Hello everyone, today I have some free time so I wrote a review about Tả Chì Nhù peak in Yen Bai. This is a mountain peak that I recently conquered and I hope to find more companions who share the same passion for trekking and hiking to explore the land together…
What does Tà Chì Nhù peak offer?
First of all, I would like to share some information about Tà Chì Nhù peak so that everyone can have a better understanding:
Tà Chì Nhù peak (Phu Song Phu in Thai or Chung Chua Nhà in Mong) is located in Tram Tau district, Yen Bai province, about 250km from Hanoi. This mountain peak is the 7th highest in Vietnam with an altitude of 2979m.
How to reach Tà Chì Nhù peak?
I traveled to Tà Chì Nhù from Hanoi. The journey is quite long from Hanoi and there are no sleeper buses going there, so our group traveled by a 16-seater van overnight from Hanoi, taking about 5 – 6 hours to reach Tram Tau.
A small note for you is to travel from 7 – 8 pm the night before to arrive around 2 am, then you can rest for about 4 hours at a guesthouse to refresh yourself after a few hours of sitting in the car (you can find Thao Nguyen guesthouse in the center, the owner is very enthusiastic and attentive even when we arrived late at night)
Conquering Tà Chì Nhù peak journey
The next morning, the whole group woke up at 6 am and had breakfast right at the guesthouse with scrambled eggs and meat, then packed their belongings (you can leave your belongings at the guesthouse) and took a pickup truck or motorbike taxi about 9km to the lead mine to start trekking. There, everyone divided the belongings, water, light snacks, while the main food would be provided by a local porter to support and guide the way.
- This peak is steep, so pay attention to regulate your breathing and take proper breaks to avoid getting shocked or exhausted too easily.
- There are not many trees on the peak, so if you go on a sunny day, you will get tired, so bring long-sleeved shirts and a wide-brimmed hat to protect yourself.
On the first day, the whole group will trek for about 6 – 8 hours to reach the campsite, the distance is not too long but steep, so distribute your energy properly and you’ll be fine.
Around 4 pm, our group reached the destination, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, enjoyed the view, and prepared to grill chicken and meat for dinner.
Side by side, we gather around to enjoy a cup of apple wine bought from the village, gazing at the star-filled sky, all the weariness fades away, replaced by dreams that may seem elusive but we will leave behind the mountains and forests…
The next morning, waking up and taking a deep breath, pulling the tent out to a scene that perhaps we dreamt of last night, quickly brewing warm water for a cup of hot coffee, turning on some music, then immersing ourselves in the vast sky of clouds, it has been so long since we felt this peaceful…
Review of Tà Chì Nhù
- The way to the top of Tà Chì Nhù, the roof of Yên Bái is one of the most challenging trekking routes in the Northwest. Tà Chì Nhù is located in Trạm Tấu district, Yên Bái province. With a height of 2,979 meters, Tà Chì Nhù ranks 6th in the top 10 highest mountains in Vietnam.
- The most special highlight here is probably the field of vibrant purple flowers under the clouds. In late autumn, around the beginning of October, the purple flowers hidden in the hills at Tà Chì Nhù start to bloom, turning this place into a hill covered in purple, resembling the violet fields in Europe.
- The atmosphere allows you to see the majestic mountain ranges covered in a delicate purple hue. Surrounded by the sweet scent of flowers, the herds of goats and horses of the local H’mong people graze freely. All of this makes you feel like stepping out of a fairy-tale-like natural painting, full of enchantment.
- The light sunny days at the beginning of October are the perfect time to conquer Tà Chì Nhù. At this time, the wind is not too cold, allowing you to organize an overnight camping trip with friends, enjoying the sight of the hills displaying a thousand shades of vibrant purple flowers.
Itinerary to Tà Chì Nhù from Hanoi by motorbike
Day 1: Hanoi – Trạm Tấu – Tà Chì Nhù
- 05:00: Gather
- 5:30: Depart towards Cầu Trung Hà Thanh Sơn Nghĩa Lộ Trạm Tấu
- 06:30: Breakfast stop
- 09:30: Stop at Thanh Sơn tea hill for check-in and rest
- 11:45: Arrive at Trạm Tấu town for lunch and meet porter
- 13:00: Start hiking to the lead mine, leave unnecessary items behind and prepare for the climb. Climbing time is 4-5 hours depending on everyone’s fitness level.
- 18:00: Arrive at the campsite, have dinner and prepare for the cold night. It’s very cold at night, so play some music, sing, and then sleep to wake up for sunrise hunting.
Day 2: Tà Chì Nhù – Trạm Tấu
- 04:30: Wake up for breakfast
- 05:15: Prepare for sunrise hunting, take photos
- 09:14: Descend from the mountain
- 13:00: Arrive at the town for lunch and rest
- 14:30: Move to the hot spring for a relaxing bath
- 18:00: Have dinner and sing songs
- 22:00: Go to bed
Day 3: Bản Cu Vai – Return to Hanoi
Wake up in the morning, have breakfast, visit and play with the local children in Bản Cu Vai. Then return to Hanoi.
Cost of the trip to Tà Chì Nhù
The cost of the trip to Tà Chì Nhù is about 1,300,000 VND per person
- Including porter hire
- Food, accommodation along the itinerary, and snacks along the way
- Overnight stay at the campsite
- Entrance ticket to the hot spring
- Guesthouse accommodation
Notes when visiting Tà Chì Nhù
- Climbing stairs for 30-45 minutes each day because of the steep slope
- Wear comfortable trekking clothes, choose slightly thicker pants for comfort while trekking in the forest.
- Wear specialized mountain climbing shoes with good grip as the path has many dangerous, slippery rocky sections. Do not underestimate the importance of these shoes, as they play a crucial role in your journey.
- A mountain climbing backpack (around > 40 liters is suitable), make sure it has straps for both the waist and chest. Tighten these two straps so the backpack fits securely to your body, preventing it from shaking or shifting during the climb.
- 2-3 sets of thin clothes for changing, the quantity depends on your cleanliness and tolerance for dirt.
- Warm clothes, a windbreaker to wear while climbing for cooling down.
- Plastic bead gloves for gripping along the way
- Heat patches if climbing in winter
- A brimmed hat or wide-brimmed hat
- Flashlight + spare batteries
- Power bank for electronic devices
Above are some tips for visiting Tà Chì Nhù that I have gathered. Wish you a pleasant trip to Tà Chì Nhù.
