Night 1: Night Train from Hanoi  to Lao Cai

 Transfer from your hotel to Hanoi Railway Station for the night train to Lao Cai. Overnight in AC soft sleeper 4 berth sharing cabin.
Transfer hotel railway station: AC vehicle
Accommodation:   Soft sleeper in AC 4 berth sharing cabin

Day 1: Lao Cai - Sapa - Trek to the first campsite (B, L, D) 

Arrive in Lao Cai around 5.30 am. We will take 1hr bus ride uphill to the beautiful town of Sapa. The ride give you a glimpse of the stunning vistas and impressive rice terraces. Upon arrival in Sapa Town we have breakfast in local restaurant. After breakfast in the hotel we will meet our support crew, who will carry all equipment, foods and all the needed thing we provide for the trip. We will carry our day pack with water, jacket and camera only. Today we will begin the first part of our ascent with a trek through terraced rice paddies and some of the hilltribe villages. Setting out from Sapa we descend into the nearby village of Cat Cat and cross Muong Hoa River. Past the river we start our upward trek to reach an elevation of 1,700m where we will have lunch break.

In the afternoon we will continue trek to the first base camp at an elevation of 2,300 m. The terrain in the afternoon becomes steeper and more difficult as we trek through massive Arrowroot plantations and up steeper slopes surrounded by bamboo. Our camp for the evening will be in a very small clearing on the mountain enclosed by bamboo. Sleep in bamboo hut or tent.

Summary

Trekking:   7 hrs/ascend 2,300m from 1,600m (Sapa)
Accommodation: Camping
Meals:    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Trek to the second campsite (B,L,D) 

 Today we set out for a full day trek to the second base camp. As we continue on we will pass through primary forest containing giant, century old pine trees and expanses of bamboo. Our trek will take us to an altitude of 2,900m from this elevation we have a spectacular view across to the peak of Mt. Fansipan. After lunch we start climb down to an elevation of 2,700m. Our decent will be over large boulders, down a fairly steep slope. Our camp is on the mountain slope facing west, near a mountain stream. Dinner and overnight at the base camp.

Summary
Trekking: 7 hrs/ascend 2,900m/descend to 2,700m
Accommodation: Camping
Meals:    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Trek to the summit and descend to the third campsite (B,L,D)

Today is the summit day, we climb to the roof of Indochina: the peak of Mt. Fansipan. The final climb will takes around three hours though dense bamboo forest . Once at the summit we will spend sometime soaking up the best panorama in Vietnam. We then descend 2,700m for lunch.

In the afternoon we will descend to the third base camp where we spend the last night on mountain.

Summary
Trekking: 7 hrs/ascend 3,143m/descend 2,000m
Accommodation: Camping
Meals:    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Back to Sin Chai village - Sapa. Night train to Hanoi (B,L.D) 

 Today we trek downhill all the way. We will reach Sapa around lunch time. In the afternoon we will then be free to take shower and relax after the climb.

Summary

Trekking: 4 hrs/descend 1,600m (Sapa)
Accommodation: Camping
Meals:    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Night 5: Lao Cai to Hanoi by 4 berth soft sleeper tourist sharing cabin

At 6:00 pm, you will be transfered by car/van to Laocai train station, then take the night train back to Hanoi. End of the trip.

Note: This trip can be optional for 1 more night in Catcat View Hotel ( At $25 for double or twin share) to take part in BacHa Sunday market group tour at $15, or to have 1 free day in Sapa romantic town.