Climbing Pu Si Lung Mountain – Challenge Your Limits, Discover the Wild Beauty of the Northwest
Nestled on the Vietnam–China border, Pu Si Lung Peak stands proudly as one of the highest and most remote mountains marking the nation's boundary. Renowned among seasoned trekkers, this peak presents one of the most demanding and exhilarating trekking routes in the country.
Embarking on this adventure means embracing a journey filled with physical challenges and unforgettable memories. The trail begins alongside large mountain streams, dotted with swift rapids and cascading waterfalls. At around 2,800 meters above sea level, trekkers will encounter Landmark 42 – one of the highest border markers in Vietnam. From there, a rugged 17km forest trail leads toward the summit.
Along the way, you’ll navigate a mix of terrains: steep ascents, deep ravines, dense cardamom groves, and towering bamboo forests. One of the most mesmerizing parts of the journey is passing through ancient rhododendron woodlands, where in full bloom, the forest becomes a breathtaking sea of color.
With a total trekking distance of approximately 32km, Pu Si Lung is not a route for the faint-hearted – it’s a true test of endurance and spirit, ideal for adventurers seeking something beyond the ordinary.
Viettrekking has carefully designed the tour logistics, scouted the route, and added thoughtful services to ensure both safety and an enriching experience. You won’t just be trekking – you’ll be immersing yourself in one of Vietnam’s most majestic natural landscapes.
Tours are typically organized weekly from Thursday evening. To get the most up-to-date schedule and details, please don’t hesitate to contact Viettrekking directly.
Tour schedule to conquer Pu Si Lung
Hanoi - Muong Te
17:30: Tour guide picks you up at the meeting point. You get on the car to move to Muong Te. The distance is very long, about 500km.
Day 1: Muong Te - Pa Ve Su - Campsite
05:30 – Arrive in Muong Te. The group freshens up, receives trekking gear, and completes the necessary preparations and procedures before departure.
06:00 – Enjoy a hearty breakfast. The tour guide will brief the group on the itinerary and important safety notes.
06:45 – Depart from Muong Te town and head towards Pa Ve Su commune by vehicle.
08:45 – Register temporary residence with the local commune authorities and report the trekking plan to the Border Guard Station.
Next, the group continues by motorbike for approximately 8km to reach the hydroelectric lake. Please note: the road is quite rough and challenging.
10:00 – Begin the trekking journey. The group crosses a stream on a bamboo raft, then follows an uphill trail leading into the forest.
12:00 – Lunch break and rest stop in the forest.
Note: Before reaching the lunch site, you’ll cross a wooden bridge over a stream. Please move carefully and follow the instructions of your guide and porters for safety.
13:00 – Continue trekking through the jungle toward the overnight resting point, navigating a variety of natural terrains.
19:00 – Enjoy a warm, well-prepared dinner together. Overnight stay in a rustic wooden hut equipped with blankets, pillows, and insulated mats to ensure comfort after a long day of trekking.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight stay: Wooden hut in the forest (fully equipped)
Day 2: Campsite - Pu Si Lung Peak - Campsite
To make the most of the day and ensure a safe return before dark, the group will begin the journey early.
The total trekking distance for today is approximately 15.5km, following an old forest path that leads to the summit. Along the way, you'll pass through thick fields of reed grass. To stay comfortable and protected, it's recommended that each member brings a scarf, wide-brimmed hat, gloves, long socks, and neck protection. Although the trail doesn’t involve steep cliffs, it does weave through mountain ridges with gradual elevation changes.
Essential items such as headlamps and energy snacks should also be packed for today’s hike.
05:00 – Wake-up call. Freshen up and enjoy a light breakfast prepared at the hut.
06:00 – Begin the trek to the summit of Pu Si Lung.
The initial stretch features rolling hills covered in low grass, followed by forest trails. Starting early is crucial, allowing the group to enter the old-growth forest before the heat sets in, conserving energy and hydration.
The hike to the summit is expected to take about 6 hours, passing through a mix of bamboo groves, rhododendron clusters, and ancient forest floors covered in moss and lichen. This untouched ecosystem sits at around 2,650 meters above sea level and offers a mystical atmosphere, far removed from modern civilization.
Around 11:30, the group is expected to reach the summit of Pu Si Lung, standing tall at 3,083 meters above sea level. Here, you'll celebrate your achievement, take commemorative photos, and enjoy a special lunch prepared on-site by the porter team—complete with simple tables and seating at the top of Vietnam’s northern frontier.
13:00 – Begin the descent, retracing your steps back to the mountain hut. The return trek is estimated to take around 4.5 hours.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight stay: Mountain hut
Day 3: Camping point - Pa Ve Su -Muong Te - Ha Noi
05:30 – Wake up early for morning hygiene, breakfast, and pack up all personal belongings in preparation for the journey back.
06:30 – From the campsite, begin a 2km uphill trek to reach the hut of the La Hu ethnic couple – a unique cultural spot nestled in the mountains. Here, the group will take a short rest before continuing the descent.
10:30 – 11:00 – Reach the edge of the forest, where the group boards a bamboo raft to cross over to the hydroelectric station. From there, vehicles will be waiting to transfer the group back to Muong Te town.
12:30 – 13:00 – Enjoy a well-deserved lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, check into a rest spot for a short break and recovery.
17:30 – Pack up and board the vehicle for the return journey to Hanoi. The group is expected to arrive in the capital around 05:30 the following morning.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight stay: Not applicable (overnight travel by vehicle)
