Dalat Cloud Chasing Hike Review: Sunrise Pickup Included

Picture this: it’s very, very early, still properly dark, and you’re blearily stumbling into a jeep. It’s certainly not your usual vacation start, yet it is absolutely worth it if you’re up for the “Dalat Cloud Chasing Packaged Hike.” I mean, who doesn’t like that, right? You get collected right from your hotel so that, really, that’s an immediate win, isn’t it?

What Exactly Is “Cloud Chasing” Anyway?

“Cloud chasing,” it tends to be like, is a phrase folks use to describe trekking up high spots – usually mountains – with the express hope of ending up above a sea of clouds. The sight can be genuinely spectacular, sort of otherworldly almost, and when the sun starts to poke its head over the horizon? It’s usually totally unforgettable.

Around Dalat, Vietnam, which is located in the highlands, this experience is actually rather popular, but the thing about those highlands is, it is frequently more luck than judgment as to whether or not you will experience this. Therefore, there are many tour groups ready, or that it appears, willing to take you on a chance, to several view spots to be there, should the clouds be in the correct place for you to ‘chase’. One of those tour groups offers what they market as the ‘Dalat Cloud Chasing Packaged Hike’ and, of course, promises a sunrise pickup to allow you every chance of catching that magical morning vista.

What’s Included in the Dalat Cloud Chasing Packaged Hike?

Okay, so, generally what you can expect from this package is transport, in the form of a jeep, there is usually an English-speaking guide (very handy, as I was saying) and what looks to be, from a list, basic hiking equipment (though comfortable shoes are always something you probably should have, yourself, anyway). Then too, typically, the package sort of hints that there are additional photo opportunities at other spots besides just the cloud chasing location itself.

Sunrise Pickup: Is it Worth the Early Wake-Up?

Honestly? The sunrise pickup? Yeah, absolutely totally worth it. Not being forced to figure out transport in a dark city is usually really valuable. Plus, I found, the drive itself actually sort of builds anticipation and that sense of adventure is very keen. The time of pickup, so that too is something to think about, it often depends on the season. If you like your rest, then it tends to be earlier during summer.

The Hike: How Challenging Is It, Really?

Here is a bit where expectations may vary, because while “hike” is in the name, a ‘gentle walk’ is more precisely what it looks to be in practice, as a matter of fact. This tends to be generally suitable for many fitness levels, although sturdy footwear is always a fairly good suggestion, particularly if it has rained in previous days as this hike can be slightly slippery, in places. However, you’re very rarely properly ‘climbing’. It’s generally more ‘meandering’.

The Cloud Viewpoint: Does It Deliver?

Okay, right to it. This is it, the make or break moment for a cloud chasing tour: Do you even see clouds? Usually, no tour company can really guarantee that, of course. Yet, what I will say, that is frankly this, is that the viewpoint selected by this package has, it seems to be, excellent potential. That also means that if the clouds aren’t playing ball you still can probably experience wonderful, scenic views of the Dalat landscape as well as local views of the agriculture, too.

Beyond the Clouds: Other Photo Opportunities

So that too, it needs to be noted, is that it isn’t all just about that ‘cloud chasing’ spot itself; that’s something you will probably want. Most tours usually add in some extra value with visits to spots like flower gardens, coffee plantations, or viewpoints looking out at local lakes and landmarks, it seems to me. It tends to be really rather neat. In short, your ‘Instagram’ should be happy.

The Pros and Cons

Pros

Hassle-Free Transport: Sunrise pickup means you will very rarely worry about taxis or finding your way around dark streets.
Knowledgeable Guide: An English-speaking guide is, I found, usually brilliant for cultural insights and getting a more in-depth, deeper perspective of the surroundings.
Diverse Scenery: The tour usually includes a great range of vistas, even if the clouds decide to hide.
Suitable for Most: It usually isn’t so strenuous and more or less ‘easy-going’.

Cons

Weather Dependent: This can be fairly obvious, although you might need to manage expectations as seeing clouds tends to be absolutely never guaranteed.
Potential Crowds: Pretty popular viewpoints might be a little busy with other people enjoying the morning scenery, that’s for sure.
‘Hike’ is a Strong Word: Do not expect some sort of intense physical challenge. I mean, very rarely.

Recommendations

Alright, here’s what I tend to be really recommending if you think this tour may be of interest. Do wear comfortable footwear as the track may sometimes be slippery and this will also impact on your general wellbeing during the entire tour. Be ready, that too is something to prepare for, for an early start and it is quite crucial, I suggest, that you dress in layers since the temperature has often been known to change reasonably fast up in those hills. Lastly, so if this is very important to you, check the weather forecast ahead of time, but don’t, yet, let that entirely put you off because sometimes conditions are so different.

Is the Dalat Cloud Chasing Packaged Hike Worth It?

So that’s the thing, is it? Usually, it will very much depend. Do you like the outdoors? Is getting up reasonably early ‘okay’ with you? Then you will usually probably discover a lot to appreciate with this packaged hike, actually. Yes, seeing that ‘sea of clouds’ cannot ever actually, realistically be fully guaranteed, but the experience as a whole—the sunrise, the landscapes, also to get a chance to mingle and learn from local people with your guide—all this, so that’s certainly usually a great deal, a fairly rewarding travel memory.

The fact that all of that can be conveniently handled is a bonus, so to speak. This also makes it extremely, and absolutely ideal for travelers who like some amount of adventure but without any added stresses from independently planning. You should probably be happy you took a chance.

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