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Sapa Trekking in Vietnam (Without Sapa Tours)

A Guide to Trekking in Sapa and Hill-Tribe Homestay in the stunning rice fields of Vietnam! Everything you need to know for arranging your own Sapa trek tour. Here's our guide to planning your Sapa trek without any Sapa tours. Sapa trekking guide | sapa vietnam trekking |tour sapa | tours in sapa | trekking sapa vietnam | is Sapa worth visiting? | bus to Sapa from hanoi | train from Hanoi to sapa Vietnam #sapavietnam #sapatrek

Trekking in Sapa, Vietnam and a hill-tribe homestay among the remarkable rice terraces nestles itself firmly at the top of any Vietnam travel itinerary. With verdant rice terraces cascading up mountain vistas, Sapa is easily one of the best places to visit in Vietnam. And since it’s so simple to book and arrange your budget Sapa trekking experience by yourself, why spend more money going through Sapa tour companies?


Before You Go


Watch our experience trekking in Vietnam to our hill tribe homestay in our Youtube video below:

 

Trekking in Sapa

Every hill-tribe homestay and Sapa trekking journey (whether arranged by yourself or through Sapa tours) will begin in the northwestern Vietnam town of Sapa (otherwise written as Sa Pa). A quick tumble from the border of China, Sapa, Vietnam is set amidst the Hoang Lien Son mountain range (otherwise known as “the Tonkinese Alps”) that house Fansipan, the highest peak in Vietnam.

Before the 90’s, small size agriculture marked the economic epicenter of Sa Pa. However, it has since been established in Vietnam as a trekking base for Sapa tours, attracting visitors from around the globe gearing to explore the region’s cascading rice terraces and hill-tribe villages.

If you’re wondering, “is Sapa worth visiting?” read along to find the answer, and just why we feel that way.

Also, be sure to refer to our sister Sapa trekking guide, 10 Things you WON’T Expect on Your Sapa Trek, where we expand on some of the surprising (and sometimes shocking) things we encountered while trekking in Sapa!

 


Note: These photos were all taken on our DJI Phantom (obsessed) and Canon Rebel, but we have since upgraded to the Canon 80D and are in love with it. Make sure to check out our essential cameras for every traveler guide and our traveling with a drone guide for more info.


Tour Sapa trekking through rice terraces

 

How to Get to Sapa on Your Own (Without Sapa Tours)

If you want to go trekking in Sapa, Vietnam and experience staying at the home of one of the local hill tribe people in Sapa Valley, there are a couple ways to get there without official tours in Sapa. Most visitors to Sa Pa travel from Hanoi, the hub of transportation for Vietnam’s north (and the site of some of the most amazing Vietnamese food we’ve had!).

You can go from Hanoi to Sapa by train or by bus.

Koen on Sapa Trek in Vietnam

Our companion, Koen, making his way through the landscape of Northern Vietnam



The Secret to Cheap Flights
 

Hanoi to Sapa by Train

Here’s how to get from Hanoi to Sapa by train before you begin trekking in Sapa.

Sapa in Vietnam doesn’t have a railway station, so the closest stop you can get off at is in Lao Cai.

A popular way to get your Sapa trekking tour is with an overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai. If you’re a budget traveler and want to save money by arranging your Sapa trekking in Vietnam on your own, you can buy your train ticket on your own here.

Using the Vietnam Railways site to book your train tickets directly will save you $10-15, versus booking them with an operator of Sapa tours.

With Sapa tours ringing up popularly on many travelers’ Vietnam itinerary, it’s smart to book your tickets online as soon as you can. It’s very possible that they will sell out if you wait until a few days before.

 

From Hanoi to Sapa by train without official tours in Sapa

How Long Is the Train From Hanoi to Sapa?

Sapa town doesn’t have its own railway station. Instead, you’ll find the nearest station in Lao Cai, about 40-50 minutes away by car or bus.

The overnight trains from HanoiLao Cai take around 9 hours to complete the trip.

