Trek to the roof of Indochina to witness the rugged beauty of Mount Fansipan. At 3143m tall, Mount Fansipan is the tallest mountain in Vietnam and accessible year-round. The climb is steep with much undulation in the terrain which one has to tackle over the 2D1N trek in sometimes adverse weather conditions. Are you game to take up the challenge?
ITINERARY
Day 01
HANOI – LAO CAI
Pick up from Na Boi international airport by our friendly driver to our office in Hanoi. You will then be briefed our the trip. Take the 940pm Orient Express overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai.
Overnight: Train (Sleeping Berth)
Day 02
LAO CAI – PARK RANGER’S STATION (2000M) – MOUNTAIN CAMP (2800M)
After a good night’s rest on the train, arrive at Lao Cai Station at around 535am in the morning where you will be transferred to Sapa (1 hour drive). In Sapa, you will deposit you main luggage for safe-keeping and have your breakfast. After that, you will meet your mountain guide and together take a short drive (15km) to Park Rangers’ Station at Tram Ton Pass to start your Mount Fansipan adventure.
Throughout the climb, you can observe and learn about the local cardamom plants. Depending on the season and time of the year, you will get to see local birds and other animals. As you trek up to the height of 2200m, you will stop for a picnic lunch. You then keep on trekking up to the height of 2800m where you will camp for the night. As you unwind from the day’s hike, dinner will be served. Have an early night rest.
Overnight: Sheltered huts on the mountain
Day 03
MOUNTAIN CAMP (2800M) – FANSIPAN SUMMIT (3143M) – SAPA – LAO CAI
Rising early at 630-700am, you will have breakfast before undertaking the final ascent to the very top of Mount Fansipan. Around 1000-1030am, it is time to celebrate the victorious moment of reaching the summit of Mount Fansipan – a height of 3143m above sea level. Take some time to absorb the fresh crisp air and beautiful views while overlooking Sapa town, admiring its thick green forestry landscape. After enjoying the remarkable views, we commence the descent to 2800m and enjoy a picnic lunch. You then continue the trek back down to Tram Ton Pass at 2000m where you will receive your certificate of achievement and medal. Your driver will drive you back to Sapa town to wash up, have your dinner and collect your luggage before transferring you to Lao Cai for your 835pm Orient Express train back to Hanoi.
Overnight: Train (Sleeping Berth)
Day 04
LAO CAI – HANOI
Arrive at Hanoi train station at around 530am. You can have your breakfast, then drop your bags at our office which opens at 730am, do some sight-seeing before returning to our office for your airport transfer.
Package includes:
- Airport transfers
- Return premium Chapa Express train tickets (sleeper, 4 in a cabin) between Hanoi and Laocai*
- Coach transfer between Lao Cai train station and Sapa town*
- 2D1N guided Mt Fansipan trek – breakfast, 2 x lunch, dinner, mountain guide (able to speak basic English), transport, village entrance fees, snack, soft drink, camping equipments including tent, sleeping bag, mat (only needed if sheltered huts are full), 1.5L water/day (to be carried by yourself), porters to carry for communal items such as food and camping equipment, standard national park levy, Fansipan certificate and medal
* It is also possible to take sleeping bus between Hanoi and Sapa. This is cheaper than train by SGD 30 one way each person.
Package excludes:
- Return international air tickets
- Travel insurance
- Accommodations in Hanoi and Sapa
- Vietnamese VISA (ASEAN citizens are VISA-free up to 30 days)
- All meals not indicated
- Tips for guides
- All expenses of a personal nature
HIKING GRADE
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
Climbing Season: During the dry months from March, April, May, September and October
Rainy Season: June to August
Temperature: It can get very cold and it rains frequently even during the climbing season. Warm clothing and rain gears are necessary.
Difficulty Level: Climbing Fansipan is tough but anyone with good fitness and hiking experience should be able to cope. Since it is only a 2D 1N climb, you should bring along only essential items (warm clothing, change of dry clothing for the night, headlight and trekking stick) for the climb. Normal trekking throughout except for some light scrambling. No rock climbing or technical climbing skills needed.
OPTIONAL PROGRAM
The itinerary provided above is the base itinerary. We highly recommend that you extend your trip to spend more days in Hanoi and Sapa. There are lots to see and experience in this part of Vietnam. Specifically, we recommend the 2D1N Halong Bay Cruise.
