Mai Chau – Pu Luong tour 3 Days / 2 Nights

7:00 – Pick up the guests at hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter and start the trip to Mai Chau. You will have a stop in Thung Khe Pass for a spectacular view of Mai Chau Valley. 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. 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.

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  buy souvenirs from this unique place. Back to homestay & free time to relax. Diner and peaceful night in the homestay.

7:30 – Early breakfast to be ready for the amazing day coming. Board the car to reach the beautiful Pu Luong Reserve and stop at Pu Luong Eco Garden to drop your bags before starting the exciting day. 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 at the starting point. The trek 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 season). Time to join the local house for a Garden to Table Lunch at the homestay of ethnic minority people.

In the afernoon, board the car to reach the starting point of the afternoon trekking. You will first pass a hanging bridge over the Cham river. You will pass through Ba village and see old traditional houses.

After that, you will admire the ingenious agriculture system of the Thai ethnic minority, the bamboo waterwheels. Specific to the Thai people, the water wheels in Pu Luong are amongst the most impressive in Vietnam. The day will end by a relaxing and tranquil bamboo boat ride. Adapted for tourism, the boat is kept in use by locals to navigate and visit other houses or to go to the fields. Back to the Retreat to relax in your room or enjoy a swim in the infinity pool. Dinner in the Eco – Restaurant and peaceful evening at the bar or by the pool

Breakfast at the Retreat. Then start the trek to Kho Muong Village & Bat Cave. The trekking will start by a small alley nearby traditional Thai stilt houses until reaching beautiful viewpoints of the infinity rice terraces. Arriving from the top of the hill, you will slowly see the village of Kho Muong and understand how special this place is. After walking around the village, you will walk to the entrance of the cave. Possibility to visit the cave (depending on weather conditions).

Back to Pu Luong Eco Garden to take a shower and check out. You will then enjoy lunch at the restaurant. Finally, enjoy some free time to relax or to have a swim in the infinity pool before departure.

14h30: Transfer back to Hanoi