The Most Detailed Solo Travel Experience in Gia Lai 2024

When we mention the Central Highlands, we often think of the foggy city of Da Lat or the coffee paradise of Buon Me Thuot. However, few know that Gia Lai province also boasts many equally attractive destinations. Gia Lai possesses a wild, expansive beauty, as well as a romantic, charming allure that captivates travelers from afar. Pocket these travel experiences in Gia Lai below to embark on a journey exploring the wonders of the Central Highlands.

Introduction to Gia Lai Tourism

Gia Lai is situated in the northern part of the Central Highlands - the second largest province in Vietnam, after Nghe An. Additionally, Gia Lai is home to the third largest city in the Central Highlands - Pleiku city, following Da Lat and Buon Me Thuot. Therefore, the provincial capital of Gia Lai is Pleiku. Most tourist destinations in Gia Lai are concentrated mainly in Pleiku city.

Gia Lai has been blessed by nature with abundant resources, mild climate, natural landscapes, and wilderness,... This has brought Gia Lai many potentials for tourism development. The following travel experiences in Gia Lai will help you have truly wonderful experiences in this pristine land.

When is the best time to visit Gia Lai?

According to travel experiences in Gia Lai, Gia Lai weather is divided into 2 distinct seasons: rainy season and dry season. The average temperature throughout the year ranges from 20°C to 25°C.

• Dry season: Starting from November to April of the following year. The weather is often dry, with little rain and mild sunshine.

• Rainy season: Starting from May and ending in October.

So when is the best time to travel to Gia Lai? Mytour suggests 3 best periods to admire the beauty of Gia Lai:

• March: This is the season of blooming coffee flowers and wild sunflowers in full splendor.

• November - December every year: The season of wild sunflowers in the Central Highlands. The land and sky are immersed in the golden color of ripe rice fields.

• February - April every year: Admire the pure beauty of blooming coffee flowers filling a corner of the sky.

The wild sunflower fields are the hottest destination in Gia Lai tours (Image source: Collected)

Note: If you are planning a trip to Gia Lai, you should avoid the period from May to October. Because this is the time when the city enters the rainy season with prolonged rain. This will greatly affect your sightseeing schedules and outdoor activities. So, please consider carefully!

Guide on how to get to Gia Lai

Travel by plane

Gia Lai now has Pleiku airport, located about 7km from the city center. Airlines such as Vietjet Air, Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar,... have flights departing from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong to Pleiku. Therefore, travelers can completely rest assured about this issue. Round-trip ticket prices to Pleiku usually range from 1,500,000 VND to 3,500,000 VND/person (depending on departure point, flight time, airline).

Airfare prices for each flight segment that you can refer to:

• One-way airfare from Hanoi to Pleiku: Ticket prices range from 700,000 VND to 1,110,000 VND/person.

• One-way airfare from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku: Ticket prices range from 600,000 VND to 1,000,000 VND/person.

• One-way airfare from Hai Phong to Pleiku: Average ticket prices start from 1,100,000 VND/person and up.

Note: Pleiku airport is only about 3km from the city center. Therefore, before landing, you can book shuttle service at the airport or take a taxi for convenience to move to Pleiku city center. However, according to travel experiences in Gia Lai, taxi fares in Gia Lai are quite expensive. Therefore, if traveling in a group, with family or friends, elderly people, renting a tourist car is still the most economical choice.

Travel by bus

According to travel experiences in Gia Lai, compared to traveling by plane, buses will help you save more costs. Bus fares also depend on the departure point, bus company, and time. Therefore, you can refer to some popular bus fare levels as follows:

• Bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Gia Lai: Ticket prices range from 250,000 VND to 350,000 VND/person. Travel time from Saigon to Gia Lai takes about 8 hours. Some prominent bus companies you can consider include: Thuan Tien, Duc Dat, Le Cuong, Hoa Mai,...

• Bus from Hanoi to Gia Lai: Ticket prices range from 650,000 VND to 900,000 VND/person. Travel time from Hanoi to Gia Lai takes about 20 hours. Some reputable bus companies in Hanoi you can refer to are: Thien Trung, Thuan Y, Hong Anh,...

