Mt Fansipan - Sapa - Ha Long Bay
FANSIPAN
Mount Fansipan (Phang Xi Pang) is the highest peak in Vietnam, towering above the Hoang Lien Son Mountain range in the far north of the country. The hike will take you through misty bamboo forests and over golden rice terraces, all the way up and above the clouds. The height of the mountain was 3,143 metres (10,312 ft) in 1909, but now the height of the mountain is 3,147.3 metres (10,326 ft). Standing tall at 3,147 m it is the highest peak in Indochina. Once upon reaching the summit we will descend using the cable car. Fansipan Legend is said to be the highest and longest suspended cable system in the world. The whole ride takes about 30 minutes. You will enjoy spectacular views over the Sapa valley and rice terraces!
SAPA
Sa Pa is a town in the Hoàng Liên Son Mountains of northwestern Vietnam. A popular trekking base, it overlooks the terraced rice fields of the Muong Hoa Valley and is near the 3,147 m-tall Fansipan peak, which is climbable via a steep, multiday guided walk. Hill tribes, such as the Hmong, Tay, and Dao, make up much of the town’s local population. Sapa is a small market town that has been a gathering spot for many local hill tribes for nearly 200 years. Hmong and Dao people, among others, still come here to conduct trade, socialize, and attend an ephemeral “love market,” where young men and women choose one another for marriage (these days, it’s unlikely you’ll see anything more than a staged re-creation of it). The rice terraces around our Hmong Mountain Retreat are standing tall and healthy emerald, green. The local Black Hmong people in Lao Cai are resting, getting ready for the perfect time to harvest the rice.
HA LONG BAY
Hạ Long Bay, in northeast Vietnam, is known for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands topped by rainforests. Junk boat tours and sea kayak expeditions take visitors past islands named for their shapes, including Stone Dog and Teapot islets. The region is popular for scuba diving, rock climbing and hiking, particularly in mountainous Cát Bà National Park.
Location
Highlights
- Climb the highest mountain in the Indochinese Peninsula (comprising Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia)
- Experience the highest and longest suspended cable system in the world.
- 2D/1N Halong Bay Cruise
- Trekking in Sapa inside the Bamboo Forests
- Meet and greet with Hmong Hill Tribe people
- Explore the Ba Trai Dao area
- Kayaking at the natural lagoon of Lan Ha Bay
- Visit the famous Frog Pond area - the filming location of the famous movie Kong Skull Island (King Kong)
Itinerary
- Day 1: Hanoi Arrival – Overnight Train
- Day 2: Fansipan Trekking – Overnight hotel in Sapa
- Day 3: Sapa Trekking – Overnight hotel – Overnight Train
- Day 4: 2D1N Halong Bay Cruise – Overnight Cruise
- Day 5: Halong Bat Cruise Transfer to Hanoi – Overnight hotel in Hanoi
- Day 6: Hanoi – Departure
Detailed Itinerary:
DAY 1: Hanoi Arrival – Overnight Train
When you arrive at the airport. Group pick up and transfer to the train station to board the night train to Sapa. Overnight in an air-conditioned soft sleeper cabin. (*Arrive in Hanoi by 6 pm latest)
*In case the group arrives 1 day earlier we can make the hotel and transfer arrangements at additional cost.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Soft sleeping cabin
Activities: Welcome to Hanoi. Take the train from Hanoi to Lao Cai
DAY 2: Mount Fansipan Trekking – Overnight hotel in Sapa
Arrive in Lao Cai around 5.30 am. We will take 1hr bus ride uphill to the beautiful town of Sapa. The ride gives you a glimpse of the stunning vistas and impressive rice terraces. Upon arrival in Sapa Town, we have breakfast in a local restaurant. You can leave all your unwanted things in the hotel here.
8.30: Transfer from Sapa to Heaven Gate (at the elevation of 2047m above sea level). Check your equipment and baggage carefully before the trip. Trekking through a primary forest of giant, centuries-old pine expanses of yellow bamboo. Arrive summit and explore the area freely and easily.
Take the cable car downhill. (20 minutes on the cable car down). Take the car to Sapa, and we arrange rooms, have lunch (*at your own cost) and relax. Free and easy for the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa
Activities: Free and Easy Sapa Town
DAY 3: Sapa Trekking – Overnight hotel – Overnight Train
Breakfast at your hotel and then prepare for a great trek down to the picturesque valley of Muong Hoa. We will walk on small paths and trails to reach Tavan Village then trek through Bamboo Forest to Giang Ta Chai village. Lunch stop and transfers back to Sapa Town.
