Review Author: JZ

Review Date: 11 Aug 2024

Review Body: At the start, our guide gave us 2 options — an easier route or the adventurous route. We picked adventurous and had 0 regrets. She wasn’t joking when she said it’s off the beaten track: we had to cross streams by hopping from rock to rock, we walked on muddy terrain (it started raining mid hike) and certain parts of the (not really a) path was super slippery. And yes we both fell at least once but it was still very enjoyable and fun. 
Our guide San May was AMAZING: she pointed out various veggies and plants throughout the journey, farming practices in the region and gave us insight into the daily lives of the Hmong and their culture. She even taught us some common phrases in her language! I have so much respect for her and you can really see how she loves her job of bringing people around her home region.
 Pictures speak for themselves — the views on this hike was AMAZING. Honestly took my breath away and there were multiple times throughout the hike where I looked up and couldn’t help but exclaim “wow!” 
 As for lunch, we INHALED it. It was so so so good. As I mentioned, we had a hike the day before and it paled in comparison (actually it was so bad on day 1 — just 1 plate of fried rice that was doused in msg) but on THIS hike, there was tofu, cabbage (i usually hate cabbage but this was so fresh, fried spring rolls and chicken) Fair warning, if it rains (like for our trek) you might want to bring an umbrella or a raincoat. Makes sure you wear good hiking shoes as it can get very slippery.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Susan

Review Date: 24 Apr 2026

Review Body: I recommend this trek and guide to everyone! My guide was May (pronounced as “Mai”) and she was AMAZING! She is very experienced (more than 10 years), spoke very good English and shared a lot on the land, crops and cultures during trekking. She was also very attentive and provided assistance whenever I needed : my knee was weak so I walked very slowly in the forest or difficult paths/parts. She would slow down and allow me to hold her hand to walk firmly. She also found me a walking stick! I feel like I was spoiled by her! She also made it very clear about the options (easy path through the village or difficult path through the forest) and the time allocation. I felt very safe to walk with her! Despite my bad knee I chose the difficult path before lunch. Turned out we only saw one other group on the trek. Definitely not a path bombarded by tourists! I felt very glad about it! She also suggested good photo spots. The Dao herbal bath was awesome and I recommend it to everyone. During the car ride back to Sapa town centre, she helped to communicate with the driver and stopped for a few minutes at the French Sanctuary ruin on the other side of Ta Phin. Super grateful to have May as the guide! Definitely recommend her and the path. The only disappointment? I didn’t sign up for a longer trek ! I should have signed up for the 2D1N path or the even longer one !

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Zacharias

Review Date: 25 Dec 2024

Review Body: Our recent adventure with Seek Sophie’s Sapa Cultural Tour was nothing short of extraordinary! Our guide, Mai, was a vibrant and friendly local whose energy and knowledge truly made the experience unforgettable. She shared fascinating insights about the culture and traditions of Northern Vietnam, immersing us deeply in the charm of the region. The 13km trek through Sa Pa’s stunning landscapes was both invigorating and rewarding. We were blessed with perfect weather—cold yet sunny, making the experience even more magical. The breathtaking views and Mai’s engaging storytelling kept us captivated every step of the way. Lunch was a culinary highlight, packed with authentic local flavors that we savored with every bite. Mai’s thoughtful touch of preparing extra chili for my girlfriend (a spice lover) added such a personal and delightful note to the meal. And the Vietnamese drip coffee? Absolutely divine—it hit differently in the heart of Vietnam! We highly recommend this tour to anyone seeking a mix of adventure, culture, and heartfelt hospitality. Thank you, Mai and Seek Sophie, for a memorable journey we’ll cherish forever!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Su

