Lak Lake, a jade gem in the heart of the Central Highlands, is a dream destination for nature lovers and culture explorers. But have you ever imagined the beauty of Dak Lak’s largest freshwater lake during the high water season? When summer rains pour down, Lak Lake dons a completely new look, magnificent and full of life. This article by “Du lịch khắp thế gian” will be your detailed guide, taking you to fully discover the unique beauty and exciting experiences only available at Lak Lake during the high water season.
Lak Lake in High Water Season – A Symphony of Nature and Culture
The high water season, usually lasting from September to December, is when Lak Lake becomes most enchanting. At this time, the gentle Krong Ana River brings abundant water, making the vast lake surface like a giant mirror reflecting the sky and majestic mountains. The natural scenery is lush, with green trees surrounding the lake shore, creating a picturesque landscape that captivates hearts.
Lak Lake – Where is Lak Lake
Not only does it have stunning natural scenery, but the high water season is also when the indigenous culture at Lak Lake becomes more vibrant than ever. Traditional festivals of the M’Nong people, community activities associated with water, and seasonal culinary specialties all offer visitors unique and memorable cultural experiences.
Ideal Time to Visit Lak Lake in High Water Season
As mentioned, the high water season in Lak Lake usually takes place from September to December. This is when the Central Highlands weather is cool and pleasant, the air is fresh, very suitable for sightseeing and outdoor exploration activities.
September – October: At this time, the rains have subsided, but the amount of water flowing into the lake is still abundant, creating a vast and full Lak Lake. The trees around the lake are also at their greenest, bringing a fresh and vibrant space.
November – December: This is the end of the high water season, the weather is drier, very suitable for camping and picnics by the lake. You can also enjoy the chilly air of the Central Highlands winter, watching the morning mist hanging over the lake in the early morning.
In addition, if you want to experience the lotus blooming season on Lak Lake, May is also a great choice. Although not the high water season, at this time, the lake is adorned with the pink color of lotus flowers, creating a romantic and poetic scene.
Preparing Your Luggage for Lak Lake Trip in High Water Season
To have a complete and memorable Lak Lake trip in the high water season, you need to carefully prepare your luggage.
Clothing: Because the Central Highlands weather in the high water season is quite cool, you should bring comfortable, breathable, and sweat-absorbent clothes. If traveling in November – December, you should prepare a light jacket to keep warm in the evening and early morning. Don’t forget to bring hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun.
Footwear: You should choose sports shoes or sandals for convenient movement and participation in outdoor activities. If you intend to go hiking or mountain climbing, bring specialized hiking shoes.
Personal items: Don’t forget to bring necessary personal items such as:
- Toothpaste, toothbrush, shower gel, shampoo, face towel.
- Personal medications (if any).
- Camera, phone to record memorable moments.
- Power bank to ensure your device is always fully charged.
- Cash and ATM cards for spending on the trip.
- Map or offline map application for easy navigation.
Camping gear (if any): If you plan to camp overnight by Lak Lake, prepare enough tents, sleeping bags, flashlights, camping stoves, food, drinks, and other necessary items.
Transportation to Lak Lake in High Water Season
Lak Lake is about 56km south of the center of Buon Ma Thuot city. You can get to Lak Lake by various means of transport:
Motorbike: This is the most popular means of transport chosen by many tourists, especially young people who like to explore and be free. Renting a motorbike in Buon Ma Thuot is quite easy, the rental price is about VND 150,000 – 200,000/day. Riding a motorbike to Lak Lake, you will experience the beautiful Lac Thien pass road, admiring the majestic mountain scenery.
Taxi: If you are not confident in your driving skills or traveling with family, a taxi is a comfortable and convenient option. Taxi fare from Buon Ma Thuot to Lak Lake ranges from VND 500,000 – 700,000/trip.
Bus: Bus is the most cost-effective public transport. You can take bus number 12 from the city center of Buon Ma Thuot to Lien Son town, then take a motorbike taxi or taxi for about 1.5km to reach Lak Lake.
Motorbike to Lak Lake
Ideal Accommodations at Lak Lake in High Water Season
In the Lak Lake area, there are many accommodation options to suit your needs and budget:
Lak Resort: High-class resort with unique architecture, blending into nature. Rooms at Lak Resort all have beautiful lake views, offering a luxurious and classy resort space.
Lak Tented Camp: Unique luxury camping model (glamping), located right on the shore of Lak Lake. Lak Tented Camp offers an experience close to nature, but still ensures convenience and comfort.
Y Sol House: Cozy homestay, imbued with the traditional stilt house style of the M’Nong people. Y Sol House is an ideal choice for tourists who want to experience indigenous culture and peaceful space.
