Mount Fansipan Trek Challenge 30th April – 9th May 2016

About Vietnam

Vietnam shares its borders with Cambodia and Laos

to the west, China to the north and 3,000km of

coastline facing the South China Sea to the east.

Vietnam is one of the most densely populations in

the world with 80 per cent still living a rural existence.

The majority of the population (87%) are Viet or 'Kinh'

people; the remaining 13% is made up of over 50

ethnic hill tribe peoples who live mostly in the central

and northern mountainous areas of the country.

Each hill tribe has its own unique customs and dialect

and some are so remote even Vietnamese is rarely

spoken in the village.

Hanoi

Vietnam's leafy capital is a city of lakes, shaded

boulevards and public parks. With narrow alleyways

lined with shops selling traditional handicrafts and

arts the old centre is an enchanting place to

wander. A chaotic mass of motorbikes swarms

through the tangled web of streets, locals sip coffee

and take part in synchronised Tai Chi. Designer

clothing stores sit next to noodle bars and the

colonial legacy of Vietnam’s past is complimented

by the modern high rise buildings. Hanoi is a paradox

but fascinating and beguiling.

Sapa

Located in Lao Cai Province in the northwest of

Vietnam, Sapa is a small hill town where rugged

mountain ranges combine with dramatic, lush

terraced valleys and is home to several of Vietnam's

54 ethnic groups. The town is at an elevation of

1,600m and is situated in the hills below the slopes of

Vietnam’s highest mountain, Mount Fansipan

(3,143m).

Trek Overview

This challenge takes to the remote and

beautiful hills of Northern Vietnam in the Sapa

area, and up to the summit of Mount

Fansipan, the highest point in Vietnam. At

3143 metres Mt Fansipan is smaller than many

of Asia’s illustrious and famed mountains but

it is just as worthy a challenge. Endurance is a

must as Fansipan is not a gentle mountain.

The terrain is steep, rugged, wet and often

cold and the slopes are steep and

challenging. No ropes or technical climbing

skills are necessary but the ability to scramble

up and down sections with boulders is helpful.

If you don’t have this skill, a positive attitude,

a good level of fitness and endurance and

lots of energy will get you to the top and

back. On this trip porters ease the burden by

carrying the equipment and food. At the end

of the challenge you will return to Hanoi by

train before relaxing on overnight cruise in

Halong Bay in a traditional wooden junk.

This trek is graded challenging.

Who accompanies us?

You will be accompanied by professional

English-speaking local guides who have an

excellent knowledge of hiking and culture in

the region and are first aid trained. You will

also be accompanied by an excellent

support team and a Different Travel

Company tour manager who together will

support you and make your challenge

memorable.

What’s the terrain and scenery like?

The terrain will vary throughout the 3 days but

in general it starts off gently then becomes

much steeper as you approach the summit.

There are areas with some large boulders to

scramble over, bamboo ladders to climb,

muddy terrain, dense bamboo forests and

shallow rivers to cross. Your guides will support

you all the way. The route offers an interesting

variety of scenery and the views from the

summit and on clearings along the way are

phenomenal. You will ascend and descend

approximately 1550m from Sapa to summit

and back over the course of three days, with

a gradual altitude ascent and rapid descent.

The itinerary is subject to change depending

on the weather conditions, particularly

rainfall.

What is the weather like?

Temperatures are closely linked with the

weather conditions but you can expect highs

of 25°C during the day, dropping down to

16°C at night. Weather conditions will vary

but in general you will experience hot but

cloudy days with occasional short rain

downpours and high humidity.

Please note: the temperatures and conditions

above are historically accurate for this time

of year but climate change can impact the

seasons so you may experience

uncharacteristic conditions during the trip

which are out of our control. Should this

happen the guide will assess the situation

and make decisions to ensure the best

enjoyment and ultimately safety of the group

as a whole. It’s important to be prepared for

all weather conditions and temperatures so

ensuring you have the correct kit including

non-cotton technical trek clothing,

waterproof dry bags or rucksack liner, and a

lightweight poncho to keep dry but cool in

downpours, will make you much more

comfortable. When the sun comes out it can

feel hot so wearing sunglasses and a hat, and

keeping well hydrated is crucial.

Where do we stay?

Each night during the trek, the group will stay

at a campsite in tents. You will have your

meals together at camp and plates, mugs

and cutlery is all provided. You are strongly

recommended to bring ear plugs (which you

have tried out and are comfortable using) so

you can block out the inevitable snoring. You

will be provided with a sleeping mattress and

sleeping bag but you are recommended to

bring a silk or cotton sleeping bag liner for

additional warmth and comfort as it can get

cold at night.

