Fansipan and Halong Bay - Trekking in Vietnam

Day 1: Arrive Hanoi

Rendezvous at the group hotel in Hanoi. A single timed group transfer is provided for the 1 hour drive to our hotel in the heart of the capital. Our hotel is located near to the central Hoan Kiem Lake and within walking distance of the Old Quarter. It is perfectly positioned to explore this charming city on foot. The Old Quarter, home to more than 1000 traditional houses, dates from 1010, when King Ly Thai To moved his capital from Hoa Lu in northern Ninh Binh Province to Hanoi. The Old Quarter became the trading centre of the metropolis and its 36 streets are named after the merchants’ crafts and trades. For example Hang Gai Street is full of silk shops, Hang Giay overflowing with shoes and Hang Bac with small silversmiths. It is fascinating to walk around the labyrinthine streets. Alternatively, taking a cyclo (motorcycle rickshaw) is a great way to get a sense of the city. KE Land Only package services begin with dinner in a local restaurant. Meals included, Dinner. (D)

Day 2: Walking tour of city

At 6 a.m. the park around Hoan Kiem Lake is at its busiest, thronged with local residents taking their morning stroll or exercising. Early risers can watch or even join in the Tai Chi. This is a very popular exercise that local people believe helps to reduce stress and prepare for the day’s work. After breakfast at the hotel, we take a walking tour through Dong Xuan Market, out to West Lake and across the Longbien Bridge which has a 2km span across the Red River. Along the way there are a number of interesting pagodas. After lunch we will visit the fascinating and informative Ethnology Museum where we can learn about the 54 ethnic minority groups including the various hill-tribes who live around Sapa. The rest of the afternoon is free for further exploration or shopping for silks and other good Vietnamese bargains. Remember to buy extra snacks and perhaps a bottle of wine in preparation for our evening on the train. The group will meet for an early dinner at a traditional local restaurant and from there we transfer directly to the station and the overnight sleeper train to Lao Cai. The sleeper cabins consist of 4 beds, 2 bunks either side of the cabin. They are fairly comfortable, as we will give you a silk liner to use under the bedding provided. The train moves relatively slowly and sleep comes easily. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Visit Sin Cheng market and trek around Bac-Ha.

The train arrives at Lao Cai in the early morning and here, we will be met by our local guide for the Fansipan section of the trip. We set off for the 3-hour transfer by minibus to Sin Cheng, stopping along the way for breakfast in a local café. Once a week on a Wednesday the quiet village of Sin Cheng is transformed into a bustling market as people from far flung villages, some travelling long distances on foot or by horse, come here to trade their crops and wares. This is as much a social gathering as it is a trading opportunity and there is always a festive atmosphere. Unlike other markets around Sapa, Sin Cheng sees fewer tourists and this will be a very authentic experience. After the market we retrace our journey for around an hour to the town of Bac-Ha where we check in to our hotel. After lunch here we have a walk around the town and follow an easy trail to Ban Pho, a village of the H’Mong hill-tribe. We stay overnight in Bac-Ha. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Transfer to Sapa and trek through hill-tribe villages

After breakfast we drive through the hills for around 3 hours to reach the main town of Sapa. We check into our hotel and after lunch we make a short trek into the Muong Hoa Valley, passing through the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai and the Giay village of Tavan. After a pleasant day of trekking and meeting the hill-tribes of Sapa we return to the hotel in the late afternoon. This evening we take our dinner in a local restaurant and make any last minute preparations required for our trek. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Trek to Fansipan basecamp

After a short transfer to the village of Sin Chai, we meet our local Black Hmong porters and while loads are distributed, we begin our trek to Fansipan basecamp. Initially we follow a good trail through rice terracing and then in the bamboo forest. We cross several ridges and ford the occasional stream and on some sections of steep ground it is necessary to use our hands, pulling on roots and bamboo to help progress. As we gain altitude we enter the cloud forest and after approximately 6 hours walking we arrive at our basecamp for the ascent of Fansipan which is located in a small clearing in the forest at around 2200 metres. After putting up the (B,L,D)

