Sapa Hill Tribe 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 you far off the beaten

track and into the remote and beautiful hills

of Northern Vietnam in the Sapa area. You

will spend two full days and one half-day

trekking through the Hoang Lien mountain

range, within which Vietnam’s highest peak

Mt Fansipan is located. You will pass

cascading waterfalls, lush rice fields and stay

overnight in traditional stilt homes in local

villages, learning about the local culture

along the way. At the end of the challenge

you will return to Hanoi by train before

enjoying an overnight cruise on Halong Bay in

a traditional wooden junk.

This trek is graded moderate to 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 team

of assistant guides 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 is undulating; a mixture of

ascents and descents, on trails through

villages and jungle and occasionally along

short sections of road. There are some steep

sections to contend with but your guides will

support you all the way. The route offers an

interesting variety of scenery as you cross rice

terraces, view stunning mountain scenery

and deep valleys, cross shallow rivers, ascend

into cloudy forests and enter remote villages.

Underfoot the terrain will vary each day but

may be quite stony, on roads, grass, over

large natural limestone slabs, and depending

on the weather, potentially very muddy trails.

You will cover approximately 15-20km per

day which will take around 4-6 hours. The

itinerary is subject to change depending on

the weather and, 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 very 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

in a village, together in one traditional stilt

house. Depending on the village and local

tribe, the main house is usually laid out over

one upstairs level, with a very large

living/sleeping area and a kitchen in an

adjoining room or at the end of the living

area. Underneath the main house, between

the house stilts, is where you will be served

your breakfast and evening meals. Tables,

chairs, plates, mugs and cutlery is all

provided and you may be able to purchase

drinks at the village depending on availability

(payable locally). Specific facilities and

homestay layout may vary.

Where will we sleep?

The area you will sleep in is very large so the

entire group will share one room together.

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 which will otherwise disturb

your sleep. You are provided with a thin

mattress, pillow and blankets but you are

recommended to bring a silk or cotton

sleeping bag liner for additional warmth and

comfort as it can get cool at night. Mosquito

nets are provided for you each night.

What are the bathroom facilities like?

There are running water shower facilities at

each stilt house located across the courtyard

next to the main stilt house. There may not be

much, if any, hot water and the quality of the

facilities will vary from basic (a water pipe

with a tap in a concrete room) to well-

appointed (electric shower with a shower

head and tiled floor). We recommend that

you take quick showers, turning off the water

when lathering up, so warm water can be

shared, and to bring a small pack of baby

wipes to freshen up during the trek day. Flip

flops, slip-on sandals or pumps are advised for

use around the village, particularly for use

back and forth between the shower/toilet

facilities as shoes are not to be worn inside,

and your hiking boots will be muddy from

walking.

What about toilet facilities?

Toilet facilities at each village will vary but

you can expect at least one Asian-style squat

toilets, and possibly an additional Western sit-

down toilet too. Most of the toilets should

have an automatic flush but some may have

a water bucket which you use to flush with.

Toilet paper is not provided so you will need

to bring your own and this must only be put

into the bins provided, never flushed. 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.

During the trek you will need to pack up any

toilet paper you use to dispose of properly at

the village. NEVER leave toilet paper or other

litter on the trail.

What is the food like?

Lunch will be picnic style taken at

picturesque spots along the way. The food

you are provided is delicious traditional

Vietnamese with some Western dishes too.

You will not go hungry during the trek and 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: Fried noodles with vegetables and/or

egg, filled sandwich rolls,

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 – Y Linh Ho

Today we say farewell to the Mt Fansipan trek

team and depart the hotel for around a 30

minute drive to Sin Chai Village (1400m) at

the foot of Mount Fansipan. From here we

start trekking uphill along a small trail with

spectacular views from the top. After a short

break to admire the views we descend to

Cat Cat Village for a lunch stop next to a

waterfall. This interesting village located at

the bottom of the Muong Hoa Valley is home

to a community of Black H’mong people

who are famous for their handicrafts

including gold and silverware. After lunch we

take the winding trail through the mountains

and follow a narrow river to Y Linh Ho Village,

a small commune where the local people

mainly cultivate rice and corn on the

surrounding hillsides. You stay the night in a

traditional Black H’mong house.

Trek: approx. 5 hours.

Accommodation: Traditional home stay.

Day 6 (Thu 5th May): Y Linh Ho – Tavan

Today you continue along the Hoang Lien

Mountain Range enjoying amazing views

over vast rice paddies along the way. After

lunch you descend into the valley and reach

the picturesque village of Tavan (1816m),

home to the Giay minority, where you can

enjoy their hospitality and perhaps a swim in

the nearby river.

Trek: approx. 5 hours

Accommodation: Traditional home stay.

Day 7 (Fri 6th May): Tavan - Sapa

Today it’s a shorter trek but an equally

beautiful landscape as you enter bamboo

forests and pass cascading waterfalls

towards the Red Dao minority village of Giant

Ta Chai. After lunch you’ll return by road to

Sapa and join the other group for the

overnight return train journey to Hanoi.

Trek: approx. 3 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, traditional home stay

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!