Ready to take on the challenge hiking up this 3,143 meters height called Fansipan mountain? Let’s get set!
How to get there?
It’s your first time to Fansipan, I recommend you hire a guide or pick a Fansipan Sapa trekking tour to take you through this route. The trail in Fansipan can be a bit tricky. The guide cost would cover your 2 ways transportation to get to Fansipan mountain from Sapa, accommodation while hiking (depend on each person’s capabilities, it can take anywhere from 1 to 4 days for the whole trip), waived permit and an entrance fee.
Train and bus are the main transportation to get to Sapa trekking experience – Fansipan
How to get to Sapa? You’ll have to arrive to Sapa by taking the late night train from HaNoi to Lao Cai, then bus from Lao Cai to Sapa, or taking a direct bus from HaNoi to Sapa. Some like the bus experience better as they can sleep all the way through to Sapa, but again, it’s up to your schedule.
The weather
The best months are anytime from October to April, if you like the weather a bit warmer, go for April and May. Also try to avoid the wet season when it has the heaviest rain season occurring in July and August.
Expecting snow on your Sapa trekking – Fansipan Mt.
The trail is wet and muddy, bring rubber boots if you need to. The temperature drops as you hike up the hill, bring warm clothes. Watch out for mosquitoes and dogs along the way, it’s best to bring a trekking pole with you if you’re ever planning for Sapa trekking. The stick will definitely come in handy. Gloves with good grips are recommended.
The trekking trail
There are three routes to get to Fansipan:
- Tram Ton route: most tourists choose this route as the route has a gradual slope, easier to climb and it’s shorter. You can make it up to Fansipan and back in one day.
- Sin Chai route: this is the shortest route and way more adventurous. You may need to use rope and other climbing facilities for this route.
- Cat Cat route: it’s considered the longest route of them all. The route gets challenging as you hike up and it’s compensating you with the beautiful scenery.
The ridge trekking trail in Fansipan Mt.
Staying the night on Fansipan isn’t a worry, unless you’re going on your own. Trekking with a guide will help you with the logistics, especially they will be bringing the overnight tents for you to use during the whole trek. .
The scenery
Fansipan is the highest mountain in Indochina region, meaning when you are at its peak, you’ll hardly get any view at all except the cloud shrouded the summit. In return, terrific scenery along the way, as the mountain is covered with 2,000+ floral varieties and 300+ fauna species.
Who would want to miss the beautiful scenery in Fansipan Mt.
You might pump in ethnic groups people on market day but no worry, be tough or you’ll be covering in bracelets and necklaces before you know it.
The shortcut
Fansipan sounds appealing, but mind the trekking? The cable car system has been recently operated in early Feb 2016. Instead of trekking for 4 days, you can get up to Fansipan peak in less than 20 minutes, minus the trekking fun. The working hours are from 7:30am to 17:30pm daily. The cost is US$33/adult/one way and and children who are under 1.3m in height US$22/child/one way.
Fansipan cable car system running in early February 2016
Either way, Sapa trekking means to do at your own pace, so does Fansipan. This is the basic guide for any beginner looking into Fansipan as your next destination to conquer. Trust me, it’s worth the hike. All of my friends who has come to Fansipan, always come back.
It’s something about this mountain and the trail that make them wanting for more. It might be the scenery, or it might just be the ethnic people who they meet along the way, and it might be the tour guide. What’s it in for you?
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