Feature: Sapa is 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.
Itinerary in Detail:
Day 1: Sapa, hike up to the 2700m
Visitor to FansipanThe Night Before: Transfer from your hotel at 8: 00 pm to the Hanoi Train Station for boarding at 9:15 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 6:00 am where your Footprint guide will welcome you. Look for the “Footprint Travel” sign when you exit the train station. Then take a morning drive through the clouds by car/van to Sapa (about 1.5 hours). Arrive in Sapa at around 7:30 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.
Inclusion: Transfer, guide, train ticket, entrance fee, all meals, porter, camping gear.
Day 2: Challenge to TOP and down to 2600m
Trekking to Ho village sapaBreakfast 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.
Inclusion: Guide, entrance fee, all meals, porter, camping gear.
Day 3: Back down and night in Sapa.
Sapa tour, more trekking and back to SapaUpon 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 hilltribe 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.
Inclusion: Transfer, guide, hotel, breakfast, lunch
Day 4: Free round Sapa. Night train to Hanoi
Sapa night train to Hanoi, Sapa tourWake 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 8:15 pm and arrives after a pleasant sleep in your first class, shared AC soft berth to Hanoi at about 5:00 am. Please find your own way to your hotel, a taxi normally costs you a set of 50,000 VND.
Inclusion: Transfer, guide, train ticket, breakfast
Price in details
Based on 4 sharing: $US 268.00/person, S.S: $US 27.00
S.S is used for Single Supplement: A surcharge added to the cost per person when one want to have her/his own room.
Costs are $US NET. Subject to 3% surcharge if paid by credit cards or 2% on travellers’ cheque.
Inclusion: See inclusive items listed after each day
Exclusion: Visa, Insurance, drinks, personal expenses, others not mentioned in details, tips are welcome!
What to bring: Passport, change of clothes, sun-glasses & hat, toiletries, sun-block, insect repellent, flashlights, good shoes, personal first aid kit & medicines, small VND notes for buying drinks. If you feel the need then sleeping bags, cable lock for your bags is recommended.
Notes:
* We use standard 2 star hotel, twin shared room. Upgrade is available on request.
* Homestay condition is very basic, please visit our website for FAQs on www.Footprint.vn
* Meals: Vietnam food.
* Guide: English speaking (on site).
* AC soft sleeper train to Sapa, please see our FAQs on www.Footprint.vn
* Please travel responsibly: The small things you do will make a big difference!
* Time to travel: Good to travel year round but best from September to April. January and February can get very cold (The temperature can sometimes get down to 5°C)
Website: http://www.footprintsvietnam.com
Link to book this tour: http://www.footprintsvietnam.com/Tours/Trekking/Conquer-Top-Fansipan4days.htm