Sapa overnight treks is the one you do not want to miss while travelling in Northern Vietnam. Being recognized as one of the most amazing sightseeing of Northern Vietnam, Sapa is best known for its rice terraces stretching all over the mountainous area and sweeping mountain vistas. Furthermore, the fresh and cool air will make yourself want to explore the incredible beauty of nature here in Sapa.
You may find difficulty in trekking in Sapa, provided that you do not have much experience on how to trek properly. Here’s some tips I have covered to make your excursion easier and much more enjoyable:
1) Hire a guide
Full-day hikes and half-day hikes are both available In numbers of places (Cat Cat Village for instance). Although you can participate in those trips on your own, I recommend that you should hire a local guide being well-aware of the terrain, the weather changes and the best scenery spots for a better experience during your trip.
It is best to make tours booking in advance, given the fact that it will be cheaper than doing that in person and Sapa overnight treks are easy to arrange once you arrive in. You can either book tours through your accommodation or via main tourism offices across the the town. The local tour guides are awesome as they speak English fluency with acceptable accent.
2) Pack light
From my very personal experience, packing light is a smart decision when travelling to Sapa, even if you plan to have an overnight tours in Sapa. Small details such as towels or bedding are not necessary to bother. Even small family-run guesthouse can provide us with fundamental items such as clean bedsheets, blankets and fresh towels. You should know that is all we really need.
Meanwhile, you should keep in mind that local tour guide in Sapa is not a porter like those working in Everest base camp. Therefore, it is your best bet to have light bag carrying with you during your trek, and only bring what you think are absolutely necessary.
3) Wear sturdy shoes
A decent footwear is a must for those enjoying trekking, especially Sapa overnight tours. You will wish for a pair of running shoes with solid grip once you enter the mountain area being full of branches and other obstacles. In case you are planning for a 2-day trek or longer one, you might consider hiking boots as you will climb the top of Indochina – Mount Fansipan.
As a side note, there are lots of shops in Sapa that both rent and sell trekking gear. If you’re doing some travel around Southeast Asia prior to your visit to Sapa and don’t feel like lugging around boots and hiking poles, know that those things can be found in the town at affordable prices.
4) Bring more than the water you think you will need
In fact, you should make that double or even triple! With the cold and dry climate of Sapa, plus being exhausted by trekking for consecutive hours, you will be in an urgent need of water. It is just a nightmare when you drink the last drop from your bottle and another 2-hour hiking is waiting for you ahead. Of course you can find some stands selling water as you get closer to the towns, yet it can take you a while to find and get a drink.
5) And lastly, don’t forget your camera!
Make sure you bring along your camera and have your battery fully charged before taking a Sapa overnight trek, as you will be surrounded with stunning scenery and you do not want to miss those moments, or else you will regret your mistake immediately! The local tour guides are very gracious as they are happy to let the tourists take lots of photos before going to another lookout spot.
