Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi – Pu Luong (200km) (L, D)
07.00 – 07.30: Pick-up at Hotel in Hanoi to start Pu Luong – Ninh Binh tour.
09.00 am: Short break in Luong Son (Outside of Hanoi).
11.00 am: Stop at the local market of the Muong Ethnic Minority; enjoy the beautiful scenery of Thung Khe Pass (One of the 10 most beautiful passes in Vietnam).
12.00 pm: Arrival in Mai Chau and transfer to a car to Pu Luong Nature Reserve.
13.00 pm: Check-in and lunch at Pu Luong Eco Garden – The Mountain Retreat.
14.30 – 17.30 pm: Board the car to the starting point. Following the small road through the terraced rice and sugar cane fields, cross the Hanging Bridges to visit other remote rural villages of Thai Ethnic. Stop at the giant waterwheels, ducks farm to learn about the agriculture before getting on the Bamboo Raft for a relaxing cruise on Cham stream.
17.30 pm: Pick up the car to go to the Eco Garden – Mountain Retreat. Enjoy swimming in the Infinity Pool.
19.00 pm: BBQ Dinner at the lodge, enjoy some local rice wine. Have a quiet night in the middle of the Reserve.
Sleeping options: Pu Luong Eco Garden – The Mountain Retreat.
Traditional dorm room in the house on stilts or Private Room (no Air-con) or Deluxe Ensuite Room with Air-con.
Day 2: Pu Luong – Hieu Waterfall full day trek (B, L, D ) (Hard Trek 10 kms)
07.30 – 08.30 am: Have breakfast in the lodge. Enjoying the breathtaking view from the lodge.
09.00 – 12.30 pm: Board the car to Pho Doan to start your trek. (Visit local market of Pu Luong only on Thursday and Sunday morning) From Pho Doan, you follow the small road, the trail through the terraced rice fields, jungle to reach Hieu Waterfall. Have lunch by the waterfall.
Afternoon: Free time to relax and swim in the waterfall or trekking to explore the surrounding village and jungle.
17.00 pm: Check in the rustic homestay and you are welcome to help the family to prepare the dinner.
18.30 pm: Dinner with the family and enjoy the rice wine and have a conversation with the locals to learn more about their culture and customs. Enjoy the night in the middle of the Jungle.
Sleeping options: Ban Hieu Nature Homestay
Day 3: Explore Kho Muong village and Doi Cave – Ninh Binh 120km (B, L, D)
06.30 – 07.30 am: Breakfast at the homestay, check out and say goodbye to the lovely hosts.
07.30 – 08.30 am: Board the car and back to the lodge
08.30 – 12.00 pm: Trek following the small roads through the terraced rice fields and cross the stream to visit a remote hidden village of Kho Muong to learn about the local people in Pu Luong. (6kms) Explore Doi Cave (Bat cave), this is the largest cave in Pu Luong. (Depending on the weather condition)
12.00 pm: Back to the Eco Garden – Mountain Retreat, check out.
13.00 pm: Have lunch and have free time to relax in the Infinity pool or walking around the village before boarding the bus to go to Ninh Binh at 14.30 pm.
17.30 pm: Arrive in Ninh Binh Retreat, check in and have free time.
19.00 pm: Have dinner at the retreat
Sleeping options: Communal dorm in the house on stilts, private Bamboo Bungalow or Deluxe villa with A/C. (High standard Accommodations) at Ninh Binh Retreat
Day 4: Cycling to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and boat ride in Trang An (B, L)
7.30 – 8.30 am: Breakfast at the Restaurant
8.30 – 12.00 pm: Cycling through the limestone karsts to reach 2 temples of the first 2 Emperors in the 10th Century in Hoa Lu Ancient Capital hike up the Ma Yen Mountain to visit the King’s tomb in the 10th century and enjoy the panorama view from the mountain. On the way back, stop in a local family to discover daily life and culture and share a tea with them.
12.00 – 13.30 pm: Check out and have lunch
13.30 – 16.00 pm: Go to Trang An for a boat ride in between the karst pics and enjoy the beautiful scenery and peaceful atmosphere.
16.00 pm: Get on the car to go to Hanoi.
19.00 pm: Drop off in Hanoi. Tour Ends.
Inclusion
– Accommodation
– Transportations
– English speaking tour guide
– Meals mentioned in the tour itinerary
– Entrance fees
Exclusion
– Beverages
– Travel Insurance
– Personal Expenses
– Gratuities