EVENTS

Summit for Seafarers – Fansipan Challenge

27 – 30  November 2026

We will take you to the roof of Indochina.

Be part of this bucket list maritime event, for maritime people, raising money for a maritime cause.

Enjoy a unique weekend full of physical challenge and adventure, while you connect and build a network with fellow maritime professionals.

And do all this while raising vital funds to help us support seafarers and their families 24/7.

Join Sailors’ Society this autumn for a long weekend trekking to the summit of Vietnam’s highest peak, Mount Fansipan – an impressive 3,147m above sea level.  

Fully supported by a qualified trek leader and surrounded by your maritime peers, you’ll be inspired to reach new heights and will come back with memories to last a lifetime.

All participants will be challenged to raise GBP £1,700 (c.USD $2,300) to support the work of Sailors’ Society.  A GBP £299 (c. USD $399) registration fee applies. Taking on this challenge will make a very real difference to the lives of seafarers.

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The challenge includes:

All transfers from Hanoi – easy connections to and from Singapore, Hong Kong and Manila 
3 nights’ accommodation
The guidance of a trek leader and 24/7 on-call emergency support
All meals on the trek, including a celebratory dinner
Energy-boosting snacks on the trek
On-the-ground support including a qualified local guide
A medal so you can show off to colleagues when back in the office!

Challenge Itinerary:

We’ll meet our trek leader and fellow maritime adventurers at Hanoi airport on Friday afternoon before travelling together to the beautiful village of Sapa, nestled in the heart of Vietnam’s highest mountains.  We’ll have dinner and will be briefed about the challenge that awaits us over the next two days.

On Saturday, we transfer to the trailhead, with a quick stop at Silver Waterfall on the way.  We’ll trek for a few hours with short breaks, loosening our legs and getting used to the trail.  After lunch, the trek gets tougher as we head up through the steep bamboo forest for four hours. Our campsite will be a welcome sight later this afternoon – we’ll have some time to relax and explore the wild surroundings as our support team set up camp and prepare a nourishing meal.  

Sunday begins with breakfast to fuel us for the trek to the summit.  The trail gets narrower and more undulating before a final haul to the peak.  Here, 3,147m above sea level and with nothing higher in sight, our efforts are rewarded with epic views of a sea of mountains rolling towards the horizon, and China beyond.  A short descent brings us back to the campsite, lunch, and a very welcome rest.  We then trek back to the trailhead and head onwards to Sapa before returning back to Hanoi airport after breakfast on Monday morning.

A weekend full of achievement, adventure and connection to an expanded network of maritime contacts with whom you’ve shared this unique adventure – all while supporting a global maritime charity.

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact [email protected]

FAQs

How fit do I need to be?

Our expert partner has graded this trek as Tough (2 out of 3), meaning it is designed to be challenging, but is also achievable for most people- provided you are reasonably fit. Remember, you will be trekking to the summit of the highest mountain in Indochina, so the better prepared you are, the more you’ll enjoy the challenge. Training tips will be sent to you after you register. If you have any doubts or questions about your suitability to take part in this challenge, please contact us.

What kit will I need?

A kit list will be supplied of what to bring once you register to take part. Apart from some broken-in hiking boots and perhaps some trekking poles, you won’t need any specialist equipment. You might find that you already have the clothing you’ll need and won’t need to go shopping before the trek.

What will the weather be like?

November is an optimal time for trekking on Fansipan. The weather should be relatively stable with sunny days and cool nights. It is usually dry and clear with much sunshine- however, you should be prepared for possible rain and cold temperatures. Snow is unlikely- but if we’re lucky we may see some!

Where will I sleep?

Before the trek, we’ll spend a night in the Sapa area- accommodation will be in a hotel, on a twin-share basis. While trekking, we will be camping and will benefit from a team of porters, cooks and campsite crew who will transport the camping equipment provided.

How do I get to the start?

Our meeting point is at Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport- we’ll meet at midday on November 27. Hanoi is very well connected- if arriving from Singapore, Hong Kong or Manila, you could arrive on an evening flight on Thursday 26 and use this free time to explore the city ahead of meeting on Friday 27

How many days off work do I need?

This trekking itinerary has been designed to minimise time off work. We meet on Friday, and finish on Monday. Depending on your work schedule and your travel arrangements, this could mean using only two days of your annual leave allowance. This is a fantastic trek for anyone who wants to make the most of limited time and achieve something incredible!

How much do I have to raise?

The fundraising target is GBP £1,700 (approx. USD $2,300) which must be raised in full by December 30 2026. Sailors’ Society is a global maritime welfare charity, supporting seafarers 24/7, 365 days a year. Your hard work and effort will help us to continue providing a vital lifeline to seafarers and their families around the world. Please explore our website to find out more about how we help.

SIGN UP HERE +

Summit for Seafarers form

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If you have any questions or would like to find out more about the challenge, please ask us below and we’ll get back to you soon.

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