Hanoi – Mai Chau – Pu Luong – Ninh Binh – Halong Bay Tour > 8 Days / 7 Nights

Be welcomed at the airport by our Eco Travel’s tour guide and transfer to your hotel in the city center.

Depending on arrival time, stroll through Hanoi’s Old Quarter and free time.

Night at the hotel.

7:00 Pick up the guests from Hanoi Old Quarter 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.

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.

Diner and peaceful night at the homestay

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 to 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 isolated hamlet and through the jungle. You will arrive to 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.

Breakfast at the Retreat. Then start the trek to Kho Muong Village & Bat Cave. The trekking will start by small alley nearby traditional Thai stilt houses until reaching beautiful view points of the infinity rice terraces. Arriving from the top of the hill, you will slowly see appearing the village of Kho Muong and understand how special is this place. After walking around the village, you will walk to the entrance 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 the Halong Bay on land, Ninh Binh. Before heading to the hotel, you will make a stop at Mua Cave. If climbing the around 500 stairs to reach the top is challenging, you will be rewarded by the most beautiful view of Ninh Binh valley and Tam Coc. Dinner in Trang An Ecolodge.

Cycling to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. Back to the X century, the ancient Vietnamese capital was the place of the emperors of the dynasty of Dinh, Tien Le and Ly. Travel out of time on 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 area.

It will be time for a relaxing tour in the UNESCO site of Trang An. You will enjoy a boat tour in the wonderful landscape 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.

Free time before dinner and overnight in the lodge.

Early morning (6.30-6.45am), board the bus to be transferred to the pontoon in Halong. You will be transferred to the main boat to start the cruise to Lan Ha Bay. Takeaway breakfast will be provided.

Lunch will be served as the boat leisurely sails through the calm waters. The spectacle is dazzling as much by the beauty of the karst peaks gushing out of the water as by the color of the sea.

In the afternoon, you will go to see the Dark and Lights Cave where you can do kayaking or bamboo boat rowed by local people. . Back on the boat to enjoy a cocktail or a massage, the junk will sail to its home base for the night. Dinner served on board and a quiet night lulled by the waves.

Wake up early to start your perfect day with Tai Chi class or watch the sunrise on the top deck or you can choose Gym as a great place to get an unspoiled view of a sunrise. Light breakfast is served in the restaurant.

Exploring Lan Ha Bay the most beautiful natural bay in Vietnam. Having leisure time by doing kayaking around Lan Ha Bay. Then check out and have brunch in the restaurant while the boat sails back to piier.

11:30 – Get a bus back to Hanoi