For Mount Fanispan, it is possible to hike to the summit in one long day without spending a night on the mountain. As the cable car at Mt Fanispan has started operations since February 2016, it is also now possible to hike to Mt Fansipan summit and descend via cable car. While it is arguable that Mt Fanispan has lost some of its allure due to the cable car, we are glad to share that for much of the trail, you would not be hiking along side the cable car route. So it is definitely a very enjoyable hike with beautiful natural scenery.
Another option for Mount Fansipan is to camp at 2800m and wake up early on day 2 around 4am to hike to the summit for sunrise.
We can also arrange direct private car transfers between Hanoi (or airport) and Sapa especially for bigger groups. This will help reduce the number of days needed for your trip.
For customers who would like to do an easier hike, we can also arrange a trek through the villages in Sapa.
DESTINATION YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN
4D3 Ho Chi Minh & Mekong Delta
4D3N Siem Reap Tour (History and Culture)
4D3N Siem Reap Tour (Adventure and Wildlife)
TESTIMONIALS
Our adventure through bustling Hanoi, breathtaking (figuratively & literally) Sapa and unbelievably stunning Halong Bay was an absolute blast. iwannatravel could not have arranged it any better. This was all done up in two days as we made a very last minute decision to fly out to Vietnam instead of our original plan (Surabaya, Indonesia). Despite the last minute change, iwannatravel went the extra mile to ensure that our Vietnam adventure well planned. Through the entire trip, iwannatravel also touched base with us to ensure that we were doing ok. If you are looking for hassle-free and fun-filled adventure, look no further already!
– Shawn & Tricia (Group of 2 on a 5D4N trip to Sapa & Halong Bay in Oct 2016)
I liked how fast HS was able to plan the itinerary for our group, making it flexible to suit our preferences and how he was very prompt to answer our questions and give suggestions on things that we can do. We only ask assistance for bookings on our Vietnam trip (Mt. Fansipan trek, Lao Cai- Hanoi train tickets and Halong Bay Day Cruise). However, upon knowing that we are also traveling to Laos, HS has gone an extra mile and help us map out our Laos itinerary too. Transport provided both for Fansipan trek and Halong Bay Day Cruise were awesome as they picked us up from our hostel right on time. Our Fansipan guide was very helpful and patient and ensured everyone’s safety during the trek. While our Halong Bay Cruise guide was quite informative and very entertaining as she makes us laugh without even trying. Our group was very much satisfied with the food served to us both during the Fansipan trek and Halong Bay cruise. And of course, we definitely enjoyed all the activities we did: trekking up to the summit of Fansipan, riding a sleeper train from Lao Cai to Hanoi and kayaking in Halong Bay. Organization of our trip is superb knowing that we were IWT’s first customers to book for their Fansipan trek and Halong Bay Cruise trip. *^_^*
– Michelle (Group of 3 on a 4D3N trip to Mount Fansipan & Halong Bay in Mar 2016)
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We had a fabulous time at Mt. Panti, thanks to 'I Wanna Travel'. The organisation was smooth from the beginning. My support, HS, was attentive to details and always available at my beck and call. The guide was friendly and encouraging. The last stretch of the climb before reaching the summit was thrilling. We absolutely loved it! We were treated to a large spread of delicious vegetarian Chinese food at the end of the trip. The highlight of the trip was the Firefly Cruise. What a mesmerising experience! Thank you for a great trip. We'll be coming back for more.
– Arathi (Group of 5 on a Mt Panti trip in Nov 2018)
IWT handled the pre-trip administration very well and the itinerary was swiftly and properly communicated to us. The itinerary was clear and useful as it gave us a rough gauge of what to expect and what to prepare for the trip.
Our tour guide Mr Dimas, along with our driver, possess welcoming and friendly personalities and they always ensured that our welfare is well taken care of.
During the trip, they were always providing us with insights into Surabaya to tell us more about their country and even provided excellent recommendations for activities and their local cuisine.
All in all, a very good and trip and would certainly recommend.
– Zhen Siang (Group of 2 on an 4D3N Ijen, Bromo & Surabaya trip in Dec 2018)
Organisation of the trip was good as communication with iwannatravel was smooth and fast, and the itinerary planning was well suited for my group needs and wants.
The driver, Mr Thina, was very accommodating towards our schedule and took care of our needs, example needing to buy rubber shoes, where he drove us to the shop.
