Find us on:
Ethos - Spirit of the Community
  • About Us
    • Spirit of the Community
    • ETHOS Constitution
    • FAQ's
    • Inbound Tour Operators Licence
    • Guide Team
    • Sapa Map
  • Create your Experience
    • The Spirit Tree
    • Simply Hmong
    • Photography Experience
    • Sapa Mountain Riders
    • Buffalo Valley Trek
    • Red Dao Sewing Workshop
    • Riverside Trek
    • Butterfly Valley BBQ
    • Tam Duong
    • Muong Hum Market
    • Black Hmong Hemp & Embroidery Workshop
    • Motorbike Adventures
    • Sapa Speciality Food Tour
    • Muong Hoa Valley
    • Hmong Batik
    • Sin Ho
    • Ta Giang Phin
    • Ha Giang / Tuyen Quang Special
    • Mu Cang Chai
    • Anthropological Tours
    • Textiles Tours
    • Taste of Muong Hoa (Half day)
    • Ta Phin Experience
    • Lu Weaving and Dyeing
    • Twin Waterfalls
    • Rice Terraces and Waterfalls
    • Ha Giang Loop?
    • The Great North Motorbike Loop
  • Photos & Videos
    • Explore and Discover
  • Contact Us
    • Online Booking Form
  • Train Transfers
  • Sapa Bus Service
  • They Came
  • Blog
  • Sapa Trekking Map
  • Sapa Tips
  • Social Responsibility
  • The History of Sapa
  • Papers and Publications
  • Accommodation in Sapa
  • Current Job Vacancies
  • A guide to Northern Markets
  • Six Tips for Travelling Vietnam Sustainably
  • Ethnic Groups
  • Press and Blogs
  • TrashTrekkers
  • ETHOS Newsletter
  • Reasons to visit Vietnam
  • Important Information

Ta Phin Experience 

Picture
Experience code: EthosTwoDao

"A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people".

Duration: 2 days one night.
Departure time: flexible between 8.30 am - 9.30 am 
Physical activity: Moderate to challenging 
Location - Small traditional villages
Travel Style: - Cultural immersion and active adventure
Connectivity: Wifi - None, Mobile coverage - good. 

Itinerary:
This two day, one night experience involves a 30 to 40 minute drive away from Sapa to a start point in Ban Khoang village, home to Black Hmong and Red Dao families.  Trekking begins in a small, traditional village with beautiful rice terraces. There is a climb from an altitude of 1250 metres up to 2000 metres, where on a clear day, there are beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding area.  It is also possible to see China.  Lunch is a shared meal with a local Dao family before an afternoon trek that drops down into Ta Phin village.  On arrival, there is the opportunity to try one of the famed Red Dao herbal baths. Waters are made with herbal mix of foraged roots and leaves and bathing takes place in a large hand-made wooden barrels. Frequent use is good for the digestive system and skin. The waters also reduce negative effects of alcohol in the body, reduce musculoskeletal pain and rheumatism. Moreover, Dao herbs can also a simple natural treatment for skin disease such as ulcer, acnes and psoriasis.

The total trekking distance on day one is approximately 8.5km, although it is possible to extend this walk.  On wet days, walking can be technical as conditions become slippery.

Day two is quite different, with most trekking taking place in woodland and forest.  There is a small buffalo trail that meanders through the mountains, passing through some small villages and rice terraces towards the end of the trek.  Trekking distance is about 8km.  At the end of the day, there are number of locations where you guide can call and arrange for transportation back to Sapa. 


What to expect:
Great views and an immersive cultural experience.
​
Community based tourism is tourism in which local residents (often rural, poor and economically marginalised) invite tourists to visit their communities with the provision of overnight accommodation.

Included:
  • English Speaking local guide
  • All required transportation
  • Lunch
  • Water and fruit
  • Entrance fees to villages
Optional Extra:
  • Red Dao herbal bath 

Excluded:
  • Travel insurance
  • Alcoholic and soft drinks
Background
This is a unique walking experience and incorporates three very special minority villages.  The first village is Ban Khoang, a village tucked high up on the mountainside.  Ta Phin is more well known, and the forest covered Trung Chai makes a great contrast.
Picture
This walking experience is also available as a one day option:

Experience code: EthosOneDao

Picture
For a comprehensive list of suggested kit for Sapa, please click on the following link:
sapa_kit_list__weather.pdf
File Size: 362 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.