Day 6: Ascent of Fansipan

After an early breakfast, we continue climbing through bamboo cloud forest. The ascent is quite steep in places and after a couple of hours of climbing, we emerge from the forest to pass through a zone where only canes, a miniature bamboo, long grasses, and water-rail flowers can grow. This is the ‘druc’ which in Vietnamese means ‘chopstick forest.’ Clear of the forest, the views now open out as we continue climbing steep ground with occasional rock steps to eventually reach the summit at 3143m. This is the highest point in Indochina and the views are stunning, northwards into China and southwards towards Laos, with the mountainous area of Lai Chau and Dien Bien Phu in between. After summit celebrations, we make a careful descent following the same trail as far as a clearing at 2800m. where we make a high camp. 7 to 8 hours trekking. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Trek to Heaven’s Gate and transfer to Sapa

A shorter day’s trek today allows for a leisurely breakfast while our porters take down the camp and move down the mountain. We descend first to our basecamp at 2200m. from where we take a different trail down to Hoang Lien (Heaven’s Gate). This is the main ‘tourist’ trail to Fansipan. In 2004, to ‘help’ visitors, the Sapa local council built steps with a handrail up the mountain from Hoang Lien reaching around a fifth of the way up before they ran out of materials. Today we descend through a bamboo forest and follow this celebration of Sapa tourism to the gateway of the National Park. We say goodbye to our Black Hmong porters here, and the jeeps will take us back to our hotel in Sapa where we can take a shower and relax before going out for a celebratory dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 8: In Sapa

We have a free morning to explore Sapa market or for those with energy to spare, there is time to make an ascent of nearby Ham Rong hill for panoramic views over the town. Later we have a guided walk starting by going downhill into the Cat Cat Valley. We stop at a waterfall and pass through Black Hmong villages where pigs roam freely among wooden houses and children look curiously at our strange attire. The valley is quite wide and there are expansive views, as much of the forest has been cut to make way for human habitation. We reach the village of Y Linh Ho and head back to Sapa by a different route. When we get back to Sapa we have the use of communal 'day rooms' to shower and change before driving to Lao Cai (1 hour) to catch the overnight train to Hanoi. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Transfer Hanoi to Halong Bay

The train arrives in Hanoi in the early morning. Our air-conditioned coach meets us and we can continue snoozing as we transfer to our breakfast stop and then onwards to Halong City. We arrive at this famous port around mid-day. and here we board a traditional junk for a cruise among the 3,000 spectacular limestone islands that rise from the emerald green waters of Halong Bay. We will enjoy a fresh seafood lunch on board while the captain heads out into the bay. Tonight we take our dinner on board and have our first overnight on the junk. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Exploration of Halong Bay

After breakfast, we transfer to a faster boat for a full day’s cruise round this World Heritage Site. We leave our belongings in our cabin on the junk and take the fast boat to Man’s Head Island and Tortoise Island. For those who wish there is the opportunity to do some exploring by Kayak. We can explore Luon Cave (Tunnel cave), a beautiful crater-like lagoon encircled by a towering cliff which is only accessed via a 30m/100ft tunnel cave. We visit Cua Van fishing village where we take lunch, then back on board the taxi boat we cruise to the unusual Ba Ham Lake, another crater like lagoon in two sections. We spend the remainder of the afternoon on ‘Three Peach Beach’, a stunning swimming spot. At the end of the day we return to our junk for dinner and our final night on board. For those who want more kayaking there is an optional night paddle under starlight. (B,L,D)

Day 11: Cruising and return cruise to Halong City

After breakfast we continue our exploration of the wonders of Halong bay, today visiting Duck Islet and Ba Hang area. We then cruise back to Halong city aboard the junk, passing Bai Tho Mountain and Chopstick Islet. We aim to arrive in Halong City in time for lunch which we will take in a local restaurant beside the ocean. Transferring back to Hanoi, we check into the hotel and dine at a typical Vietnamese restaurant with a wide range of excellent dishes to suit all tastes. (B,L,D)

Day 12: Depart Hanoi

KE Land Only package services end after breakfast with a single timed group transfer to Hanoi International Airport. (B,L,D)