Our guides were well experienced and could pace and entertain us well with their knowledge and fun-loving nature. Mount Panti had more leeches than what we imagined though and the difficulty level of the treks was as what iwannatravel said, not to be estimated as it had moderate difficulty.
Overall we had a good experience with our activities and accommodations! And would definitely recommend this trip for the more adventurous people.
– John (Group of 9 on a 2D1N Mt Panti & Pelepah Falls trip in Dec 2018)
The guide, Mr Azhar was very experienced. He was able to pace us accordingly and guide us throughout our entire trek to the peak and the Big Tree. The trek was not easy, considering it started to rain halfway thru the journey, making the route slippery but Mr Azhar was willing to guide us and pace us accordingly throughout so that we wont overexert ourselves.
– Salmiah (Group of 4 on a Mt Lambak day trip in Nov 2018)
Personalised pickup and attention to our well being. Focused to help us to have good experiences.
Guide Udin is very professional. Dependable, attention to details, providing good advices.
Porters are friendly and helpful.
We are very happy with the service level, professionalism of the whole team to bringing good experiences to hikers like us.
– YT (Group of 3 on a 2D1N Mt Merbabu Camping trip in Nov 2018)
Honorable mention to the guide, whom was the driver too. Her energy and dedication throughout the trek makes the trip very worthwhile, even though the view at the summit was spoiled by the poor foggy weather. Our team would gladly scale another mountain in taiwan with her as the guide again, if we had the chance.
– Jonathan (Group of 5 on a 2D2N Yushan trip in Mar 2018)
Thoroughly enjoyed the Poon Hill trek! Beautiful scenery and Puskar was a patient and responsible guide. He made our trip possible and hassle-free. We also found the hotel in Pokhara in an extremely good location with many restaurants in the vicinity.
– Peiying & Photon (Group of 2 on a 12D11N Kathmandu, Pokhara & Poon Hill trip in Nov 2017)
The whole organisation was prepared smoothly prior to the trip. The ample of times attending to the enquiries and the notes given had definitely been useful. For transport, guide (and driver), food, activities, accommodation - they were pleasant. The van provided was spacious especially the legroom, and even had enough room to store our bag packs. The guide and driver were very accommodative, for an instance, stopping the van to allow us take some photos before proceeding to the trail head. Additionally, both tried their best to attempt to make conversations in English. As per food and activities, it was great. The food complimented the next activity well, an example, we were provided rice instead of noodles on the day before our summit push and back to the trail head. It was essential since we had to have plenty carbohydrates for the long trek ahead.
– SR (Group of 5 on a 2D2N Xueshan trip in Oct 2017)
First, we would like to thank hs for coming up with the itinerary of the places that we wanted to visit and always being prompt and patient in answering our queries. This trip turned out to be one of the best trips ever! Our guide, Bayu, was simply wonderful. He speaks good English and we enjoyed our conversations with him. During the hike, he frequently stopped to ask if we were okay and if we needed a rest. He would also ask if we had any other places in mind that we would like to visit around the vicinity. In all, we felt very well-taken of throughout the entire trip. Our fondest memory was the day when we had cup noodles around a campfire together with him during the early hours of dawn at King Kong Hill. It was truly unforgettable. Bayu also offered to help us take photos during the trip and we were really thankful for that. Our driver, Bayu (same name as our guide) had superb driving skills. We were really amazed at how he was able to navigate and drive through narrow and winding roads under foggy weather conditions. Throughout the trip, both of them made us feel very safe and comfortable. We did not have to worry about anything. It was really such an enjoyable trip. A big thank you to our guide, Bayu, and our driver, Bayu! 🙂
– Eunice (Group of 2 on an 5D4N Ijen, Mt Bromo, Batu in June 2017)
We always have a wish that to have a wonderful trip with a lot of fun and laugh, and so we stop dreaming and start planning. No doubt IWT is our best choice with no regretted.
