Mai Chau valley, Halong and Ninh Binh - 6 days tour
 

Mai Chau valley, Halong and Ninh Binh – 6 days tour

per person

Enjoy the finest offerings of Northern Vietnam without covering very long distances!

You will begin your journey with an immersion with the White Thai ethnic group in the Mai Chau Valley. The Thai people are very welcoming, and you can explore their culture, including their traditional dance. You will then head to the Pu Luong Nature Reserve, a little natural paradise! There, you can go for gentle hikes and navigate the Cham River.

The second part of the trip will be dedicated to visiting both the land and sea Ha Long Bays. You will take your time in Ninh Binh and explore the surroundings. The program includes a boat ride in the Trang An area, a hike up to the top of Hang Mua Mountain for a breathtaking view of the Tam Coc Valley, and a visit to the Bich Dong Pagodas dating back to the early 18th century (beautiful mountainside pagodas). Finally, you will set sail in Lan Ha Bay on one of our wooden sailboats: an original itinerary and divine food on board!

One of our favorite circuits, not to be missed under any circumstances!

6 days and 5 nights
  • Destination
  • Departure
    Hanoï
  • Departure Time
    8h
  • Return Time
    17h
  • Dress Code
    Comfortable and rainproof clothing, hiking shoes, first aid kit.
1
Hanoi - Mai Chau (L, D)
Departure for Hoa Binh Province at around 8 am, with stops along the way to admire beautiful landscapes. Lunch and a visit to the Muong ethnic village (located at the foot of Thung Khe Pass). You continue the journey to Mai Chau. Arrival in the Thai village of Pom Coong. Dinner with the locals and an evening of traditional White Thai dances. Overnight stay with the locals in a stilt house.
  • Included in the day: lunch, dinner, car, English-speaking guide, performance, homestay accommodation
2
Mai Chau - Pu Luong (B, L, D)
After breakfast, take a walk and a bike ride around Mai Chau to visit ethnic minority villages in a beautiful landscape of terraced rice fields. Head towards Pu Luong (1-hour drive). Enter the Pu Luong Nature Reserve through a breathtaking mountain pass that offers panoramic views of the entire valley. Arrive at your accommodation in time for a delicious lunch, followed by free time to explore the surroundings of your lodging, with captivating panoramic views and a peaceful setting. In the afternoon, you will be transferred via a suspension bridge over the Cham River, where you will start your walk in search of stunning water wheels. Approach each wheel and discover how water flows from a river to a handmade bamboo aqueduct through simple constructions of all sizes. Upon arriving at a local fisherman's house, you will have a short break to prepare for bamboo river rafting with Dinh and his team. Float along the Cham River and enjoy the scenery while learning how to paddle and steer your handmade rafts. Upon reaching the picturesque Tan Lap Bridge, you disembark to be transferred to the Pu Luong Retreat for dinner.
  • Included in the day: breakfast, lunch, dinner, car, English-speaking guide, accommodation
3
Uoi - Lan Villages - Tam Coc (B, L)
An easy walk after breakfast around the most beautiful terraced rice valley in front of your accommodation. We start descending into the stunning valley facing the retreat, where you walk around terraced rice fields. Then, we will walk through small, vegetation-covered trails to slowly reveal the picturesque village of Uoi sitting at the foot of a high mountain. Your camera won't stay still as you see the panoramic view of the village from above. Continue down the hill to Uoi village, then to Lan village. If time permits, we will visit a local family where we can learn traditional brocade weaving (not guaranteed). Cross the rice fields again to reach the main road to the car pickup point. You will then return to your accommodation and from there, head to Ninh Binh (allow for a 3.5-hour drive). Dinner and overnight in Tam Coc.
  • Included in the day: breakfast, lunch, car, English-speaking guide
4
Tam Coc – Thai Vi temple – Mua Mountain - Trang An (B, L)
After breakfast, a bike ride to visit the Jade Pagoda, Thai Vi Temple, rice fields in Tam Coc, followed by a visit to Mua Mountain. We come to Hang Mua to enjoy a splendid view of the entire Tam Coc area from the summit of the limestone karst hill (450 steps to climb). Lunch at a local restaurant. Then, a boat ride on the Trang An River, with its 10 caves and lagoons. Return to Tam Coc in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Tam Coc.
  • Included in the day: breakfast, lunch, dinner, English-speaking guide, car, bike, sampan, entrance fees to sites, accommodation
5
Tam Coc – Cat Ba island - Lan Ha bay (B, L, D)
Departure from Tam Coc by car: 7:00 AM, our driver will pick you up at your hotel. You will head to Cat Ba Island, where our junk boat is located. We offer a one-hour motorcycle ride with a driver, off the beaten path, or a bus ride if you prefer not to experience the motorcycle, depending on your budget and choice. Flexible arrangements will be explained the day before departure. Around 12:30 PM, you board one of our junk boats (according to your choice). Our junk boat first crosses the fishing village of Hang Vem in Lan Ha Bay. Sailing is possible depending on the wind. Enjoy this trip to relax, swim, and bask in the sun on deserted beaches, depending on the current weather conditions. You have the opportunity to take a kayak ride and explore a fishing village. Lunch and dinner are served on board and consist of seafood (fish, shrimp, squid, shellfish) purchased from local fishermen on the same day. You spend the night on board in a bay in the middle of Lan Ha Bay.
  • Included in the day: breakfast, lunch, dinner, car, Englis-speaking guide, motorcycle, authentic junk boat for 23 hours, local ferry, kayak, site entrance fees
6
Lan Ha bay - Cat Ba island - Hanoi (B, L)
Your disembarkation is scheduled for 11:30 AM. In the morning program, you can choose between a 2-hour bicycle ride round trip in the Viet Hai village or a stroll in the bay or on the beach. This program is off the beaten path, so there are no touristy caves. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. Depending on the availability of the junk boat, lunch can also be served on board, and we will confirm this at the time of boarding. At 12:30 PM, our driver will pick you up for the transfer from Cat Ba to Phu Phong, then a local ferry from Phu Long to Dinh Vu (20 minutes by local ferry), and finally, a continuation by car to Hanoi. You will arrive in Hanoi around 5 PM.
  • Included in the day: breakfast, lunch, guide, car, bicycle, local ferry, site entrance fees