trail and cross a second hanging bridge. Lunch is at a local restaurant in Giang Ta Chai village. An air-conditioned vehicle then drives you back to Sapa Town, ending around midday.

The tour covers entry to all five villages, one night's accommodation, all meals (dinner, breakfast, lunch on both days), a large bottle of water per person, and transport throughout. Children from age 6 are welcome. Extra drinks at the homestay (bottled water or beer) are available to order. You'll need moderate fitness for the walking and some steep sections. The trek is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns.

What’s included

• One night's accommodation in a shared or private room at a Giay minority homestay in Ta Van.
• dinner, breakfast, and lunch on both days at family-run and local restaurants.
• one large bottle of water per person.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport to and from Sapa.
• entry fees to all five villages.
• a local guide fluent in English or Vietnamese.
• hotel pickup in Sapa Town.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (22 to 50 years) · Senior (51 to 65 years) · Youth (15 to 21 years) · Child (6 to 14 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 2

Live guideEnglish and Vietnamese

Audio guideEnglish and Vietnamese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Trekking Tour Sapa

Is this one for you?Book this trek if you're arriving in Sapa without a car or staying in town and want to sleep where you trek. The homestay overnight means you start day two already in the mountains, not driving back up from the valley floor.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Vietnamese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (15 to 21 years); Child (6 to 14 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the five villages I'll visit on this 2-day trek?

You walk through Cat Cat (Hmong), Y Linh Ho (Hmong), Ta Van (Giay), Giang Ta Chai (Hmong), and Red Dao family territory. The guide introduces you to each community's culture, marriage traditions, rice-field techniques, and daily life as you pass through.

Where do I sleep, and what's the homestay like?

You stay one night in Ta Van at a Giay minority family's homestay. Rooms are shared by default, but you can request a private room when you message before booking. The homestay includes a hot shower, dinner, breakfast, and the option to join a cooking class with the family.

How much walking is involved each day?

Day one is 15 km over about 6.5 hours, including the descent to Cat Cat, the hanging bridge, bamboo forest, and the climb to the rice terraces. Day two is 12 km over around 5 hours, climbing to Giang Ta Chai waterfalls and returning by an alternate trail with a second hanging bridge crossing.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes accommodation for one night, all meals (dinner, breakfast, and lunch on both days), one large bottle of water per person, village entry fees, an air-conditioned vehicle for transport, and a local guide who speaks English or Vietnamese. Hotel pickup in Sapa is included.

What happens if I want to stay in a private room at the homestay?

Private rooms are available, but you must message the operator before booking to arrange it. The homestay is shared by default, so confirming your preference in advance ensures the room is ready for you.