Tucked away in the rugged embrace of Vietnam’s Northwest highlands lies Pu ta leng, a mountain peak that claims the title of the third-highest in the country. Soaring to an impressive 3,049 meters, Putaleng’s majesty extends beyond its height. Here, trekkers are rewarded with not only a challenging ascent but also with a breathtaking display of nature’s beauty.
Geography Location of Pu Ta Leng
Pu Ta Leng is a mountain located in the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, in the northwest of Vietnam. It is the third highest mountain in Vietnam, after Fansipan and Pu Si Lung, with a height of 3,049 meters (10,003 feet). The mountain is located in Tam Duong district, Lai Chau province, and is part of the Hoang Lien National Park.
The name Pu Ta Leng comes from the H’Mong language, and means “big mountain”. The mountain is considered to be sacred by the H’Mong people, and is home to a number of important religious sites.
Best time to trek to Pu Ta Leng
From the end of April to May each year is considered to be the driest days. And coincidentally, this is also the time when rhododendrons are starting to bloom, covering Pu Ta Leng.
The Northwest region at the time of rhododendron blooming is like wearing a brilliant shirt, with all kinds of pink, purple, red… colors that are mesmerizing. The flowers cover the rocks, stretching along the steps you take. The journey to conquer Pu Ta Leng peak is already beautiful, now it is even more poetic. How many people have been amazed and ecstatic.
Around November to December is the right time for you to go cloud hunting. You will feel like you are lost in paradise, when you experience walking in the misty fog. Because this is winter, it will be quite cold. Don’t forget to bring along warm clothes to keep your body warm!
However, you should avoid coming here from June to August. Because this is the time when the weather starts to turn rainy. At this time, the slopes will become more slippery and dangerous. Heavy rain also causes streams to flood and make it difficult to cross. This will somewhat affect your Pu Ta Leng exploration journey!
How to go to Pu Ta Leng
The cloud-hunting journey in Pu Ta Leng starts in Hanoi. Several tours take care of your trekking from Hanoi as well. Below, is a detailed guide to help you visualize the journey starting from Hanoi
Hanoi – Lai Chau section
We will move to Lai Chau by BUS (about 5 and a half to 6 hours). The reason for choosing to take a bus is because the first road from Hanoi to Lai Chau is very far, if you travel by motorbike for too long, it will make you tired, so save your energy for trekking and hunting clouds.
Tam Duong District – the location of Putaleng Mountain, is only about 5-7km from Lai Chau City. Therefore, you only need to move here and then do the trekking journey very easily.
Putelang has 4 ways to conquer: Ho Thau, Ta Leng, Si Thau Chai, Giang Ma.
Trekking route of Pu Ta Leng
Day 0: Hanoi – Lai Chau
11:00 PM: Gather at My Dinh bus station, and board the sleeper bus to Lai Chau city, 370 km away. (Departure time may change)
Day 1: Lai Chau – Ho Thau – Ho Thau Shelter
Early in the morning when you arrive in Lai Chau, check in for a short rest and personal hygiene.
9:00 AM: Arrive at the trekking point, you leave your luggage to the porter (porter). The journey begins.
12:00 PM: You rest and have lunch in the Thao Qua valley.
4:00 PM: Arrive at the first shelter – Ho Thau hut, you rest and prepare for dinner.
6:30 PM: You have dinner, socialize with the members of the group, then continue to enjoy the quiet mountain atmosphere. You stay overnight in a Shelter that is windproof, has blankets and an insulating layer to keep warm.
Day 2: Ho Thau Shelter – Peak – Taleng Shelter
5:30 AM: You wake up, enjoy breakfast, sip a hot cup of coffee or ginger tea.
6:30 AM: Starts the final leg to the top.
9:30 AM: Reach the top of Pu Ta Leng, and enjoy the scenery on the top of the mountain.
12:30 PM: Lunch at the hut, then packs up and heads to the second night’s stop – Ta Leng Shelter
4:00 PM: Arrive at Ta Leng, you rest and have dinner.
TA LENG – SA PA – HANOI
5:30 AM: You wake up early to watch the sunrise and have breakfast.
6:30 AM: You pack your personal belongings and continue trekking for more than 6 hours to the center of Ta Leng commune.
12:45 PM: Rests and has lunch, then takes a car back to Sa Pa.
4:00 PM: Take a bath of Red Dao medicinal leaves, soak yourself in a hot water bath, relax after a long journey.
7:00 PM: Enjoy sturgeon hotpot with many fresh vegetables
11:00 PM: Take a sleeper bus back to Hanoi.
4:30 AM the next morning, arrive at the Hanoi