2-day ridge trek — Tay Con Linh cloud forest and shelter night. From US$235 per person. Schedule, includes and enquiry.
Duration
2 days · 1 night
Difficulty
Demanding
Distance
22 km total
Altitude
1,400 – 2,300 m
Best season
Oct – Apr
— Overview
Why this route.
This route enters Tay Con Linh from the south through Cao Bo: three-century Shan tea, moss-hung cloud forest and a wooden shelter near 2,100 m. Sleep high, walk a short pre-dawn section to a viewpoint below the summit, then descend through Red Dao farmland to Thuong Son. Choose this if you want two days in the forest with a village finish, rather than a same-day return to Hoang Su Phi. Choose the Hoang Su Phi cloud-sea programme for the classic Ta Su Choong approach, or Kieu Lieu Ti for a full three-day spine traverse.
— Trip highlights
Climb through working Shan tea farms — some trees over three centuries old
Night in a wooden ridge shelter at 2,100 m with wood stove and sleeping bags
Pre-dawn walk to a viewpoint below the 2,402 m summit
Long descent through Red Dao villages to Thuong Son — hosted lunch, road pickup
— Itinerary
Day by day.
Times and stops are indicative. Pace and arrival are set by the slowest walker, the weather, and the ridge.
"Begin in Cao Bo with a slow climb through ancient Shan tea, including trees over 300 years old. Stop for a picnic lunch at a forest clearing, then make a long pull onto the upper ridge. Arrive at the wooden shelter by mid-afternoon for a hot wash and early dinner."
07:30
Trailhead briefing in Cao Bo
Tea with the host family, followed by a pack check and water refill.
08:00
Climb through old Shan tea
Working tea farms with trees three centuries old.
11:30
Picnic lunch in a forest clearing
Sticky rice, smoked pork, mountain greens.
13:00
Long climb to the ridge
A steady ascent through cloud forest, shaman trees and mossy paths.
16:00
Arrival at the ridge shelter
Settle in, take a hot wash and layer up; the temperature drops fast.
18:30
Early dinner around the stove
Hot soup, rice, mountain greens, ginger tea.
Day 2
Sunrise ridge → Thuong Son
11 km · 5 – 6 h walking
Meals · Breakfast · Lunch
"Walk before dawn from the shelter to a viewpoint just below the summit for the cloud sea. Then make a long descent on the southern slope through forest and Red Dao villages. End at a working farm in Thuong Son for a late lunch."
05:00
Pre-dawn walk to the viewpoint
A 20-minute headlamp walk to a quiet point on the upper ridge.
06:00
Sunrise on the cloud sea
First light over the eastern valleys.
07:30
Breakfast at the shelter
Sticky rice, eggs, hot tea.
08:30
Descent through the cloud forest
Follow a soft path under moss-hung trees as the day slowly warms.
11:30
Walk through Red Dao villages
Pass working farms, drying tea and friendly waves.
13:00
Lunch at a Dao farmhouse
Hosted meal — corn, mountain pork, fresh greens.
14:30
Trailhead pickup at Thuong Son
Drive back to Ha Giang city, arriving around 17:00.
— Inclusions
What's included.
Included
Private transfers to and from the trail
English-speaking lead guide and local Dao trail guide
1 night in the wooden ridge shelter
Sleeping bag rated to 0 °C, mat and pillow
All meals from Day 1 lunch to Day 2 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 (25 – 30 L)
03Warm hat, gloves, fleece, insulated jacket
04Thermal base layer + spare socks for the night
05Light rain shell
06Headlamp with spare batteries
07Trekking poles strongly recommended
— Good to know
Before you walk.
This route starts from Cao Bo commune. Most guests overnight in Ha Giang city, not Hoang Su Phi town.
Guide field note: Shan tea trees above Cao Bo are picked in spring. Autumn walks pass drying racks, not harvest work.
The shelter sits at about 2,100 m, with wooden bunks, provided sleeping bags, a squat toilet outside and no phone signal.
On Day 2, descend through Red Dao villages to Thuong Son. Trekking poles are recommended on wet mossy steps.
There are no departures from June to September.
— Field
Frames from the route.
— FAQ
Common questions.
Q · 01
How basic is the ridge shelter?
