Sapa - Yy Ty loop
“The freedom of the open road is seductive, serendipitous and absolutely liberating.” – Aaron Lauritsen
ROAD TRIP DETAILS:
- Total Distance: 195 km
- Duration: 1 day (7.00 am start)
- Route: a mountainous loop north of Sapa via Y Ty & the Chinese border [MAP]
- Road Conditions: paved back-roads, some extended bad sections, light traffic
- Travel Style: - Cultural immersion and active adventure
- Scenery: mountains, rivers, rice terraces, minority villages, remote borderlands
Background:
North of Sapa, the dramatic mountainous landscape continues all the way to the Chinese border. Several small roads penetrate deep into steep, terraced valleys and climb high above ferocious rivers, swollen with cold mountain water, to remote minority villages. Creating a scenic loop, starting and ending in Sapa via the hilltop hamlet of Y Ty, this road trip is a great way to explore the north western highlands. Either bathed in a warm, sharp highland light, shimmering over the ripe rice terraces like a halo, or covered in a cold, haunting fog, so thick it induces feelings of claustrophobia, the Sapa-Y Ty Loop is a rewarding way to spend a day in the saddle.
Weather is always difficult to predict in this region, but spring (March-May) and autumn (September-October) are probably the best months for warmth, light, and colour.
North of Sapa, the dramatic mountainous landscape continues all the way to the Chinese border. Several small roads penetrate deep into steep, terraced valleys and climb high above ferocious rivers, swollen with cold mountain water, to remote minority villages. Creating a scenic loop, starting and ending in Sapa via the hilltop hamlet of Y Ty, this road trip is a great way to explore the north western highlands. Either bathed in a warm, sharp highland light, shimmering over the ripe rice terraces like a halo, or covered in a cold, haunting fog, so thick it induces feelings of claustrophobia, the Sapa-Y Ty Loop is a rewarding way to spend a day in the saddle.
Weather is always difficult to predict in this region, but spring (March-May) and autumn (September-October) are probably the best months for warmth, light, and colour.
Culture and Landscape:
The route takes you through the Red Dao Village of Ban Khoang and the Hmong village of Ta Giang Phin. Hilltops are lined with elfin forest, steep sided karst outcrops and mountains. Muong Hum is small, yet active hill tribe market, that typically attracts five ethnic groups. Taking place each Sunday morning, visitors can expect to see Hmong, Dao, Hà Nhì and Giay people trading their local wares in a very traditional and intimate village setting.
The day trip also includes the incredible opportunity to share lunch with the Hà Nhì People. The Hà Nhì are one of Vietnam's official 54 ethnic groups. Their origins are not precisely known, though their ancestors are believed to have migrated southward from the Tibetan plateau. Their culture is still very strong with most Hà Nhì living in thick walled mud houses, often with rice stalk thatched roofs.
There are a number of subgroups with the Black Hà Nhì living in Bát Xát District. Traditional clothing is made with dark blue cotton fabric dyed with indigo. Small details are embroidered into the neckline and the jackets are often adorned with simple, yet stylish features. More recently, machine made Chinese fabrics have become commonplace with women finishing pieces with fastenings and embroidered details. With a population of 22,000, the Ha Nhi are focused in both Lao Cai and Lai Chao provinces and are one of Vietnam's smaller minority groups.
The route takes you through the Red Dao Village of Ban Khoang and the Hmong village of Ta Giang Phin. Hilltops are lined with elfin forest, steep sided karst outcrops and mountains. Muong Hum is small, yet active hill tribe market, that typically attracts five ethnic groups. Taking place each Sunday morning, visitors can expect to see Hmong, Dao, Hà Nhì and Giay people trading their local wares in a very traditional and intimate village setting.
The day trip also includes the incredible opportunity to share lunch with the Hà Nhì People. The Hà Nhì are one of Vietnam's official 54 ethnic groups. Their origins are not precisely known, though their ancestors are believed to have migrated southward from the Tibetan plateau. Their culture is still very strong with most Hà Nhì living in thick walled mud houses, often with rice stalk thatched roofs.
There are a number of subgroups with the Black Hà Nhì living in Bát Xát District. Traditional clothing is made with dark blue cotton fabric dyed with indigo. Small details are embroidered into the neckline and the jackets are often adorned with simple, yet stylish features. More recently, machine made Chinese fabrics have become commonplace with women finishing pieces with fastenings and embroidered details. With a population of 22,000, the Ha Nhi are focused in both Lao Cai and Lai Chao provinces and are one of Vietnam's smaller minority groups.
About this route:
For experienced riders (and with an early start), the Sapa-Y Ty loop can be completed in one day. If you’re lucky and the weather is good, then the scenery on the Y Ty Loop is fabulous. The grandeur and scale of the mountains and valleys of the northwest is unmatched anywhere in Vietnam. The rice terraces are higher, steeper, more dramatic, and less busy than other areas of Vietnam. However, such is the weather in this region, that you may find it difficult to see more than a few metres in front of you. But, even in the mist, cold and rain, there’s still a sublime bleakness and majesty up on the high passes.
For experienced riders (and with an early start), the Sapa-Y Ty loop can be completed in one day. If you’re lucky and the weather is good, then the scenery on the Y Ty Loop is fabulous. The grandeur and scale of the mountains and valleys of the northwest is unmatched anywhere in Vietnam. The rice terraces are higher, steeper, more dramatic, and less busy than other areas of Vietnam. However, such is the weather in this region, that you may find it difficult to see more than a few metres in front of you. But, even in the mist, cold and rain, there’s still a sublime bleakness and majesty up on the high passes.
Tour Prices:
