The Complete Fansipan Trekking Handbook: Guide or No Guide?

Fansipan trekking – trekking in a new country is no stranger to adventure seekers and outdoor lovers. 

If you end up on this post, you are likely asking if the Fansipan trek you’re keen to summit requires a guide. And, you are definitely in the right place as I’ll share all the information you need for the Fansipan trek. 

Clear, blue skies at the top of Fansipan

DISCLOSURE
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Fansipan trek: Who is the Fansipan trek for? 

Mount Fansipan stands tall at 3,143 m (10,312 ft) above sea level and is the highest peak in Indochina (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam). 

Mount Fansipan is no stranger to visitors visiting Sapa, Vietnam and arriving at the “roof of Indochina” is definitely on their Sapa, Vietnam itinerary. 

For adventurers and outdoor lovers, the preference may be to conquer the Fansipan trek. Before you decide and plan to conquer the Fansipan trek, ensure you are physically fit!

As avid hikers, here are some stats for the Fansipan trek via the Tram Tom Pass:

• Elevation gain: 1,243 m (4,079 ft) above sea level
• Starting elevation: 1,900 m (6,233 ft) above sea level
• Total Fansipan trek distance (one way): 11.2 km (6.9 miles)
• Estimated Fansipan trekking duration (one way): 5 hours

The Fansipan trek is not for everyone. I recommend going for it if you have adequate and consistent physical training.

Some steps at part of the Fansipan trek

Fansipan trek: Trekking with or without a guide

Having experienced the Fansipan trek, I advise against saving your bucks and going without a guide, as it disregards your safety. This is evident based on numerous incidents when hikers died or went missing when conquering the Fansipan trek. 

There are a handful of articles online which share a hiker’s experience of trekking without a guide. Perhaps, while you are reading it, you’re up for the adventure. However, low-key, you may regret it during your Fansipan trek. 

Thus, I’d strongly advise you to go with a guide. Here are 2 key reasons why:  

With a local guide, he/she is familiar with the ins and outs of the various Fansipan treks. This is because some parts of the treks will require advanced trekking equipment for you to ascend and descend. Had you gone without much knowledge of the trekking route, you are bound to end up stuck as you can neither ascend nor descend. 

Throughout the Tram Ton pass, there are multiple sections where the local guides have built ladders. This aided us significantly in ascending. Had the ladders not been there, it is highly unlikely for my friends and I to continue our trek.

Built-in ladders by local guides to aid in the ascend and descent to reduce the need for technical climbing skills

Although you are trekking the Fansipan trek with your friends, there are instances when having a local accustomed to the trekking intensity helps tremendously. This is because they are well-trained as they ascend and descend the trekking route frequently, and it is just another typical walk for them. 

Speaking from experience, during the trek, my guide has seen me looking very wrecked. Hence, he helped to carry my backpack, which mostly consisted of bottled water. This reduced the load on my shoulders significantly, enabling me to catch up and move slightly quicker with the small group of us. 

Crossing a river stream at the start of the Fansipan trek. A helping hand may be handy if you need some balance

Fansipan trek: Planning Options for the Fansipan Trek

With the significant research done and through many conversations with the local Hmong villagers during my 5-days in Sapa, Vietnam, there are three different Fansipan trekking routes. The three trekking routes are: 

1. From Tram Ton Pass
This route is the most common route taken to reach the top of Fansipan. The path is clear. Based on the local guides, this route is the easiest compared to the other 2 Fansipan treks.

2. From Sin Chai Village
This route is the hardest hike and should only be attempted by very experienced mountaineers. Even so, guides have shared that even the seasoned mountaineers struggle throughout this Fansipan trek. Based on the experience shared, this trek will take more than 2 days for trekkers to complete.

3. From Cat Cat Village
This route is tough, however the most charming and rewarding Fansipan trek. Similar to trekking from Sin Chai Village, this trek will take more than 2 days to complete.

Here, I’ll share the available options for the Fasipan trek via Tram Ton pass. The starting point for the Tram Ton pass is at Tram Ton Ranger Gate, which is 14 km (8.7 miles) from the Stone Church in Sapa town.

Taking a quick break halfway through the Fansipan trek

Going for this 1-day option for the Fansipan trek is no easy feat. You will be trekking up and down Mount Fansipan between sunrise and sunset. 

The trekking journey will begin at 6:00 AM from the Tram Ton Ranger gate. The total trekking journey will take approximately 11 – 12 hours, depending on your fitness level. 

With that said, this will reduce the amount of time you can spend to enjoy the view from the peak as you will want to arrive back at the Ranger Gate before sunset. 

Tours for this 1-day hike will typically include transport to and from Tram Ton Ranger gate, lunch, bottled water and an entrance fee to Mount Fansipan. 

En route to the top of Fansipan, though there was some descend along the Fansipan trek

This is an alternative option to Option 1, whereby you will take the cable car on the descent. The starting point and the Fansipan trekking route will be the same on the ascend. 

By opting for this Fansipan trekking option, you will be able to spend more time at the summit, taking in the views and enjoying the cool breeze at the top. 

This option will give you greater flexibility as you will also have the opportunity to enjoy the sunset view on the cable car descent. The cable car ride will take approximately 15 minutes. 

