Conquering Ta Tao peak

Nam Nghep village center, Ngoc Chien commune, starting point to conquer Ta Tao mountain peak.

Ta Tao Mountain, in the Mong ethnic language, also means Thunder Mountain. According to the local people, this area used to be the home of the sacred pheasant. According to the village elders, the legend of the pheasant picking up rocks and dropping them to the ground, creating the Ta Dong mountain range, Ta Tao protected the villagers from the great flood.

Ta Tao is a new mountain peak that has been put into tourism exploitation and has quickly become an attractive destination for tourists who love mountain climbing and exploring nature due to its beautiful terrain and short climbing route with moderate difficulty.

Poster leads the group to start climbing the mountain.

To conquer Ta Tao peak, we and 7 tourists from Hanoi City, including teenagers aged 9-15 years old participated. Leading the group were two experienced Mong porters (locals with extensive knowledge of the terrain, routes, and weather conditions of the area) . They were dedicated guides, always following closely, reminding each member about the dangerous roads, ensuring absolute safety for the whole group throughout the journey.

The mountain path was foggy after the rain.

Our mountain climbing journey was made more difficult by the thick fog covering the path, and the drizzle making the path slippery, taking longer to climb. Vang A Phenh, Nam Nghep village, Ngoc Chien commune, the tour leader, shared: The best time to conquer Ta Tao peak is from February to April every year. The guides must be familiar with the terrain, in good health, and must also act as tour guides, assisting tourists in moving around and capturing beautiful moments for tourists.

Rhododendrons bloom on the top of Ta Tao.

The 6km long Ta Tao peak climbing route starts from the center of Nam Nghep village. The first part is about 3km long, steep, winding road with many rocky sections and streams, the group travels by motorbike. The remaining 3km is a "foot trip".

The steep, rocky trail, along with the unpredictable weather, quickly tested the endurance and will of the whole group. Along the journey, the simple huts of the herders were seen, adding to the beauty of this mountainous area. We had the opportunity to experience the simple daily life of the locals, record moments and immerse ourselves in the peaceful, pure space of the mountains and forests.

The trail leads to the top of the mountain.

Going deeper into the jungle, the journey became more arduous with the trail becoming narrower and steeper. With heavier steps, we clearly felt the change in the landscape. The blue sky gradually closed, giving way to the dense canopy of the primeval forest with towering ancient trees, layer upon layer intertwined, creating a cool green dome.

A diverse flora appears before the eyes, from the thick layers of moss clinging to the tree trunks, to the ancient rhododendron forests as tall as buildings in full bloom. The bright red maple leaves, standing out among the vast green of the old forest, along with the natural ancient tea trees, create a wonderful natural picture.

Hidden deep in the forest are giant trees with majestic and unique shapes, covered with thick layers of moss, proving the longevity of time. The steep, towering cliffs, combined with the rushing white waterfalls, create a natural picture that is both majestic and poetic, overwhelming everyone.

Tourists take souvenir photos at the uniquely shaped giant tree.

Ms. Dao Hong Khanh, a tourist from Hanoi, confided: Taking advantage of the weekend, I took my children to Ngoc Chien to experience the cultural space of the Mong people at the Hawthorn Flower Festival, combined with the challenge of conquering Ta Tao peak. The majestic mountain ranges hidden in the mist, the rich vegetation surprised everyone. Going in the misty time, the scene became magical, like being lost in a forest in a fairy tale.

Tourists take photos under the giant maple tree.

The journey to the top of Ta Tao brought us unforgettable experiences in front of the majestic natural scenery and made us extremely impressed with the sophisticated way of doing tourism of the people of Nam Nghep village. They knew how to exploit the available potential of the locality and skillfully integrated and conveyed the cultural values and unique identity of their people.

Throughout the journey, the porters not only guided the group with dedication and enthusiasm, supported and helped every member of the group overcome difficulties, but were also talented performers of bamboo flutes and leaf pipes. The melodious sounds of flutes and leaf pipes echoed through the mountains and forests, as if giving the whole group strength to conquer Ta Tao peak.

Bamboo flute performance poster on the journey to conquer Ta Tao peak.

The carpet of trees covers the road to the top of Ta Tao.

Nguyen Xuan Quy Khang, one of the youngest members of the group from Hanoi, excitedly shared: This mountain climbing trip is one of the most exciting journeys I have ever experienced. Not only did I get to admire the majestic nature and discover many unique forest plants, but I also learned more about the culture and people of the Mong people in Muong La. These experiences will become a treasure trove of valuable knowledge, contributing to enriching my understanding.

It took us nearly 4 hours of walking and resting, overcoming many challenging terrains to reach the top of Ta Tao. Conquering the steep path, all fatigue seemed to disappear when we reached the top. Standing on the top of the mountain, the vast landscape of the rolling mountains and forests seemed to be captured in our sight, the whole group enjoyed the fresh, cool air of the great forest.

Tourists take souvenir photos under the forest canopy.

Mr. Nguyen Khac Thoai, the oldest member of the group, shared: Saying goodbye to Ta Tao, we brought back souvenir photos, lingering emotions, and profound lessons. This journey is both an adventure to conquer the peak and a journey to discover the beauty of the soul, the connection between humans and nature.

Young members enjoy taking souvenir photos on the mountain climbing path during a rest stop.

Forest trees race to reach for the light.

At the end of the mountain climbing trip, all members of the group felt happy because they had discovered, experienced and overcome themselves. The special experiences at the top of Ta Tao really touched the emotions of tourists. In addition to the majesty of nature, it was the simplicity and sincerity of the mountain people and the unique traditional cultural colors that still remained intact that brought tourists here.