Mai Chau – Pu Luong – Ninh Binh Tour 4D3N

07:00 Meet at the Opera House in Hanoi Old Quarter to board the bus and start the trip to Mai Chau.

10:30 You will have a stop at Thung Khe Pass for a spectacular view of Mai Chau Valley. The Thung Khe Pass flagpole, also called the Mai Chau Flagpole is the highlight of the entire mountain pass. During the stop, you can see the local stands selling typical products. Take a chance to try one of the local specialties, the “Com Lam”, sticky rice cooked in bamboo.

11:30  Arrival in Mai Chau which is considered the capital of the Thai people. Check-in and have lunch in the traditional house on stilts with specialties of the Northwest mountains. Take a small rest to relax by the pool or a quick walk in the narrow alleys to admire the local life.

13:30 Start the cycling tour to discover the beautiful Mai Chau Valley. You will pass through fields and villages and get the opportunity to discover more about the unique cultural activities of the White Thai ethnic group.

Take a break to visit brocade production facilities made by locals.  You are welcome to visit the shops and to buy souvenirs from this unique place.

16:00 Back to homestay & free time to relax, enjoy the swimming pool or walk around in the narrow alleys around the homestay.

19:00 Dinner and a peaceful night in the homestay.

*Sleeping: Mai Chau rustic house (or similar), Traditional dormitory stilt house, or Deluxe Room with Air-con 

06:00 – 07:00 Early breakfast and check out.

07:00 Board the bus to start your journey to Pu Luong Nature Reserve.

08:00 You will board the van to reach the starting point of the trek. On Thursday and Sunday, you will have a stop at the local Pho Doan market. You will then be dropped to start the trek. It will pass through a small dirt path, passing by an isolated hamlet, and through the jungle. You will arrive at the higher part of Hieu village contemplating some stunning views.

While going down to reach the waterfall, you will see some local houses. Free time to enjoy the waterfall (swimming and water hiking depending on the season).

12:00 Time to join the local house for a Garden to Table Lunch at the homestay of ethnic minority people

14:00  After lunch, enjoy some free time in the village before coming back to the Retreat and enjoying a peaceful time by the pool or exploring on your own in the surroundings as the traditional Bang village

19:00 Dinner in the Eco-Restaurant and a peaceful evening at the bar or by the pool

*Sleeping: Pu Luong Eco Garden – The Mountain Retreat (or similar), Dormitory in stilt house or Deluxe Room with Air-con.

07:30 – 08:30 Enjoy breakfast at the Eco-restaurant with a view of the mountains.

08:30 Trek to Kho Muong Village & Bat Cave. The trekking will start at a small alley near traditional Thai stilt houses until reaching beautiful viewpoints of the infinity rice terraces.

Arriving at the top of the hill, you will slowly see the village of Kho Muong and understand how special is this place.

After walking around the village, you will walk to the entrance of the cave. Possibility to visit the cave (depending on weather conditions).

11:30 Check out and lunch at Pu Luong Eco Garden the Mountain Retreat.

14:00 – 17:30 Say goodbye to the fabulous Pu Luong Nature Reserve and start the journey to reach Halong Bay on land, Ninh Binh. Arrival and free time to enjoy the lodge or to walk around.

19:00 Dinner in Trang An Ecolodge Resort and a peaceful evening and night.

*Sleeping: Deluxe private room – Trang An Ecolodge (or similar)

7:00 Enjoy breakfast at the Eco-restaurant with a view of the mountains.

8:00 Cycling to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. Back in the X century, the ancient Vietnamese capital was the place of the emperors of the dynasties of Dinh, Tien Le, and Ly. Travel out of time to this spectacular site.

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is not only a valuable relic site but also a remarkable tourist attraction, offering tourists the chance to appreciate both stunning historical scenery and unique architectural values of a bygone era.

12:00 Check out & lunch.

13:30 It will be time for a relaxing tour of the UNESCO site of Trang An. You will enjoy a boat tour of wonderful landscapes in between karst pics covered by jungle, passing through a cave, and watching temples. It is a world apart and a unique destination in Vietnam. A relaxing and serene boat trip with the most amazingly beautiful views and rich in history with perfectly preserved architecture.

16:00 – 18:30 Transfer back to Hanoi.