Experience the thrill of trekking to the summit of Chua Chan Mountain

Because Chua Chan mountain offers a short hike, doable in a day, many have overlooked numerous amazing experiences here.

Experience the thrill of trekking to the summit of Chua Chan Mountain

Fumbling around, feeling damp and sore, legs weary, eyes half-shut, I suddenly jolt as my hand grazes against something cool and moist.

Sitting up, hastily zipping a long line on the tent, a cold gust of wind hits my face, a blanket of mist following closely behind. It turns out, all night long, they had been lingering around the tent, dampening its surface, eagerly awaiting our awakening.

After about 3 hours of trudging through darkness, enduring drizzle, and maneuvering through dense bamboo forests, around midnight our group finally set foot on the summit of the second highest mountain in Southeast Vietnam – Chua Chan Mountain, also known as Gia Lao Mountain, located in Xuan Loc district, Dong Nai province.

Chua Chan is a mountain well-known to backpackers and mountaineers. However, because it offers a short hike, doable in a day, many have overlooked numerous amazing experiences here.

Instead of hiking during the day, our group began our journey around 9 p.m. when the weather was cool, with a slight drizzle. Along the way, we could admire the twinkling town lights like a starry sky on the ground.

Night feast on the mountain peak

Following the power line route, we reached the mountain peak around midnight. Exhausted and hungry, but everyone was ecstatic for conquering the destination.

Some set up tents, others prepared food. In no time, a lavish night feast on the mountain peak with grilled chicken, wine, sausages, eggs... was ready.

The sound of crackling fire, warmth, the aroma of grilled chicken, sips of wine. We forgot the daytime fatigue, forgot the hustle and bustle of city life, and immersed ourselves in the joy of companionship and the wonders of nature.

Awakening in a distant place

Nothing beats the sensation of waking up in the morning in a faraway locale. Standing atop a 840m high mountain, it's past 7 am and yet the sun remains elusive.

However, thick layers of mist, pure white, play hide and seek, gracefully veiling the lush green blades of grass. Occasionally, a chilly autumn breeze sweeps by, sending shivers down the spine but with a delightful twist.

Due to a late ascent last night, our entire group had to climb to the highest spot to pitch our tents. It being the weekend, there were quite a few mountaineering groups, resulting in a splendid natural vista greeting us as we opened our eyes this morning.

It's currently the rainy season, hence the foliage appears even fresher and greener, the mist thicker, the wind colder, and the overall experience more exhilarating...

Finding a sizable rock amidst the dense clusters of wildflowers, we seize the opportunity to capture the most magnificent moments here.

Breakfast at High Altitudes, Fresh and Serene

Last night, with only a few embers remaining after grilling chicken, our group meticulously gathered around a rocky corner, adding handfuls of rice and the water bottles we brought along. Our 'group chef' had prepared a pot of piping hot chicken congee simmered overnight for breakfast.

To create a 'posh' atmosphere, we set up a stone dining table, placing glasses of wine, apples, and for breakfast, there were also delicious toast and sunny-side-up eggs.

Some used plastic bowls, some used pot lids or small pans to eat, chatting and laughing heartily as they enjoyed the meal. It was one of our special meals, a memorable breakfast of youth in a place high and remote…

After breakfast, the whole group gathered our belongings, folded the tents neatly, collected trash, plastic bags, plastic bottles, all of which we gathered and carried on our journey down the mountain.

Mount Chua Chan climbers have a familiar saying: 'Up the column, down the temple', referring to the route up where they follow the electric poles, and on the descent, they take the lush grassy path past Buu Quang Pagoda, down the steps to Lam Son Co Tu, where the sacred three-trunked Bodhi tree stands.

Reaching the temple also meant reaching the foot of the mountain. As we leisurely strolled and admired the scenery along the way, the sky began to dim. Hastily, we made our way back to the parking area, ending our trip even better than expected.

According to Thanh Son Thuy/Zing News

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Reference: Travel guide Mytour