Mountain valley outside of Sapa

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Mountain valley outside of Sapa

Posted On : Oct-01-2010 | seen (565) times | Article Word Count : 401 |

Several hill tribe villages lie in Ta Phin, a misty valley nine miles (15 km) out of Sapa. Trail Route: Jeep or motorcycle ride down the main road to Lao Cai

Several hilltribe villages lie in Ta Phin, a misty valley nine miles (15 km) out of Sapa. Trail Route: Jeep or motorcycle ride down the main road to Lao Cai, with a left turn down a side road to Ta Phin. If you’re driving your own motorcycle, be warned that this turnoff is not marked. You’ll know you are on the road to Ta Phin when you pass the haunted-looking ruins of a burnt-out French seminary. Within Ta Phin valley there are any number of possible trekking routes, though most people follow the main trail leading through a Hmong village and up to the Ta Phin caves. Hilltribes: Black Hmong and Red Dzao live in neighboring villages. The Scenery: Luminous green rice paddy and traditional villages set in a highland valley ringed by mountain peaks. Duration: Variable, as you could easily spend a whole day here. Most people take about 2 to 4 hours total. Fitness Level: Easy to moderate in spots, especially in the caves. Trail Conditions: Generally good, as the main “roads” are mostly concrete sidewalks sized for motorbikes rather than cars. Trail Rules: Always ask before taking photos, as the Red Dzao are particularly camera shy. Reality Check: This mountain valley has an idyllic feel to it, but keep in mind that tending those rice paddies is back-breaking work barely sufficient to feed local families. Also, while Ta Phin is a great way to get outside Sapa, it’s hardly undiscovered. Expect to spot some of the same foreign faces you’ve been seeing in the cafes and restaurants of Sapa. Costs: Foreigners pay 10,000 dong (US$0.70) to enter Ta Phin valley, payable at the gatehouse near the ruins of the seminary. Xe om motorcycle taxis can take you to Ta Phin for US$2 to 3 one-way, while jeeps can be hired for US$12 round trip. Alternatively, you can rent your own motorcycle for about US$8 a day. Guides: You’ll get more out of your visit to Ta Phin with a guide, who will speak English and be able to offer you insights into local hilltribe culture. In some cases, they will invite you into their homes. Often no fee is charged, though in these cases, be sure to buy something from your guide at the end of your hike, and don’t bargain too hard when you do. The dong you spend will help feed, clothe and school local families.

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<h1>Mountain valley outside of Sapa</h1> Author: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/profile_Vietnam tour.aspx'>Vietnam tour</a> Several hilltribe villages lie in Ta Phin, a misty valley nine miles (15 km) out of Sapa. Trail Route: Jeep or motorcycle ride down the main road to Lao Cai, with a left turn down a side road to Ta Phin. If you’re driving your own motorcycle, be warned that this turnoff is not marked. You’ll know you are on the road to Ta Phin when you pass the haunted-looking ruins of a burnt-out French seminary. Within Ta Phin valley there are any number of possible trekking routes, though most people follow the main trail leading through a Hmong village and up to the Ta Phin caves. Hilltribes: Black Hmong and Red Dzao live in neighboring villages. The Scenery: Luminous green rice paddy and traditional villages set in a highland valley ringed by mountain peaks. Duration: Variable, as you could easily spend a whole day here. Most people take about 2 to 4 hours total. Fitness Level: Easy to moderate in spots, especially in the caves. Trail Conditions: Generally good, as the main “roads” are mostly concrete sidewalks sized for motorbikes rather than cars. Trail Rules: Always ask before taking photos, as the Red Dzao are particularly camera shy. Reality Check: This mountain valley has an idyllic feel to it, but keep in mind that tending those rice paddies is back-breaking work barely sufficient to feed local families. Also, while Ta Phin is a great way to get outside Sapa, it’s hardly undiscovered. Expect to spot some of the same foreign faces you’ve been seeing in the cafes and restaurants of Sapa. Costs: Foreigners pay 10,000 dong (US$0.70) to enter Ta Phin valley, payable at the gatehouse near the ruins of the seminary. Xe om motorcycle taxis can take you to Ta Phin for US$2 to 3 one-way, while jeeps can be hired for US$12 round trip. Alternatively, you can rent your own motorcycle for about US$8 a day. Guides: You’ll get more out of your visit to Ta Phin with a guide, who will speak English and be able to offer you insights into local hilltribe culture. In some cases, they will invite you into their homes. Often no fee is charged, though in these cases, be sure to buy something from your guide at the end of your hike, and don’t bargain too hard when you do. The dong you spend will help feed, clothe and school local families.About the Author: Contact Origin Travel Co.,Ltd for
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