THE BEST 2023 PRIVATE SAPA EXPERIENCE – 3D2N (luxury day bus)
$139.00
This is one of our signature tours that we designed by ourselves. It is for sure a more challenging Sapa trekking because we go further and more off the beaten track. We also let you interact more with local ethnic people that live in the valley and we also try to arrange one of the lunches with one of the families.
Enjoy a very warm welcome from our local (Hmong) tour guide who will guide you through this stunning piece of Vietnam. From the lush terraced rice paddies to the rustic charm of the native dwellings, Sapa and its surroundings is a place you’re sure to fall in love with!
Many diverse groups like the Dzay, Dzao, Tay, Xa Pho or Hmong populate this richly cultural northern territory. You’ll sample their unique delights as you pass through each village.
- Itinerary Details
- Sapa – what to bring
- What’s included?
- What’s excluded?
- What do I need to bring?
- Useful information
Day 1:
Hanoi – Sapa
Your guidance service will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi in between 6.30 and 7am and transfer you to the bus stop for boarding your luxury day bus to Sapa. The bus leaves at 7am and after some stops on the way you will arrive in Sapa town at around 12:30pm. From the bus stop it is just a short 5-minute walk to your hotel (3*). See for address details your voucher. If you prefer a taxi, then please go inside the office of the bus company and ask if they call you one. The ride should not be more than $2. After check-in, you can explore Sapa by yourself. The rest of the day and evening are at your own interpretation.
Day 2:
Sapa – Y Linh Ho – Lao Chai – Ta Van
Enjoy breakfast together with amazing scenery over Sapa town and the Muong Hoa valley. At around 8.30am your local Hmong tour guide will meet you at your hotel from where your trekking adventure will kick off. On your request she can offer you to have your luggage transported to the homestay in Ta Van. We’ll start our trekking with a visit at the local market before we’ll start this fantastic trek to Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai and Ta Van, down in the Muong Hoa valley.
During the 15 km walk we’ll visit three villages of ethnic populations. Enjoy the spectacular views of the beautiful valley that leads towards Fansipan, the highest peak in Viet Nam and Indochina. The trek leads through the village of Black Hmong people, where you can learn how they weave and embroider their incredible clothes. Further along our descent we’ll enjoy the many colourful rice paddy fields until we reach Ta Van village, inhabited by the Dzay people.
We’ll have a filling lunch on the way and dinner with your host in a beautiful traditional Hmong house in Ta Van and you’ll overnight in a traditional Hmong house in Ta Van!
Day 3:
Tavan – Giang Ta Chai – Sapa – Hanoi
After breakfast and check out we leave Ta Van and continue our trek to visit the Red Dao people in Giang Ta Chai village. We pass some stunning scenery and a lovely waterfall along our route. As their name suggests, red is used extensively in the Red Dao women’s clothing and scarves.
Our journey leads us along the small paths edging the rice fields, across the Muong Hoa River and lunch will be on the way at a fantastic spot. We’ll head back to Ta Van after our second amazing trekking in the early afternoon where you can enjoy a refreshing shower and some free time before heading back to Sapa.
Around 2pm we say goodbye to you and we will transfer you back to Sapa. From here your luxury AC bus will bring you back to Hanoi. Expected arrival time is 9:30pm. Unfortunately, this bus does not drop off at hotels in the Old Quarter so please take a short walk or taxi ride to your accommodation.
Bring as little as possible but bring everything you need. Travelling light is much less of a hassle so do not bring things you can do without. You can leave some of your luggage at your hotel in Hanoi, especially when you return there.
Thanks to its geographic condition, Sapa has one of the most favourable climates in Vietnam. The temperature remains stably cool throughout the year though winter may see more severe changes, with frost and even snow for a few days per year (mostly from mid-December to mid-January). In the valley the altitude is 1000 meters and temperatures don’t drop below 6 degrees Celsius.
