Fansipan, which at 3143m is Vietnam’s as well as Indochina’s highest mountain. The summit towers above Sapa, is often covered by clouds and is occasionally dusted with snow. No ropes or technical climbing skills are needed, just endurance. As there are no mountain huts, accommodation will be in tents along the way. The terrain is rough and adverse weather is frequent. Despite the short distance, the round trip usually takes three to four days. After the first morning you won’t see any villages; just the forest, striking mountain vistas and perhaps some local wildlife such as monkeys, mountain goats and birds.
The below itinerary is the basic route by train from/to Hanoi, making a total of 6 days .
Day 2: Lao Cai – Sapa - 2800m (B, L, D) Pick up from the station for a short break; have breakfast before the trek. You travel by car to Sapa where you can have a quick shower and leave your luggage not required for the trek. You will be transferred by car (15km) to begin the start of the climb to Fansipan Mountain.
We start the climb at a height of 2000m. Throughout this climb, we can observe and learn about the local cardamom trees, and the uses they have for this local area. Local birds can also be seen throughout this walk. As we trek up to the height of 2200m, we relax with a picnic lunch. We then keep on trekking up to the height of 2800m, taking in the spectacular views along the way.
After setting up camp for the night, dinner is cooked on the campfire. Ready to unwind from the day, you will find yourself sleeping soundly, while nestled in amongst the rugged beauty that the countryside has to offer
Approx: 6 hours walking/ 1 hour lunch.Day 3: 2800m – Summit – 2200m (B,L, D) With an early rise of 6.30-7.00am, we have breakfast together before we undertake the next ascent to the very top of Fansipan Mountain. Around 10.00 – 10.30am, we can celebrate the victorious achievement as we arrive at the very top of Fansipan Mountain (3143m above sea level). Take some time out, as you absorb the combination of the fresh crisp air, and beautiful views while overlooking Sapa town, admiring its thick green forestry landscape.
Please Note: Sapa is known to be an area consisting of four seasons in one day, therefore the weather can change quite rapidly, altering from heavy mist and fog to warm sunny days. Hence, we cannot guarantee clear views from the top of this mountain.
After enjoying the remarkable views, we commence the descent to 2800m and enjoy a picnic lunch around 1.30pm. We then trek on back down to 2,200m and set up our camp for the night. Enjoy a warm dinner as we sit around the campfire cooking together, and drift off into a well-earned sleep after an eventful day.
Approx: 8 hours walking/ 1 hour lunch.
Day 4: 2200m - Sin Chai Village - Sapa (B, L, -) Today, we can enjoy a well-deserved lie-in, rising around 7.30am for a shared breakfast. As this is the last day of our tour, we walk at a gentle pace down to Sin Chai, a Black Hmong village situated at the foot of Mount Fansipan. Here we meet with our driver and we are transferred back by car to Sapa town. We complete the tour with a refreshing herbal medicine bath or foot massage and check in to your hotel in Sapa for a good rest. Approx: 0,5 hour driving/ 4 hours walking/ 1 hour lunch. Day 5: Sapa – Lao Cai (B) Day is free at leisure before transfer to Lao Cai Station in the early evening or late afternoon by private car/van; for your night train to Hanoi. Day 6: Arrival Hanoi Station – Airport Arrive at Hanoi Station in the morning at about 05.00. Transfer from Hanoi Railway Station to airport.| Size | 1 pax | 2 pax | 3 pax | 4 pax | 5 pax | 6 pax |
| Cost | 778 | 568 | 548 | 468 | 458 | 438 |
- All private transfer as per itinerary by car or van
- Return train Hanoi – Lao Cai
- Park entrance fees
- 1 night in Sapa hotel (3-star) with breakfast
- All meals as per itinerary with snacks and 1.5L water during trek
- Sleeping bags, yoga mats and tents during trek
- Tour guide and porter
- Standard national park levy (toilet, camping overnight, insurance, cooking, and park authority observer),
- Summiting Fansipan certificate
- Foot massage or herbal bath
- Gloves
- Briefing prior departure
- 15% discount for gears at X-Boundaries
- Travel insurance
- Air tickets+ taxes
- Personal belongings and expenses
- All personal items, clothing and trekking equipment, (headlamps, camera’s, personal toiletries, etc.)
- Tipping to the guides
