Sapa, Y Linh Ho, Seo Mi Ty

On arrival in this small station in Lao Cai, our guide welcomes us for a transfer to Sapa 45 minutes by the road that climbs up the mountainside. Breakfast in this former climatic station born in colonial times is followed by the preparation of our trek.

We start from the road that winds through the valley of the Muong Hoa River. The trail plunges through the mountains and leads us to Y Linh Ho, Hmong village. We discover with amazement the rice terraces, but also the hard work of the men and their buffaloes dedicated to their preparation for the next harvest. We will observe the particular structure of the houses prepared for the harsh winter periods, where there are many pig, hen and other farm animals farms. The trail now rises through the rice fields and we enjoy breathtaking views. The majesty of the place impresses!

Lunch in a local house on the top of the hill. In the afternoon, walking is easier, with less difference in altitude. We cross a forest to Seo Mi Ty, another village of the H'mong ethnic group. The local accommodation conditions being rather harsh, we will opt for a "camping" experience in tents that our guides will set up near the village. This will be the time to relax after a busy day of walking. Dinner and overnight stay on site.

Seo Mi Ty, Den Thang, Ta Trung Ho

This morning, we continue crossing the rice fields, and the crossing of the rivers by the suspension bridges is still as picturesque as ever. After crossing a huge forest, we arrived in Den Thang, Hmong village. Depending on the weather, lunch is taken by the river or at the village school.

In the afternoon, after taking a path that makes trekking more sporty due to its variations in altitude, we arrive at Ta Trung Ho, a village of the Red Dao. The 6 hours of walking we have done let us predict a good night's rest. Night in a house that has only recently opened up to travellers. A privileged moment for an exciting cultural exchange.

Ta Trung Ho, Nam Toong, My Son, Thanh Phu

Thank you to our host family! Our trek continues further east by a path that climbs (again!) to Nam Toong, a village of the Red Dao. Lunch at the village school.

In the afternoon, we reach the My Son valley, the village of the Xa Pho ethnic group, one of the smallest in Vietnam. Still going down, it is in Thanh Phu, Tay village, that we spend the night. The visit of this village and the daily life of its inhabitants make us discover an existence of another age! Dinner and overnight in a traditional Tay house.

Thanh Phu, Nam Sai, Nam Cam, Sin Chai

On this shorter stage, we have a real melting pot of different ethnic groups: the Tay in the village of Nam Sai, the Red Dao in the village of Nam Cang and Nam Nhiu, finally the white H'mong in the village of Nam Than! We are constantly progressing in a majestic setting of mountains, terraced rice fields, rivers, small waterfalls. Tonight, we are welcomed by the warm Red Dao from the village of Sin Chai.

Sin Chai, Ta Thang

This last day is the "highlight" of our trek! Few people venture into the most remote part of the Sapa Valley. Despite modern means of communication, foreigners are still here "a curiosity" for children because some have never met them.

We cross a bamboo forest and dense jungle, which provides a freshness before arriving in Nam Ket where lunch is taken.

In the afternoon, the trail takes us to what is certainly the most beautiful panorama of your adventure: a superb green valley. The trek ends in Ta Thang, a Tay village where the car is waiting for us. We are located more than thirty kilometers south of Lao Cai. Several options are being considered:

- return to Sapa to relax and discover a little more about the city and its surroundings, then join Lao Cai to return to Hanoi by night train.

- or head towards Bac Ha or Thac Ba to continue on a longer trip to Vietnam, to discover the North of the country.