RCE · 03 · 3 days · 2 nights · Tay Con Linh · Hoang Su Phi
Kieu Lieu Ti, the long traverse.
Three days across the upper Tay Con Linh spine — two shelter nights, one summit dawn, and a full crossing from Ta Su Choong to Cao Bo on foot.
Duration
3 days · 2 nights
Difficulty
Demanding
Distance
42 km total
Altitude
1,500 – 2,402 m
Best season
Oct – Apr · cold, clear
— Overview
Why this route.
Kieu Lieu Ti is the long crossing of Tay Con Linh. Three days on the upper spine: shelter night near the summit, a full exposed day between shelters, then a descent through ancient Shan tea into Cao Bo. Your main bag meets you at the end; you carry a daypack on the mountain. Choose this if you have multi-day altitude experience and want the massif end to end. Choose the cloud-forest route for two days and a village descent, or the one-day sunrise ridge if dates are tight.
— Trip highlights
Two nights above the cloud line on the upper Tay Con Linh spine
Pre-dawn summit walk to 2,402 m on Day 2, then 8 – 9 hours on the exposed ridge
No villages between shelters — full self-contained mountain days
Finish in the Cao Bo tea valley with hosted lunch before road transfer
— Itinerary
Day by day.
Times and stops are indicative. Pace and arrival are set by the slowest walker, the weather, and the ridge.
Day 1
Ta Su Choong → summit shelter
11 km · 5 h walking
Meals · Lunch · Dinner
Stay · Wooden mountain shelter near the summit
"Drive to Ta Su Choong. Climb steadily through bamboo and rhododendron to the wooden shelter just below the Chieu Lau Thi summit. Early dinner, layers on by dusk."
Day 2
Sunrise summit → ridge traverse
18 km · 8 – 9 h walking
Meals · Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Stay · Second ridge shelter (Tay Con Linh side)
"The longest day. Pre-dawn walk to the 2,402 m summit for the cloud sea. From there, a full traverse east along the upper spine of the range — open ridges, mossy forest, no villages — to a second wooden shelter on the Tay Con Linh side. Hot soup and an early sleep."
Day 3
Ridge → Cao Bo
13 km · 6 h walking
Meals · Breakfast · Lunch
"A long descent through cloud forest and ancient Shan tea — some trees over three centuries old — into the Cao Bo valley. Hosted lunch with a Dao tea family before the road back to Ha Giang city."
— Inclusions
What's included.
Included
Private transfers to and from the trail
English-speaking lead guide and 2 local trail guides
Light porter support for shared camp gear
2 nights in wooden mountain shelters
Sleeping bag rated to 0 °C, mat and pillow
All meals from Day 1 lunch to Day 3 lunch
Hot drinks at altitude
Permits and forest entry fees
Personal accident & trekking insurance
Not included
Transfers from outside Ha Giang province
Hotel before/after the trek
Alcoholic beverages
Tips for guides, porters and host families
Personal trekking equipment beyond what is listed
— Pack list
What to bring.
01Sturdy waterproof trekking boots (broken in)
02Daypack (30 L) — main bag stays at the start
03Warm hat, gloves, fleece, insulated jacket
04Thermal base layers + spare socks
05Rain shell, gaiters in shoulder season
06Headlamp with spare batteries
07Trekking poles strongly recommended
08Personal first aid + any prescription medication
— Good to know
Before you walk.
Day 2 is 8 – 9 hours on the exposed spine — windproof layer required even in October.
Guide field note: if storms threaten on Day 2, guides use a lower forest contour between shelters — slower but safe.
Two shelter nights above the cloud line — duplicate warm socks and dry base layer for Night 2.
Main bag meets you at Cao Bo on Day 3; carry only daypack on the ridge.
Maximum group size 6. No departures June – September.
— Field
Frames from the route.
— FAQ
Common questions.
Q · 01
How fit do I need to be?
Comfortable walking 8 – 9 hours on uneven terrain at altitude on Day 2. Previous multi-day trekking experience strongly recommended.
Q · 02
What is the weather window?
October to April. We do not run this route in storm season. Even in winter, we monitor weather daily and re-route or postpone for safety.
Q · 03
Can my main bag follow me?
Your main bag stays at the start with our driver and is waiting for you at Cao Bo on Day 3. You carry only a daypack on the ridge.
Q · 04
Where does the trek finish?
Cao Bo tea valley on Day 3 afternoon. Road transfer to Ha Giang city is included — plan an extra night in town or continue your loop from there.
Q · 05
How many shelter nights?
Two — both above the cloud line on the upper Tay Con Linh spine. Sleeping bags and mats provided.
Q · 06
Is Day 2 exposed?
Yes — a full day on the open ridge with wind and temperature swings. Pack windproof layers even in autumn.
Q · 07
Can I link this with Hoang Su Phi programmes?
Yes. Many guests walk Ban Luoc or Chieu Lau Thi cloud-sea first, rest, then start the traverse. We help with dates.
Q · 08
What if weather blocks the ridge on Day 2?
We use a lower forest contour that still connects the shelters — slower, but safe. Full postponement only if storms make any crossing unsafe.
