Cloud hunting on Chu Hreng peak

Chu Hreng Peak is the most beautiful cloud hunting spot in Kon Tum province and you can see part of Gia Lai province's scenery because it is located on the border of the two provinces.

The Chu Hreng mountain range is located in the south of Kon Tum city, Kon Tum province with a total length of about 11km, starting from Kon K'Tu village, Dak Ro Wa commune and ending at Sao Mai pass, Hoa Binh commune. The highest point of the mountain range is about 1,152m above sea level.

The mountain range is located on the administrative border of Gia Lai and Kon Tum provinces. From the top of the mountain, one can see the entire city of Kon Tum to the north and the mountains of Chu Pah, Gia Lai province to the south, according to the website of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism .

In addition to the cool, fresh air, every early morning on the top of Chu Hreng mountain, thick, fluffy white clouds appear and spread over a large area. Therefore, Chu Hreng has become the most beautiful check-in and camping spot for cloud hunting in Kon Tum province, according to the website of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.

During his trip to Kon Tum to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, Nguyen Dinh Hoang Khanh (29 years old, Ho Chi Minh City) was introduced to Chu Hreng by a local friend, Dao Viet Viet (29 years old). He decided to experience cloud hunting on September 30.

The trekking trip started at around 4am at Chu Hreng cemetery, Chu Hreng commune. The distance from the foot of the mountain to the top is about 3.5km, normally taking more than an hour on foot. However, there were female members in the group, so there were many breaks along the way, so it took the group about two hours to get there.

Moving while it was still dark, when looking back, we could see the whole of Kon Tum city still sparkling with lights at night. At around 5am, the sky brightened, the scene of Dak Yen dam (Dak Yen irrigation lake), Hoa Binh commune gradually appeared more clearly.

As you climb higher, the landscape, terrain and climate gradually change. Rows of reeds and wild trees give way to pine trees and subtropical temperate trees. Chu Hreng Mountain currently has about 20 hectares of primary forest, with 15 hectares growing in concentration and nearly 5 hectares scattered, the rest is regenerated forest (about 1,000 hectares). The climate on the mountain top also becomes cooler and fresher.

For Mr. Khanh, the journey from the foot of the mountain to the top was not difficult because this was a road that people often traveled. Although he had not reached the highest point, on the way, he could see layers of pale white clouds floating in the air.

Reaching the top, Mr. Khanh was surprised because "with an altitude of only about 1,000 m, the layers of clouds were very thick, fluffy and white like cotton". At times, the clouds covered the distant mountain peaks, creating a scene of an endless sea of clouds that was "as beautiful as the famous cloud hunting spots in the northern mountains", he said.

According to him, Chu Hreng is an ideal and accessible destination for southern tourists.

Due to limited time, Khanh and his group only went to the top of Chu Hreng to watch the sunrise, have breakfast and drink coffee. At around 8am when the sun was high in the sky, the group packed up their trash and belongings to return.

In addition to cloud hunting, on the top of Chu Hreng there are many open spaces, green grass carpets and large rocky outcrops, suitable for self-sufficient camping. Anh Viet has come here many times to camp overnight and hunt clouds.

According to Mr. Viet, the easiest time to hunt clouds on Chu Hreng peak is from July to the end of November. In the remaining months, clouds can still appear, but the rate is not high. Before intending to hunt clouds, visitors should check the weather in advance and should go about a day after the rain. At this time, the clouds will be thicker and more beautiful.

Having welcomed the sunrise and the sea of clouds here, Khanh said he will soon return to this place to watch the sunset and camp overnight, waiting for the city to light up.

Quynh Mai Photo: Nguyen Dinh Hoang Khanh

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