Trying to predict the weather in Sapa is almost impossible. However, here is our best attempt:
Sapa weather is characterized by a sub-tropical climate. However, as a result of the high altitude, the weather in Sapa is cool all year round. In summer, Sapa does not suffer the harsh heat like that on the coastal plains. Temperatures in summer fluctuate from 10-18°C at night and 20-28°C during the day.
When the sun shines, it can be harsh, even on cloudy days so expect to need sun protection. Rain and fog is possible throughout the year.
In winter, Sapa Town is often blanketed by fog and cold air, temperatures may drop below zero degrees Celsius some days.
Luggage and bags:
A daypack to bring on your treks is a good idea. These can be easily bought in Hanoi or Sapa.
Clothing/ Shoes/ Weather Gear:
Bring clothes to suit the local weather.
Always keep your spare clothes in a watertight bag to ensure they stay dry if there is a sudden downpour. The Sapa climate is totally unlike the rest of Vietnam.
Essential items to have for the trek are some layers of warm & light clothing (mornings can be cold but you may get pretty warm during the day as you trek). A pair of sturdy trekking shoes is essential.
In January to March it can be quite cold, foggy and rainy. A fleece and raincoat/ poncho is advisable and gumboots/ Wellington boots.
These items are available in Sapa at good prices.
Bring your camera! Any camera will do, or you will be sure to regret it.
Recommended kit list for homestays
- Long-Sleeved Shirt/ T-Shirt
- Fleece for evenings
- Trousers (Such As Lightweight Cargo Trousers, avoid Jeans)
- Shorts Optional
- Swimwear Optional
- Lightweight Water & Wind Proof (Jacket & Trousers)
- Walking Shoes (Sturdy, with good grip)
- Gumboots/ Wellington boots (for the wet and wintery periods)
- Sun Hat and sun protection
- Toothbrush & Toothpaste,
- Ear Plugs & Eye Mask Optional
- Flash light
- Luxury 2-way bus from Sapa to Hanoi
- 3* hotel the first night – private room at the homestay the second night
- Meals:
Day 2: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3: breakfast and lunch
In order to take care of any special food requests, please inform us by email in advance. - Luggage transfer from the hotel inn Sapa to the homestay on day 2
- Transfer from Ta Van to Sapa bus stop
- Entrance fees
- English speaking local Hmong guide on day 2 and 3
- Taxes and Service Charges
- Beverages
- Tips and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- All not indicated in our itinerary
- Booking voucher from us
- Valid Passport with valid visa
- Cash for personal expense
Specific food requests
Please let us know if you have specific eating restrictions, allergic for certain things or if you are vegetarian, we can take that into account during the trips.
Useful information
Especially for the north and central Vietnam;
In the period between November and April, the weather is variable, from sunny to cold and rainy. It is advisable during this period to bring some rain gear with some warmer clothes. In the period from April to November, it is good to pack a hat with a wide brim, sunscreen (at least SPF15) and a reliable insect repellent. A thin rain poncho is useful all year round.
The south of Vietnam is generally a lot warmer all year round, so warm clothing is not really necessary.
Get Up And Go Vietnam does everything to make your trip an unforgettable experience. Unfortunately, we have no control over weather conditions. Our apologies for that!
What do I need to know?
During the period March to November it will good to pack your swimming gear, a towel, a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen (at least SPF15), a reliable insect repellent, toiletries, a camera and lots of batteries. Warm clothing for the cooler months of November to March is advised. How much luggage can I take? Your vehicle has limited space so please keep your luggage to a maximum of 15kgs in a backpack or soft over-night bag and include a small day pack to hand carry for easy access to camera, sunscreen, water etc. Inhibitions can be left in the luggage storage rooms at your hotel with your other unwanted baggage.
Get Up and Go Vietnam is doing all possible to make your journey and travel experience an unforgettable one. Weather conditions, we unfortunately cannot control. Our apologies for that!