 

How Much Does the Overnight Train to Sapa Cost?

A one-way ticket from Hanoi to Lao Rai, the nearest train station to Sapa, costs 384,000 VND (about $17.20 USD) in an air-conditioned soft-sleeper cabin.

If visiting Sapa, Vietnam on a budget, you might want to take an overnight train to save money on accommodation. Here are some Vietnam sleeper train tips.

There are two overnight trains from Hanoi—Lao Cai. The SP1 train departs Hanoi at 21:40 and arrives in Lao Cai at 05:35 the next morning, while the SP3 train departs Hanoi at 22:00 and arrives in Lao Cai at 06:00.

 

READ MORE| Don’t be caught off guard on your trek! Check out our list of 10 Things You WON’T Expect from a Sapa Trek!

 

How to Get from Lao Cai to Sa Pa

A good price for a taxi ride between Lao Cai and Sa Pa is around 400,000 VND ($18). Minibuses are available to take between Lao Cai and Sapa in Vietnam as well. The minibuses to Sa Pa leave from a large parking lot near the train station, and cost 50,000 VND ($2.20). These minibuses will leave whenever they fill up.

 

Pros of Taking the Train to Sapa

1. Even 4-person cabins have more privacy than a crowded bus.
2. All trains have a bathroom.
3. The train ride is more stable than bus rides.
4. Some train cars have wifi.

 

Cons of Taking the Train to Sapa

1. Longer trip than taking the bus.
2. May not be as comfortable as a luxury sleeper bus.
3. If booked through a company, it will cost more than a bus.
4. Doesn’t go directly to Sapa.

 



Trekking in Sapa (without Sapa tours) to the Rice Terraces in Vietnam

Click on the photo above to find cheap flights to Hanoi


Taking the Bus to Sapa from Hanoi

You can also take the bus to Sapa from Hanoi, such as this Hanoi to Sapa bus with comfortable bed seats, blankets, pillows, toilets and even Wifi (just make sure you select the type of seat you prefer!).

Unlike the train, the buses take you directly to Sa Pa, Vietnam, cutting out an extra leg of travel. These buses are relatively comfortable, with seats that recline or lay back fully.

 

How Long Is the Bus to Sapa?

The ride to Sa Pa takes about 5-6 hours. Buses from Hanoi to Sa Pa leave daily in the morning, afternoon, and evening.

For those visiting Vietnam on a budget, overnight buses are again a great way to save money on one night of accommodation, while also limiting the daytime wasted on transportation.

 

Night Bus to Sapa Trekking

 

How Much Does a Bus to Sapa Cost?

There are a variety of bus companies of various repute and comfort you can take before you tour Sapa, with prices ranging from $15-45. Do a bit of online research into whatever company you choose to go with, as some companies are poorly organized and have lower levels of customer service and satisfaction. Sometimes you get what you pay for!

Some buses to Sa Pa have bathrooms (this bus advertises that it DOES have bathrooms) or make rest stops on the way, but others do not have toilets or make stops. Again, research is key!

The cost of buses to Sa Pa is comparable to the cost of booking train tickets by yourself for most companies. If you book train tickets through a travel agency, the train will be more expensive.

You can also choose to take the bus from Sapa to Hanoi going to other direction. We ended up taking the bus from Hanoi to Sapa, and then taking the overnight train on the way back, as we were more easily able to get a ride to Lao Cai on the return trip.

 

Pros of Taking the Bus to Sapa

1. Takes you directly to Sa Pa.
2. If you travel in the daytime it is a shorter journey than via train.
3. Can be cheaper than booking trains through a company.
4. Some buses have wifi.

Cons of Taking the Bus to Sapa

1. Less privacy than the train.
2. Some buses don’t have bathrooms.
3. Riding a bus through windy roads can cause nausea!

