After hearing so much about Sapa and the mountains I decided I cannot skip it, especially since the highest mountain in Indochina ist there so I wanted to hike Fansipan with its 3.134m.

Given the fact, that Sapa is already very touristy and I heard from other travellers that Ta Van, 10km east from Sapa was still more authentic I decided to go there and stay in a nice homestay. Ended up at Miku Chill House Homestay – Sapa the Best with a very nice family and great home cooked dinner. So friendly people with 2 little kids all the time running around as well some puppies…

However Sapa is getting very touristy, many hotels are currently built as well with the cable car up the Fansipan the old charm has gone – I can only imagine how the place was 2-5 years ago. With the cable car the peak became so commercial, that it is nothing like before – which is a big shame but I guess that happens when all the big investors coming and trying to make more money.

After some research Johannes and I decided that we want to do the hike, but not in two days with a stay in a base camp but going up and down the same day! Good decision, going up took us around 4,5 hours and same to come down. And you don’t need a guide to hike it up – get MapsMe and a scooter and make your way up to the Love Waterfall start point and then you can conquer the peak on your own and safe the 50 USD p.p. for the hike. Why? The path is pretty well “maintained” – they building the way up there with proper stones. Which also takes away a bit of the trekking fun…

The hike is not easy but if you are in a decent shape you can manage it the same day. In total its only 20km for the whole tour but it adds up to 2.000m ascent and descent as well. So absolutely doable.