Fansipan Mountain Hike

There are three popular routes to conquer Fansipan, with the starting point is Tram Ton pass, Cat Cat ethnic village or Sin Chai; in which Sin Chai route is said to be the most beautiful but the most dangerous also. Almost all tourists choose Tram Ton pass as the starting point of the climb because it is the easiest way. It often takes two or three days to fulfill a conquest of Fansipan.

The most popular journey lasts for three days- two nights. On the first day, a group of tourists are taken to Tram Ton pass from Sapa town by car. From the peak of Tram Ton pass, the group begins climbing till reaching the height of 1,900m. After a long climb, the group stops besides a stream for camping, cooking the dinner and staying overnight here. On the second day, the group keeps climbing till reaching the peak of Fansipan at the altitude of 3,143m. As scheduled, the group has lunch, take photos and rest right on the peak before coming back the camping site for a good night’s sleep. On the last day, tourists climb down the mountain on another path, and are taken back to Sapa town by car.
Photo: Internet

A group of tourists are often led by two tour guides or indigenous people, who are familiar with the mountain. On the second day, while the others in the group continues conquering the Roof of Indochina, one of these two persons will stay at the camping site to prepare the dinner for the whole group.

Though cooking in cold and wet weather on the high mountain is rather difficult but very interesting also. Tourists may pick up some bamboo sprouts in the forest for the dinner. All rubbish must be collected for later treatment (no dumping in the forest).
Photo: dantri.com.vn 

A mountain climb lasting for three days requires participants a good health. Hence, designing an exercise routine and starting training several months before the climb is a must. Climbing shoes, raincoat, medical bag, water, sleeping bag, camp, and some sweet candies (help raising blood sugar level, and enhancing breathing when climbing too high) are indispensable things. A tip to avoid high-altitude sickness chewing hard candy, breathing through a face mask and drink plenty of water.