12/10/2015
Mt. Fansipan at 3143m, and on the border with China, is Vietnam's highest mountain. It is only 9 km from Sapa town but it takes at least three days to get to the peak and back. Sapa, at an elevation of 1600m, has been described as "Not easily reached... Sees few tourists... Unbelievable mountain scenery... Still retains many French cultural and architectural influences... Has been under the control of at least four countries over the centuries... Unlike other Vietnamese hill towns, different ethnicities cohabitate peacefully here." The region around Sapa is indeed home to various colourful ethnic minorities, wearing traditional attire.The climb is rough, wet and cold, but the views are rewarding. The top is accessible year-round to anyone who is in good shape. As there are no mountain huts on the way, we will be camping. No ropes or technical climbing skills are needed, just endurance and plenty of energy. The equipment and food will be carried by porters
Take night train from Hanoi to Sapa
At 21.00. Our guide will pick you up from your hotel and transfer to Hanoi train station to catch the overnight train soft sleeper with to Sapa. Overnight on the train.
Day 1: Sapa -Lao Chai -Ta Van villages (B/L/D)
Arrive early morning in Lao Cai and transfer by minibus to Sapa. All day trekking to visit some minority villages. Lao Chai - Ta Van villages. You will meet some different minority people H’mong, Zay, Red Dzao, you can see the different colorful dresses. Free time to visit market. Overnight at hotel in Sapa.
Day 2: Start the climb to the first camp (B/L/D)
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. Pass 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.
Day 3: Trek to the second base camp (B/L/D)
Today we set out for a full day trek to the second base camp. As we continue, 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.
Day 4: Trek to the summit and descend to the third base camp(B/L/D)
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.
Day 5: Back to Sapa. Night train to Hanoi (B/L/D)
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.
Day 6: Sapa - Hanoi (B)
Free to explore Sapa town. In the afternoon, our bus will take you to Lao Cai Station for the night train to Hanoi.
At 5.30: End of your trip in your hotel in Hanoi
Tour guide will pick you up from Hanoi train station to your hotel. Tour ends.