 




Booking.com

 

How to Find a Local Hilltribe Guide in Sapa

Before trekking in Sapa, Vietnam (without arranging Sapa tours ahead of time), you’ll need to find a local hilltribe Sapa trekking guide familiar with the landscape, weather changes, terrain, and the most beautiful spots in Sapa Valley.

Hill-Tribe Homestay and trekking Sapa with Mama Shu Shu

About Sapa Tours

You can plan on trekking Sapa with a local independent hill tribe guide, or through a Sapa tour company.

A multitude of Sapa tour companies exist that arrange Sapa travel and hill-tribe homestay. If waiting until your arrival to arrange your Sapa tour is not an option, you can look into this Ma Tra and Ta Phin Village Private Trek from Sapa or this Lao Chai and Ta Van Village Trek. However, as we’ve never done these pre-arranged tours in Sapa ourselves, we can only vouch for the self-arranged Sapa tours upon arrival with a local independent guide.

Unfortunately, when working with many companies, there’s little way to know how much care or regard for the ethnic tribes who call Sa Pa home. This means that much of the money you pay for “official” tours in Sapa (as opposed to those offered by independent locals) won’t get back to the tribespeople.

When arranging tours to Sapa, so much is dependent on luck. We met people on our train from Lao Cai back to Hanoi who had pre-booked one of the “official” tours in Sapa and ended up in a tourist trap area. However, we’ve also met people who have gone on official tours in Sapa and had an amazing time that they loved. Unfortunately, unless you’re operating on word of mouth and have someone you know who can vouch for the tours in Sapa you’re looking at, it is a toss up.

Similarly, there’s no way to guarantee that the local independent guides you find on your own to lead tours to Sapa will be amazing either, but I do believe you will be more likely to have an authentic experience, and you can rest assured knowing that the money you’re spending is going directly to the local hill tribes. All I know is that the first woman we spoke to, Mama Shu Shu, was an amazing guide with an INCREDIBLE hill tribe home, and we wouldn’t have had our trekking Sapa experience any other way.

 

Arrange Your Trekking in Sapa Upon Arrival

To get around these Sapa tour companies, you can easily arrange your own budget Sapa travel and hill-tribe homestay upon arrival in Sa Pa. Arranging your budget trekking in Sapa directly with the people who you will stay with and guide you on your trek leads to a more fulfilling and authentic experience. You’ll likely get taken to a far more beautiful and secluded location, and you will save you money too.

 

Where to Find Your Sapa Guide

We highly recommend you tour Sapa with a local independent hill tribe guide.

You can arranging your local hill tribe guide where most buses to Sapa, Vietnam drop off their passengers off: the Sa Pa Market.

The market and its surroundings are full of enterprising tribespeople eager to guide you to their home. Arranging trekking in Sapa by yourself is as simple as walking around the market until you find a price and trekking distance that suits your fancy. Just make sure to find a guide with a personality that meshes well with yours.

You should have no problem finding someone to host you at their home in Sapa, but, of course, there’s always a chance that something could happen if you have the luxury of time to allow it. Perhaps you have your heart set on one specific host and have to wait a day—in an event like this, make sure to have an idea of Sapa hotels you could stay at while you get your trip sorted.

For us, however, we didn’t have the luxury of time to wait around, and we were able to talk to a few different hosts at the Sa Pa Market before we settled on one women that we really vibed with!

 

Cost of Trekking in Sapa with Local Guide

A decent price to tour Sapa with a 2 day/1 night Sapa homestay with a 10+km trek to the village should be between $20-30 per person.

If someone quotes you a higher price, you can negotiate! Simply walk away and they will probably agree to a lower price. If not, it’s quick and easy to find someone else who can offer a more budget-friendly price. This price to tour Sapa should include a meal on the trek and meals while at the Sapa homestay.

The price will not include a motorbike/taxi ride back to Sa Pa town at the end of the trek.

Be warned: a motorbike ride in the rain is definitely not recommended, as the roads are roughly paved at best and very prone to flooding.