Review Date: 12 Dec 2025

Review Body: We joined the Sapa Off-Grid Trek with Social Enterprise, and the experience exceeded all expectations. Our guide, Phay, a local farmer who guides during the off-harvest season, made the trek exceptional from start to finish. He was attentive to our pace and always made sure we were comfortable on the trail. Throughout the trek, he shared thoughtful insights about the Hmong and Dao communities, patiently answered every question, and pointed out details along the route that we would never have noticed on our own. Walking with someone who grew up in the region and from the Hmong tribe offered a perspective that standard tourist routes simply cannot provide. An important aspect of this tour is that it directly contributes to the livelihoods of local people like Phay, supporting them outside of the harvest season while promoting sustainable and responsible tourism. Thanks to Phay, we were able to see a side of Sapa that felt genuine, grounded, and deeply connected to the land and its people. He is a tremendous asset to this experience, and we are grateful for the opportunity to have learned from him.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Kate

Review Date: 11 Apr 2025

Review Body: What an amazing day walking with our wonderful guide Lan. We only booked at short notice and the booking and arrangements went so smoothly. We had a fabulous walk through 3 villages with Lan whose English was perfect. She shared stories with us and was so generous with her time. We opted to have the herbal bath which was invigorating and we were the only tourists there so had the place to ourselves. We saw almost no one else walking the paths which was surprisingly pleasant. Lan was the most gracious and kind tour guide. We learnt so much about Sapa and the tribal minority groups just through her stories and experiences. We lived having various ladies from the tribes join us on parts of the walk in their villages. They had their own stories and histories of the area and we belt it was critical to support them through put again their wonderful crafted goods and embroidery. We met beautiful children also. We saw lovely kids coming home from school but wished we had bought more sweets to share with them . Truly an enchanting and educational day, a must do in Sapa. Ask for Lan !!!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Bianca

Review Date: 27 Dec 2025

Review Body: Our guide was very friendly, knowledgeable and spoke excellent English! We had a nice walk, lunch was very generous, and we did learn a lot about local minority groups (our guide very patiently answered our many questions!). However, I would just note that some of the things listed as part of the hike were not really as advertised. For example, the booking page lists "visiting a French-era church" - which we didn't do (though we don't mind much), and the Red Dao herbal bath pictured on the booking page with that big window and lovely view of the outdoors was not what we experienced (see image). These are very small things, and perhaps mostly due to a misalignment between how Seek Sophie chooses to present the experience, but if you're someone who expects to get exactly what's described then you might be slightly disappointed. That said, as a social enterprise, I really love Sapa O Chau's mission and would definitely recommend booking an experience with them because it was a great day!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Shu Qi

Review Date: 27 Apr 2025

Review Body: We were given two options at the beginning of our trek - adventurous route or easy route. We chose the adventurous route which was so fun! Our guide, San May was incredibly warm, enthusiastic and knowledgeable, making the journey even more memorable. Throughout the trek, San May shared fascinating insights about the traditions and culture of the different ethnic minorities. She also took the time to explain the different crops the locals were growing and introduced us to various medicinal herbs we encountered along the way. Her passion and deep connection to the land and people truly shone through. The trek offered breathtaking views of the iconic rice terraces and allowed us to immerse ourselves in the natural beauty and the genuine warmth of the village communities. It was an unforgettable experience that I would highly recommend to anyone looking to explore the authentic side of Sapa. Thank you San May and SeekSophie, for such an incredible adventure! :)

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Vivian

Review Date: 14 May 2025

Review Body: Good experience and a meaningful physical way to experience the Sapa hills and seeing their way of life. We did a half day trek and chose the easy route which brought us through the main dirt paths of the villages, but we still managed to see nice views of the terraces. Our guide, Su, was cheerful and friendly, telling us about his family life and pointing out the kind of medicinal properties of the plants we see along the way. The place we stopped at for lunch serves great home cooked-style food and a mean plate of fried spring rolls (easily the best we had in the universe of fried spring rolls). Next to the lunch spot was a Hmong weaving place by the same family, where we got a nice indigo hemp souvenir handmade from scratch. All in all a great way to support local! (Tip: Renting gumboots from their Sapa office helped us stave off the muddy splashes from the road. However, do be prepared for a lack of proper shoe/sole support.)