What are bathroom and toilet facilities like?

There are no showers or bathing facilities

during the trek (although there may be some

cold streams you can freshen up at) so you

will need to bring a small pack of baby wipes

to use for general hygiene. Toilet facilities at

camp consist of a dug hole with a privacy

tent. Toilet paper is not provided. During the

trek day you will need to pack up any toilet

paper you use to dispose of properly at

camp. NEVER leave toilet paper or other litter

on the trail. In Hanoi and Sapa you must

remember not to flush toilet paper down the

toilet as the sewer pipes are not large

enough to cope with toilet paper and if you

attempt to flush it, you are likely to block the

pipes and make the facilities unusable for

everyone else.

What is the food like?

The food is delicious traditional Vietnamese

with some Western dishes too. The food is

freshly prepared and delicious. Vietnamese

food isn’t spicy but if you like your food with a

kick, chilli or chilli sauce is often available if

you ask! Typical dishes include:

Breakfast: Pancakes, fruit, coffee, bread,

eggs, omelette, fruit fritters.

Lunch: Noodles with vegetables and/or egg,

filled sandwich rolls, fruit.

Dinner: Rice, fried chicken, meat stir fry, chips,

spring rolls, omelette, eggs, fish, vegetable

dishes, fresh fruit, noodles.

How fit do I need to be?

It is advised that you are of a good fitness

level before departure to ensure fast

recovery from each day’s exertions. An ideal

candidate for the trek would be someone

who enjoys being out of their comfort zone

and trying something new. If you do not

already regularly exercise it is advised that

you start training (including plenty of hills!)

before departure to ensure your best chance

of enjoyment on the trip. This could include

speed walking, hill walking, swimming,

running, cycling, gym workouts, team sports,

boot camps, yoga etc.

You can download a number of free apps,

which will help you train and track your

progress. E.g. iMapMyRide (for cyclists), C25K

(couch to 5k run) (jogging/running),

MyFitnessPal (for a variety of sports). It is

possible to complete the trek without training

but it will be difficult and may hinder your

experience, and the experience of your

teammates.

Different Travel’s Online Fitness Training The Different Travel Company has teamed up

with Brightside Personal Training in

Southampton to bring you a fun and unique

way to train for your upcoming challenge

without needing to leave the comfort of your

home or signing up for an expensive gym

membership. Please see details here:

http://brightsidept.kajabi.com/sp/34357

We require a medical form to be completed

by everyone upon registering, and any pre-

existing conditions, medications used and

other medical issues must be noted and (if

relevant) signed by your GP. Any conditions

that develop must be declared and a new

medical form completed and signed.

Itinerary

Day 1 (Sat 30th April): London to Hanoi

Depart London for an indirect overnight flight

to Hanoi (via Singapore or other hub).

Day 2 (Sun 1st May): Hanoi

Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to a central hotel.

You will have the rest of the day at leisure to

settle in and explore independently. This

evening you will gather together for a

welcome dinner at a local restaurant tonight.

Accommodation: Hanoi hotel

Day 3 (Mon 2nd May): Hanoi to Loa Cai

First thing this morning we drive to the Ho Chi

Minh Complex, containing the mausoleum of

the nation’s founder, Ho Chi Minh. This is

followed by a walking tour of Hanoi's vibrant

Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, the focal

point of the city. The Old Quarter with its

bustling streets is home to hundreds of small

thriving businesses. In the afternoon visit the

Temple of Literature, Vietnam's oldest

university, followed by the impressive Museum

of Ethnology dedicated to Vietnam's 54

ethnic minorities several of which can be

seen on the forthcoming trek. This evening we

take the overnight train from Hanoi to Lao

Cai, near the Chinese border.

Accommodation: Overnight 4-berth soft

sleeper train.

Day 4 (Tue 3rd May): Lao Cai - Sapa

Upon arrival in Lao Cai we drive 35km to

Sapa (1600m), where you will check into your

hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure

in this former French hill station. Later, visit the

market and walk up Ham Rong Hill for some

breath-taking panoramic views of Sapa town

and the surrounding valleys.

Accommodation: Sapa hotel

Day 5 (Wed 4th May): Sapa – Camp 1 (2800m)

Today we say farewell to the Hill Tribe trek

team and depart the hotel for the start of our

trek, visiting the beautiful Silver Waterfall

(Tram Ton) and Heaven Gate (the highest

road in Vietnam), along the way. We begin

the gentle ascent through terraced rice

paddies and small villages before stopping

for lunch at a nice spot in the forest. After

lunch the terrain gets steeper as you ascend

and descend through arrowroot plantations

and bamboo forest slopes before arriving at

the campsite at 2800m late this afternoon

where you will rest and enjoy dinner.