Van Long Elephant Homestay Yang Tao: Homestay located near Lak Lake, famous for elephant riding services and local cultural experience activities.
In addition, you can also find many other budget-friendly guesthouses and hotels in Lien Son town at affordable prices.
Must-Try Experiences at Lak Lake in High Water Season
Coming to Lak Lake in the high water season, you will have the opportunity to participate in many interesting and memorable activities:
Taking a dugout canoe to admire the lake scenery: Dugout canoes are the traditional means of transport for local people on Lak Lake. Sitting on a small, lovely boat, gliding gently on the vast lake surface, you will feel the peace and relaxation of the Central Highlands nature. Especially in the high water season, when the lake is larger, this experience becomes even more interesting and memorable.
Elephant riding across the lake: Elephant riding is a unique and unmissable experience when coming to Lak Lake. Well-trained elephants will take you for a walk around the lake, crossing shallow waters, bringing a feeling of adventure and novelty.
Visiting Jun and Le Villages: These are two ancient villages of the M’Nong people, located right on the shore of Lak Lake. Coming here, you will explore traditional stilt house architecture, learn about customs, brocade weaving, basketry, and enjoy the unique gong culture.
Exploring Bao Dai Palace: Bao Dai Palace is a classic architectural work, located on a high hill, overlooking Lak Lake. From here, you can see the panoramic view of Lak Lake from above and learn about the history and architecture of this building.
Fishing on the lake: Lak Lake in the high water season is an ideal habitat for many freshwater fish species. If you are a fishing enthusiast, try fishing on the lake and enjoy your spoils.
Camping by the lake: Camping overnight by Lak Lake is a great experience, especially in the high water season. You can set up tents, build campfires, have BBQ and admire the sparkling starry sky.
Lak Lake Check-in Spot
Unique Cuisine of Lak Lake in High Water Season
Lak Lake cuisine is imbued with the flavor of the Central Highlands mountains and forests, especially in the high water season, you will have the opportunity to enjoy fresh and delicious specialties, associated with the abundant aquatic resources of the lake.
Lak Lake That Lat Fish Cake (Cha ca that lat Ho Lak): That Lat fish is naturally raised in Lak Lake, with firm, chewy, and fragrant meat. Lak Lake That Lat Fish Cake is processed according to a special recipe, bringing a unique and unforgettable flavor.
Grilled Snakehead Fish (Ca loc nuong trui): Fresh snakehead fish is caught directly from the lake, grilled over charcoal, retaining its natural sweetness and distinctive aroma. Grilled snakehead fish served with raw vegetables and rice paper is a specialty not to be missed when coming to Lak Lake.
Grilled Chicken with Lam Rice (Ga nuong com lam): Naturally raised chicken, with firm and fragrant meat, grilled over charcoal or wood stove, served with fragrant sticky lam rice, cooked in bamboo tubes. This is a familiar and popular dish in the Central Highlands.
Hemibagrus Soup (Lẩu cá lăng): Hemibagrus fish is also a specialty of Lak Lake. Hemibagrus soup has the sour taste of bamboo shoots, the sweet taste of fish, served with fresh vermicelli and raw vegetables, very suitable to enjoy on cool days of the high water season.
In addition, you can also enjoy other specialties of the Central Highlands such as: Bun Do (Red Vermicelli Soup), Goi Ga La E (Chicken Salad with Lemon Basil), Bo Nhung Me (Beef dipped in Tamarind Sauce), Ruou Can (Tube Wine),…
Important Notes When Traveling to Lak Lake in High Water Season
To make your Lak Lake trip in the high water season safe and complete, you need to note the following:
- Safety when participating in water activities: In the high water season, the lake water level rises, you need to be careful when participating in activities such as swimming, boating, especially for children. Always wear a life jacket when participating in water activities.
- Preserve environmental hygiene: Lak Lake is an important ecotourism destination, please join hands to protect the environment by not littering indiscriminately, and not polluting water sources.
- Respect indigenous culture: When visiting villages, respect the customs of local people, dress politely, and do not make noise or cause disorder.
- Prepare enough personal items: Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, personal medications and other necessary items.
- Book rooms in advance (if any): If you plan to stay at resorts or homestays, you should book rooms in advance, especially during peak tourist season.
Lak Lake in the high water season carries a wild, majestic, and vibrant beauty. Coming here, you will not only admire the beautiful natural scenery, but also experience unique indigenous culture and enjoy unique cuisine. Plan your Lak Lake trip in the high water season today to fully explore the precious gem of the Central Highlands!