• Bus from Da Nang to Gia Lai: Ticket prices range from 250,000 VND to 300,000 VND/person. Travel time from Da Nang to Gia Lai takes about 10 hours. Some reputable bus companies in Da Nang you can refer to are: Thanh Dat, Anh Vu, Thuan Tien,...

Transportation in Gia Lai

Rent cheap motorbikes

Rent affordable motorbikes to experience adventurous journeys through the most beautiful forest roads in Gia Lai (Image source: Collected)

Bus

Despite the bus system in Gia Lai not being highly developed, it remains an ideal choice for journeys to distant destinations like Mang Den tourist area, Kon Tum. During the journey, you can also enjoy the beautiful scenery through the incredibly chill windows. However, if you opt for the bus, make sure to pay attention to the bus stops to avoid getting lost!

Taxi

If you lack travel experience in Gia Lai or are unfamiliar with the routes, taxi is the perfect option right now. In reality, if traveling in a large group of 4 - 5 people or more, taxi fares are not too expensive. Moreover, taxis are safe and fast, so you can completely trust this mode of transportation.

Some taxi companies operating in Gia Lai offer affordable prices for your reference such as: Mai Linh Taxi, Tien Sa, Sun Taxi.

Lodging Services in Gia Lai

Hotels/Guesthouses

With the potential for tourism development in recent years, you can easily find suitable hotels/guesthouses in Gia Lai. Currently, there are over 100 hotels ranging from 1-star to 4-star for customers to choose from. However, the quality of 3 - 4-star hotels is still limited, making it difficult to meet the demands of customers with high requirements.

Here are some budget-friendly hotels in Gia Lai you might consider:

• Bee Gia Lai Hotel: 264 Phan Đình Phùng, Yên Đỗ Ward, Pleiku, Gia Lai

• Tre Xanh Gia Lai Hotel: 18 Lê Lai, Pleiku, Gia Lai.

• Khánh Linh Gia Lai Hotel: 232 Nguyễn Tất Thành, Pleiku, Gia Lai.

• Hoàng Anh Gia Lai Hotel: 01 Phù Đổng, Phù Đổng Ward, Pleiku, Gia Lai.

According to Gia Lai travel tips, hotel/guesthouse rental prices in Gia Lai usually range from 300,000 VND to 900,000 VND per night. However, these prices are not fixed and may vary depending on the booking time and traveler demand.

Homestay

Famous tourist spots in Gia Lai 

Nature has generously endowed Gia Lai with numerous magnificent landscapes. However, these destinations are often quite far from the city center of Pleiku. According to Gia Lai travel experience, tourists need to plan their itinerary meticulously to save time and effort while ensuring convenience for travel.

Understanding the concerns of travelers, Mytour unveils some suitable tourist destinations in Gia Lai that align with general itineraries. 

Sea Lake

Pleiku Lake (also known as T’nưng Lake) stands as one of Gia Lai's most renowned attractions. Its picturesque natural scenery, with its azure lake blending harmoniously with the vast jungle-clad mountains, has the power to captivate any first-time visitor.

Enjoying the cool breeze and dreamy scenery at Pleiku Lake (Source: Compiled)

What's more, the entrance to Pleiku Lake is surrounded by towering ancient trees, creating a fairytale-like path reminiscent of a painting. At the end of this path lies a charming stilt house. Gazing out from this ancient house, you can admire the dreamy scenery of Pleiku Lake nestled amidst the majestic primeval forest.

According to Gia Lai travel experiences, it's advisable to visit Pleiku Lake in the late afternoon to fully appreciate the enchanting moments of sunset.

• Location of Pleiku Lake: Situated in the Northwest, Gia Lai Province, approximately 7km from Pleiku city along National Highway 14.

Chư Đăng Ya Volcano

Few know that Chư Đăng Ya Volcano has the longest history of existence in Gia Lai. After millions of years, the volcanic rocks of Chư Đăng Ya have magically transformed this place into a rich, red basalt land.

