Routes: Hanoi night train to Lao Cai – Sapa – Fansipan – Hanoi (Northwest).
Duration: 4 days
Difficulty: (5/5).
Sapa is a beautiful former French hill-station. At an altitude of 1,650 m. Sapa boasts warm days and cool evenings and all day fresh air. Nowadays, Sapa has become a favorite destination due to its inspiring scenery of mountain ranges and terraced valley floors dotted with small ethnic villages. Sapa is home to several of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minority groups, each with their own distinctive dress, customs and dialects making it a colorful mosaic of culture.
Sapa is also renowned for its trekking. With South East Asia's highest peak, Mt. Fansipan (3,143 m) providing the perfect backdrop for some great trekking routes. This 3 day trek with outdoor camping offers all of the challenges and rewards of any hike. And, at the summit you be one of the few to have reached up and touched the clouds marking the roof of Indochina.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Lao Cai–Sapa, hike up to an elevation of 2700 m.
The night before transfer from your hotel to the Hanoi Train Station for boarding at 9:30 pm. You will be in shared AC soft sleeper cabins of 4 to travel North to Lao Cai town. The train arrives in Lao Cai at about 6:30 am where your guide will welcome you. Then take a morning drive through the clouds by car/van to Sapa (about 1.5 hours). Arrive in Sapa at 7:00 am, have breakfast, a short rest and some last preparation for the challenging hike. Transfer by jeep/van to the starting point at Tram Ton Pass which is 15 km from Sapa town.
Start hiking through the jungle rain forest along wild mountain streams. Break for a picnic lunch in the middle of an evergreen forest. More hiking to an elevation of about 2700 meters where we will make base camp. Local Hmong porters will help us to set up camp, start a small fire and prepare dinner. Share stories of past journeys and cultural myths under the stars before retiring for the night. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 2: Summit and conquer Mt. Fansipan
Breakfast at the first sign of daylight then final preparations for today, the longest day of hiking to the summit of Mt. Fansipan. The first section is steep and very challenging as we weave our way through the bamboo forests. At some points we are even forced to use ropes and harnesses for safety. We are rewarded with all our hardships forgotten and with the impression of standing on the top of Indochina. After a picnic lunch and a rest at the summit, we begin our descent to base camp. Clean off and refresh at a mountain stream while our Hmong porters set up camp and prepare dinner. Overnight again under the stars with the satisfaction of the day's accomplishment. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 3: Back down to Sapa
Upon leaving the base camp, we begin walking downhill back to Sapa town. The steep trail is somewhat arduous but we have great opportunities to get some fantastic views from our vantage point. See the surrounding mountains, terraced valleys and quiet hill tribe villages far in the distance. Picnic lunch on the way, then we will be picked up in Sin Chai village and transferred back to Sapa town. When we arrive back in Sapa we will check in to the hotel take a shower and a rest. Your full afternoon is free in town for relaxing, shopping or befriending some of the local children. Dinner is on your own, overnight in a hotel in Sapa town. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 4: Visit the surroundings of Sapa
Night train back Hanoi. Wake up in Sapa town, breakfast at the hotel then enjoy the morning with some of your new friends that you may have met the afternoon before. Today your guide is available to you for the whole day, although, you have the entire day for free time and visiting the lively markets. Some suggestions include a visit to the orchid gardens of Dragon Mountain, or a cultural day trek to Taphin village. In late afternoon, depart from your hotel for the Lao Cai train station at 5:30 pm. The train leaves Lao Cai at 8:50 pm and arrives after a pleasant sleep in your first class, shared AC soft berth to Hanoi by 4:30 am. Bring you to yours Hotel in Hanoi.
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.
Notes:
- Tour itinerary and tour prices are subject to change without notice. Please contact us for farther.
- Contact us for your arrivals dates.
- Trip price valid until Dec. 2009.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
- Local English/French speaking guides/leader
- All entrance and sightseeing fees
- Security home stay fees
- Home stay fee
- Local jeep returning
- Two ways train tickets Han- Lcai-Han with air-cabinet shared (Vitoria train need more contact).
Price Excludes:
- International airfares & airport taxes in/out of Vietnam
- All drinks & other meals not mentioned
- Travel insurance
- Visa to Vietnam (We can arrange both visa approval letter and visa on arrival upon request)
- Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, shopping, etc.)
- Others not mentioned in details. Tipping and Gratuities are welcome!
Rate in USD Per person:
- If 2 to 4 persons: Cost in USD560.00/Pax
- If 5 to 7 persons: Cost in USD410.00/Pax
- Single Sup + $USD N/a.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Vietnam
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Hiking & Trekking
Cultural Journey
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