The Mount Fansipan is positioned in Lao Cai province, about 9km southwest of Sapa town. It belongs to the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. Situated in the northwest of Vietnam and sharing the border of two provinces: Lao Cai and Lai Chau province.
Fansipan mountain trekking can be seen as the best tour in Sapa. It brings to the travelers a type of Vietnamese adventure that should not be missed. It gives a chance to explore your ability and fire your pride when conquering the highest peak - Fansipan.
Sapa is known as a peaceful and quiet city. People usually come here to get away from the busy and stresses in city life. However, not everyone comes here to rest. Sapa can also be a place for challenge and adventure. The best tour in Sapa is actually conquering the tallest mountain in Vietnam - Fansipan.
An overview of Fansipan Mountain
Sapa is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the North. It is about 360 km away from Hanoi, in the Lao Cai province. People also call it with the unique name is "the land of fog". Mother Nature gives Sapa wonderful things. The town is surrounded by many beautiful scenics combined with the cool climate. All this draws up a fanciful picture where everyone wishes to get here once.
One of the highlights of Sa Pa is Fansipan mountain. Named “the roof of Indochina”, Fansipan is the highest mountain in the Indochinese Peninsula at 3,143 meters. It is located 9 km southwest of Sa Pa Township in the Hoang Lien Son mountain range.
The flora in Fansipan is so numerous with 1,680 species of crops. Some through which are uncommon and in a position to be discovered solely right here. Therefore, the mountain is an interesting pure attraction for any visitor, particularly those who're curious about botanical.
Sorts of crops fluctuate relying on altitude: the foot of the mountain is home of jackfruit tree, cotton tree (bombax ceiba), Pterocarya; whereas the realm decrease than 700 m are coated by huge rainforest with tangled vines; from 700 m to greater than 2000 m is the land of gymnosperms (seed-bearing crops) like fokienia, pine tree; and from 2,800 m to the height is dwelling to quick phyllostachy (25-30cm excessive), and a few species of the genus rose, chrysanthemums and so forth. In addition, climbers can see lovely orchids, drodohendrons, and wildflowers alongside the best way to the height, particularly in spring.
There is a variety of waterfalls mendacity across the foot of the Mount Fansipan like Cat Cat village, Thac Bac (Silver Waterfall), Thac Lanh (Cold Waterfall), Thac Ham Rong (Dragon Jaw Waterfall) or on the best way to beat the height like Thac Tinh Yeu (Love Waterfall). These waterfalls are ultimate resting locations for climbers after a protracted journey in addition to good locations for picture taking.
September to the subsequent March is a sweet time for mountaineering right here. Nevertheless, it will be nice if one could make the conquest on the finish of February when flowers on the mountain blossom.
From Hanoi, visitors ought to catch an in a single day prepare Hanoi - Sapa (333 km) which arrives in Lao Cai province within the early subsequent morning. After that, visitors go to Sapa from Lao Cai (38 km) by motorbike or public bus. At Sapa town, as deliberate, visitors go to Tram Ton, Cat Cat or Sin Chai to start the conquest of Fansipan.
What is the ideal time to visit Fansipan mountain?
If have a plan to enjoy a Sapa tour, the best times are in the spring and fall. With the location at an average altitude of 1500 m - 1800 m, it causes the temperature is from 15-18⁰C. This fresh and comfortable temperature is perfect for tourist activities. This time is also when the peasants are going to harvest the rice in the fields. It will draw a marvelous painting that you never ever imagined.
The rainy season starts from May to August. It tends to be rainy and muddy in early of summer while winter temperatures can freeze you. The weather really does make a different view because on rainy days the spectacular scenery will be covered by clouds and rain. However, these things also make incredible photographs for Sapa.
How to go to Fansipan mountain from Hanoi?
Sapa is a popular destination for almost every Vietnam travel packages. So transportation is really convenient, especially from Hanoi. There are many options for you:
By car: Before it takes 8 to 9 hours to go from Ha Noi to Sa Pa. But now with the Ha Noi - Lao Cai freeway, the time is cut short to 4-5 hour. There are many transportation service providers at the Mỹ Đình, Lương Yên or Gia Lâm station. All of them offer a straight trip to Sapa. The price range from 230.000 VND to 280.000VND per person
By motorbike: This transportation means is for adventure lovers. You can be flexible with your time travel and the road direction.
You can take the shortest way of Hà Nội – Vĩnh Phúc – Việt Trì – Phong Châu – Đoan Hùng – Yên Bái – Lào Cai – Sapa (total distance of about 360 km), or if you want to sightseeing, then take the longer road of Hà Nội – Hòa Lạc – Sơn Tây – Trung Hà bridge - Thanh Sơn – Khế pass - Tú Lệ - Mù Căng Chải – Than Uyên – Bình Lư – Ô Quý Hồ pass - Thác Bạc – Sapa
By cable car: Take taxi or motorbike from Sapa to cable car station: (17km)
Only 45 minutes each way - very easy to view the valley from the cable car
By footpath: Visitor needs at-least 2 days. but normally will need 3 days/2night
Duration 3 days/2 nights: Hard trek
Day 1: Start from Tram Ton pass: 1600 m high above sea level - trek to 2200 m. Spend a night at the camp here
Day 2: Trek from 2200 m to the peak 3143 m then back to 1800 m spend a night here
Day 3: Go down from 1800 m
Explore Fansipan Mountain
If possible, let’s move your legs and trek to the peak of Fansipan. Fansipan Mountain has become the most challenging place for domestic and international trekkers. Once you reach the Fansipan Peak - "Indochinese roof", you can stand in the middle of the sky to feel the wide and beautiful nature. Conquering the roof of Indochina will bring a journey with countless interesting and precious experiences in life.
The higher you go the colder weather and the thinner the air will be. This makes many people want to give up. During the trek, you are required to be brave, calm to cope with muddy roads, unexpected rain, and dangers occurring on your way. This is the reason conquering Fansipan Peak is the best tour in Sapa. You can take the experience to overcome yourself, discover your ability that you may not have known about before. When reaching the peak, you will feel proud to have challenged and overcome your limits.
Even if you don’t the top of the Fansipan, just stand on high and spread your eyes. The trails wind around the hills like the silk strips. And rays of sunshine glow through the sky. You can contemplate the incredible scene as a picture painted by Mother Nature.