isabel hospice vietnam sapa hill tribe trek challenge info pack
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The Sapa Vietnam trek challenge information for the 2016 adventure.TRANSCRIPT
Sapa Hill Tribe 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 you far off the beaten
track and into the remote and beautiful hills
of Northern Vietnam in the Sapa area. You
will spend two full days and one half-day
trekking through the Hoang Lien mountain
range, within which Vietnam’s highest peak
Mt Fansipan is located. You will pass
cascading waterfalls, lush rice fields and stay
overnight in traditional stilt homes in local
villages, learning about the local culture
along the way. At the end of the challenge
you will return to Hanoi by train before
enjoying an overnight cruise on Halong Bay in
a traditional wooden junk.
This trek is graded moderate to 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 team
of assistant guides 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 is undulating; a mixture of
ascents and descents, on trails through
villages and jungle and occasionally along
short sections of road. There are some steep
sections to contend with but your guides will
support you all the way. The route offers an
interesting variety of scenery as you cross rice
terraces, view stunning mountain scenery
and deep valleys, cross shallow rivers, ascend
into cloudy forests and enter remote villages.
Underfoot the terrain will vary each day but
may be quite stony, on roads, grass, over
large natural limestone slabs, and depending
on the weather, potentially very muddy trails.
You will cover approximately 15-20km per
day which will take around 4-6 hours. The
itinerary is subject to change depending on
the weather and, 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 very 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
in a village, together in one traditional stilt
house. Depending on the village and local
tribe, the main house is usually laid out over
one upstairs level, with a very large
living/sleeping area and a kitchen in an
adjoining room or at the end of the living
area. Underneath the main house, between
the house stilts, is where you will be served
your breakfast and evening meals. Tables,
chairs, plates, mugs and cutlery is all
provided and you may be able to purchase
drinks at the village depending on availability
(payable locally). Specific facilities and
homestay layout may vary.
Where will we sleep?
The area you will sleep in is very large so the
entire group will share one room together.
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 which will otherwise disturb
your sleep. You are provided with a thin
mattress, pillow and blankets but you are
recommended to bring a silk or cotton
sleeping bag liner for additional warmth and
comfort as it can get cool at night. Mosquito
nets are provided for you each night.
What are the bathroom facilities like?
There are running water shower facilities at
each stilt house located across the courtyard
next to the main stilt house. There may not be
much, if any, hot water and the quality of the
facilities will vary from basic (a water pipe
with a tap in a concrete room) to well-
appointed (electric shower with a shower
head and tiled floor). We recommend that
you take quick showers, turning off the water
when lathering up, so warm water can be
shared, and to bring a small pack of baby
wipes to freshen up during the trek day. Flip
flops, slip-on sandals or pumps are advised for
use around the village, particularly for use
back and forth between the shower/toilet
facilities as shoes are not to be worn inside,
and your hiking boots will be muddy from
walking.
What about toilet facilities?
Toilet facilities at each village will vary but
you can expect at least one Asian-style squat
toilets, and possibly an additional Western sit-
down toilet too. Most of the toilets should
have an automatic flush but some may have
a water bucket which you use to flush with.
Toilet paper is not provided so you will need
to bring your own and this must only be put
into the bins provided, never flushed. 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.
During the trek you will need to pack up any
toilet paper you use to dispose of properly at
the village. NEVER leave toilet paper or other
litter on the trail.
What is the food like?
Lunch will be picnic style taken at
picturesque spots along the way. The food
you are provided is delicious traditional
Vietnamese with some Western dishes too.
You will not go hungry during the trek and 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: Fried noodles with vegetables and/or
egg, filled sandwich rolls,
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 – Y Linh Ho
Today we say farewell to the Mt Fansipan trek
team and depart the hotel for around a 30
minute drive to Sin Chai Village (1400m) at
the foot of Mount Fansipan. From here we
start trekking uphill along a small trail with
spectacular views from the top. After a short
break to admire the views we descend to
Cat Cat Village for a lunch stop next to a
waterfall. This interesting village located at
the bottom of the Muong Hoa Valley is home
to a community of Black H’mong people
who are famous for their handicrafts
including gold and silverware. After lunch we
take the winding trail through the mountains
and follow a narrow river to Y Linh Ho Village,
a small commune where the local people
mainly cultivate rice and corn on the
surrounding hillsides. You stay the night in a
traditional Black H’mong house.
Trek: approx. 5 hours.
Accommodation: Traditional home stay.
Day 6 (Thu 5th May): Y Linh Ho – Tavan
Today you continue along the Hoang Lien
Mountain Range enjoying amazing views
over vast rice paddies along the way. After
lunch you descend into the valley and reach
the picturesque village of Tavan (1816m),
home to the Giay minority, where you can
enjoy their hospitality and perhaps a swim in
the nearby river.
Trek: approx. 5 hours
Accommodation: Traditional home stay.
Day 7 (Fri 6th May): Tavan - Sapa
Today it’s a shorter trek but an equally
beautiful landscape as you enter bamboo
forests and pass cascading waterfalls
towards the Red Dao minority village of Giant
Ta Chai. After lunch you’ll return by road to
Sapa and join the other group for the
overnight return train journey to Hanoi.
Trek: approx. 3 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, traditional home stay
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!