How to Hike Pu Ta Leng in Northern Vietnam

Best Time to Go

The weather in Lao Cai is generally pleasant throughout the year, but it can get quite cold in the winter months (December to February), with temperatures dropping to around 10°C (50°F). The summer months (June to August) can be quite hot and humid, with temperatures reaching as high as 35°C (95°F). You might enjoy cooler months or the warmer months. It's worth considering the weather and the conditions of the trails when planning your trip.

Map

To better view the map, see it in full-screen. Learn how to download the map for your own offline use by reading how I navigate on the trail.

Itinerary

Brief Itinerary

Phase	Itinerary	Distance / Elevation
1	Drive to Lai Chau from Sapa	- / -
2	Lai Chau to Shelter	9 km 5 miles / 2408 m 7900 ft
3	Shelter to Pu Ta Leng Summit	4 km 2 miles / 3049 m 10003 ft
4	Pu Ta Leng Summit to Shelter	4 km 2 miles / 2408 m 7900 ft
5	Shelter to Lai Chau	9 km 5 miles / 1500 m 4921 ft
6	Drive to Sapa from Lai Chau	- / -

My Favorite Highlights

Staying at Our Guide's Home

Our only guide, Báo, lives just in the foothills of the same mountain we set out to climb. We stayed at his place with his family before and after the hike, eating delicious dinners, getting to know each other, and playing with all of his animals. In addition to being a trekking guide, Báo and his family grow rice and corn in terraces, and cardamom in the jungle. The Dao is an ethnic minority group in Vietnam, known for their colorful traditional clothing and rich cultural traditions. Dao women are known for their brightly colored embroidered clothing, which is often worn on special occasions. The clothing is usually made of indigo-dyed cloth and features intricate patterns and designs. Dao men may also wear traditional clothing, such as loose-fitting pants and a long tunic.

Going to A Highland Market

We grabbed some pork, veggies, and other goodies from a local highland market and cooked a delicious dinner that evening. The Dao people have a distinctive cuisine that is based on locally-sourced ingredients, such as rice, vegetables, and meats. Some dishes that may be served at a special dinner for the Dao include braised chicken with ginger, stir-fried pork with lemongrass, and spicy boiled fish.

Climbing the Mountain

We started off walking through local villages, farms, and rivers. Eventually we started the steep seemingly endless climb up the mountain.

Staying at the Shelter

We spent the night at a quaint trekker’s shelter run by two friendly Dao women, who built the shelter two years ago to help trekkers brace the elements such as heavy rain and landslides. Our dinner that night consisted of our supplies from the market as well as some cardamom picked from the jungle along the way. Everyone got to know each other around the fire through Vietnamese, Dao, and a little English. We were so tired that we went to bed at 19:30.

Conclusion

Check out a video that I made about the entire trip! I tried my best to capture all of the little beautiful moments by letting them speak for themselves. So there are no explanations or speaking in this video, just moments :)

You Might Also Like

---

My site does not support public comments. Please use the form below to send a comment directly to me if you want to ask questions; I am happy to help.

Safety Disclosure This travel guide is intended for educational purposes only. Readers are urged to conduct their due diligence, verify current conditions, and research the most recent information independently. Conditions along trails and relevant details may change, necessitating the confirmation of accurate and updated information from reliable sources or local authorities before undertaking any travel or outdoor activities.

Affiliate Disclosure This travel guide contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. Your support helps sustain the creation of more content.