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Sarah Yaacoub

Review Date: 14 Nov 2025

Review Body: We had such a great experience with this tour. We booked this tour for a previous day, however we were not feeling well on the day and we were able to change the date, which was really kind. First off, our guide was excellent (I‘m sorry I don‘t know how to spell the name and don‘t want to write it wrong). He shared lots of knowledge with us (about culture, history, farming, plants), had a few laughs with us and enjoyed the hike/scenery as much as we did. Beautiful day with great company! Secondly, I don‘t know what it was but the lunch was soooo yummy and exactly what we needed after having to focus on the uneven and muddy terrain. We met a few locals along the way and had a lovely local crafts woman join us for a bit, walking through her village and we bought a beautiful handmade pillowcase off her in the end. This tour definitely made our stay in Sapa worthwhile ♥️

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Joyce Ocampo

Review Date: 30 Sep 2024

Review Body: It was raining hard and very foggy when we went on the tour, which left us no choice but to go through the easy route for our own safety. But honestly, this was a blessing in disguise because I'm not as physically fit as I used to be. My tour guide, Su Mai (hopefully my spelling isn't too far off!), as well as Mai Ke (?), another Red Dzao woman, were very helpful and caring as we went through the rice fields. Su Mai also shared a lot of stories while walking, so I didn't even realize how far we've gone by the time it was over. She even granted my request to try the Red Dzao Herbal Bath, which cost 150k VND and is very worth it btw! Highly recommended. I ended up buying stuff from the Red Dzao ladies who followed us, but I was happy to support them. Their handicrafts are lovely. I highly recommend this tour for a very genuine, down-to-earth perspective of Sapa.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Gina

Review Date: 15 May 2025

Review Body: If you're visiting Sapa, this tour is an absolute must for experiencing the region’s stunning rice terraces and rich local culture! My guide, La, was fantastic. Her English was excellent, and she shared fascinating insights about the tribal traditions and daily life as we hiked through the lush landscapes (where we got to take aesthetic photos!) The highlight wasn’t just the beautiful views but also the chance to savour authentic local cuisine - simple, hearty, and bursting with flavour. It really added to the immersive experience. One small tip: pack a rain jacket or umbrella. The weather can change in an instant, especially in May (rainy season). But even with a little rain, the adventure was unforgettable. Highly recommend this tour for anyone looking to explore Sapa’s beauty and culture in a meaningful way!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: SH

Review Date: 10 Dec 2024

Review Body: Our trek with Su was a good experience. The itinerary was accurate, and Su was a knowledgeable and engaging guide. She shared insightful details about the local culture and way of life. While we opted for the easier route due to the weather, Su was flexible and offered to lead us on a more challenging path after lunch. The homemade lunch was delicious, and the hot drip coffee (not included in the tour package) was a welcome treat in the cooler weather. The 30-40 minute red Dao herbal bath was a unique and relaxing experience. Su provided informative insights into the process. A driver drove us back to our accommodation thereafter. It was a truly personalised experience.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Meerke & Renaud

Review Date: 18 Jan 2026

Review Body: We had a wonderful trekking thanks to our amazing guide Su. We walked between rice fields and local houses, the landscapes were breathtaking. We did the trek in january and were really lucky with clear weather (the day before was really foggy so keep in mind that can happen). A plus about doing this during the winter was how calm it was, we only saw one other girl with her guide. The path was adventurous but very doable with sturdy shoes. Su’s English was great, we learned a lot about life in the local villages and he was very open to questions. Would highly recommend! Thank you Su for spending the day with us!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Aeneas

Review Date: 27 Oct 2024

Review Body: Our guide picked us up at the hotel on time and we started hiking immediately. We were given the option of an easy route or an adventurous route and selected the latter one and did not regret. The hike was intense and exhausting but well worth the adventures and the views. We walked over several rivers and literally through the rice teracces. Our guide was very helpful and told us a lot about the plants and the people living and working in the area and we enjoyed it a lot. I would refrain though to do the tour with bad weather as you are probably stuck with the easy route as the other will be very slippery.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Christian

