Sapa: 2-day trek with local guide & 5-star hotel

Summary

Walking Sapa’s valleys & villages with a local guide

Walk through Sapa’s misty valleys with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story. You’ll meet H’mong villagers in Cat Cat, taste mountain herbs over lunch, trek past endless rice terraces to Ta Van village, and sleep comfortably in a 5-star hotel before returning to Hanoi — memories that linger long after you’ve washed off the mud.

What’s the experience like?

Honestly, I didn’t expect to start my Sapa trip in a limousine van at 6:45am — but there we were, half-awake in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, watching the city blur past as we headed north. The air changed somewhere near Lao Cai; it got cooler and smelled faintly of wet earth. Our driver stopped for breakfast (rice porridge and strong coffee — I needed both), and by noon we’d rolled into Sapa Town. Right away, you notice the colors: H’mong women in embroidered jackets, bright scarves everywhere. Lunch was a jumble of flavors I can’t name, but our guide Linh grinned when I tried to ask about the herbs. She said something about “mountain mint” — I still think about that taste.

The first trek was down to Cat Cat village. It’s only about 2.5 kilometers but the path dips steeply through terraced fields and bamboo groves. Linh pointed out how the Black H’mong build their houses — dark wood, low roofs — and kids waved at us from doorways. There’s a waterfall at the bottom where the French built an old power station; it’s loud and cold if you get close enough (I did). Climbing back up nearly did me in, but Linh just laughed and told me to go slow — “Sapa time,” she called it. Dinner was on our own; she scribbled some restaurant names on my map, though honestly I just wanted a hot shower at the hotel after all that mud.

The next morning started foggy — Sapa kind of floats in clouds sometimes — but after breakfast we set off again, this time through Y Linh Ho and Lao Chai villages. The rice terraces go on forever here, green stripes curving along the hillsides. We followed Muong Hoa stream for hours; sometimes it was quiet except for birds or someone calling across a field in Vietnamese or H’mong (I couldn’t tell which). The trek is longer on day two (about 12km), but Linh adjusted our pace so nobody felt rushed. She showed us how Dzay people dye their clothes with indigo — my fingers turned blue just touching one of the fabrics.

By midday we reached Ta Van village and waited by an old bridge for our bus back to Sapa town. There was time for one more meal before heading back to Hanoi — noodles this time, with chili so strong it made me cough (the cook winked at me like he knew). The ride home felt quieter; everyone sort of stared out the window as dusk fell over the mountains. I kept thinking about those green terraces and how Linh said they change color every month.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hanoi to Sapa and Trekking

• Pickup from Hanoi hotel
• Breakfast stop at Lao Cai city
• Visit Lao Cai city
• Arrive at Sapa Town and lunch
• Trek to Cat Cat village and waterfall (120)
• Return to Sapa Town

Day 2 — Sapa Trek and Return to Hanoi

• Breakfast at hotel
• Trek Y Linh Ho to Lao Chai and Ta Van (210)
• Bus pickup at Ta Van Bridge
• Rest and lunch at hotel
• Group meet and depart for Hanoi
• Stop for break en route
• Arrive back in Hanoi

Top questions

How long is each trek during the Sapa 2-day tour?

The first day includes a short trek of about 2.5 kilometers (around 2 hours) to Cat Cat village; day two covers approximately 12 kilometers (about 3.5 hours) through Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, and Ta Van villages.

Is hotel pickup included from Hanoi?

Yes, pickup from your hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter is included at around 6:45–7:00 AM on day one.

What kind of accommodation is provided?

You’ll stay overnight in a 5-star hotel in Sapa town (depending on option booked).

Are meals included during the tour?

Breakfasts are included both days; lunch is provided on both days as well. Dinner recommendations are given by your guide but dinner itself is not included.

Is there a local guide during trekking?

Yes, an experienced local guide leads all treks and shares insights about Sapa’s ethnic groups and landscapes.

Can luggage be stored during trekking?

You can leave your main luggage at the hotel reception while trekking; just bring a light pack for essentials.

What villages do you visit on this tour?

The tour visits Cat Cat village (Black H’mong), Y Linh Ho village, Lao Chai village (Black Hmong), and Ta Van village (Dzay people).

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for most fitness levels but not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

Your trip includes pickup from your Hanoi Old Quarter hotel by luxury limousine van, breakfasts both mornings plus two lunches featuring local dishes, guided treks through Cat Cat, Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, and Ta Van villages with an expert local guide sharing stories along the way, comfortable overnight stay at a five-star hotel in Sapa town, air-conditioned transport throughout, and safe storage for your luggage while you’re out exploring muddy trails or misty rice fields.