If Europe has The Alps, Vietnam has Mt. Fansipan. This “Tonkinese Alps” serves as the highlight of all the highlights in Sapa, the premier trekking base of Vietnam. Gaining its reputation as the Roof of Indochina, Mt. Fansipan is king of all hiking trails in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, intimidating all other peaks with its 3,143m-tall stature. Sapa attracts numerous local and foreign visitors all wanting to taste a piece of its symphony of nature through the popular trekking tours. Everyone visits Sapa to trek the local villages and surrounding rice terraces or waterfalls. For adventurers longing for a non-touristy experience on an off-the-beaten track, scaling the highest mountain in Indochina, taking our Fansipan Mountain Trek is the answer.
If you are already in Sapa, expect our driver and tour guide to pick you up at your hotel between 8:30 and 9:00. However, if you've taken a sleeper bus or an overnight train from Hanoi the previous day, we kindly ask you to come to our meeting point at 09 Thac Bac Road, Sapa.
By 9:00, we will commence our journey with the Fansipan Mountain Trek. We'll transfer you to the Tram Ton pass, the starting point for the ascent to Mount Fansipan. Here, you'll meet your guide/porter from the Black Mong tribe who will be responsible for carrying the necessary supplies up the mountain. Please note, for smaller groups (less than 3), the guide will also act as the porter for cost efficiency reasons.
The trail will guide you through majestic pine and bamboo forests, beside peaceful streams, and under the umbrella of a pleasant climate. Throughout the hike, you'll have a golden opportunity to learn about the minority tribes of Black Mong, Red Dzao, and Dzay from your tour guide, gaining insight into the indigenous cultures of the Sa Pa region.
By around 12:00, we'll take a break at an altitude of 2,200 meters. Here, you can savor a picnic lunch prepared by our tour guide. After recharging, we'll continue the trek to our sleeping quarters situated at an elevation of 2,800 meters.
By approximately 16:00, we will have reached the rest hut. This is your time to either relax or explore the nearby areas while dinner is being readied for you.
At 18:30, a hearty dinner will be served. Following this, we recommend getting a good night's rest to recharge for the next day's adventures.
Your day begins early at 4:00, as you fuel up with a wholesome breakfast complemented by a steaming cup of tea or coffee. With newfound energy, you'll embark on the final push towards the summit, trekking amidst bamboo forests. As you near the mountain's peak, you'll notice the thinning vegetation.
By 6:30, you'll have achieved a remarkable feat: conquering The Roof of Indochina. Bravo! As the sun rises, pause to absorb the wonder of standing atop Vietnam's highest point. Your dedication is rewarded with breathtaking vistas over Sa Pa's valleys and Lai Chai Province. On clear days, the peaks of Yunan Province in China might even make a distant appearance.
At 8:00, filled with memories, you'll start your descent. Midway, you'll stop to savor a picnic lunch, refueling for the remainder of the journey back to Tram Ton.
By noon, Tram Ton welcomes you back. Your service vehicle, ready and waiting, will whisk you back to Sa Pa, marking the conclusion of your Fansipan Mountain Trek adventure.