Chư Đăng Ya Volcano resembles a scene from the wild West of Europe (Source: Compiled)

Here, travelers have the opportunity to admire the vibrant wild sunflower fields and the romantic, azure sky. Thanks to its mystical and enchanting landscape, Chư Đăng Ya Volcano has become a paradise for romantic souls. It's not an exaggeration to say that Chư Đăng Ya Volcano is the most attractive check-in spot, drawing the most tourists to Gia Lai.

• Location of Chư Đăng Ya Volcano: Ploi Lagri Village, Chư Đăng Ya Commune, Chư Păh District, Gia Lai City, approximately 30km from the city center of Pleiku.

Chư Nâm Peak

In addition to Chư Đăng Ya Volcano, Gia Lai also boasts another majestic mountain called 'Chư Nâm', not far away. On the way to Chư Nâm Peak, travelers will have the opportunity to trek through forest paths, climb over hills, cross streams, and experience many other interesting adventures.

Trekking to the summit of Chư Nâm Mountain is a favorite experience of professional trekkers (Source: Compiled)

To reach the roof of the Pleiku plateau, you must overcome steep slopes and treacherous mountain passes. However, when you truly set foot on the peak of Chư Nâm, a vast and majestic natural landscape will unfold before your eyes. Standing atop the mountain, you can admire the entire Yaly hydroelectric plant and the distant Ham Rong Mountain.

• Location of Chư Nâm Mountain Summit: Located in Chư Păh District, Gia Lai Province, approximately 30km from the city center of Pleiku.

Minh Thành Pagoda

Amidst the majestic mountain town of Gia Lai, Minh Thành Pagoda shines like a precious gem with its unique Japanese architecture. The special attraction of Minh Thành Pagoda lies in its architecture resembling ancient Japanese temples. If you have the opportunity to visit Gia Lai, don't forget to capture the peaceful and serene moments inside the temple!

• Location of Minh Thành Pagoda: 348 Nguyễn Viết Xuân Street, Hội Phú Ward, Pleiku, Gia Lai, approximately 2km from the city center.

Gia Lai Pink Grass Hill

Gia Lai Pink Grass Hill is a famous 'check-in' spot for young people. Every year, this place attracts hundreds of tourists to visit and admire its romantic beauty. It can be said that Gia Lai Pink Grass Hill possesses a picturesque landscape as beautiful as a Korean drama. As November begins, the wild grass fields amidst the pine forests start turning into deep pink hues, covering the endless bazan land.

With just a slight adjustment of the camera angle, you'll instantly capture a dazzling photo (Source: Compiled)

• Location of Gia Lai Pink Grass Hill: Situated in Glar Commune, Đăk Đoa District, approximately 20km from Pleiku city.

Kon Ka Kinh National Park

If you're seeking an eco-tourism destination to immerse yourself in pristine nature, head to Kon Ka Kinh National Park. Here, you'll marvel at the natural masterpieces bestowed upon Gia Lai by Mother Nature. It could be the system of rivers, streams, cliffs, waterfalls,... all exuding a natural, romantic beauty that delights every traveler.

• Address of Kon Ka Kinh National Park: Located in the Northeast of Gia Lai province, approximately 50km from the city center.

Travel Experience in Gia Lai - Total Travel Expenses in Gia Lai

Below are some common expenses for your trip to Gia Lai that you can refer to:

• Transportation expenses: 300,000 VND - 1,000,000 VND/way.

• Accommodation expenses: 500,000 VND/night.

• Motorbike rental fee: 150,000 VND/day.

• Food and beverage expenses: 300,000 VND/day.

• Entrance fee: 200,000 VND/day.

According to Gia Lai travel experiences, the total cost of a 3-day, 2-night independent trip typically ranges from 4 million to 7 million VND per person. However, this expense level also depends on the needs and economic conditions of each individual.

Above are all the Gia Lai travel experiences shared by Mytour. Hopefully, with the information provided, you'll gain more useful knowledge and experiences. If you're interested in booking a Gia Lai tour, please contact the Mytour hotline Mytour for more detailed information. Our staff will be happy to advise and answer any questions you may have.