ST
AD 04: Fansifan Climbs - 6 days
Leaving
everyday by train from Hanoi
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.
|
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.
|
-
Number of Persons -
| Class |
2-3 |
4-5 |
68 |
10-14 |
Single
Sup |
| 2
stars |
485 |
365 |
325 |
|
30 |
| 3
stars |
490 |
379 |
338 |
|
25 |
| 4
stars |
590 |
468 |
428 |
|
85 |
|
Accommodation
offering in this trip:
( click to see hotel )
Tour
Cost includes:
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 :
NB
: 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: |
Tourist-class hotels (Standard); |
| Transport: |
Private
car or bus, public train, etc.; |
| Meals: |
As
indicated;
(B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) |
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