LIVING IT UP IN THE SAPA HIGHLANDS

11.02.2013 - 21.02.2013 71 °F

Trekking up into the highlands of Sapa is a very magical place. As you arrive in the clouds that surround the town you get small glimpes of Mt. Fansipan, the highest mountain in Vietnam.
The modern Sapa is an invigorating experience with all the mixed ethnic groups mixing together. As I walked through the ever winding backstreets I enjoyed at the same time the magnificent views of the mountains and rice fields. I was greeted by many local smiles and hellos. And of course I was trailed by the hill tribes women who were always keen to strick up a conversation and ask for me to buy some of their very beautiful handcraft.
Sapa is filled with many great small hotels & fabulous restaurants. If you are looking to buy some outfitting gear, this is the place! For every other shop is filled with North Face Gear that is a fraction of the price that you pay anywhere in the Western world. (I purchased a wind stop jacket for $30 US, in New Zealand this would have been $700+) Let's see if it lasts!

We trekked for 2 days with a H'mong trekking guide. We started at the Ta Van village just outside of Sapa and hiked for about 18 km. Lunch was in the Red Dzao village of Giang Ta Chai. From there it was up and down rice fields to our homestay in Ban Ho, a village where the Tay live. On our second day we hiked for 3 km uphill to Ta Trung Ho and back.

Red Dzao(Namtoong) Women