As the sun rises over North Vietnam, endless rice fields shine like green gold. Get ready for an exciting 4-day journey through beautiful places and friendly villages.
Explore Mai Chau's lush landscapes on foot or by bike and enjoy a traditional dinner and dance show. Pedal through vibrant markets and villages before heading to Pu Luong Nature Reserve for trekking adventures and an unforgettable stay at an ecolodge nestled amidst nature. Choose between exploring Kho Muong Bat Cave or Hieu Waterfall before continuing to Ninh Binh.
Enjoy a scenic Trang An boat tour and a cycling tour of Mua Cave, taking in stunning panoramas along the way. Conclude your journey back in Hanoi, filled with unforgettable cultural experiences and breathtaking natural beauty.
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Trip typePrivate tour - minimum 2 guests -
CountryVietnam
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Duration14 days -
Starting LocationHanoi
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Ending LocationHanoi
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PriceEach trip is priced individually - trips differ in the number of people, selected hotels, and attractions.
- Hotel transfer within Hanoi's Old Quarter
- Air-conditioned car/bus transfers during the tour
- Sightseeing as per itinerary
- Accommodation in a traditional house on stilts in Mai Chau and a hotel in Ninh Binh
- Entrance fees to attraction mentioned
- Meals according to the itinerary
- English-speaking local guides
- Airfare to and from Vietnam
- Visa fees for Vietnam
- Personal travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Services not mentioned in the itinerary
Experience Highlights
Enjoy a thrilling 2.5-hour boat ride through the Trang An scenic landscape
Cycle through the mesmerizing greenery of Ninh Binh, admiring beautiful rice fields of North Vietnam
Trek through the lush green forests of Pu Luong Nature Reserve
Experience local culture by staying in a cozy traditional house in a peaceful mountain village
Taste delicious local dishes from the northern Vietnamese mountains
Climb to the top of the "dragon back" for amazing panoramic views, capturing the essence of Ninh Binh's attractions
Day 1: AMIDST THE MAJESTICAL MOUNTAINS OF MAI CHAU
On the first day, you will leave Hanoi for an approximately 3.5-hour drive to Mai Chau. Along the way, you'll notice the cityscapes slowly give way to views of peaceful mountains, and green fields. Once you reach the Thai minority village, it's up to you to decide whether you prefer to explore the area on foot or by bike. This is your chance to enjoy the iconic view of Mai Chau: endless rice fields surrounded by lush green mountains.
In the evening, you will enjoy a delicious dinner (grilled dishes) in the village garden and take part in a party in a truly ethnic style! Local highlanders will organize a dance show, which you are more than welcome to join! You will also be treated to some rice wine from a common clay jug. At the end of this exciting day, you will spend the night at a comfortable ecolodge, nestled in the beautiful Mai Chau valley.
Day 2: A JOURNEY THROUGH SURREAL LANDSCAPES OF PU LUONG NATURE RESERVE
Start the day right with a 2-hour bike ride during which we explore the lively market and villages of Mai Chau. After the invigorating bike ride, we will head back to the retreat, pack up, and check out from here. Then we will enjoy a lunch full of local delicacies.
The spectacular Pu Luong Nature Reserve awaits us later in the afternoon itinerary. Immerse yourself in the surrounding nature: marvelous landscapes of rice fields, the majesty of rocky mountains, and thick green forests. Here you will check in into a local lodge. Embrace this true local experience as you will stay in the unique house on stilts. The day will wrap up after a 2-hour trek through the rice fields and nearby villages.
Day 3: TREKKING THROUGH THE BEAUTIFUL KHO MUONG BAT CAVE
We will begin today with a charming 2-hour trek to the naturally blessed Kho Muong Bat Cave. Here, you will enter and explore what this cave has to offer in terms of unspoiled greenery, limestone mountains, and an awe-inspiring 2.5km underground system within the cave.
If you prefer, you can choose to trek to Hieu Waterfall instead. This option includes a quick drive followed by a trek through a mystical forest to discover a captivating waterfall oasis. Amidst this spectacle, you can take a refreshing dive into the cool, clear water - a perfect way to connect with Vietnam's natural beauty!
After the morning trek, we will head back to the hotel to check out and have a nice lunch. Then we will get on a 3.5-hour ride heading to Ninh Binh. Upon arrival in Ninh Binh, check into your tranquil retreat amid nature and spend the unwinding in its idyllic setting.
Day 4: EXPLORE THE SPECTACULAR NINH BINH
After an invigorating breakfast to start the day, we will take a short drive to the Trang An scenic complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site. After reaching the destination, you will hop on a boat and the rowers will take you on a 3-hour Trang An boat tour through a system of caves with interesting names, such as: "Dark", "Bright", or "Moonshine". The landscape will change like in a kaleidoscope, and if you look closely, you will notice various representatives of the local fauna, such as goats, jumping on the rocky slopes.
After the exploration, we will invite you to our favorite restaurant for lunch. You will taste some local specialties such as mountain goat meat.
You will then take a scenic cycling route to explore the mesmerizing Mua Cave. At the top of this famous sight is a panoramic view of Ninh Binh where you can take in the phenomenal mountainous scenery.
After the day in Ninh Binh, our tour will conclude with a transfer back to Hanoi.
This North Vietnam travel itinerary is perfect for anyone looking to explore the best of what this beautiful region has to offer. Book your unforgettable journey today!