Very simple. Wooden bunks with sleeping bags and mats are shared with up to 6 others. The squat toilet is outside. There is a wood stove and gas cooker.
Q · 02
Is this route suitable in summer?
No. We do not run it from June to September, when the cloud forest is in storm season and the path becomes dangerous.
Q · 03
How cold will the shelter be?
It is cold. From November to February, expect freezing nights. Bring proper thermals in addition to the provided sleeping bag.
Q · 04
How does this differ from Chieu Lau Thi sunrise ridge?
It uses a different valley approach from Cao Bo, gives longer forest immersion and descends through Red Dao villages to Thuong Son. It does not return to Hoang Su Phi the same day.
Q · 05
Where do we start?
Start in Cao Bo commune on the southern slope. Most guests overnight in Ha Giang city the night before; we arrange road transfer when you enquire.
Q · 06
What time is sunrise?
The pre-dawn walk leaves the shelter around 05:00. The viewpoint below the summit is roughly 20 minutes away.
Q · 07
Are meals included?
Meals run from lunch on Day 1 through lunch on Day 2, including a hot shelter dinner and breakfast before descent.
Q · 08
Do I need previous trekking experience?
Previous multi-day trekking helps. Day 1 includes 6 hours uphill, so tell us your fitness level at booking.
— Booking
What happens after you enquire.
This page holds the schedule, price and inclusions for this route. Confirmation and payment steps are handled directly with our team — not through this website.
Step 1
Enquire
Tell us your route, dates and group size — by WhatsApp from any programme or tour page.
Step 2
Confirm
We reply with availability, a clear price and the logistics needed to confirm your departure.
Step 3
Prepare
You receive what to pack and where to meet before you travel.
— Why book with us
Licensed local operator
Hanoi Travel Mate Co., Ltd. (tax code 0110906485) runs every departure listed on this site — not a reseller or marketplace listing. Licensed Local Operator
Local trekking expertise
Ha Giang has no marked national-park trail network. Paths follow irrigation channels, farm decisions, and weather calls made by people who live on the route. Local trail guides from each community negotiate homestay space, read fog on the ridge, and know when a bamboo bridge is safe after rain — alongside English-speaking trekking leads who handle logistics, pace and guest communication.
Transparent enquiry process
No payment on this site. Enquire by WhatsApp; we usually reply within 24 hours with availability, a clear price and what to pack. Booking Terms
No payment on this site
Every departure is confirmed after a direct conversation. Nothing is collected or stored here. Payment Policy
Safety and responsible travel
Personal accident and trekking insurance is included on every guide-led programme — see each programme's includes list. Permits and community fees are included on programme prices where listed. Safety Policy
Community payments stay local
Homestay payments go directly to host families — we do not take a margin on meals or overnight stays. Responsible Travel
— Deposit, cancellation & enquiry
—Enquire by WhatsApp — we usually reply within 24 hours with availability, price and what to pack
—No payment on this site — confirmation steps are shared directly after your enquiry
—Deposit and cancellation terms are confirmed for your specific departure before you travel
—Weather or safety may require a postponed or adjusted route — we confirm options with you, not through the website checkout
Days alone do not define the trip. A three-day Ban Luoc programme and a three-day Tay Con Linh Summit extended journey share duration but not product line or booking page. Programme vs Extended Journey.
Hub programme
One to three focused walking days in Hoang Su Phi, Village Treks or Ridge & Cloud — a defined route with schedule and price on the programme page.
Local trail guides from the communities on the route, with English-speaking trekking leads on every departure. Guide roles & field notes
Community & permits
Homestay payments go directly to host families — we do not take a margin on meals or overnight stays. Community and forest permit fees are included in programme prices and paid to the communes on your behalf.
Insurance & group size
Personal accident and trekking insurance is included on every guide-led programme — see each programme's includes list. Guide-led programmes run small groups — typically 2–8 trekkers; ridge routes cap at six.
Operator & enquiry
No payment on this site. Enquire by WhatsApp; we usually reply within 24 hours with availability, a clear price and what to pack. Licensed Local Operator · Safety Policy
— Places and routes
Entity guides hold landscape and season research; this programme page holds schedule and enquiry.
RCE · 033 days · 2 nights