Sa Pa Travel Forum

Visiting Sapa end of February. Different tours offer a variety of trek options. I've identified the following villages: Cat Cat Village, Ta Phin, Giang Ta Chai (is that the same as Lao Chai?), Y Linh Ho, Hau Thao, Su Pan, Ta Van, Nam Keeng, Ban Ho, Cau May, Nam Toong, Nam Ken, Mi Son and Than Phu.
My questions are:
1. Have I missed out any?
2. Which ones are in the cannot-miss category? (which are the best from a scenic and cultural perspective?)
3. Which village would offer the best home-stay experience?
Would appreciate any advice, recommendations, ideas.

Sapa - Y Linh Ho - Lao Chai - Ta Van - Giang Ta Chai (Cau May) - Su Pan - Hau Thao - Nam Toong - Nam keeng - Ban Ho - Mi Son - Thanh Phu is on one route. You may need 3 - 4 days "hard" trek: that;s the word travel agencies will call your tour. ( not really hard for people who trek pro or well enough).

If you trek this route, you will have chance to stay at Ta Van ( or Giang Ta Chai) and Ban Ho village. Both of these two village are nice experience.

I like Ban Ho. Just did the day trip their ( by jeep ) from Sapa 3 - 4 weeks ago. Less tourists than Giang Ta Chai, Lao Chai and Ta Van. Only us on the way ..

Hien

It's a 3 hour jeep ride over rough roads from Sapa, and so not really a trek at all, but I suggest you try to get to Faulong near the Chinese border. There is a huge market there, attracting mostly Flower Hmong, and it's more than likely you would be the only tourist there. Well worth the effort.

Hi Bomobob,

I will go to sapa, next month, my first time, just looking for places where unspoilt by tourist. how can we get to Faulong? is it possible to do one day trip? Is Faulong good for photography?

thanks a lots

Hi,

The people at the Mountain View Hotel - a very nice place to stay, by the way - can arrange a day-long trip to Faulong. I forget if the market was on a Saturday or a Sunday, but they can arrange for a guide and a driver and a jeep. Nobody will try to sell you anything or take you to their cousin's shop. The Faulong market is amazing for photography.
You can see some pictures here:
http://flickr.com/photos/bomobob/sets/72157600035070382/

Just wanted to say, "Thank you!" for the replies.