Ta Chi Nhu Peak is the seventh highest mountain in Vietnam with an altitude of 2979m, likened to “the ocean in the clouds” because it is famous for its sea of clouds halfway up the sky. This place is known as a trekking destination sought after by young people. So what are you waiting for without joining South Asia Travel to explore Ta Chi Nhu with the specific experience summarized below.
Ta Chi Nhu – one of the 10 highest peaks in Vietnam, belongs to the famous Hoang Lien Son range. This mountain is known as a cloud hunting paradise, with a vast view and covered by “cloud forest”. However, the journey to the top of Ta Chi Nhu is difficult with Yen Bai’s terrain stacked with rocky mountains, the road leading to the top is endless and dangerous. However, the attraction of Ta Chi Nhu – a must-see tourist destination in the North cannot be denied.
1. A few features of the majestic Ta Chi Nhu mountain peak
Ta Chi Nhu, a large peak of the Pu Luong massif in the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, is 2,979m high and located in Tram Tau district, Yen Bai. Known as Phu Song Sung by the Thai ethnic group or Chung Chua Nha by the Mong people, this peak has a complex terrain with many steep slopes and steep points. The harsh climate on Ta Chi Nhu with strong winds and lurking dangers makes conquering the peak difficult.
Ta Chi Nhu is considered a difficult trekking route with rocky terrain and continuous slopes that seem to have no terrain. However, Ta Chi Nhu still attracts conquerors with its beauty of clouds and mountain winds like a fairyland.
2. Ideal time to climb Ta Chi Nhu mountain
According to South Asia Travel’s experience climbing Ta Chi Nhu, the best time to come here to hunt clouds is from mid-October to the end of March. At this time, Yen Bai enters winter and spring, so the weather is still relatively cold, making it easy to hunt clouds. However, at this time, humidity often increases as you go higher, causing fog, easily turning into rain and creating obstacles for those who intend to trek Ta Chi Nhu.
October is also the right time to go to Ta Chi Nhu to hunt for Chi Pau flowers. On the trekking route, you will admire the dreamy, charming beauty of this extremely romantic purple flower. Meanwhile, if you trek Ta Chi Nhu in February, you will have the opportunity to admire the pure beauty of blooming rhododendron flowers.
3. Detailed experience of climbing Ta Chi Nhu mountain
The route to conquer Ta Chi Nhu mountain is relatively difficult, so you need to prepare carefully and learn about the route in detail to have the most convenient trekking trip to the “cloud paradise” of Ta Chi Nhu.
3.1. Getting to Ta Chi Nhu – Detailed instructions
The road to Ta Chi Nhu is considered by many people in Ta Chi Nhu trekking experience to be not too far, only about 30km from Nghia Lo town. The Nghia Lo – Tram Tau road is quite narrow and small, with many dangerous hairpin bends, so if you go by personal vehicle, you need to have a steady hand on the wheel.
Stage 1: From Saigon/Hanoi to Yen Bai
From Saigon, you can travel by bus on the Ho Chi Minh – Yen Bai route at Nga Tu Ga Bus Station or you can fly to Noi Bai Airport, Hanoi then take a bus to Yen Bai as instructed below. From Hanoi, you can choose to travel by bus or motorbike. If traveling by bus, you go to My Dinh or Giap Bat station to catch the bus on the Hanoi – Yen Bai route. The departure time will be around 7:00-7:30 pm.
If you go by motorbike, you will depart along Dai Lo Thang Long or Nhon (Route 32). When you reach Son Tay, you will cross Trung Ha bridge, turn left onto Thanh Thuy street, reach Thanh Son Thu Cuc intersection, follow Khe pass road. When you reach Ba Khe, turn left to Nghia Lo.
Stage 2: From Nghia Lo, Yen Bai to Xa Ho village (climbing point)
From Nghia Lo, the car will go another 30km to Tram Tau. You will arrive at Tram Tau around 12:00 – 1:30 am, rest at the motel to prepare for the morning climb. If your car departs late, you should choose to stay in Nghia Lo and start moving from Nghia Lo to Tram Tau at 5:00 am the next morning. If you take the first leg by bus, when you arrive in Yen Bai city, you can rent a motorbike to continue moving and start the trekking journey.
