3-Day Authentic Sapa Trekking Itinerary with Homestay & Fansipan Cable Car

Day 1: Hanoi – Sapa – Y Linh Ho – Chai San Village (L, D)

Travel Time: 5.5 hours by luxury limousine | 3 hours trekking | 1 hour lunch

Your Sapa journey begins with a shared luxury limousine van departing Hanoi at 6:50 AM. The 5.5-hour transfer includes two relaxing stops along the highway. Arrive in Sapa Town by 12:30 PM, where you’ll meet your friendly local guide. Enjoy a welcoming lunch at a central Sapa restaurant, freshen up, and prepare your luggage for the overnight trek.

Before starting the hike, take time to explore Sapa Square and the iconic Stone Church for beautiful photo opportunities.

At 2:00 PM, begin your trekking adventure along the scenic Muong Hoa River, surrounded by terraced rice fields and peaceful valley views. Your guide will share insights into local farming life—from sowing rice seeds to harvesting and cooking.

By late afternoon, you’ll arrive in Chai San Village, a lesser-known, authentic H’mong ethnic community, where you’ll enjoy dinner and stay overnight in a traditional stilt house homestay—offering a peaceful night under the stars.

Day 2: Lao Chai – Ta Van – Giang Ta Chai – Sapa (B, L)

Travel Time: 5 hours trekking | 0.5 hours by car | 1 hour lunch

After a hearty breakfast with your host family, continue your journey through Lao Chai and Ta Van Villages, home to the Giay ethnic minority. Trek along a quiet, muddy trail that leads into a lush bamboo forest inside Hoang Lien National Park.

Next, reach Giang Ta Chai Village, inhabited by the Red Dao people. Pause at a picturesque waterfall, a perfect spot for rest and photos. Then enjoy a picnic-style lunch in nature before continuing toward Su Pan Village, located beside the road.

At Su Pan, a vehicle will pick you up for a short 15-minute transfer back to Sapa. Check into a comfortable 3-star hotel in Sapa Town (or a similar option), and enjoy your evening at leisure.

Day 3: Optional Fansipan Cable Car Experience – Return to Hanoi (B)

Travel Time: 10 mins by funicular | 20 mins cable car | 1.5 hours walking

After breakfast, opt for a half-day Fansipan Mountain tour—known as the “Roof of Indochina” at 3,143 meters.

Start your journey at 9:00 AM or 1:00 PM with a ride on the Muong Hoa Mountain Train, which offers stunning panoramic views, tunnels, and rose gardens en route to the Fansipan Cable Car Station.

Board the world’s longest and highest cable car, a 20-minute ride above valleys, rice terraces, and cloud-covered peaks. From 3,000 meters above sea level, enjoy sweeping views of Sin Chai Valley and Hoang Lien Son National Park.

To reach the summit, follow a beautiful stone path with 600 steps (about 40 minutes walk). At the summit of Mount Fansipan, celebrate your climb with unmatched mountain views and peaceful surroundings.

Return to Sapa via cable car and funicular by early afternoon. Enjoy free time walking around Sapa Town, visit the local market, or enjoy a relaxing dinner on your own.

At 10:00 PM, take a sleeper night bus from your hotel, reaching Hanoi Old Quarter by early the next morning.