Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
Day 1 : We will leave Sapa at 8:45am and trek down to Cat Cat village, taking in the stunning waterfall at the bottom of the hill. After a slight retrace of steps (but not all the way back up!) we will take a turn towards Y Linh Ho and begin a 2km walk through rice terraces. Y Linh Ho is home to the Hmong minority, and their established rice terraces are around 100 years old. Rice appeared after the French left at the turn of the century – before this the Hmong traditionally hunted animals for food. This is a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in true Hmong culture. From Y Linh Ho we will make our way to Lao Chai, an established Hmong minority village which has been inhabited for centuries. See the product of this minority at its best with established rice terraces, homes and a vibrant community. You will be welcomed warmly by H’mong family of homestay homestay
Day 2 :
When you awake on Day 2, open the window and have a look outside – weather permitting – you will be treated to amazing views across the rice terraces in the valley. After breakfast you will make your way to Ta Van where you will visit the Giay minority people. This tribe traditionally fished for a living and as a result established themselves close to rivers. They have mastered the art of fishing with bamboo sticks, and cook the fish in the bamboo. Nowadays however you are more likely to see the Giay working in fields planting or harvesting rice. We will continue our walk through an impressive bamboo forest to Giang Ta Chai, and then on to the village of Supan where you will be able to rest your legs and take in the stunning mountain scenery as we stop for a picnic lunch.
Feeling revitalized, we will hike to Ban Ho village where we will spend the night at another homestay. This building is particularly special as it sits on stilts overlooking the rice terraces. Dinner is cooked on an open fire, and some local speciality rice wine will be on offer to help you wind down!
Day 4: We will start Day 4 with a filling breakfast. After that, we will walk from Thanh Phu back to Ban Ho by a different route, following the Muong Hoa River. It is an easy but beautiful route to wind down from the last three days, and it will give you a chance to absorb as much of the remaining scenery as possible. There will also be an opportunity to swim in the river if the weather is good (or even if it’s not, if you are brave!). Transport will be waiting in Ban Ho to take you back to Sapa at around 3:00 pm.
© SAPA BUFFALO TREKKING
