Sapa Real Experience 2 Days 1 Night in Local People House

Wonderful tour, seeing the beautiful Sa Pa region. It was a long but comfortable journey to get there and then we were collected by Mama Zuzu who was fantastic. She took us for lunch and then her husband took our bags on moped to the home stay whilst we hiked over the mountains for 4-5 hours to get there. It is a serious hike but so beautiful to walk. Mama Zuzu’s home was comfortable and her and her family were superb hosts - we had a lovely dinner and then a comfortable night (mosquito nets provided!) but this is a home stay not a hotel. After a great breakfast of rice crepes and fruit we then hiked through the rice fields and eventually to another town where we had lunch before being picked up by taxi and returned to Sa Pa for our return trip. Highly recommended

This tour involved a large amount of hiking over difficult terrain/climbing down over rocks in the direct sun. NOT recommended for those who have any physical difficulties or who aren't very fit. This was not fully communicated by the tour operator! I have no idea how they can justify claiming this tour is suitable for tourists up to age 80! My local guide, Mamazuzu, was extremely kind, friendly and helpful, and she seemed to take pity on me and arranged for me to travel by motorbike for much of the way (what would have been 4 hours hiking in each direction). Also, check the weather before you book - to this poor Melburnian, the heat was almost unbearable. The sleeper bus on the way up was spacious and comfortable, but the one on the way back was cramped and awful. The restaurant lunches on both days were edible, but Mamazuzu's home cooking was delicious. The mattress at Mamazuzu's homestay was basically a solid block of extremely dense foam, and I woke up feeling sore all over. I also hoped to socialise with other tourists, but I was alone for basically the whole tour. Overall, I am grateful to Mamazuzu for her warmth and kindness, but I would not recommend this tour.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time during the homestay with Mama Zuzu. The entire experience gives you an opportunity to see how the local people live. We were picked up by Cat in Sapa town before making the 3 hour hiking journey to the house. Be warned this walk is not for the unfit. The first 40 minutes is a constant uphill on a 30° slope. (I was shocked to find out that it was the second time Cat had done the trek that day). The scenery and view makes it worthwhile. They do however offer to be pick up by motorbike if you cant walk anymore. We were greeted by Mama Zuzu when we got to the house and she immediately started making us dinner (which was delicious). The bed is basic but enough and even has a mosquito net. Their is a flushing toilet and running hot water for the shower. The next day, we continued trekking for another 2 hours through the rice and corn fields, as we decended into the valley. Overall this was a great experience and would recommend it to everyone.