Trekking Fansipan Mount

Preparing for conquering the Fansipan Mount

Fansipan is the highest mountain peak in Vietnam as well as in Indochina (including Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia). Situated in the Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range, Lao Cai province, about 9 km southwest of Sa Pa Township, Fansipan is called “The roof of Indochina” with the the height of 3,143 meters. Fansipan is more and more attractive to tourists who like jungle trek and active adventure travel. The fascinating beauty of azalea flowers forest, bamboo forest, pine-trees forest and the gigantic landscape here make the tourists feel like they are lost in legendary world.

However, it is not easy to conquer the Fansipan Peak. The Fansipan trekking tours are not designed for everyone. Trekkers are required to have a good health. Here are some tips and advices for you if you really want to trek to this peak:

NOTE: People who have had a history of hypertension, heart disease, blood vessel catastrophe should not take part in the tour.

What to prepare for trekking to Fanxipan Mount?

1. In the past, it often took 5 to 6 days to reach Fansipan peak. But now, it normally takes 2 to 4 days, even 1 day if you have a good health to conquer the Fansipan Mount.

2. The summit of Fansipan is 19km from Sapa and only can be reached on foot. The terrain is rough and adverse weather is frequent. You will go through different valleys, lush jungle, rivers and a beautiful hill tribe village at the bottom. No ropes, no technical climbing skills are required but endurance of climbers.

3. Before taking a trip to conquer Fansipan, you should take pre training for 1 or 2 months, such as jogging, running or climbing with a 5kg backpack for at least a half of hour per day.

4. Bring along the neat and convenient clothes suitable for climbing the mountain:

- One backpack of less than 4.5 kilogram weight

- One pair of hiking shoes with light friction (soldier cloth shoes…)

- 2 or 3 socks

- Light and neat gloves

- A thin coat but can keep the body warm and not hygroscopic

- One cat-ear style cap

- One lightweight raincoat

- One small flashlight

- Some personal medications that you often use for your illness if any, besides you should prepare flu medicines, intestine medicines…

- One Salonpas tube to avoid cramps

- One small camera contained in a safe bag

- A mobile phone - a kind of cheap and small one to avoid falling and being broken (the cellular wave is available all over the roads, especially Viettel)

- Snacks that you often use (such as chewing gum, cigarettes… but must be extremely arranged well to save the space)

- A sleeping bag, waterproof tent

5. Hiring a trained guide is vital. You also can have a porter to carry your gear. Be always on time and follow the instruction of tour guide

Trekking Fansipan Mount - When to go?

You can trek Fansipan at anytime of the year, though the best time for making the ascent is from mid October to mid December as well as in March, when wild flowers are in bloom.

www.indochinacharmtravel.com