Pu Luong Nature Reserve is always an attractive destination to tourists due to the flavor climate condition and stunning landscape. Especially if you are a trekking lover, undoubtedly, you should not miss this wonderful land. Let’s find out things to know and prepare when trekking in Pu Luong Nature Reserve with Handspan Travel Indochina!

Trekking in Pu Luong Nature Reserve

Through this article, you will find out these pieces of information below. 

General information about Pu Luong Nature Reserve

Pu Luong Nature Reserve is located in Ba Thuoc and Quan Hoa District of Thanh Hoa Province, 180 kilometers from Hanoi to the Northwest. This area is 1700 meters above sea level and has a total area of 17,600 ha. Coming here, you can find a diverse system of flora and fauna, the unspoiled beauty of terraced rice fields stretching along the villages, along with primeval forests, majestic caves, and waterfalls. Besides, Pu Luong Nature Reserve also attracts tourists with the tranquil life of mountainous Muong and Thai people, who are extremely friendly and enthusiastic to connect with tourists. 

Pu Luong Nature Reserve

Trekking is one of the best ways to explore this area. While trekking in Pu Luong Nature Reserve, you can admire the stunning landscape and rustic beauty of the area and stop by local traditional stilt houses. Indeed, you will have unique and exciting experiences during your trip to Pu Luong. 

The ideal time for trekking in Pu Luong Nature Reserve

Finding a suitable time to trek helps you to enjoy the most beautiful scenery of Pu Luong and guarantee the convenience and safety of your trip as well. Below are two ideal times for trekking in Pu Luong Nature Reserve that Handspan Travel Indochina highly recommends for you.

From May to June

From May to June, Pu Luong comes to the first harvesting season. Trekking in Pu Luong Nature Reserve this time, you will catch up with yellow ripe terraced rice fields and local people cropping along the way. Besides, thanks to low limestone mountains and tropical forests, the weather climate is fairly cool and mild even in the summertime. Therefore, you may not find it too hard to trek. 

Terrace rice fields in Pu Luong

From September to October

If you cannot arrange your time for trekking in Pu Luong Nature Reserve from May to June; don’t worry, September and October are also suitable times. This is the second harvesting season in Pu Luong in which all the terraced fields on the hillside turns yellow. 

Yellow terraced  rice fields in Pu Luong

Harvesting seasons in Pu Luong 

Trekking routes in Pu Luong Nature Reserve 

Trekking in Pu Luong Nature Reserve is no doubt an outstanding activity you may not want to miss during your trip here. Below are some routes you can refer to for a memorable experience. 

Trekking to Pu Luong peak

Pu Luong peak, 1700 meters above sea level, is an ideal place to admire a panoramic view of Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Through your 6-hour journey to conquer the peak, you will pass through rocky slopes, dense old forests, and bare hills. While trekking, be careful with the forest squirrel which you can find all along the way. So, remember to prepare turtleneck socks and wind-medicated oil for avoiding them. 

Trekking to Pu Luong peak

The path leading to Pu Luong peak

If you would like to watch the sunrise on Pu Luong peak, you should depart at 3 or 4 a.m. Otherwise, overnight camping on the peak and waking up early the next morning is also a choice.

Trekking around Don Village and from Don Village to Ngon, Den Village

This route is a light trekking route in Pu Luong Nature Reserve you can refer to. Besides appealing impressive landscapes on the way, you will have a chance to learn and experience the rustic life of Black Thai people. 

Trekking to Uoi and Lan Village

The trekking route to Uoi and Lan village is extremely beautiful and worth a try. While trekking on this way, you will have to cross the forest and climb up the hills, which is fairly suitable for adventurous lovers.

Trekking to Uoi Village

Uoi Village

Trekking to Lan Village

Trekking to Son - Ba - Muoi Village

If you choose this trekking route, you will go through the villages of Nua, Trinh, Hin, and Bo villages, along with steep mountainous roads that are very hard and arduous to reach. However, when you reach the area, you will find it’s worth trekking. Coming here, you will find traditional stilt houses with many characteristics of the ancient Thai people.

Son - Ba - Muoi area

Children in Ba Village

With these routes, trekking in Pu Luong Nature Reserve is always attractive to those who love trekking. Let’s come and choose the route you want to take!

Notes when trekking in Pu Luong Nature Reserve

Before trekking, you will have to prepare many things. Below are some notes when trekking in Pu Luong Nature Reserve. 

Checking the weather climate before trekking

As mentioned above, the ideal time for trekking in Pu Luong Nature Reserve is May, June, September, and October. However, you should check the weather climate to avoid rainy days which make it difficult to trek and admire the scenery

Bringing suitable clothes

Of course, trekking or sporting shoes are indispensable when going trekking in Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Besides, you should also prepare suitable clothes for the weather climate. Remember to bring coats or jackets, as Pu Luong is fairly cold at night, even in the summer.

Other essential items to prepare

Bandages, medical tools, insect repellent, and stomach ache medicine are some essential items you may want to prepare before trekking in Pu Luong Nature Reserve. If you want to trek to Pu Luong peak, again, let’s bring wind-medicated oil to avoid forest squirrels. 

In conclusion, you have just learned some things to know and prepare before trekking in Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Hope that these pieces of information will be helpful for you. If you would like to have more information about Pu Luong, please read our article: Pu Luong Nature Reserve Travel Guide.