Chu Hreng Peak is the most beautiful cloud hunting spot in Kon Tum province and can see part of the scenery of Gia Lai province because it is located on the border of two provinces.
Chu Hreng mountain range is located in the south of Kon Tum City, Kon Tum province with a total length of about 11 km, 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 1,152 m above sea level.
The mountain range is located adjacent to the administrative boundary of Gia Lai and Kon Tum provinces. From the top of the mountain, you can see the entire city of Kon Tum in the north and the rolling mountains of Chu Pah, Gia Lai province in the south, according to the website of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration.
In addition to the cool, fresh air, every early morning on the top of Chu Hreng mountain, seas of thick white clouds appear, floating and spreading 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 Vietnam National Tourism Administration website.
During the 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, Mr. Dao Viet Viet (29 years old). He decided to experience cloud hunting on September 30.
The trekking trip started at around 4:00 am at Chu Hreng cemetery, Chu Hreng commune. The distance from the foot of the mountain to the top is about 3.5 km, usually taking about more than an hour to walk. However, there were female members in the group and there was a lot of break time on the way, so it took the group about two hours to arrive.
Travel when it’s still dark, so when looking back you can see the entire panorama of Kon Tum City still sparkling with lights in the night. At about 5 a.m., the sky was bright, 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, subtropical temperate trees. Chu Hreng Mountain currently has an area of about 20 hectares of primary forest, with 15 hectares of concentrated growth and nearly 5 hectares of scattered forests, the rest is regenerated forest (about 1,000 hectares). The climate on the top of the mountain also becomes cooler and fresher.
For Mr. Khanh, the journey from the foot of the mountain to the top is not difficult because this is a road that people often travel. Even though he hadn’t reached the highest point yet, on the way, he could see layers of pale white clouds flying halfway.
Reaching the top, Mr. Khanh was surprised because “with an altitude of only about 1,000 m, the layers of clouds are very thick, floating and spongy white like cotton.” At times, clouds overflowed to obscure the mountain peaks in the distance, creating a scene of an endless sea of clouds that was “as beautiful as the famous cloud hunting locations in the Northern mountains,” he said.
According to him, Chu Hreng is an ideal and accessible destination for southern tourists.
Because time was limited, Mr. Khanh and his group of friends only went to Chu Hreng peak to welcome sunrise, have breakfast and drink coffee. At about 8:00 a.m. when the sun was high, the group packed up their trash and belongings to return.
In addition to cloud hunting, on Chu Hreng peak there are many empty fields, green grass and large rocky outcrops, suitable for self-sufficient camping. Mr. Viet has many times camped overnight and hunted clouds here.
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, a sea of clouds can still appear but the rate is not high. Before planning to go cloud hunting, visitors should check the weather in advance and should go about a day after the rain. At this time, the clouds will become thicker and more beautiful.
Having welcomed the sunrise and 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.
Photo,Video: Internet (Vinlove.net)