Hidden among the clouds and vast forests of the Northwest region, Ta Tao peak (Son La) is still a new name on the trekking map of adventure lovers. But for Mai Anh Tu - who spent his youth wandering all over the mountains and forests, Ta Tao peak is a real "paradise", stunningly beautiful, as wild as the beginning of heaven and earth.
“Garden of Eden” in the middle of the Ta Tao forest – green moss forest, quiet and magical
“Ta Tao is a newly exploited mountain peak for those who love mountain climbing and exploring nature. The terrain is beautiful, the climbing route is short, and the difficulty is moderate,” said Mr. Tu. Born in 1983, the man who carries his love of nature in every frame decided to trek to Ta Tao after going to Nam Nghiep village to take pictures of hawthorn flowers. “The locals introduced a mountain peak with a rhododendron forest and a place called the beautiful garden of Eden. It sounded so appealing, I set off trekking right away,” he said.
And then, the moment he set foot in the forest, he couldn’t help but exclaim: “When we got there, the place was incredibly beautiful. Unfortunately, this year the rhododendrons bloomed less and the weather was a bit bad, but the scenery was still so enchanting.”
Although it has only been put into tourism exploitation since July 2024, Ta Tao has quickly attracted the attention of the trekking community thanks to its wild beauty and unique cultural values.
The route to conquer Ta Tao peak starts from Nam Nghiep village (Ngoc Chien commune, Muong La district). The first three kilometers can be traveled by motorbike, but it is not easy with steep terrain, lots of rocks, mud and streams - a big challenge for those who love adventure. The next three kilometers is a two-hour trek through the forest. "The road to the garden of Eden made me forget all my fatigue. The mossy forest covered everything - trees, paths, rocks... like a forgotten fairy tale world," he described.
Ta Tao is not a very long or harsh mountain climbing route, but it is challenging enough to overcome your limits.
Ta Tao is not a very long or harsh climbing route, but it is challenging enough to overcome one’s limits. “The most difficult part was climbing from the rhododendron forest to the top. I carried a camera backpack weighing nearly 15kg, taking each heavy step while constantly telling myself to keep going. When I reached the top, the feeling of overcoming myself was indescribable,” he recalled.
Ta Tao Peak, 2,720m high, belongs to Hoang Lien Son range, has just been exploited for tourism since mid-2024. In the azalea season in mid-March, this place blooms with colors in the brilliant yellow sunlight, combined with the ancient moss forest to create a rare scene. Not only that, the mountain peak is also associated with sacred legends of the Mong people. According to the local people, this is the residence of the mascot that saved humanity from the great flood. The giant rocks dropped by the mascot are said to have created the Ta Dong - Ta Tao range. Therefore, Ta Tao is not only a tourist destination, but also a place where humans and the universe, between spirituality and nature meet.
H'Mong girl in the Ta Tao mountains and forests
During the trip, Mai Anh Tu set out alone, but along the way he accidentally met a group of Hmong people leading tourists from Mu Cang Chai to climb the mountain. He joined the group and went with them for fun. “There was a Hmong girl carrying a backpack of more than 20kg and climbing so quickly, I was impressed. When I was back in nature, all distances seemed to be erased,” he said.
Trekking Ta Tao does not require much physical strength, but mental preparation is indispensable. “You need to bring enough warm clothes, good trekking shoes, flashlights, food, water… But the most important thing is to be ready to slow down, blend into the forest and listen to the breath of nature,” Tu shared.
Ta Tao is not a very long or harsh mountain climbing route, but it is challenging enough to overcome your limits.
He also suggested climbing in the afternoon, staying overnight at the hut, then waking up early the next morning to hunt for clouds and welcome the sunrise from the top of the mountain. That is the moment when nature seems to display before the eyes a pristine and magnificent picture, making people just want to be silent to feel with all their heart.