3.2. Revealing the necessary equipment to prepare when climbing Ta Chi Nhu mountain
To prepare for a smooth and safe Ta Chi Nhu mountain climbing trip, South Asia Travel suggests the things you need to fully prepare, specifically as follows:
– Group of important items: Including shoes, raincoats, trekking poles, backpacks, gloves and hats. For shoes, you should choose the type with deep soles for good grip, do not wear shoes that are too tight to avoid injuring your feet when going downhill. Raincoats will help you avoid getting wet in different weather conditions such as drizzle or fog. Backpacks should be chosen with straps and support frames to reduce pressure on the shoulders. Wool hats are an important item when climbing mountains in winter.
– Food and drinks: Bring at least 2 liters of water to drink during the day. When you arrive at the mountain camp, you can use boiled water from the stove or get water from the stream and use a filter to drink. In addition, bring candy bars, some fruit and drinks that supplement electrolytes and minerals.
– Basic medical supplies: You need to bring pain relievers, antipyretic pain relievers, bandages, gauze, alcohol, balm, heat pads and creams to treat chapped skin.
– Personal belongings: Bring a spare battery and some photography equipment to capture wonderful moments during your journey to climb Ta Chi Nhu mountain.
3.3. Journey to conquer Ta Chi Nhu
3.3.1. Departing from the Lead Mine area
From Tram Tau, you will start moving to Mo Chi to start climbing. You should leave early, at the latest around 10 am to arrive before dark. From Tram Tau, you will start moving to Mo Chi to start climbing, you can choose to travel to Xa Ho by truck or motorbike. The climbing time from the foot of the mountain to the resting point at an average speed, including meals and rest on the way, takes about 6 – 7 hours.
To get to Mo Chi, there are 2 ways to start.
– The way through Mo Chi: If you go through this way, the distance will be shortened by about 2km. However, due to the regulations of the Mine, groups are no longer allowed to enter this area.
– The way along the stream: Because you do not go through the mine, you will start your journey by following the path along the stream. Here, you can take the time to take pictures with the herds of mountain goats.
3.3.2. Journey through the jungle
To reach the top of the mountain, you cannot use any means other than your feet, following the trail of the previous person. You need to hire a porter to guide you, prepare light luggage, especially good shoes suitable for climbing:
– The climbing path is a small and very steep trail, going above the tree canopy so there is no shade, the mountain ridge is dangerous and has no handholds, many sections have to be crawled to climb.
– Crossing two slopes, passing Chung De Ho mountain peak or Da Mai peak in the local language, you will cross the dense green primeval forests, the dense bamboo forests intertwined, sometimes hidden, sometimes appearing in the misty white clouds. Through the primeval forest, through the dwarf bamboo forest, in front of you is a vertical slope that the local people often call the 3-tree slope, this place has an altitude of about 1800m.
– After about 2 hours of climbing, you will reach a cool stream, you will arrive at a resting place which is a horse shed, this place is near a natural water source so you can set up camp and cook.
– From the 2400m hut to the top is about 3km, the top is mostly bare hills, no trees so rain or shine there is no shelter. The average climbing time is about 2-3 hours depending on your strength. If possible, you should go early to cool down, climb to the top then return to the hut to rest, clean up and go down the mountain.
3.3.3. Moving down the mountain and back
At the end, you move down the mountain, the way down is much faster but you need to pay attention to the slippery road because it is easy to fall due to the wet dew. You should prepare knee braces in advance to help you reduce pain during the move.
Try to go steadily, limit breaks to maintain speed because if you slow down, you will most likely have to go down the mountain late, even have to go in the dark. While the road has to go down steep and long slopes will be very dangerous. Especially the downhill section in the lead mine area. Finally, you have gone down the mountain safely, say goodbye to Yen Bai and go home.
3.4. Admire the irresistible beauty when climbing Ta Chi Nhu mountain
One of the attractions for backpackers conquering the Ta Chi Nhu peak is the charming purple flower field. This scene only appears from late October to early November. In the H’mong language, this field is called Chi Pau. The purple color of the flowers is not too dazzling, but brings a gentle feeling. You can see the horses of the people patrolling, freely grazing in this area. All create a poetic picture of Ta Chi Mu purple flowers, as if you are living in a fairy tale.
Another specialty of Ta Chi Nhu is the soft sea of clouds and lingering mountain breeze. The clouds stretch from above, covering the entire surrounding space. You will have a clearer view of this scene when climbing the mountain in the dry season. The wind on the mountain top is also very strong. Any fatigue you experience during the climbing will disappear when you look at the scenery with the sea of clouds and the cool breeze surrounding you. They seem to blow away all the stress and pain. However, prepare warm clothes carefully and do not stay on the top for too long to avoid catching a cold.
