As soon as you set foot on Sapa, you’ll be bombarded on all sides by trekking opportunities. So there’s no need to book a trek in advance because resources abound.
In this guide, we will delve into the whole Sapa trekking tour process:
• How to book it
• Treks to choose from
• Prices
• Equipment
• Our experience at it
Booking a trek in person or by phone
Two months before arriving in Sapa, we were recommended a local guide by a Portuguese backpacker we met in Kampot. We followed her suggestion and called Mama Mae — the local Hmong guide she told us about.
The booking process was simple: you can do it directly with the local guides as they approach you in the street, or by phone since they’ll hand out their numbers if you’re not ready to commit on the spot. You can also do it through your hotel, the Sapa tourism office or any tour operator around town.
You can book one of the following options:
• Half day trek
• Full day trek: includes one meal
• 2-day trek with homestay: includes two meals and a few drinks, a bath, and a bed for the night (usually at the guide’s family house)
• Some tour operators like Buffalo Tours or Sapa Sisters offer up to 5-day trek options
Then you’ll set up the day, time and spot where the trek starts.
The payment is usually done at the end of the trek.
Price tables
Booking directly through a local guide will cost a fraction of what you’ll pay to a tour operator. Still, every guide has her own fee and these are some of the offers we got:
Mama Bau: 14€ for one day trek and 28€ for 2 days + homestay.
Mama Susu: 11,50€ for one day and 28€ for the 2 days + homestay.
Mama Mae: 11€ for one full day
Tour operator fees start at 35€ for one day
If you’re an experienced hiker you could do the trek on your own, but by hiring an experienced guide you’ll be helping the local communities and learning about them. Besides, no one knows the hillside as they do.
Let’s do this!
Nuno and I met Mama Mae at 9 in the morning, near the Gothic church in the city center. The two of us joined a group of four American girls and three other Hmong women that walked alongside us the entire trek.
Mama Mae spoke very good English but the other Hmong women did not. We figured that they must accompany tourists as a way to practice their English, so eventually, they can become guides themselves.
Take plenty of water
It was a beautiful warm and sunny day in opposition to the stormy days before. We were super excited to be out and about exploring nature, and having a genuine taste of the Vietnamese rural life.
However, two hours in, we realized that 1,5L water bottle wouldn’t last long for two grown men hiking a mountain and descending through muddy rice terraces. Not to mention that Mama Mae got thirsty too, so we ended up sharing our water with her—because we’re gentlemen.
Take plenty of water, you’ll need it. There aren’t any shops in the hills, only in the villages.
Soul cleansing views
The scenery was breathtaking—everywhere we looked was like a panoramic screensaver!
Not only Mama Mae took us to the best lookout spots in the mountains, but we also saw water buffaloes, piglets, tea and cannabis plantations. We talked for hours about Vietnam, her family and ours. She was like an open book.
Meanwhile, the other 3 Hmong women kept walking by our side asking time and again:
– Where are you from?
At noon, we stopped for lunch at a humble restaurant where other hikers were. Mama Mae provided us with a noodle soup and some pieces of fruit, but the drinks we paid ourselves. After lunch, we walked a few more hours to her house, where the first day of trekking ended. We met the husband and granddaughters as she prepared some tea for us: Lipton, believe it or not.
After tea, she explained how she makes indigo blue dye from plants.
True colors
The other 3 Hmong women that followed us around came with a goal in mind: to sell. To sell as much as possible.
After a subtle sign from Mama Mae, they pulled out all sorts of knick-knacks from their wicker baskets: bracelets, wallets, shawls, and whistles, along with an aggressive selling tactic. They turned into unfazed vending machines that didn’t take “no” for an answer.
Back to Sapa on a motorbike
Having finished our full day trek, Mama Mae took us to the center of her village, calling two motorbike taxis to take us back to Sapa: 2.00€ each, paid by ourselves.
The ride back to Sapa alone was amazing. It’s not every day that someone can ride through valleys in Vietnam, with the sun setting behind the mountains and the last sunbeams reflecting on the rice paddies. That’s something we’ll never forget.
Trekking equipment
Keep it light and simple.
All you’ll need is a comfortable pair of sturdy shoes, light clothing, and a camera. Remember to take plenty of water, snacks, sunblock and you’ll be good to go.
As a side note, Sapa has plenty of shops that both rent and sell trekking gear.
Full day trek expenses
Full day trek: 11€
Motorbike taxi: 2€
Water bottle: 0.60€
If you’re planning a trekking tour on Sapa we still have Mama Mae’s, Mama Bau’s and Mama Susu’s phone numbers and will gladly share them with you. Leave a reply down here or at any of our social media outlets and we’ll send it to you via email or PM.
Here’s a photo of Mama Mae taken in September 2018 by Cristelle — one of our readers. Cristelle reached out to us and asked for Mama Mae’s phone number. Two days later she was trekking with her in Sapa!
