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Concealed in Vietnam's Central Highlands, Chu Mom Ray National Park is a pristine, untrammeled preserve for nature lovers, thrill seekers, and culture buffs. In the Kon Tum Province, just beyond the borders of Laos and Cambodia, this thicket of tropical forest is among the most biodiverse places in Southeast Asia. Remote from tourist hordes, Chu Mom Ray is a genuine retreat into the wilds, with ancient trees, threatened wildlife, and rich aboriginal cultures to discover.
View of Chu Mom Ray National Park from above (Source: UncoverVietnam)
Chu Mom Ray National Park was officially declared in 2002, but its history stretches much further back. The area has been a spiritual and cultural home to indigenous ethnic minorities such as the Gia Rai and Ba Na, who have lived with the forest for hundreds of years. During the Vietnam War, its dense forests were major routes and hiding spots.
Chu Mom Ray is also currently an ASEAN Heritage Park, a status signifying its ecological significance and the need to protect its rich natural resources. It spans a landscape of over 56,000 hectares and borders Cambodia's Virachey National Park, an important transboundary conservation area.
History of the Chu Mom Ray National Park (Source: UncoverVietnam)
The optimal time to visit Chu Mom Ray National Park is during the dry season, between November and April. The climate is cooler and more predictable during this time, providing a suitable period for trekking and wildlife observation. While the rainy season between May and October has foliage and stunning waterfalls, it also makes most trails slippery and harder to hike. If you are a photography enthusiast or a birder, visit between December and February when the weather is ideal to observe and a variety of bird species are in activity.
Best time to visit Chu Mom Ray National Park (Source: CrystalBay)
Chu Mom Ray offers some of the most challenging and rewarding trekking routes in Vietnam. Trails lead you into towering jungle crowns, rocky terrain, and into remote parts of the park that are often unseen by humans. You will discover ancient banyan trees, towering dipterocarps, and traditional medicine of local tribes along the way. Multi-day treks offer the chance to sleep out under the stars and experience the night life of the forest, with cicadas, frogs, and rustling wildlife creating an endless night time serenade.
Trekking through the forest (Source: goldenholidaytravel)
One of Vietnam's last strongholds for large mammals, Chu Mom Ray is vital for the Indochinese tiger, Asian elephant, and gaur. The park also provides a home for threatened primates like the gray shanked douc langur and northern white cheeked gibbon. Wildlife is easiest seen with local guides who know the animals' habits and can lead you to hidden salt licks and watering holes. Patience and silence are the order of the day, but the payoff is enormous, a privileged glimpse into the lives of some of Asia's most secretive animals.
Wildlife watching at the Chu Mom Ray National Park (Source: Vietnamvn)
Read more: Central Highlands Trip 4 Days: Uncover the Mysteries of the Highlands
The park is home to Gia Rai, Ba Na, and other ethnic minorities with a rich cultural heritage which they have managed to keep intact. A visit to villages will give you firsthand contact with authentic cultural experiences in the form of ritual dances and gong music rituals, rice wine tasting, and demonstration of weaving. Homestays are also offered for those willing to delve further into village life, providing an opportunity to participate in daily activities, share experiences, and establish connections between cultures.
Gia Na and Ba Rai ethnic groups (Source: baodantoc)
One of the highlights for most visitors, the Yaly Waterfall thunders into a forested basin. The journey to visit it twists through the vibrant jungle and is part of the experience, with birdsong and the scent of wild orchids guiding your journey. The waterfall pool at its base is ideal for a dip, and rocks in the vicinity offer sunny areas to rest or picnic. Yaly is especially photogenic in the morning or after rains, when the abundance and mist create a dreamworld ambiance.
Exploring Yalay Waterfall (Source: kontumgov)
With its diversity of elevations and habitats, Chu Mom Ray is a haven for bird diversity. Early start guided bird tours venture into well known hotspots where hornbills, barbets, pittas, and flycatchers are spotted. The Vietnamese cutia and white winged magpie, both rare species, attract visitors to the location from across the world. Bring binoculars and a telephoto lens to maximize it, and plan on early mornings some of the most beautiful vistas are when the woods awaken.
Birdwatching at the Chu Mom Ray National Park (Source: UncoverVietnam)
Chu Mom Ray National Park lies about 30 kilometers west of Kon Tum city. Pleiku, 80 kilometers away, has the closest major airport. One can take a bus or hire a car from Pleiku to KonTum and then hire a taxi or arrange a guided tour to the park. It is better to go along with a local tour operator or guide because in the park, there is very little signage and English is not widely spoken.
Chu Mom Ray National Park is the type of tourist destination you might not find elsewhere and that is what distinguishes it. It's raw, remote, and authentic, and exposes you to a Vietnam even most tourists never see. From hiking in the rainforest, gaining insight from locals, or even spotting exotic wildlife, memories are created here. Ready for an off the beaten path adventure in Vietnam? Let Asia King Travel take you on an adventure!
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