Sapa Pathfinder Travel
Faqs
Faqs
The best time to visit is from April to September. Although, each season has its own special qualities and surprises. During this period the temperature is ranging from 15-25 Degree Celsius, it is not a raining season in Sapa so the trekking routes are dry and bear great opportunity to do longer treks and to conquer Mount Fansipan. During the winter months, the temperature is much cooler and it is advised to bring a some warm clothing (hat, sweater, wool socks) for your trekking. Also, during the winter months there are periods of light rain, sleet which brings in the fog. This puts Sapa in the clouds and allows for some fantastic photo opportunities. Tip: If you could not visit Sapa during a certain time, there are always some alternatives near Hanoi to visit. Excellent value you will find from Travel Desk of Sunny Sapa Hotel.
There is a wide range of activities that we have participated in. Some of our guests have gone out in the fields and actually got into the mud and planted rice. Others, have befriended one of the young women and was taken to her house to have tea. Sometimes the guests are up for some more trekking and we go for a short walk in the mountains. And, others prefer to just sit and relax. Helping out with the cooking and some of the chores is encouraged so that you can get a better understanding of local life. The people at the homestay are quite shy. Especially with their English. They can speak a little English and actually it is enough to have a conversation. Although, they do need some encouragement. We ask you to be active in communicating with the family, ask them questions about their lives. They are always happy to answer, often showing you and getting you involved in order for you to better understand.
Yes, we will stay with the family in the same house providing we are a group of less than 8. If we are more than eight we will divide into smaller groups and stay with multiple neighboring families with homestays. We will normally enjoy dinner and sleep with one family, but sometimes, the neighbors want to share the tourism benefits equally, then cooking and eating is at one house but sleeping is at another.
Yes, for your comfort, we have arranged a clean place at Sunny Sapa Hotel for you to shower (not for sleep). Breakfast is at the restaurant in the same place. For your convienience you may also store your bags (which are heavy and unecessary for the trekking) at the hotel. There is also a good place in Lao Cai for shower and breakfast in case that your itinerary is not to travel to Sapa that day. (e.g. travel to Bac Ha Sunday market) Tip: The place for shower and changed is not for sleeping the whole day, it’s just for a short rest and shower before you start your trek.