 

You’ll also like: 10 Things you WON’T Expect on Your Sapa Trek

Sapa Vietnam Trekking

 

What to Bring for Sapa Trekking

When preparing for Vietnam hiking in Sapa, keep in mind the weather can be very humid and rain is very likely.

Raincoat/poncho: A definite must any time of the year. We like:

Extra clothes: Go for a quick-drying, breathable stretch material that you can layer!  The weather in Sa Pa is notorious for rapidly changing, so layers are a wonderful asset on your Vietnam hike. It can be sunny and warm one minute and foggy and pouring rain the next. We like:

 

What to Bring Sapa Trekking Hilltribe Homestay

 

A Waterproof Bag to store extra clothes and electronics: You don’t want your clothes and valuables to get soaked if it starts to rain on your Vietnam hike.We like:

Rain cover for backpack: A rain cover for your backpack when hiking in Vietnam will give you peace of mind if caught in rainy weather. Our Think Tank Airport Helipak came with a seam-sealed rain cover that made our bag virtually waterproof.

  • Think Tank makes durable, water-resistant travel-friendly camera and other electronic bags that are perfect for a Sapa trek. For more information, make sure to read about our experience with a Think Tank camera bag on our Vietnam backpacking trip.

Long socks: Prepare for leeches on your Vietnam hike! Our guides were even wearing rain boots to protect against the leeches. We like:

Good walking/hiking shoes: Hiking in Vietnam requires good shoes. The paths you will be trekking on are narrow, sometimes steep and rocky, and can be very muddy depending on the weather. We like:

Snacks, water: These may be available for purchase while trekking, but you don’t want to be caught without water or snacks if you really need them.

Bug repellent: Your hill-tribe homestay may have mosquito nets, but it also will likely not have screens in the windows (if there are any windows at all) or will be open to the outside, so it’s best to be prepared when trekking in Vietnam. Also, beware of leeches if it’s raining on the trek!We like:

Hand Sanitizer and Wipes: The bathroom situation when trekking Vietnam is unpredictable, and you’ll want to be prepared! You may also need some wipes to clean yourself off of any mud and…well…bull poop! We like:

A walking stick: If you don’t have one, perhaps your guide will be kind enough to provide a bamboo one for you.

Toys/other trinkets to give to village children (Do not give the children money when trekking Vietnam—the children will only get a small cut of what you give, and they’ll be kept out of school as long as they’re still able to turn a profit).


Planning a Vietnam trip? Make use of this helpful Hang Son Doong – The World’s Largest Cave guide!


 

Prepare for leeches on your Sapa, Vietnam hike

Sapa leeches left their marks on us


 


Learn more about Backpacking in Vietnam.


How to Get Back to Hanoi from Sa Pa

It’s just as simple to leave Sapa, Vietnam as it is to get there.

Buses and minibuses leave to Lao Cai from the stone church in the middle of town. Ask the drivers what time they are leaving (every 30 minutes- 1 hour until 18:30-19:00).

Public buses also leave to Lao Cai from this church, between 6:00 AM and 18:30 PM (28,000 VND).

Taxis are also readily available too (around 400,000 VND). We really lucked out and found a taxi driver who just happened to be returning home to Lao Cai for the night and ready to fill the cab for any price, which for our group of four, turned out to be 100,000 VND total (about $4.48 USD). Unfortunately, that kind of luck can’t be counted on!

If you booked a round-trip bus ticket to and from Sapa, leaving is as easy as getting back on the bus. Make sure you check where the bus will pick you up, as it could be from somewhere different than where it dropped you off.

Heading to Vietnam? Check out these thoughts on Vietnam before your trip!

 

Is Sapa Worth Visiting?

Without a doubt. Our time trekking in Sapa, Vietnam and staying at the homes of Mama Shu Shu, our hill tribe guide, was hands down our favorite Vietnam travel activity. Just look at our pictures and watch our Sapa vlogs and you’ll see why our Vietnam hiking experience in the rice terraces was so magical!

Still, be sure to refer to our companion guide, 10 Things you WON’T Expect on Your Sapa Trek, to know what you just might encounter on your Sapa trek. You might be surprised!

 

Ruth on Sapa Trek in Vietnam

Our Belgian companion, Ruth, on the Sapa trek

 

What to Do in Sapa After Your Trek

Looking for what to do in Sapa after your trek? If you have more time on your hands and want more of a taste of hiking Vietnam, you might want to hang around Sapa before or after tour hill-tribe homestay so you can experience some of the other offerings of the area. For example, this Cat Cat Village Tour brings you to visit Sapa’s oldest Black H’Mong community as well as the Cat Cat Waterfall. You’ll get the chance to see the traditional handicrafts of the community, and the tour includes lunch.

There are some other things to do in Sapa you might consider.

Alternatively, this Love and Silver Waterfalls Private Day Tour takes you on a trek to see some gorgeous waterfalls hidden in the jungle. You’ll also get to check out a view of Fansipan, the highest mountain in the Indochinese Peninsula, from the Ton Station, and lunch is included as well.

If you’d prefer a different experience for your Sapa itinerary, you can check out this Bac Ha Market and Ban Pho Village Day Tour to get the chance to see the hustle and bustle of villagers of all local tribal ethnicities throughout this lively market. The road to Bac Ha is a stunning sight, with lush green meadows and deep valleys, making it one of the beautiful scenic things to do in Sapa. The tour also includes lunch.

Sapa Trekking Guide


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A Guide to Trekking in Sapa and Hill-Tribe Homestay in the stunning rice fields of Vietnam! Everything you need to know for arranging your own Sapa trek tour. Here's our guide to planning your Sapa trek without any Sapa tours. Sapa trekking guide | sapa vietnam trekking |tour sapa | tours in sapa | trekking sapa vietnam | is Sapa worth visiting? | bus to Sapa from hanoi | train from Hanoi to sapa Vietnam #sapavietnam #sapatrek
A Guide to Trekking in Sapa and Hill-Tribe Homestay in the stunning rice fields of Vietnam! Everything you need to know for arranging your own Sapa trek tour. Here's our guide to planning your Sapa trek without any Sapa tours. Sapa trekking guide | sapa vietnam trekking |tour sapa | tours in sapa | trekking sapa vietnam | is Sapa worth visiting? | bus to Sapa from hanoi | train from Hanoi to sapa Vietnam #sapavietnam #sapatrek
A Guide to Trekking in Sapa and Hill-Tribe Homestay in the stunning rice fields of Vietnam! Everything you need to know for arranging your own Sapa trek tour. Here's our guide to planning your Sapa trek without any Sapa tours. Sapa trekking guide | sapa vietnam trekking |tour sapa | tours in sapa | trekking sapa vietnam | is Sapa worth visiting? | bus to Sapa from hanoi | train from Hanoi to sapa Vietnam #sapavietnam #sapatrek

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Do you have any stories about arranging a budget Sapa trek and hill-tribe homestay in Vietnam?

Tell us about it here!

 

 

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37 Comments

  • Reply
    Bill Payer
    at 8:19 am

    Just wanted to say I really enjoy your blog….particularly like the pros/cons elements.

    • Reply
      Lauren West
      at 9:34 am

      What a lovely comment! Thank you so much for dropping by, Bill!

  • Reply
    Louise Terranova
    at 9:55 pm

    Looking forward to exploring your blog. And reading the love story … Louise

  • Reply
    The Alternative to Trekking in Sapa: Sapa vs. Ha Giang
    at 1:05 pm

    […] in Sapa, but in the interest of giving some perspective, we asked the guys at Television of Nomads for their opinion: “A trek in Sapa can take you to a secluded hill-tribe village […]

  • Reply
    Georgie Cox
    at 7:36 pm

    Absolutely LOVING your blog. Such an inspirational space

    • Reply
      Lauren West
      at 8:37 pm

      Such a lovely compliment, Georgie! Thanks for dropping by!