*Or an alternate route
Half-day walk through beautiful landscape and enjoy great views over rice terraced fields of Cat Cat village to Y Linh Ho village; meet Hmong hill tribe people and experience their daily life activities.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa
Activities: Free and Easy Sapa Town
DAY 4: Halong Bay Cruise – Overnight Cruise
Halong Bay → Lan Ha Bay → Three Peach Beach → Frog Lake
13:30 PM - Enjoy Vietnamese seafood and vegetarian lunch, while cruising in the magnificent Halong Lan Ha Bay, admiring the fascinating rock formations in the bay.
15:45 PM - You can choose to experience spa treatment*, relax on the sundeck, or outdoor swimming pool or explore the Ba Trai Dao area and the natural lagoon of Lan Ha Bay and experience kayaking here.
17:30 PM - Come back to our La Casta Cruise and participate in our Sunset party. Take photos and relax.
19:30 PM - Dinner is served at the restaurant. After dinner, you can join the squid fishing program, relax on the sundeck, and enjoy star gazing.
Meals: Brunch, Dinner
DAY 5: Halong Bat Cruise Transfer to Hanoi – Overnight hotel in Hanoi
LAN HA BAY- TUAN CHAU
07:00 AM - Have breakfast. Morning view of the bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee.
08:15 AM - Visitors visit the famous Frog Pond area; this is the filming location of the famous movie Kong Skull Island (King Kong) in Quang Ninh 2018. Here you can freely kayak to explore the landscape or immerse yourself. in the cool, clear blue water of this place.
09:00 AM - Back to your cabin, take relax and check carefully all the luggage before leaving your cabin.
09:30 AM - Check out from the private cabin and enjoy a fantastic cruise on the bay for room service. Complete the check-out procedure.
10:15 AM - Enjoy lunch at the restaurant while the cruise is returning to the harbour.
11:30 AM - You take the high-speed canoe back to Tuan Chau port. Return to Hanoi by the luxury limousine.
15:30 PM - Arrive in Hanoi – Check in at the hotel and rest.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 6: Hanoi – Departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Free at your leisure until transfer to the airport for your departure.
Inclusions
- Airport group pick up & drop off at hotels at the places
- 2 nights accommodation in a 3-star hotel on twin sharing basis (Hanoi: La Rosa Hotel or similar. Sapa: Sapa Village Hotel or similar)
- Restaurant in Sapa: H’mong Kitchen, Reddzao & Indigo/ Ganesh sapa indian restaurant or similar
- Complimentary Mineral Water on tour (2 bottles/pax/day)
- 1 night-2 days accommodation in a Boat cruise on Halong Bay (Halong: The Crown Legend or La Casta Regal Cruise or similar)
- Train from Hanoi – Lao Cai – Lao Cai (soft sleeper berth, 4pax/cabin)
- Meals as indicated (Indian meals in Hanoi & Vietnamese meals in Sapa & Halong)
- AC private car/minivan pick up and transfer during the trip
- All entrance fees at places mentioned in the itinerary
- Cable car from Fansipan to Sapa
- English-speaking tour guide at places
- Black Hmong porters for the trek(to carry food, luggage, support and keep you safe)
- TrekNomads Fee, Trek Captain support and expertise
- 10% discount coupon on Fast&Up products
- 25% discount coupon on HappyBars products
- Personalized Dri-Fit T-shirt
- TrekNomads goodies
Cruise Inclusions:
- Entrance fees, sightseeing fees, kayaking, rowing boat
- Professional English / Vietnamese speaking guide
- Luxury accommodation, shower
- Welcome drink
- Meals on board: 02 lunches, 01 dinner and 01 breakfast
- Insurance on-board
- Internet WIFI in the cabin, Satellite – HD
- LED Television
- Fishing equipment
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Vietnam Visa fee
- Early check-in and late check-out at all hotels
- Any personal expenses (laundry, telephone, shopping...)
- Personal Adventure Insurance
- Excess baggage charge(s)
- Travel Insurance Fee
- Mineral water or any type of soft drinks
- Beverages and other meals do not indicate in the program
- Extra meals apart from inclusions
- Tips to porters and guides (30$ per person compulsory)
- Any other expenses incurred apart from inclusions
- All personal, medical, evacuation and emergency expenses like extra day stay out of itinerary, helicopter services and vehicle charges due to delays, landslides, evacuation
- Expenses incurred for guide or porter during extra days stay, transport, flight, helicopter service, etc (divided amongst the group which utilises the services of guides/porters on extra days)
Cruise Exclusions:
- Any aerated drinks and liquor
- Tips for tour guide and driver
- Any personal expenses (laundry, telephone, shopping...)
- Limousine service
- Beauty and massage services at the spa
- Tips for staff
- Other expenses not listed in the inclusions
Trek Gradient
Moderate
Type of Trek
International Treks