At 3143m Mt. Fansipan is the highest peak in Vietnam and the entire Indochina peninsula. This remote trek provides plenty to see and absorb, from the scattered rocks inscribed with drawings and designs of unknown origin, to the French influenced hill retreat town of Sapa with its minority groups, beautiful villas and cherry forests.
As we ascend through the lower reaches of Fansipan, we will pass terraced rice paddies and villages of the H’mong, one of Vietnam’s many ethnic minorities. Giant, centuries old pine trees and expanses of yellow bamboo mark the higher reaches of our climb and we may sight mountain goats and langur monkeys along the way.
Our trek to the top of Mt. Fansipan is challenging and will be fully supported every step of the way by our guides, porters and cooks who’s local knowledge and understanding of the different hill-tribe cultures we pass along the way will add to the uniqueness of this exhilarating journey.
Route: Hanoi – Sapa – Home stay – Hanoi.
Day 1: Lao Cai – Sapa – Tavan Village
Day 2: Trek to the first base camp
Day 3: Trek to the second base camp
Day 4: Trek to the summit and descend to the third base camp
Day 5: Back to Sapa. Night train to Hanoi
Day 6: Back to Hanoi
Trip Note:
Meals:
– Day 1: Breakfast
– Day 2-4: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
– Day 5: Breakfast
Food:
All meals, which are indicated in the itinerary, are included in the price of this trip. On the trek the support crew will cook meals for us. Since we are far away from the town, the emphasis will be on healthy and nutritious local produce. Please inform us if you have any special dietary requirement.
The Camping Ground:
Our camp for the evening will be in a very small clearing on the mountain enclosed by bamboo. You will be provided with twin shared tent, sleeping bag and air mattress.
Footstep Travel’s Tour Guide:
The tour will be guided by one of our tour guides who are experienced in guiding trekking tours in Vietnam. He has been carefully trained in this field and is fully licensed in tour guiding by the government. In addition, he has been trained in first-aid by SOS International and he knows how to deal with difficult situations. You will have a great time traveling with him.
The Transfers:
In Hanoi, one Footsteps Travel’s staff will accompany you to the train to show you your cabin and tell you how to deal with night train traveling in Vietnam.
In Lao Cai, our guide will meet you at Lao Cai Railway Station in the morning of the first day. He also sees you off at Lao Cai Railway Station on day 5.
When you get back to Hanoi on day 6 you can easily find a taxi at the train station.
The Trekking Day:
A typical trekking day start at about 8.00 am after breakfast. Lunch times can vary depending on the terrain. We aim to reach the next overnight stop by 4.30 pm. During the trek we will have short breaks for rest, snack and photographing.
What To Bring:
Trekking boot, sun block, hat, anti-insect repellent, warm clothes, rain coat, toiletries, original passport.
Note On Client Safety:
we reserve the right to deviate from this itinerary for any reasons, including road and weather conditions or for any other factor which may influence client safety.
Inclussion:
Exclussion:
Transfer from your hotel to Hanoi Railway Station for the night train to Lao Cai. Overnight in AC soft sleeper cabin.
Summary
Transfer hotel – railway station: AC vehicle
Accommodation: Soft sleeper in AC cabin
Arrive in Lao Cai around 5.30 am. We will take 1hr bus ride uphill to the beautiful town of Sapa. The ride give you a glimpse of the stunning vistas and impressive rice terraces. Upon arrival in Sapa Town we have breakfast in local restaurant. Free time for the rest of the day to explore the town.
Optional walking tour begins at 1 pm to Lao Chai Village, home to Black H’mong people. Overnight in Sapa
Summary
Transfer Laocai – Sapa: 1 hr
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa
Activity: Free at leisure
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast in the hotel we will meet our support crew, who will carry all equipment, foods and our clothing. We will carry our day pack with water, jacket and camera only. Today we will begin the first part of our ascent with a trek through terraced rice paddies and some of the hilltribe villages. Setting out from Sapa we descend into the nearby village of Cat Cat and cross Muong Hoa River. Past the river we start our upward trek to reach an elevation of 1,700m where we will have lunch break.
In the afternoon we will continue trek to the first base camp at an elevation of 2,300 m. The terrain in the afternoon becomes steeper and more difficult as we trek through massive Arrowroot plantations and up steeper slopes surrounded by bamboo. Our camp for the evening will be in a very small clearing on the mountain enclosed by bamboo. Sleep in bamboo hut or tent.
Summary
Trekking: 7 hrs/ascend 2,300m from 1,600m (Sapa)
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we set out for a full day trek to the second base camp. As we continue on we will pass through primary forest containing giant, century old pine trees and expanses of bamboo. Our trek will take us to an altitude of 2,900m from this elevation we have a spectacular view across to the peak of Mt. Fansipan. After lunch we start climb down to an elevation of 2,700m. Our decent will be over large boulders, down a fairly steep slope. Our camp is on the mountain slope facing west, near a mountain stream. Dinner and overnight at the base camp.
Summary
Trekking: 7 hrs/ascend 2,900m/descend to 2,700m
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is the summit day, we climb to the roof of Indochina: the peak of Mt. Fansipan. The final climb will takes around three hours though dense bamboo forest . Once at the summit we will spend sometime soaking up the best panorama in Vietnam. We then descend 2,700m for lunch. In the afternoon we will descend to the third base camp where we spend the last night on mountain.
Summary
Trekking: 7 hrs/ascend 3,143m/descend 2,000m
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we trek downhill all the way. We will reach Sapa around lunch time. In the afternoon we will then be free to take shower and relax after the climb, In the late afternoon we will be transferred to the railway station for night train to back Hanoi.
Summary
Trekking: 4 hrs/descend 1,600m (Sapa)
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast
Arrive in Hanoi early morning. Tour ends.
