Pu Luong Nature Reserve: How To Experience & The Best Trails

Where is Pu Luong Nature Reserve

Pu Luong Nature Reserve lies in the Ba Thuoc and Quan Hoa districts, to the Northwest of Thanh Hoa Province. Here are some facts to know about the site beforehand:

• It was established in 1999.

• Pu Luong originates from the Thai ethnic language in the region, meaning "big mountain."

• Total area: 17,662 hectares.

• The primary forest in Pu Luong Nature Reserve is a type of tropical evergreen forest that follows a seasonal pattern.

• The reserve has a diverse array of fauna, with 598 animal species belonging to 130 vertebrate families, including 51 rare species.

• Some of the rare animals found here are the clouded leopard, fire leopard, sika deer, Asiatic black bear, serow, and Delacour's langur.

Breathtaking natural beauty in Pu Luong Nature Reserve

Is Pu Luong worth visiting? The answer is yes if you love relaxing in nature, enjoy getaway destinations, like trekking and exploring, want to connect with nature, explore local culture, and seek rustic stillness.

Located 130 km from the center of Thanh Hoa city, Pu Luong Nature Reserve is not as busy and modern as urban centers. The highlight here is the opportunity for visitors to blend into the peaceful symphony of wildness. Furthermore, this spot is just a 4-hour drive from Hanoi, making it a perfect place to leave behind the concrete houses and seek out beautiful, untouched retreats.

Best Time to Visit

Pu Luong is suitable and safe to visit year-round. Notably, the ideal times to visit Pu Luong are from May to June or September to October when the terraced rice fields enter their golden ripening season.  The temperature is about 25°C.

Optimal time to see Pu Luong

If you want to avoid the rainy season due to slippery roads, the rainy months in Pu Luong are from the summertime of June to August. The temperature is also quite high, averaging around 31°C. 

How to Get to

Most trips to Pu Luong begin in Hanoi. The distance to Pu Luong is almost 200 kilometers, and you have two main options for traveling there:

The long bus option is usually the most popular. If you prefer something more private, you can book an 8 to 16-seater limousine or rent an entire minivan or taxi. Renting a 4-seater car costs around 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 VND per day (39,5 - 78,8 USD). Here are some contacts for booking a limousine bus:

• Pu Luong Express Bus: +84 982 170 221

• Hoang Phuong : 0987 999 222

• Sani Express Limousine: 0357 004 668

Things to Do 

Pu Luong Natural Reserve boasts a beauty that is both immersive and modest. In this vast area, you can relax, go trekking, visit local villages, and explore the unique natural landscapes of the region:

List of things to do in Pu Luong

• Visit ethnic minority villages nestled in the mountains, such as Kho Muong, Hieu, Don, Lac villages, etc

• Discover waterfalls: Hieu Waterfall, Huou Waterfall, Mu Waterfall… Among them, Hieu Waterfall is the most famous. It consists of several smaller falls, with fresh water gently cascading over giant rocks.

• Marvel at the terraced rice fields, especially during the ripening season of May - June or September - October.

• Explore Bat Cave: Located in Kho Muong village, this cave is about 250 million years old and is home to four species of bats.

• Conquer Pu Luong peak, which stands at 1,700 meters: This trek is relatively challenging but offers stunning views along the way.

• Visit Pho Doan Market: This cultural highland market showcasing local specialties is only open on Thursday and Sunday mornings, starting from 6 am.

Best trekking routes

One of the must-do activities in Pu Luong Nature Reserve is trekking. You could plan to spend around 2 to 4 days in Pu Luong to fully explore and enjoy its landscapes. Here are some suggested routes:

Pu Luong Nature Reserve trekking trails 

Kho Muong - Bat Cave - Uoi Village - Lan Village - Hieu Village - Hieu Waterfall

• Duration: 3 days, 2 nights

• Difficulty: Moderate

This route takes you to the famous Bat Cave and Hieu Waterfall, passing through several Thai ethnic villages, terraced rice fields, and immersing you in the natural surroundings.

Pu Luong Peak

• Duration: 2 days, 1 night

• Difficulty: Hard

The trek to the summit of Pu Luong takes about 6 hours and requires traversing through the forest. You can camp overnight and enjoy the sunset from the peak.

Pu Luong Peak impressive morning view

There are also shorter and easier routes where you walk to visit two villages in just 2 to 4 hours:

• Uoi Village to Lan Village

• Don Village to Hieu Village

• Pho Doan Village to Hieu Village

• Don Village to Bang Village

• Hang Village to Eo Ken to Kho Muong

The cost for a 3-day trekking tour in Pu Luong is about 4,000,000 VND (158 USD). You should consider booking a tour to have a local guide and arrange all the necessary services for your trip.

Places to stay

The most popular types of accommodation in Pu Luong Nature Reserve are homestays or eco-resorts, with prices ranging from 300,000 to 1,500,000 VND (11,8 - 59,2 USD) per night. Here is a list of some quality places to stay in Pu Luong for your reference. 

Retreat resorts in Pu Luong

Pu Luong Retreat: This resort blends harmoniously with the surrounding nature. It offers good room quality, scenery, food, and services. It is also conveniently located for trekking trips.

• Location: Don Village

• Room rate: 900,000 VND (35,5 USD)/night

Pu Luong Eco Garden: This resort is comfortable and provides attentive customer care. It boasts good room quality, food, facilities, scenery, and services. Additionally, it offers cultural exchange programs featuring Thai dances.

• Location: Bang Village

• Room rate: 1,200,000 VND (47,4 USD)/night

Accommodation in Pu Luong Nature Reserve

Pu Luong Boutique Garden: The resort’s space and views are beautiful. The owners - a welcoming couple - always warmly greet visitors and are willing to help.

• Location: Don Village

• Room rate: 700,000 VND (27,6 USD)/night

Pu Luong Natura: This resort receives high praise from guests. The pool’s design is impressive, mimicking the curves of terraced fields, with water sourced from a mountain stream. The views here are unobstructed.

• Location: Don Village

• Room rate: 1,000,000 VND (39, 5 USD)/night

Tips to Visit

Visiting Pu Luong is a long journey that leaving the hubs to the tranquil and rustic nature, so save these tips for your trip:

Tips for visitors to Pu Luong

• Start Early in Summer: Summer weather in Pu Luong isn’t too hot, but trekking under the sun can be intense. 

• Insect Preparedness: Pu Luong has many insects, and no accommodation is completely free of them. Be ready to deal with them and bring insect repellent.

• Carry Cash: Make sure to bring enough Vietnamese Dong (VND) in cash as ATMs are scarce in the area.

• Pack Essentials: Bring enough clothes, sunscreen, cash, and snacks, as these items are hard to find a place to buy within Pu Luong Nature Reserve.

• Proper Footwear: Trekking in Pu Luong often involves crossing streams, so a pair of walking sandals will help.

• Hire a Local Guide: Always have a local guide with you, especially on challenging treks, to ensure your safety and help you navigate the trails.

• Try Local Cuisine: The most common food here includes mountain specialties like bamboo-tube rice, grilled fish and meat, homegrown vegetables, and fresh fruits.

For a broader perspective, consult our post on travel guide in Vietnam!

 

Those are essential things you will need to know about Pu Luong Nature Reserve before your visit: how to get there, when to see, how to explore, and some recommendations. Enjoy planning your trip to Pu Luong! Also, you can send a message to the chat box on this website to check out our best Vietnam travel deals and trip arrangements.