isabel hospice vietnam mount fansipan trek
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Details about our next overseas challenge to Vietnam in 2016.TRANSCRIPT
Mount Fansipan 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 to the remote and
beautiful hills of Northern Vietnam in the Sapa
area, and up to the summit of Mount
Fansipan, the highest point in Vietnam. At
3143 metres Mt Fansipan is smaller than many
of Asia’s illustrious and famed mountains but
it is just as worthy a challenge. Endurance is a
must as Fansipan is not a gentle mountain.
The terrain is steep, rugged, wet and often
cold and the slopes are steep and
challenging. No ropes or technical climbing
skills are necessary but the ability to scramble
up and down sections with boulders is helpful.
If you don’t have this skill, a positive attitude,
a good level of fitness and endurance and
lots of energy will get you to the top and
back. On this trip porters ease the burden by
carrying the equipment and food. At the end
of the challenge you will return to Hanoi by
train before relaxing on overnight cruise in
Halong Bay in a traditional wooden junk.
This trek is graded 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
support team 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 starts off gently then becomes
much steeper as you approach the summit.
There are areas with some large boulders to
scramble over, bamboo ladders to climb,
muddy terrain, dense bamboo forests and
shallow rivers to cross. Your guides will support
you all the way. The route offers an interesting
variety of scenery and the views from the
summit and on clearings along the way are
phenomenal. You will ascend and descend
approximately 1550m from Sapa to summit
and back over the course of three days, with
a gradual altitude ascent and rapid descent.
The itinerary is subject to change depending
on the weather conditions, 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 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
at a campsite in tents. You will have your
meals together at camp and plates, mugs
and cutlery is all provided. 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. You
will be provided with a sleeping mattress and
sleeping bag but you are recommended to
bring a silk or cotton sleeping bag liner for
additional warmth and comfort as it can get
cold at night.
What are bathroom and toilet facilities like?
There are no showers or bathing facilities
during the trek (although there may be some
cold streams you can freshen up at) so you
will need to bring a small pack of baby wipes
to use for general hygiene. Toilet facilities at
camp consist of a dug hole with a privacy
tent. Toilet paper is not provided. During the
trek day you will need to pack up any toilet
paper you use to dispose of properly at
camp. NEVER leave toilet paper or other litter
on the trail. In Hanoi and Sapa you must
remember not to flush toilet paper down the
toilet as 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.
What is the food like?
The food is delicious traditional Vietnamese
with some Western dishes too. 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: Noodles with vegetables and/or egg,
filled sandwich rolls, fruit.
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 – Camp 1 (2800m)
Today we say farewell to the Hill Tribe trek
team and depart the hotel for the start of our
trek, visiting the beautiful Silver Waterfall
(Tram Ton) and Heaven Gate (the highest
road in Vietnam), along the way. We begin
the gentle ascent through terraced rice
paddies and small villages before stopping
for lunch at a nice spot in the forest. After
lunch the terrain gets steeper as you ascend
and descend through arrowroot plantations
and bamboo forest slopes before arriving at
the campsite at 2800m late this afternoon
where you will rest and enjoy dinner.
Trek: approx. 6 hours.
Accommodation: Camping.
Day 6 (Thu 5th May): Camp 1 – Summit (3143m)
– Camp 2 (2200m)
After breakfast we set out for the full-day
challenging trek to the summit. We will
ascend through steep primary forest
containing giant centuries-old pine trees and
expanses of yellow bamboo before reaching
the top, the highest point in Vietnam at an
altitude of 3143m. Upon reaching the top you
will have time to celebrate and savour the
panorama before descending back to camp
on a steep trail down to 2200m for a well-
deserved rest. Trek: approx. 8 hours
Accommodation: Camping.
Day 7 (Fri 6th May): Camp 2 – Sapa – Lao Cai
After waking up early and enjoying a hearty
breakfast, we trek downhill through a
protected forest forwards Sin Chai where you
will spend some time before returning by
road to Sapa where you will join the other
group for dinner before the overnight return
train journey from Lao Cai to Hanoi.
Trek: approx. 4 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, camping in tents 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 [email protected]. Once your place is
confirmed we will email you a training guide, fundraising pack and much more!