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    lalitha
    at 11:57 pm

    Omg. I love your blog layout. What theme in WordPress do you use?

    • Reply
      Lauren West
      at 1:33 pm

      Thank you! It’s called Z-black 🙂 We purchased it from a great theme designer!

  • Reply
    Zoe Naylor
    at 8:24 pm

    Sapa is my favourite place in Vietnam 🙂 this is a really useful post, and beautiful pictures! 🙂

    • Reply
      Lauren West
      at 2:13 pm

      We loved it too, Zoe!!! Our only regret is not being able to stay longer and enjoy the incredible scenery even more!

  • Reply
    kutukamus
    at 5:24 am

    Love that terracing-fields shot! 🙂 >-I

  • Reply
    John
    at 12:02 am

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    Karen
    at 7:45 am

    Great tips. Love how detailed these are–and how much you try to make this responsible for the community. I really hope to do this some day.

  • Reply
    Staying with a Hmong Family in Sapa, Vietnam | Eternal Expat
    at 8:52 am

    […] **If you’re interested in staying with Bau on your trip through Vietnam, send me an email and I can pass on her detail. Or if you want to read a great guide to hiking in Sapa, check out this one from Television of Nomads. […]

  • Reply
    Sapa Valley - Rice for lunch, rice wine for breakfast. | Two Scots Abroad
    at 5:44 am

    […] station was quite daunting but it was been done – check out Lauren and Ben’s post on Sapa Trekking to see […]

  • Reply
    Backpacking Vietnam on a Budget: A 2-3 Week Itinerary + Tips
    at 12:24 pm

    […] to Sapa and back to Hanoi that includes your trek leaders, homestay, and food. Or you can choose to do it on your own. Plenty of backpackers stay at homestays so you’re bound to find someone to go trekking with […]

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    Television of Nomads
    at 4:32 pm

    […] A Guide to Sapa Trekking and Hill-Tribe Homestay  (Without Sapa Tours) […]

  • Reply
    travelenjoylive
    at 6:20 pm

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    Tracing Vietnam - Backpacking in Vietnam
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    […] ARTICLE: Here’s a Sapa trekking and homestay […]

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    Television of Nomads
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    Solo Female Travel in Vietnam - What to Expect
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    Backpacking Vietnam Travel Guide – Vietnam Travel Advisor
    at 3:01 am

    […] lost on a Motorbike, exploring the beautiful countryside is just one of the many fun things to do in Sapa. Drive to the beautiful Thac Bac Waterfall, around 15kms outside Sapa main town. A legend says […]

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    Judi Ceme
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  • Reply
    Erin
    at 9:14 pm

    Sapa is such a beautiful, dreamy and peaceful place! Although it can be a bit touristy but still worth visiting!
    Thank you for your informative and amazing blog post!

  • Reply
    Television of Nomads
    at 12:44 pm

    […] A Guide to Sapa Trekking and Hill-Tribe Homestay  (Without Sapa Tours) […]

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    Television of Nomads
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    Television of Nomads
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    […] Vietnam—I loved eating at the local Vietnamese food vendors, but I wouldn’t give up our Sapa Trekking experience in a […]

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    Television of Nomads
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    […] to the stunning country of Vietnam blended unforgettable adventure, in the form of rainy Sapa trekking, shock and disappointment, in the form of a sudden typhoon that cancelled our Halong Bay/Bai Tu […]

  • Reply
    Television of Nomads
    at 2:33 pm

    […] We’ve talked about the tremendous beauty of Sapa in our post about how to arrange your own Sapa trekking without tour companies.  On a Sapa trek, you’ll walk through tribe villages and cascading […]

  • Reply
    Television of Nomads
    at 9:03 pm

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  • Reply
    Lindsey
    at 8:29 pm

    Thanks for the wonderfully informative article! May I know if there’s a way to prebook a daytime trek with mama Shu

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