2-Day Hiking in Sapa Lao Than Mountain (2860m)

Lao Than Mountain is known as “the roof of Y Ty”, located at an altitude of 2,860m, in the territory of Phin Ho commune, Bat Xat district, Lao Cai province. The top of Lao Than mountain is a perfect blend of clouds, mountains and heaven, you will experience the feeling standing in the middle of the sky.

Unlike Fansipan, which requires time and energy, Lao Than is considered a mountain that anyone can set foot on. Let’s try other scenery of a mountain different from another mountain, the roads when you trek on hills like you trekking on the green fields, natural scenery, and especially here is famous for “walking on the clouds, you can conquer this mount and open a cloudy hunting adventure here.

Lao Than Mountain Highlight

• The 11th highest mountain in Vietnam – Altitude: 2862m
• Conquer the majestic mountain ridge, see a variety of vegetation
• Check in for a virtual live swing on mountain and clouds
• Famous ledge to check in with nice photos in the sky.
• Panoramic view to Y Ty, rice fields and mountainous area
• One of the most beautiful cloud/ dawn viewing places in Vietnam

What’s Included

• Local guide, porter with good English speaking, experienced
• Free bottled water will be provided to help keep you hydrated
• Entrance fees are included in the price of the tour
• 2 Lunch, 2 dinner, 2 breakfast & Fruit throughout the journey
• Raincoat, boots if needed, motorbike lift you to trekking point
• Herbal bath after hiking

What’s Excluded

• Tips, personal expenses
• Motorbike to lift as optional
• Other drinks on the way

Departure & Return

• Limousine: Pick you up at your hotel in the Old Quarter of Hanoi to Sapa, after that it takes about 5 hours from Hanoi to Sapa.
• Single Cabin bus: pick you up at the bus office in Hanoi Old Quarter, time for this journey from 6 – 7 hours to Sapa.
• Night train: you need to move to Hanoi train Station by yourselves to get the night train to Lao Cai train station, then move to Sapa.

Departure Point: the operator place
Departure Time: 10:00 PM

What To Expect (Itinerary)

DAY 0: Hanoi – Sapa

22h00: Choose departure time from Hanoi to Sapa by bus or train (22h00). The journey takes around 5-6 hours, you will start moving through the night to Sapa and a trekking tour – Bach Moc Luong Tu mountain will be officially carried out.

• You can pick up the car at the airport, so book a flight to Noi Bai earlier than 22:30.
• Buses depart daily, you can go to Sapa before or stay in Sapa after finishing trekking.

DAY 1: Sapa – Muong Hum – Y Ty – Lao Than trekking point

05h00: Arrive at the foggy city of Sapa. Your local tour guide will take you to the breakfast place to clean up, re-energize, and return unnecessary items here. You can try a cup of coffee or tea at an eco house in the town.

7h30: The car will take you to the trekking site in Y Ty, which is about 80 km from Sapa town (equivalent to 3 hours by car).
On the way to Y Ty, you can stop at Muong Hum market then see the traditional market here. If you would like to buy some foods or fruits, you can find them there.

10h30: Arriving at the starting point of climbing at Y Ty vegetable farm.
You have time to share your luggages with porters and take a short rest after being in the car.

11h30: Have lunch at the stop point to get more energy for trekking in the afternoon.

12h00: We need to go by motorbike to the foot of Lao Than mountain to start hiking.

12h30: You start climbing.

At the foot of the mountain are mainly low grass hills, the terrain is not too complicated, near the top of the mountain there will be thorns and bushes. In addition, there will be stops to rest and explore along the way.

Along the hiking road, you will see many places to check in such as the rock or the old tree. On cloudy days, it is easy to hunt a sea of clouds floating, or zoom out your eyes to see the valley, row upon row of mountain. That’s a poetic picture.

16h00: Arrive at the campsite, at 2500 m, rest after the journey of the first day.

A few people’s shacks were erected here, this shack is estimated to be able to accommodate up to approx 40 people at the same time. In the shack, there are full blankets and pillows, so it’s quite warm in the winter. If you go in another season, you can bring only many towels or thin clothes to wrap your neck and cover your head as sometimes cold winds come in at night.

Get a place to rest and you have time to enjoy the majestic beauty of the mountains and forests on the border.

17:30: Have dinner with delicious highland dishes, your guide will cook the dinner and if you are interested, you can cook together.

You also have the opportunity to watch the night sky of the magical mountains and forests with millions of stars twinkling very close, like the milky way. Sitting together and talking to each other about stories along the way.

Overnight in a wooden shack, covered with blankets and insulated mats to keep warm. Have a good sleep in the middle of majestic nature, prepare good spirit and health for the next day.

DAY 2: Shack – Lao Than Peak – Sapa – Hanoi

05h30: Wake up early to catch the sunrise at the shack before going down the mountain. This magical shimmering scene in the morning will definitely stay in your memory.

06h30: Reaching the top of Lao Than, you conquer this peak, enjoy the victory feeling, watch the sunrise on the top and clouds, take pictures to check in and enjoy the scenery on the top of the mountain.

You will see each layer of closed clouds, densely planted on top of each other, covering the whole mountain. And when the sun rises, each ray of sunlight gradually penetrates the dense clouds. Shining down on each dew-drenched leaf. All blend together to create a picture of dawn on the mountains of the Northwest. Beautiful, wild beauty, majestic but also poetic and magical. It seems that this has dispelled all the fatigue when climbing from the shack to the top with high slopes.

08h30: Return to the campsite to collect personal belongings, come back to the original starting point.

12h00: Have lunch at the starting point

13h00: The car will pick you up to return to Sapa.

16h00: You will arrive in Sapa. You get your backpack and go to soak in the Red Dao’s herbal bath.

Bathing in tobacco leaves is one of the most attractive experiences in the trekking tour – climbing Bach Moc Luong Tu mountain. With this activity, you will be able to relax your muscles and body to the best state after days of trekking and climbing.

18h00: You will have dinner at the restaurant to enjoy the specialties of Sapa.

After dinner, you can wander around the Sapa town center, see some traditional performances, the town in the light – another picture with hiking mountains.

22h00: End of tour, you get in the cabin bus from Sapa back to Hanoi. Around 04:00 the next morning, you will be at the original pick up location.

Additional Info

• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Near public transportation
• No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
• Travelers should have a strong physical fitness level
• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

What to prepare when conquering Lao Than?

• Backpacks for clothes used for 2 days and 1 night moving in the mountains, fasten these 2 straps, the backpack will stick to the body, not shake or move during climbing.
• Long pants, quick-drying type, good elasticity when exercising
• Quick-drying, absorbent t-shirts, windbreaker type 2, warm coat-suitable for wearing at night, 1 thermal jacket to wear at cold night if needed.
• 1 pair of shoes specializing in climbing, with good grip because the road has many dangerous and slippery cliffs.
• 1 pair of boots or drainage shoes, in case it rains and gets wet, when crossing the stream or trekking sandals.
• Gloves: 1 pair of specialized, thin, good adhesion for climbing and 1 thick, warm pair to wear at night, and socks: 3-4 pairs, thick, high neck socks are recommended
• Sun hats and gloves, towels
• Flashlight + backup battery
• Personal items: facial cleanser, sunscreen, moisturizer, lip balm, insect sting cream, dry shampoo.