We’re super glad to contribute (even if in a small way) to your adventures, and by doing so helping Mama Mae on the other side of the world.
RELATED POSTS
September 17, 2023
Crossing Vietnam – Laos borders overland
Laos Visa on Arrival (2023 update) According to feedback from some fellow travelers in 2023, it has not been possible to get a…
Hi! We are planning of taking the night train tomorrow to Sapa! Could you send us Mama’s number? Thank you!
Sure can Beatriz! Check your email inbox. ?
Hello guys- thanks for all the info about trekking.
would love to get the contact info.
Hi Evelina,
Check your email inbox, we just send you the Mamas phone numbers.
Enjoy your trek in Sapa! ?
Hi Nuno and Mario, thank you for the insightful content!
Considering to visit Sapa as part of our honeymoon trip to Vietnam. Appreciate if you could share the contacts for Mama Mae, Mama Bau and Mama Susu.
Cheers!
Hi Peony,
Thanks! Glad you liked it 😉
Sure we can – check your email inbox for the contacts.
Enjoy your honeymoon! ❤️
Hi guys! Super helpful post and would love the jump on the bandwagon for the Mammas’ numbers. Thanks so much.
Hi Elysia,
Of course! ? You can check your email inbox, the phone numbers re all there.
Have a great trip!
Hi Nuno and Mario,
I will be in Sapa in August and would love to get contacts for Mama Mae, Mama Bau and Mama Susu, so I can book a tour with one of these ladies.
Thank you a lot,
Giuseppe
Hi Giuseppe!
Check your email inbox for the phone numbers. It’s all there. 😀
Have fun in Sapa!
Hi Nuno and Mario,
I’ll be in Sapa in August and would love to get contacts for Mama Mae, Mama Bau and Mama Susu, so we can book a tour with one of these ladies ;).
Thank you a lot,
Giuseppe
Hello,
Very interesting article! We have decided to go to Sapa tomorrow and will be looking for some decent guides. Not sure if it’s not to late but do you mind sharing contact details to Mammas?
Cheers,
Ela
Hi Ela!
Check your email inbox for the contacts.
Hope it all goes as planned. Have fun in Sapa! ?
Hello!
I’m planning to trek in Sapa end of the month and would love to have the contact for the Mamas:)
Thank you!
Hi Jem!
Check your email inbox for their phone numbers. It’s all there. ?
Have a great trip!
Hi Nuno & Mário! I have read so many articles/blogs, but your post is the only one caught my eyes!
I am planning to go this Oct, may I have the pleasure of getting your guide’s number?
Appreciate it, thanks!
Hi Peter!
Oh, cool! We’re glad you liked it.
It’ll be great if you share the post on your social media to spread the word out. ?
Of course, you can have the phone numbers. Check your email inbox and have a safe trip!
Hi
Your post is great and very helpful. We are planning to go trekking in Sapa next week and we would be very happy, if you could send us their phone numbers! 🙂 thanks and all the best, Lisa
Hi Lisa!
Glad you find the post helpful.?
Check your email inbox for the phone numbers.
Hope you guys have fun on your trip to Sapa!
Hey Nuno & Mario
Your trip looks amazing and i can’t wait to do the same tour as you guys did. I’ll be heading over there in summer.
Could I have the contact for all the Mamas please?
Thank you!
Cheers,
Janelle
Hi Janelle,
Of course! Check your email inbox for the phone numbers. ?
Have a great summer!
fantastic blog! I was about to book a tour but your trip seems perfect, thank you so much for sharing.
(like everyone else!) can you please share the contact number with me?
thank you =)
Hanan
Thanks Hanan!
Well, the trek was perfect indeed.?
Check your email inbox for the phone numbers.
Have a great trip!
Hi, I just read your article. I will be in Vietnam in a couple of weeks and was planning to do a Sapa Trek. Could you please share the contacts of these guides? The tour looks amazing!
Thank you,
Martina
Hi Martina,
The trek sure was great!
Check your email inbox for the phone numbers.
Enjoy your trip 😀
Olá Nuno e Mário… Vou à Sapa em Abril e gostava que me enviasses o nr da Mama Susu pois a ideia é fazer 2day treck with homestay.
Outra coisa que gostava que me ajudasses, foste de comboio ou bus pra Sapa?
Obrigada ☺
Olá Tecas!
Os números das guias já estarão no teu email!
Nós fomos para Sapa de autocarro, penso que por ser mais barato e conveniente.
Mas tudo depende do sítio onde estás.?
Hi Nuno and mario
Beautiful blog with beautiful photos!!
Can I have the contact numbers for those Mamas ?
Thanks in advance
Hi Izat,
Thank you! Glad you like it. ?
The phone numbers are in your email inbox.
Enjoy your trekking!