Pu Luong off the beaten track : Less touristy routes in Pu Luong nature reserve

Pu Luong is one of the top alternative destinations for Sapa, which is way less touristy than Sapa with friendly locals, hearty local food, and the amazing natural beauty of terraced paddy fields. 

However, lots of independent travellers do not know which routes are less touristy. That’s why I write this Pu Luong off the beaten track guide to show you where to travel where other travelers don’t go. 

Pu Luong off the beaten track trekking routes: Do things that others don’t

1500 meters Pu Luong peak

Duration: 8 hours (including lunch break) – Uphill and downhill – Hard and challenged trek 

Honestly, I would say it is a very challenging trek. My friend has done 21 21-kilometer Marathon in Danang before. But after doing the trek, I feel so exhausted. It is all the way hike up and pretty slippery if it rains. I don’t recommend this route when it is raining. Not worth it! So, you may encounter leeches along the way, and on top of the top mountains, it will be a picnic lunch with a local guide. So Only do it if you are taking a guided tour. 

The duration is about 9 hours including picnic lunch. 

Basically, you need to take a short car ride from your accommodation to the bottom of the peak and start hiking from a convenience store which is on the roadside.

My advice is to do it on the very last day of Pu Luong because you might be very tired and don’t want to do anything next day. 

Bang village to Lung Liem (Via Uoi, Lan village)

Duration : 3 hours

This is a hidden trekking route that very few tourists know how to do it. Only for those who book a guided tour. It takes 3 hours to go on this route. I highly recommend this route for those who stay in Bang Village or any homestay which is near Pu Luong Eco Garden. 

The good thing about this route is that you won’t see other tourists during the trek and the view here is stunning. The end point is Lung Liem so you need a car for 45 minute’s drive back to Don village. Or continue your trek around Hieu village for example and do some swimming at Hieu waterfall. From Lung Liem, you can continue your trek to Hieu village.

Trekking from Nua village to Kho Muong (with a secret viewpoint)

Duration : 3 hours

This is a truly off-the-beaten-track route with a scenic view of the top of the mountain overlooking a lush green rice paddy field. You will be trekking into the jungle so it’s not hot at all.

Even guided tour routes don’t include this route in their tour itinerary. It takes around 3 hours or a bit longer, it also includes some hiking to the top of the mountain so that you need to have a good level of fitness. 

Dong Dieng – Kho Muong – Bang village

Duration : 3 hours including walking and caving

Just another less touristy trekking route in Pu Luong which is less visited by tourists. You will be taken by car to Dong Dieng village and start trekking down through lush green rice field to Kho Muong, trek up 700 meters to reach the Kho Muong cave – the biggest cave in the Kho Muong area and keep walking to Bang village.

Over to you

Since these routes are off the beaten track in Pu Luong, we recommend booking guided trekking tours in Pu Luong to see less touristy routes that other travelers don’t go. 

We offer affordable and unique trekking tours in Pu Luong.