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 our porters. Trekking time is 5 - 8 hours per day. 

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 : Friday: Arrive Hanoi - Lao Cai (Train) 
Pick up at the airport. Welcome dinner, catch an overnight train (about 9 hours) to Lao Cai, 346 km to the northwest. Lao Cai is the last station in Vietnam on the French built train line toYunnan, China. (D)

Day 2: Sapa -Level 2000m

7h00 Arrive Laocai. Pick up then transfer to Sapa. 10h00 the Hmong-porters pick up our baggage and start ahead, along with the cook. From our altitude of 1500 m, we pass through the market-place and leave SaPa, heading for the bottom of the valley. After a short while we pass the Hmong village of Cat Cat, where pigs are scuffling around freely among the wooden houses, and the children look curiously at these strange people. In the bottom of the valley (1200 m) we pass the river of Linh Ho, carefully keeping our balance on the bamboo bridge. We start the long climb upwards, and later in the day reach the rainforest, which softens our steps and blocks our view for a while.

Before nightfall, we pick a spot in the jungle and put up our camp in 2000 m altitude. Enjoying the nocturnal sounds of the forest is a perfect background for the smell of a good evening meal, being prepared by the cook.

Day 3: Level 2000 to Level 2400

We start out slowly with a minor descend, before we again move upwards. If we are lucky, we might see some of the giant butterflies living around here, reaching a size of 25 cm. At around 2400 m the rainforest gradually gives way to huge, succulent bamboo, passing which we reach a ridge at 2900 m, and now have a magnificent view down through the long SaPa valley, over the area we have just passed, to the mountain range on the other side.
At an altitude of 2400 m, the porters put up our camp for the next 2 nights. There is a fine view from here, and this will be our base camp, from which we start the final ascend the next morning.

Day 4 : Level 2400 to the Top 3143m

After an early breakfast, we set out on the final ascend. A few steep stretches must be passed, but nothing insurmountable, and at lunchtime we reach the summit at 3143 m. We now stand at the highest point in Vietnam, and the view is stunning, to the north into China as well as to the south and Laos, and the mountainous area with Dien Bien Phu in between. Time for a good long break, before we return to our base camp at 2400 m.

Day 5 : Level 2400m down to Sapa town

We enjoy our morning-coffee and the sounds of nature, while the porters take down the camp and move ahead down the mountain. Trekking back down across well-known country goes fairly quickly, and we will reach SaPa again in time for a good evening meal, a hot shower, a cold drink, and other modern conveniences. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 6– Sapa - Hanoi ( B )
AM : free time till transfer to the train station for night train to Hanoi.
Overnight on the train.

Day 7 : Arrive at 6h00Am Hanoi - End tour

Note : Trekking to the top of Mt.Fan Si Pan is possible for most people. But even though we do everything possible to make the trek a true pleasure for you, you should be reasonably fit, not afraid of walking up to 8 hrs a day, some of it on steep slopes, and able to deal with rough-camping for several days. On the other hand you will be rewarded with a unique and satisfying experience.

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- Number of Persons - Class  2-3  4-5 6-9 Single Sup 3 stars         4 stars         Book this tour

Please contact us for  upgrading hotel in Sapa and Hanoi

Accommodation applying in this trip: ( click to see )

Cities - Town 3 stars hotel 4 stars hotel Sapa Royal Vieư Victoria Sapa

Tour Cost includes:

• Full transportation by Jeep or Bus as tour program indicated.
  Train ticket 2 ways:

• Cabin of 4 persons ( Soft sleeper : Hanoi -Laocai - Hanoi ) . [ Click to see]
• A cook follow the group
• Local porters (mainly from the Hmong-tribe)
• All equipment mentioned above
• All meals, plus tea/coffee during the day Trekking-fees
  
• English- speaking guide
• Entrance fees.
• Accommodation - 2 nights at hotel in Sapa

Equipment that you should bring

The only thing you should bring yourself is a pair of good walking-boots, or another kind of solid foot-wear. You should have tried them out beforehand, and know that you can walk in them all through the day !

Recommended equipment :

• 2 pairs of thick socks ( for use in the walking-boots)
• Sandals or light footwear ( for use in the evening )
• Sun-cream (with a high factor ; 10-20 )
• Mosquito repellent
• Hat or cap, with a shade
• Bathing suit
• Medicine for your own use (fever, bad stomach etc.)
• 1 warm jacket (fleece-jacket etc.,- for the evenings)
• 1 sweat-shirt
• 1-2 pair of long trousers (loose,- for your comfort)
• 1 pair of short trousers ( for warm days)
• 2 –3 shirts, or T-shirts
• Socks (for use in the evenings, and against mosquitoes)
• Underwear (for the women : also a Bra !)
• Towel
• Toilet requisites

Note : The personal baggage you bring on the trek, should not exceed approx. 10-12 kg, and should preferably be packed in ordinary plastic-bags that fit easily into the soft, barrel-shaped, watertight Blue bag. This bag will only contain your baggage and your sleeping-bag

All your personal baggage in the Blue bag will be carried by the porters. You shall only carry a small rucksack with the things you need during the day (camera, water-bottle etc.)

Equipment we supply :

• Sleeping bag
• Sheet sleeping bag (silk)
• Sleeping mats
• Rucksack
• Waterproof Blue bag (for your baggage)
• Plastic rain coat
• Torch / flashlight
• Water-bottle
• Water-filters (to purify drinking-water)
• Cooking-gear
• Plates, cups, forks, knives, spoons, and chop-sticks
• Tents (incl. Mosquito-net)
• First-aid kit

Tour Cost excludes:
Airport taxes; Visas; travel insurance; tips; personal expenses, emergency transfers. 

Trip Summary:

Where:	Trip starts and ends in Hanoi;
When:	All year round;
Grade:	Moderate to Strenous;
Accommodation:	Simple guest-houses (Standard), Tourist-class hotels (Superior);
Transport:	Private car or bus, motor-cycle,
Meals:	As indicated; (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)