Trek: approx. 6 hours.

Accommodation: Camping.

Day 6 (Thu 5th May): Camp 1 – Summit (3143m)

– Camp 2 (2200m)

After breakfast we set out for the full-day

challenging trek to the summit. We will

ascend through steep primary forest

containing giant centuries-old pine trees and

expanses of yellow bamboo before reaching

the top, the highest point in Vietnam at an

altitude of 3143m. Upon reaching the top you

will have time to celebrate and savour the

panorama before descending back to camp

on a steep trail down to 2200m for a well-

deserved rest. Trek: approx. 8 hours

Accommodation: Camping.

Day 7 (Fri 6th May): Camp 2 – Sapa – Lao Cai

After waking up early and enjoying a hearty

breakfast, we trek downhill through a

protected forest forwards Sin Chai where you

will spend some time before returning by

road to Sapa where you will join the other

group for dinner before the overnight return

train journey from Lao Cai to Hanoi.

Trek: approx. 4 hours

Accommodation: Overnight 4-berth soft

sleeper train.

Day 8 (Sat 7th May): Hanoi – Halong Bay

On arrival at Hanoi train station you will head

for breakfast at a local restaurant before

leaving the hustle and bustle of the city

behind and depart for Halong Bay where

you’ll board a traditional wooden junk for a

cruise on the stunning bay of limestone karsts

and jade waters. This afternoon a small boat

will take you to a secluded area of the bay

where you can swim and kayak before

returning to the junk for a hearty seafood

dinner and overnight stay on board.

Accommodation: Traditional junk

Day 9 (Sun 8th May): Halong Bay – Hanoi

Today you disembark the boat and head

back to Hanoi, where you check in for the

flight home.

Day 10 (Mon 9th May): London

Arrive back into London.

N.B. This itinerary is complex and details may change due

to unusual weather patterns, wildlife movements, and the

ability of the group and so on. We will do our best to keep

to the set itinerary however we cannot be held

responsible for changes that might occur outside of our

control. In all such circumstances your guide and tour

leader will have the final say in the interest of the health

and safety of the group.

How much does it cost?

£330 registration fee (payable at the time of

booking) then you must commit to raising a

minimum of £3,600 in sponsorship for Isabel

Hospice.

What is included?

Trip includes: Flights from London (including

current taxes and charges), all local transfers

and transport, all accommodation (3 star

hotels, overnight train, camping in tents on

trek, boat on Halong bay), all meals, trek

permit, expert English-speaking local guides,

UK Tour Manager.

Trip does not include: Personal expenses

(drinks, laundry, trek gear, souvenirs etc.),

travel insurance, Vietnamese visa (cost at

time of writing £54), vaccinations or

medication required, transport to/from UK

airports etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who signs up for a challenge like this?

People just like you! Anyone over 18 years old is welcome on the challenge (and 16 and 17 year

olds if accompanied by an 18+ parent or guardian). There is no upper age limit and we welcome

everyone from experienced trekkers to novices and everyone in between!

How will I raise the sponsorship required?

Most people find that this is far easier than they imagined, and we will give you as much support

as you need to reach, and even exceed your target! Here are some suggestions for how you

could raise your sponsorship. We will send you lots more ideas when you sign up!

Non-uniform day at your local school: £300

Supermarket bag-packing morning, twice: £500

Car boot Sale/ eBay auction: £250

Quiz Night: £250

Sponsorship - friends, family, colleagues: £300

Host a party and charge £10 to attend: £400

Ask five friends/ family members to raise £100 each: £500

Dress Down Day at work/ lunch money donation £300

Donate your skills - ironing, babysitting, gardening, DIY: £250

Karaoke Night: £250

Sponsored beard-shave/ leg wax: £200

Bake sale: £100

Total £3,600

Is the trip ATOL protected?

Isabel Hospice is acting as agent for The Different Travel Company, ATOL 6706. The flight-inclusive

trip in this brochure is financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay your registration

fee you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate and ATOL Confirmation Invoice. Please ask for it

and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it.

Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial

protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate.

How do I sign up?

Complete the enclosed booking form and return with your registration fee to:

Jordan Russell, Isabel Hospice, 61 Bridge Road East, Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL7 1JR

Or you can email your completed form jordan.russell@isabelhospice.org.uk. Once your place is

confirmed we will email you a training guide, fundraising pack and much more!