Trek to Lao Chai and Ta Van

Terraces

Day two in Sa Pa, today we have a full day trek, organised through our hotel (Sapa Elegance), to Lao Chai and Ta Van.

Terraces

After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, we met our guide and the rest of the clients who were joining us on the trek, there were seven of us in total.

Umbrellas, perfect come rain or shine

As we left Sa Pa we soon picked up four 'shadows' who were to follow us all the way to Lao Chai, mind you, some of the others on this tour found they needed help to descend some of the slippery slopes.

Shadows, waiting patiently for an opportunity to sell

We didn't have the trail to ourselves (unlike yesterday) but the various groups were far enough apart for it not to matter, in a way, the trail reminded me of trekking in parts of Nepal with high mountains and rice fields.

More terraces, different shapes

We arrived at Lao Chai at around one pm and stopped for lunch (paid for as part of the trek costs, drinks not included).

Terrace toilet?

Lao Chai was where our shadows lived, so they changed to hard sell mode as they were going no further. Once we started trekking after lunch we soon picked up another shadow, about four foot six high in her wellies, looked about sixty but turned out to be only forty, must be a hard life!

More terraces, Fansipan in the distance

We continued on easier terrain, mostly along concrete paths to our final destination of Ta Van, finishing around four pm.

Ride-em buffaloboy

The trek was on the whole very pleasant and much cheaper than yesterdays half day tour. If you don't mind trekking with others of unknown ability then this is a good option but if you want to be on your own, then pay a little bit more for an exclusive tour.

Butterfly tree

When we got back to our hotel, we found our room was already occupied, by elephants!

No pets allowed!