Trekking in Bac Ha
About 3 hours drive from Sa Pa, Bac Ha is famous for its ethnic Sunday market which is very lively and colorful. Bac Ha also has a lot of trekking routes. Trekking in Bac Ha is the best way to explore this region and discover its markets, its great landscapes and its peaceful villages..
The surroundings of Bac Ha are dotted with small dizzying trails on the side of mountains and ethnic villages. The trek will lead you to beautiful panoramas. Hiking among the mountains, you will pass over hills where plum trees, corn and palm trees grow. The green vegetable gardens, corn fields, rice terraces are part of the peaceful picture. You will be immersed in the calm and beauty of the splendid, authentic landscapes of this isolated region far from mass tourism.
Bac Ha is home to a large number of ethnic groups such as the Flower Hmong, the Tay, the Nung, the Phu La… A trek in Bac Ha will also be an opportunity to meet these colorful ethnic groups with unusual customs and to stay with the locals in a house on stilts. Sleeping at the inhabitant’s house, sharing the meal with the hosts, drinking a glass of corn alcohol together… what to leave you unforgettable memories.
To enjoy the best itineraries in the region, it is best to hire a local guide.
Where to go trekking in Bac Ha ?
If you are looking for an easy day hike that can be combined with a visit to the market, we highly recommend the half day hike to the Hmong village of Ban Pho.
For an in-depth discovery, Bac Ha has treks of 2 to 4 days with overnight stays. Several trekking options are available, from the affordable to the more difficult. Here are some suggested routes :
Nam Khanh – Ban Lien – Na Lo village
Ta Van Chu – Thai Giang Pho – Na Lo – Trung Do village
Ta Van Chu – Thai Giang Pho – Trung Do village
When to go trekking in Bac Ha ?
Bac Ha can be visited all year round, but we recommend you to go there from March to May and from September to November when the weather is pleasant, ideal for trekking in the less frequented villages of the region.
In summer, from June to August, it is quite hot and it is the rainy season. We recommend only a few short hikes which can be combined with a visit to the local hill tribe market.
In winter, from December to February, the climate is acceptable. If you go in February, you can admire the flowering of the plum trees.
