Sapa: 2-Day Trek, Rice Terraces & Ethnic Homestay Stay

Walk Sapa’s mountain trails, taste village life and cook with locals

You’ll trek through Sapa’s rice terraces with a local guide, share homemade meals at an ethnic homestay in Ta Van village, try your hand at cooking spring rolls, and meet Hmong and Red Dao families along the way. Expect muddy boots, laughter over language mix-ups, and quiet moments looking out over misty valleys. You might find yourself wishing you could stay another night.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Trek villages and homestay in Ta Van

• Pick up at Sapa hotels
• Visit Y Linh Ho village
• Trek to Lao Chai village
• Arrive at Ta Van village homestay
• Rest and have lunch
• Explore Ta Van village
• Prepare for cooking class
• Make fried spring rolls
• Dinner and local rice wine
• Overnight at homestay

Day 2: Visit villages and return to Sapa

• Breakfast and check-out
• Visit Giang Ta Chai village
• Trek to Supan village
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Bus transfer to Sapa town
• Arrive in Sapa town, end tour

The experience

We started walking just after breakfast, boots crunching on the damp path as our guide, May, waved us out of Sapa town. The air felt cool and earthy (like wet leaves and woodsmoke), and I remember glancing back once at the rooftops before we dipped into the valley. Y Linh Ho was our first stop. There were bamboo houses scattered along the Muong Hoa stream, kids chasing chickens in the mud. May pointed out which plants her grandmother used for dyeing cloth. I tried repeating the Hmong word for indigo but she laughed: my accent was hopeless.

The hike to Lao Chai took longer than I expected (I’m not exactly a mountain goat), but it was worth every step. We passed rice terraces that looked like green staircases curving around the hillsides: honestly, photos don’t do them justice. At one point we stopped so May could show us how they plant rice by hand. Her hands moved so fast in the muddy water it made me feel clumsy just watching. By midday we reached Ta Van village and our homestay: a wooden house with a view straight across the valley. Lunch was simple but so good: fried spring rolls we made ourselves (mine kept falling apart), fresh vegetables, sticky rice.

Evening settled in quietly, someone nearby was burning something sweet-smelling, maybe sugarcane? After a cooking class (I still think about those spring rolls), dinner came with tiny cups of homemade rice wine that went straight to my head. We ate together with our host family, who told stories in a mix of English and gestures. It felt less like a tour and more like being let in on something private, if that makes sense.

The next morning after breakfast (rice pancakes this time), we set off again through Giang Ta Chai village (Red Dao women in bright headscarves waved from their doorways), and then on to Supan. The trail here got muddier and my shoes nearly disappeared once or twice, but nobody seemed to mind much. By lunchtime we were all wiped out and happy to pile into the bus back to Sapa town. Can’t say I missed my own bed that night, but there’s something about waking up to mountain fog that sticks with you.

What’s included

Your trip includes pickup from your hotel or meeting point in Sapa town, all entrance tickets along the route, an overnight stay in a private room at an ethnic homestay in Ta Van village plus dinner and breakfast there, and yes, you’ll get hands-on with a spring roll cooking class before sharing meals with your hosts each day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (9 and older) · Child (5 to 8 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years): free

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

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.

Prices and times updated 16 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Sapa May Travel

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 8 years); Infant (1 to 4 years): free.

How long is the Sapa trekking tour?

This is a 2-day trekking tour starting from Sapa town and returning there on day two.

Is overnight accommodation included?

Yes, you’ll sleep in a private room at a traditional homestay in Ta Van village.

Are meals provided during the trek?

Dinner and breakfast are included at the homestay. Lunch is also provided both days.

Do I need to be very fit for this trek?

The trek covers about 15km over two days. Suitable for most fitness levels but not recommended for those with serious health issues.

What villages will I visit on this Sapa hiking tour?

You’ll visit Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, Ta Van, Giang Ta Chai, and Supan villages.

Is there hotel pickup in Sapa?

Yes, pickup from hotels in Sapa town or a pre-arranged meeting point is included.

Are guides local?

Your guide will be local and speak English. They often belong to one of the ethnic minority communities.

Can vegetarians be accommodated?

Yes, meals are home-cooked using local ingredients. Vegetarian options can be arranged if you let them know ahead of time.