First of all, we wanna thank you to our tour guide Ms Vinda, a young lady with always have a cute smiling. She is very friendly, knowledgeable, understanding and patience lady. She care a lot of us, and make sure we are not injure while hiking, but manage to reach to the top. Due to some of my friends is lack of exercise and felt exhausted, especially Ijen and Mt Bromo, she keep accompanied us and make sure 4 of us are in good condition to continue. She keep reminding us some sleepy area, and hold our hand if needed to ensure we are not fell down. She also giving us a lot of info about some interest places were going and we'll communication. She always standby to be our photographer, even some time our pose is funny. She willing to share her photos and videos with us. Thanks ya. And most importantly that she notice 1 of my friend didn't wear a suitable shoe to waterfall, she immediately take off her shoe and let my friend to wear, and help to carry my friend shoe and walk with no shoe herself...so embarrassing. She treat us ginger tea while we feel cold, Indomee after hiking and dragon fruit along the way to Surabaya. Bring us to minimart to buy our secret stuff. Lastly, we should say that~Ms Vinda, thank you so much. We are enjoyable the trip and this is really amazing. We highly recommend her as a tour guide and wish her all the best. Thumb up 👍
– May (Group of 4 on a 4D3N Ijen Crater, Mount Bromo & Batu in May 2017)
Guide Syami was amazing! Very patient and extremely helpful towards my parents (55 and 50 year old folks) . His guidance really helped my parents with their hike. Shared his knowledge on the mountain and the wildlife there. Perfect.
– Farhana (Group of 6 on an 2D1N Mt Ophir Camping Trip in Apr 2017)
Very nice group, glad I made some good friends.
Thanks to the organisers who took us for dinner near a vegetarian friendly place.
– Rajan (Group of 12 on an Open Mt Ophir Trip in Mar 2017)
Coordination with IWT was a breeze. Ying was quick in responding to queries and very helpful, giving tips according to her own experience climbing Pelapah Falls. Prasanth, the driver, was on-time, friendly and skillful. Despite the hours of driving and waiting for us, he always wore a smile on his face. Nan, our guide, was very experienced. He was like a fatherly figure who knew exactly what he was doing and that brought a lot of assurance to us. Pelapah Falls has its challenges but it was such a good experience for my friends and I. We had to tread through cooling rivers, climb using ropes, avoid giant ants and manage a few leeches but the amazing and therapeutic waterfalls made it all worth it. All of us were counted as beginner hikers and we all made it. So don't worry. Just do it!
– Xiuqing (Group of 5 on a Pelepah Falls & Kota Tinggi Trip in Feb 2017)
Everything was great! From planning til the end of the trip, everything was organised. The activities were fun and itinerary was well planned. We did not feel that we were rushed at all and we get to enjoy Borobudur and Mount Bromo in our own pace. Our guide, Bayu, was very friendly and helped us a lot especially when it comes to ordering food :). This is the most relaxing, hassle-free trip I've ever had! Thanks Iwannatravel 🙂
– Sunshine (Group of 7 on a 4D3N trip to Bromo & Borobudur in Aug 2016)
I really enjoy the whole travel experience. The driver is always contactable and prompt, and transport it’s quite comfortable. The mountain guide is friendly, and is knowledgeable and ensures that the last person is not left behind, and there are 2 guides provided to us for a group of 10 which I think is quite good. The accommodation at Melaka is quite clean and it’s within the tourist attraction; Jonker Street and there’s also some free and easy time to explore with driver provided.
– Xian Ying (Group of 10 on a 2D1N trip to Mt Ophir in May 2016)
I liked how fast HS was able to plan the itinerary for our group, making it flexible to suit our preferences and how he was very prompt to answer our questions and give suggestions on things that we can do. We only ask assistance for bookings on our Vietnam trip (Mt. Fansipan trek, Lao Cai- Hanoi train tickets and Halong Bay Day Cruise). However, upon knowing that we are also traveling to Laos, HS has gone an extra mile and help us map out our Laos itinerary too. Transport provided both for Fansipan trek and Halong Bay Day Cruise were awesome as they picked us up from our hostel right on time. Our Fansipan guide was very helpful and patient and ensured everyone's safety during the trek. While our Halong Bay Cruise guide was quite informative and very entertaining as she makes us laugh without even trying. Our group was very much satisfied with the food served to us both during the Fansipan trek and Halong Bay cruise. And of course, we definitely enjoyed all the activities we did: trekking up to the summit of Fansipan, riding a sleeper train from
Lao Cai to Hanoi and kayaking in Halong Bay. Organization of our trip is superb knowing that we were IWT's first customers to book for their Fansipan trek and Halong Bay Cruise trip. *^_^*
– Michelle (Group of 3 on a 4D3N trip to Mt Fansipan & Halong Bay in Apr 2016)
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