Fan Si Pan (3,143m) is the highest peak in Viet Nam and Southeast Asia with its perfectly preserved high-mountain vegetation, low-plain and wide rice-growing valleys scattered with palm trees. Mount Fan Si Pan represents the biggest natural reserve in Viet Nam: the Hoang Lien National Park. The park covers nearly 30,000 hectares and is unique in all Southeast Asia for its tiered forest ecosystems. It contains over 2,000 plant species and about 500 animal species, among which the black gibbon, of which there are only a few families left. It is only 9 kilometers from Sa Pa town but it takes at least three days to get to the peak and back. 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. Our porters carry the equipment and food. No ropes or technical climbing skills are needed, just the endurance and plenty of energy. The terrain is rugged, wet and often cold.

Day 01: Ha Noi - Lao Cai

Meet with our guide at your hotel and then transfer to the Ha Noi train station. Board on an overnight train to Lao Cai with our guide (departure at 9h30pm). We travel in ‘soft sleeper’ class which is a compartment for up to four people. Blankets and pillows are provided. The journey will last for about 10 hours and allows you to experience a taste of the ‘real’ Viet Nam.

Day 02: Lao Cai - Sa Pa (B, L, D)

Arrival Lao Cai station around 6h30am. We visit the Chinese border check point on the way and then route to Sa Pa which offers an unusual variety of spectacular or charming landscapes. A climatic village located at 1,650 meters. Free time to relax or to discover this charming village, the landscape immediately attract the visitor’s attention: the paddy-fields tumbling down the slopes in vertiginous staircases and the innumerable limestone peaks and crests emerging from the clouds in the morning, a sort of Ha Long Bay transferred to the mountains. Later in the day you will have time to prepare for the trek. Don’t forget to bring warm clothes with you.

Day 03: Climb of Fan Si Pan (B, L, D)

We depart early morning. En route to Cat Cat village inhabited by H'mong ethnic people. From here we walk down to Cat Cat valley at 1,100m. We will cross a river and from here it is uphill on narrow trails and through small spectacular passes with subtropical forest. Be aware of leeches on the first part of the trek. We will set up our camp at an altitude of around 2,000m and our guide and porters will prepare the food on an open fire.

Day 04: Climb of Fan Si Pan (B, L, D)

After our first night on the mountain we set out for the seven-hour trek to our second camp. As we continue on we will pass through primary forest containing giant, centuries old pine trees, butterflies and expanses of yellow bamboo. Our continuing trek will take us to an altitude of 2,900m, where we stop for lunch. After lunch, we trek downhill to an elevation of 2,700m, where we set up camp for the second night within sight of the summit.

Day 05: Fan Si Pan Summit (B, L, D)

After breakfast we will continue uphill and after a couple of hours’ walk, we reach a ridge at 2,900 m from where there is a nice view of Sa Pa and Fan Si Pan. We go downhill to the camp at 2,600 m. We leave some of the porters to prepare the camp and continue up on trails through dense bamboo forest and small bushes. Suddenly we arrive to the top of Fan Si Pan at 3,143 m. If the weather is clear, you can see all the way to China in the north and west and Laos in the south. The view is fantastic. We spend some time soaking up the best panorama in Viet Nam. While relaxing we will have lunch before descending back to our second camp where we left our equipment. Here we will spend our third night on the mountain.

Day 06: Back to Sa Pa (B, L, D)

Today we go all the way downhill. After breakfast we begin our descent and reach Sa Pa by around lunchtime. The afternoon is free for you to explore the charms of Sa Pa town or relax after the climb.

Day 07: Back to Ha Noi (B)

Spend the morning at leisure to stretch out legs and enjoy Sa Pa town. In the afternoon, you are transferred to Lao Cai railway station for an overnight train back to Ha Noi. The train leaves at 6h45pm.

Tour includes

Accommodation in standard hotels and camping (hotels can be upgraded upon request) Meals as stated in the program (B = Breakfast ; L = Lunch ; D = Dinner)

Air-conditioned vehicles for all transportations,

Train Ha Noi-Lao Cai-Ha Noi,

Trekking equipments

English speaking guide

Sightseeing and entrance fees

Tour doesn't include

International air-tickets and airport departure taxes

Meals not mentioned in the program (between 5 - 7 Euros/meal/person)

Optional tours and activities during free time

Tips and items of a personal nature