DAY 1: HANOI - MAI CHAU (-/L/-)
7:00 – Pick up the guests from hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter to board the bus and start the trip to Mai Chau.
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.
In the afternoon, 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. Back to homestay & free time to relax, enjoy the swimming pool or walk around in the narrow alleys around the homestay.
Mai Chau Rustic Home or similar
DAY 2: MAI CHAU – PU LUONG NATURE RESERVE (B/L/-)
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 afternoon, 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.
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 swimming at the infinity pool.
Pu Luong Eco Garden or similar
DAY 3: PU LUONG - NINH BINH (B,L,-)
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).
Check out and lunch at Pu Luong. Say goodbye to the fabulous Pu Luong Nature Reserve and start the journey to reach Halong Bay on land, Ninh Binh. Arrival at the lodge and free time to relax around the pool or on the terrace to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
Tam Coc Eco Valley or similar
DAY 4: NINH BINH - HANOI (B,L,-)
Welcome the new day with breakfast at the hotel. Then cycling to do Tam Coc boat trip.
Enjoying an amazing boat trip on a rowing boat traveling along the river with scenic mountain and green fields landscape. You will go through many water caves with spectacular stalagmites and stalagmites and passing many ritual places.
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.
10: 00 – Continue the trip to Bich Dong Pagoda, a spiritual complex tucked into the cliffs of the limestone mountain. Often called the “Second Most Beautiful Cave in Vietnam’. This hidden gem is a peaceful blend of ancient pagoda architecture and lush natural surroundings. The pagoda consists of three levels: Ha, Trung and Thuong each offering tranquil views and glimpse into the spiritual life of the region.
11:30 – Back to the hotel for lunch.
14: 00 – In the afternoon, take the car to Mua Cave and start an amazing trek up to the top of Ngoa Long mountain for watching the spectacular rice valley with specious view of the nature.
Transfer back to Hanoi with an estimated arrival time around 6.30pm.
End of the journey!