For this option, you will have to purchase the ticket at the ticket counter when you are ready to take the cable car down. So, remember to bring cash! Most 1-day tour packages will exclude this ticket cost as some avid hikers would opt to hike down to Tram Ton Ranger Gate. 

My friends and I opted for this option as we wanted to spend more time taking in the fantastic view at the top of the Fansipan trek. We were also completely knackered after the ascend. 

Cable car ride towards Sapa town at sunset

Go for this option if you are keen to catch the sunrise at the top of Fansipan and spend more time at the summit! You will start your Fansipan trek at ~9:00 AM on Day 1 and spend a night at one of the camping sites along the Fansipan trek, near the peak. 

On Day 2, you will rise and shine early and continue your hike to Mount Fansipan. After witnessing the sunrise and taking in the great view at the top without anyone, except your tour guide and friends, you will begin your descent via the same Fansipan trek. 

This tour package will cost you slightly more, however, it is worth the price for the experience you gain! It will include return transport to Tram Ton Ranger Gate, 2 lunches, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast, bottled water, entrance fee to Mount Fansipan, and accommodation for the night at the campsite (including sleeping bag and hot shower).

I was not able to go for this option as I was due to leave Sapa, Vietnam after spending 5 days!

Camping ground at 2,200m (7,217ft) elevation

This is the easiest option of the Fansipan trek. Purchase your return tickets and hope onto one of the cable cars for a 15-minute ride to the peak. 

Cable car tickets can be purchased through the official Sunworld Fansipan website. This cable car project took 3 years and was completed in 2016. It stretches over 7 km (4.3 miles), overcoming an altitude of more than 1,600 m (5,250 ft).

Fansipan trek: Tips to get the best guide for your Fansipan Trek

As I strolled around in Sapa town and Ta Van, I spoke to numerous villagers who were happily offering different Fansipan packages, whereby the price range varied significantly. My host at the homestay I was at had also provided a contact, however, the package offered was slightly out of my budget. 

Given that the criteria for being a guide for the Fansipan trek is to have a valid tour guide license, my friends and I decided to go to the Tram Ton Ranger Gate a day before to request for a tour guide. By doing so, we felt a bit more confident that: 

1. We are not paying much more than needed to the local authority
2. We are getting a guide who has a tour guide license
3. Our personal information (ie. passport details) is not shared publicly

At the ranger gate, we provided our passport information and paid 1mil VND (USD 40). The local authorities had also informed us that at the end of the successful trek, a certificate of completion and a medal is provided for keepsake. 

Alternatively, if making two trips to the Tram Ton Ranger Gate is not convenient, opt for a Fansipan trek tour package through one of the tour agents at Sapa town. When inquiring, ensure that the tour includes the list highlighted in the Planning options above, and includes a certificate of completion and medal. 

Both this certificate and medal are provided by the local authority. With that said, if there is a registered tour guide, these can easily be provided to you!

Awarded a medal for completing the Fansipan trek

Fansipan trek: My Fansipan Trek Experience & Must-haves 

Conquering the Fansipan trek is one of the key highlights of my time in Vietnam. I’ll share with you the best lessons on the Fansipan treks and the must-haves before you start your Fansipan trek. 

I conquered the Fansipan trek with 2 newly made friends in Sapa, Vietnam and our tour guide. Spending the past 4 days with them, we did multiple treks together. This served as an opportunity for me to ensure that my physical fitness was comparable to theirs. 

We vibed along well and that made my Fansipan trekking experience memorable.

Mia (right) and I at the top of Fansipan after a 5 hour trek. I met Mia in Ha Giang and we both decided to attempt the Fansipan trek

The weather in Fansipan and Sapa, Vietnam varied significantly throughout my 5-days in Sapa, Vietnam. 

There was heavy fog and rain on the first day I arrived, whereby the fog was so thick that the taxi drivers couldn’t see further than 5 meters (16 feet) ahead. On my 5th day in Sapa, the fog and mist cleared up and we were blessed with clear, blue skies. 

As I ascended, I started sweating. It was getting warmer, not because of the increasing sun intensity, but due to the hike. Thus, I started to remove my fleece layer during the hike and put it back on at the summit as the wind was incredibly strong!

With that said, ensure that you layer up and bring a fleece jacket and windbreaker with you for the trek. Have a raincoat handy as well, in case it starts to rain! The weather may change quickly in the mountainous area.

As you are ascending quite a large elevation, ensure that you have some basic first aid. The elevation may not be high enough that you will experience AMS (altitude mountain sickness). But, better be safe than sorry. 

Apart from the usual, consider having a few sachets of rehydration salt to prevent cramps during your trek.

Somewhere along the Fansipan trek. We had not many hikers and enjoyed the rather peaceful hike.

The weather may be chilly, but bring enough water to keep you hydrated. Bring a handful of snacks and sweets, in the event you get hungry after lunch/dinner.

Fansipan trek: Was it worth it?

An easy, short answer: YES! 

I enjoyed every part and view of the trail. While it was not as easy to get the information and a guide for the trail, my friends and I persevered to ensure we had a memorable, safe Fansipan trekking experience. 

If you’ve been on the Fansipan trek, do share your thoughts in the comments below! Or, let’s connect on Instagram and chat!

At the peak of Fansipan trek, where we joined the rest of the tourists to get some photos