VB024: CONQUER FANXIPAN SUMMIT – A REAL ADVENTURE (5 Nights/ 4 Days)

Better known as Roof of Indochina, Fansipan Mt. is 3,143m above the sea level. Although only 9 km as far as the crow flies from Sapa townlet, it takes tough trekkers at least 2 days to conquer the summit and back.
The area, as part of Hoang Lien Son, nature reserve, is to be approved as one of the few eco-tourist spots of Vietnam, with about 2,024 floral varieties and 327 faunal species. The summit is accessible all year round, but the best time to make the ascent is from mid-October to mid-November, and again in March. As there are no mountain huts along the trails, trekkers often need to stay in camps. No ropes or technical climbing skills are needed, just endurance and plenty of energy. The terrain is rugged, wet and often cold.

Day 1: Hanoi – Sapa

Our trip starts with an overnight train journey from Vietnam’s capital city to the border town of Lao Cai. The train departs at 21:30 pm.

Day 2: Sapa Discovery (B)

Arrive early in Lao cai at 06 00 am, we start our drive up the spectacular Sapa pass, which is 1300 m high, 33 km long. Arrive Sapa in the morning; we have some free time to wander around, exploring this beautiful multi-ethnic town. In the afternoon, we take a bus ride to Ta phin Village of the Red Dzao. Dao women are particularly striking as they wear a large red turban often covered with old coins or jewelry. Drive back to Sapa. Optional activity: visit Ham Rong Mt. for some good panoramic views of Sapa town and the surrounding valleys.

Day 3: Sapa – first camp (2,500 m) (B)

Today the real climb starts. A jeep will take you to Cat Cat Village of the Hmongs. From here you walk down to Cat Cat Valley at 1,100 m. You will cross a river and from here it is uphill on narrow trails and through small spectacular passes with subtropical forest. Once we reach an elevation of 1,700 m we stop for lunch and an energy boost before climbing up to an elevation of approximately 2,500. Here we set up our camp for the night.

Day 4: Trek to summit and return to first camp (2,500m) (B)

Today is summit day, so after an early breakfast we leave our base camp around 7.00 am and start climbing upwards. As we continue on we pass through primary forest containing giant, centuries old pine trees and expanses of yellow bamboo. Our continuing trek will take us to an altitude of over 3,000m as we arrive at the roof of Vietnam: Fansipan Peak. The duration of our stay at the summit depends on the weather conditions. If the weather is clear, once at the summit we will have time to savour the best panorama in Vietnam. From here, you can see all the way to China in the North and West and Lao in the South.Trek back to our camp, and have a little celebration

Day 5: First camp – Sapa (B)

Today it’s downhill just about all the way. Following breakfast we begin our descent and reach Sapa by around lunchtime. The afternoon will then be free to explore the charms of Sapa town and take over night train back to Hanoi. Train departs at 21:15 and arrives in Hanoi at 5 am.

Day 6: Hanoi

Upon arrival at Hanoi Railway Station you will be transferred back to your hotel.