Sapa is a town in northwestern Vietnam. The area around Sapa is famous for spectacular rice terraces and is a popular trekking destination. Read on to discover everything you need to know about trekking in Sapa.
Rice Terraces in Sapa, Vietnam
Quick Facts about Sapa
- Sapa is located in the northwestern part of Vietnam, about 380 km northwest of Hanoi. Sapa is situated close to China.
- The elevation of the town of Sapa is about 1,500 meters (4,921 feet). It’s a beautiful town with mountains in the background.
- The Hoàng Liên Son range of mountains is located in Sapa district. Sapa is situated close to Fansipan (Phan-Xi-Pǎng), which at 3,143 meters is the highest mountain in Vietnam.
- Sapa district is home to several ethnic minority groups, including Hmong, Dao, Tay, Giay, and Pho Lu.
- Rice terraces are some of the main attractions in Sapa.
- Sapa is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam. It’s primarily popular for its spectacular trekking trails that lead from one little town to another, across the terraced rice fields.
Rice Terraces in Sapa, Vietnam
Sapa Lake, Vietnam
What to expect when trekking in Sapa
Trekking in Sapa will take you from one little village to another. Depending on which trails you take, it’s likely that you will visit one or more of the following villages: Cat Cat, Ta Van, Ta Phin.
The trails will take you through areas overlooking rice terraces. You will encounter beautiful waterfalls, lush vegetation, and water mills. You will cross the rivers by walking on the bridges. The trails will be quite challenging, with lots of climbing up and down.
Waterfalls in Cat Cat Village, near Sapa, Vietnam.
As you hike you will see local people, such as Hmong ethnic minority villagers, go about their daily life. Some local Hmong women might join you and engage in a very friendly and genuine conversation, with hopes of selling you some items along the way.
Hmong Women in Sapa, Vietnam
As you hike in Sapa, expect to get your shoes dirty. Make sure you wear proper and sturdy hiking boots as the trails are quite challenging.
It’s likely you will see roosters, buffalo, chickens, and ducks.
Rice terraces in Sapa, Vietnam
Best Time to Visit Sapa
- March, April, May are some of the best months for trekking in Sapa. There is a good chance the weather will be warm and sunny. Also, in early April, you can see peach blossoms. The rice fields, however, will start getting green only by late June.
- June and July are the times when the rice fields are at their best, displaying lush green colors. While color-wise it’s a beautiful season, that’s when most crowds come to Sapa. It is also quite hot and humid. Heavy rainfalls start in July.
- August is spectacular because that’s when the rice terraces are really beautiful, lush with greenery. If you want to get the best photos of terraced rice fields, August is the best month. However, heavy rainfalls are likely, and the weather will be humid.
- September is when colors start turning golden, and Sapa is really stunning. The rice terraces start turning from green to yellow. The weather is not as hot and humid as in the summer, even though it will occasionally rain. September is also the best month for taking beautiful photos. The rice terraces are spectacular: lush green with patches of golden.
Note about January: I went trekking in Sapa in January, and the weather was foggy and cold. The trail was muddy, many parts of the trail were flooded by rainwater, and it was a bit challenging to hike in such conditions. Nevertheless, my hike was amazing! I hiked with my husband, a guide, and 2 local Hmong women.
What I loved the best about trekking in January is that there were hardly any tourists on the trails, so the whole trekking experience in Sapa felt very genuine and authentic! The weather was cold and foggy, and the trails were muddy. However, what you can expect in January is tranquility and solitude as you’re virtually one of a very few tourists hiking the vast Sapa area.
Rice Terraces flooded with rainwater in January, Sapa, Vietnam
Rice Terraces in Sapa, Vietnam
How to Trek in Sapa
The best way to hike in Sapa is by hiring a tour guide. You can easily do it on the spot when you arrive to Sapa or in Hanoi. Tour guides are not expensive, and it will save you a lot of time figuring out the trails by yourself.
It is also likely that as you hike in Sapa, you will be joined by local women who will try to accompany you on your hike. These women are very friendly, speak reasonably good English, and are quite physically fit for challenging trekking trails. I found that hiking with local Hmong women really enhanced my experience, and I immensely enjoyed conversing and trekking with them. Of course, it is expected that you buy something from them at the end of the hike, but the women are so nice and they do spend several hours trekking with you.
Hmong ladies in Sapa, Vietnam
Ethnic Minority Groups
Sapa and the area around it are home to several ethnic minority groups, including Hmong, Dao, Tay, Giay, and Pho Lu. As you hike you will see many local Hmong people go about their regular lives.
Also, as you are trekking in Sapa, you will probably be approached by friendly local women who might join you on a hike, with an expectation that at the end of the hike you will buy the handmade purses, textiles, or other items they offer. I personally really enjoyed having 2 local Hmong women accompany me and my husband on a hike, and I was more than happy to purchase several items from them after the hike. Hmong women were so friendly, always smiling, and very positive. They are also incredibly fit and are able to complete challenging hikes with ease.
Hmong women are friendly and always smiling. Trekking in Sapa, Vietnam.
Because we hiked in January, many parts of the trails were muddy or flooded. If not for the help of these women, I would’ve had a hard time completing this hike. Not only did they hold my hand at the most challenging parts of the hike, but they also provided helpful pointers, such as where to step to avoid sliding all the way down in the mud and the best way to go around challenging flooded areas. It seemed like these women knew every inch of this trekking area, and they made my hike in the challenging muddy conditions in January easy and fun!
Trekking with Hmong lady through Sapa, Vietnam.
Trekking with Hmong lady in Sapa, Vietnam
I also enjoyed talking to them. They spoke pretty good English, and we had interesting and heart-warming conversations. I’ve learned a lot about their daily lives.
Get prepared for Trekking in Sapa
- Hiking boots. Make sure to wear proper and sturdy hiking boots. Many parts of the hiking in Sapa are quite challenging, with lots of steps, climbing up and down. Also, depending on the season or the weather, the hiking area can get quite muddy, which makes wearing the proper hiking boots even more important.
- Dress appropriately. Check the weather forecast and wear appropriate clothing.
- Sun protection. Don’t forget to bring sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen.
- Food and hydration. Bring plenty of water and snacks.
Terraced rice fields in Sapa, Vietnam.
About the town of Sapa
Town of Sapa is situated at an elevation of about 1500 meters (4,921 feet). Sapa is a pleasant and quiet little town, and it’s a wonderful place to relax and take leisurely walks. It’s a great base for trekking in the Sapa area.
One of the main sights in town is Sapa Lake. The area around the lake is especially quiet. Take a stroll along this lake in the morning and enjoy the peace and quietness.
Sapa Lake, Vietnam
Town of Sapa.
Sapa is also one of the main market towns in the area. Walking through the local market is certainly a great experience!
Market in Sapa, Vietnam
Where to stay in Sapa
Sapa has several hotels where you can stay for a couple of nights while trekking and exploring the Sapa area. My favorite is Victoria Sapa Resort and Spa.
The post Trekking in Sapa, Vietnam – Everything You Need To Know appeared first on Julia's Album.
from Julia's Album http://bit.ly/2WokQKJ
via IFTTT
0 comments:
Post a Comment