Located at an altitude of 3,049 m, Putaleng Mount is one of the three highest peaks in Vietnam, after Fansipan and Pusilung. The trekking journey to conquer Putaleng Mount draw much interest of trekkers thanks to the magnificence of blooming soft pink azaleas along the trail
There are four starting points for the trek to the peak, with two located in in Si Thau Chai Village and Ho Thau Village in Ho Thau Commune; while the two others are in Sin Chai Village in Giang Ma Commune and Ta Leng Village in Ta Leng Commune. All of them are in Tam Duong District, Lai Chau Province.
Among them, departing from Si Thau Chai Village is said to be the most challenging option because the trekking distance spans more than 16 km per leg, with many steep slopes, and the trekkers even have to use swinging ropes and climbing ladders in some stages. In return, trekkers are rewarded with more magnificent views of the natural landscape.
If they are lucky enough to make their trek on a day with favourable weather, they will enjoy a sea of floating clouds, pass through a clear gurgling stream, and ancient moss-covered trees.
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Azalea flowers blooming along the trek to Putaleng Mount |
On their way to Putaleng Mount, trekkers can relax on large flat rocks to hear the sound of the wind blowing through the dense bamboo forest.
They will also be awed and amazed by the iridescent forests covered with blooming azalea flowers glowing in the sunlight.
Lu A Pao, owner of Pao Bach Homestay in Si Thau Chai Village, who also works as a tour guide to support trekkers to conquer Putaleng, said that he has met many first-time trekkers who do not have prepared with enough experience, and physical conditions for the trek.
They struggled during the journey and needed great help from porters. But when admiring the sea of clouds and azaleas blooming on the vast forest, all of them were filled with excitement and joy. At that moment, they seemed to forget all the tiredness of the journey.
Having conquered many peaks in Vietnam, Ha To from Long Bien District, Hanoi, said that for those who have a passion for mountain climbing like him, each route brings about different feelings and experiences each time.
As for him, the trek to Putaleng Mount is the most impressive, most satisfying, and also the most challenging route.
His team, including 18 members, with the support of seven porters, just successfully conquered Putaleng.
He revealed that a typical trek to the top of the mountain often takes two days and a night. Trekkers must go through a 16km journey to reach a small camp, where they can take rest and sleep overnight in the middle of the forest, next to a gurgling stream and countless cardamom trees.
At 4 AM the next morning, they headed to the top of Putaleng at an altitude of 3,049m to welcome the sunrise above a sea of clouds.
On their way back, trekkers can check in at an azalea peak at an altitude of 2,619m, which is home to thousands of ancient azalea trees.
From mid-February to May every year, blooming azalea flowers will paint the space of the majestic mountains and forests with a beautiful colourful picture.
Azaleas are in full bloom with different colours of white, yellow, pink, red, and purple, making anyone who comes to this place feel like they are lost in a fairy tale land in mid-air.
In the middle of the sky, they can relax their body and mind, listen to the sound of streams, birds singing, and the wind blowing, and temporarily forget the chaos of life.
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A typical trek to the top of Putaleng Mount often takes two days and a night. |
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A trekker relaxes on a large flat rock on the way to Putaleng Mount |
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The trek to Putaleng Mount is the most impressive, most satisfying, and also the most challenging route for many trekkers |
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Azaleas are in full bloom with different colours of white, yellow, pink, red, and purple, making anyone who comes to this place feel like they are lost in a fairy tale land in mid-air. |