Review Date: 10 Nov 2025

Review Body: We had a really good time with Sa on our six hour hike! She shared information about the local cultures and the way people work in agriculture, but we also had some stretches to walk in silence and enjoy the views - a perfect balance! My wife and me chose the easy route, especially because it had been raining for the last days and the adventurous route would’ve been quite muddy and slippery. We were not disappointed at all - it was a really scenic route with lots to see, yet manageable in terms of steepness and required fitness. Also: the lunch was plenty and tasty :)

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Jillian Youkstetter

Review Date: 31 Mar 2026

Review Body: We did an adventurous, off-grid trek into the Sa Pa mountains and through 3 villages (Black Hmong & Red Dao) led by our master guide San May. She’s an incredible guide who shared her vast knowledge about the crops, trees, bee hives, bamboo, and herbs we met along the way. She told us stories and explained how houses are built and rice gets water, how farming land is shared, and she helped us navigate rocks, stream beds, muddy, and steep terrain. Our lunch in a local village was delicious too! I highly recommend doing this trek with San May.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Sh

Review Date: 11 Dec 2024

Review Body: Our trip exceeded our expectations, the guide was gd to tell us which tour would not have blocked views from the weather conditions n shared so many things. Really thankful to her! There was an old lady following us, that sold us items at the end. She helped us at slippery/unsafe parts of the path. Lunch was delicious, got to try many dishes since they were all in small portions. I think there were at least 6 dishes + 1 mre fruit platter. Overall quite a recommended experience if you want to learn about vietnam the authentic way.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Fiona

Review Date: 12 Feb 2026

Review Body: We had a wonderful hike today despite the low clouds. Every now and then they lifted and offered us glimpses of the terraced hillsides and the glorious pinks and whites of the peach blossoms. Our guide was so friendly, kind and knowledgeable naming plants along the way and showing us how they make indigo and weave the hemp into cloth. Lunch was delicious - I highly recommend getting the ginger tea for a little bit extra - and the bath at the end of the hike was wonderfully relaxing. A great day!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Kai

Review Date: 05 Sep 2026

Review Body: The trek was well-paced and the host Sun May brought me through paths that only locals would know. She was very warm and hospitable. She constantly asked if I was doing okay and shared a lot of knowledge regarding Sapa villages and their tribes. The view along the trekking experience was stunning and I loved learning from Sun May. Lunch was delicious and made with local ingredients. I would recommend this to those who wish to experience authentic hospitality while enjoying Sapa’s nature.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Rachael webb

Review Date: 09 Apr 2026

Review Body: Wonderful tour today. Excellent communication prior to trip. Our guide (Pe?) Was fun, kind and informative. Saw wonderful sights. Got walking in the middle last of the day but plenty of opportunity to rest and get water or drink refils. You will be joined by local village ladies who will give you a small gift and be super friendly and then show you their good to but. That's all part of it but take appropriate cash denominations...50,000 and 100000's

Review rating: 5

Itinerary Day 1

Itinerary Summary: Explore minority villages, learn about medicinal plants and pass by French church ruins

Itinerary Description: We begin the day with a 3km trek through breathtaking landscape to the village of Suoi Ho, home to Hmong minority. From here you can enjoy views over endless rice terraces, and you will have the opportunity to see some of the animals used by the locals. Continuing on to Matra village you will come across the impressive ruins of a church dating back to the French occupation in the early 1900s. Take a minute to explore this intriguing sight and take some photos. Trekking to the village of Ta Phin you will be able to meet both Black Hmong and Red Dao minorities. The Red Dao are known for their expertise in herbal medicine as well as usage of plants from the land to treat many illnesses. Your guide will be able to introduce you to some Red Dao women who can tell you more about their many remedies. A Red Dao herbal medicine bath can be arranged at an extra cost, so please ask. Transport will be provided from Ta Phin back to Sapa.