Vietnam Northern loop 7 days 6 nights

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Hanoi - Mai Chau - Pu Luong (L/D)
2 stops
1
Your driver and guide will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi in the morning before taking you along highway No. 6 to Mai Chau; a small town nestled in the midst of a lust valley surrounded by emerald-green rice fields. Along the way you can relax and enjoy the views of the amazingly scenic landscape, littered with pagodas and rural villages. We’ll stop for a quick visit to a Muong tribal community, before continuing on through Thung Khe Pass, where you’ll get to enjoy the most spectacular views of Mai Chau Valley. After lunch in Mai Chau, it’s time to get off the tourist track, and start our trek along the Song Ma River. As you walk, you’ll be constantly surrounded by the magnificent paysage of the valley, and also giving you the chance to experience the culture of the local White Thai people. You’ll stop in one of these Thai villages for a home-cooked meal with a local family and an overnight stay in their home.
8 hours • Admission ticket free
2
After lunch, we’ll go for a hike through the Pu Luong Reserve, walking amidst rice fields and mountains, and crossing small villages where we’ll get to see the traditional daily life of the locals all around us in this natural paradise. You’ll get an even closer look at this when we have dinner and spend the night with a local family in one of the Thai stilt houses. - 5 - 7 km of trekking
12 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Trekking in Pu Luong (B/L/D)
1 stop
3
Enjoy breakfast made by the local Thai people you’re staying with, before starting the 5-6 hours of trekking we have planned for you. The first stretch is the hardest, containing some steep climbs and exciting river crossings, but you will be well rewarded as the next stretch is easier, and you’ll get to see absolutely stunning views of the valley and rice terraces, rainforests and streams within from your high vantage point. A picnic lunch will be served when you reach Hin Village, before continuing on to Hieu Village, considered by many to be the most aesthetically beautiful rural village in all of Vietnam. Finally we’ll reach Kho Muong village, where you can spend your time freely, either by strolling around the village and talking to locals, or relaxing in the eco homestay set up by FFI (Flora and Fauna International) in conjunction with the local communities. - 12 - 15 km of trekking
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Pu Luong - Cuc Phuong National Park (B/L/D)
1 stop
4
Enjoy breakfast then drive to Cuc Phuong National Park (Ninh Binh province). You will be allowed to visit the Endangered Primate Rescue Center which is responsible for rescuing individual animals of rare primates. Now it is home to over 140 creatures and 100 offspring in all from 15 species of gibbon, languor and Loris. And next to visit Prehistoric People Cave where Ancient people lived 7500 years ago in the first part. The 2nd part where famous by 19 species of bat, it will be discovered with torch-light by yourself. A narrow way directs you to the 3 part with many beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. After lunch, have a long trek about 2,5 hours to visit a 1000-year-old tree. You have a chance to understand many different kinds of trees and plants, animals and insects. - 5 - 7 km of hikking
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Cuc Phuong - Ninh Binh (B/L/D)
2 stops
5
Ninh Binh Province
Enjoy breakfast then drive to Ninh Binh. Upon on arrival take a stroll around open rice fields and around the village of Ninh Xuan leaves us time for learning about agriculture and its rice cultivation. This is followed by a scenic boat ride along the Ngo Dong. The Ngo Dong River is one of the most serene sights in Vietnam. Best experienced aboard a local rowboat, a two-hour trip along this enchanting river passes through the Thung Nang cave system - a series of several caverns, including the stalactite-studded Thung Nang cave - and incredible karst scenery all around.
12 hours • Admission ticket free
6
Trang An Grottoes
Afternoon finds us cycling through Trang An, a maze of rivers and caves. Trang An is defined by the UNESCO World Centre by its craggy limestone facades and jade green water. The surrounding area are now home to tiny villages, pretty paddy fields, temples and hiking trails. We absorb the daily life and appreciate the warmth and friendliness of the local people. After lunch in a local family we take an easy hike around open rice fields leaving us time for learning about agriculture and its rice cultivation. Dinner and overnight in Ninh Binh.
12 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Ninh Binh - Cat Ba Island (B/L/D)
1 stop
7
Cat Ba Island
After breakfast we drive to Cat Ba via Cat Hai port and Hai Phong city. We reach Cat Ba island for lunch before a trek through national park. In the afternoon, you will trek to Viet Hai Village which is a haven for both bird watching and sightseeing amidst the pristine forest and at Frog Lake. Along the way, you will have the chance to see native cats, squirrels, spotted deer, snakes, thousands of butterflies, and if you’re lucky, one of the rare Cat Ba Langurs. Rounding out the day, you’ll enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in a bungalow in the local village of Viet Hai. - A 10-12km trek.
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 6
Cruise on Lan Ha Bay (B/L/D)
1 stop
8
Lan Ha Bay
Breakfast will be served at 07:30 followed by a walk to the top of Marine Hill which offers panoramic views of both Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay. On returning to Viet Hai Village, you can try a fish massage or take some time to relax before cycling to Viet Hai Harbour. From here you will board the boat to explore the beauty of Lan Ha Bay. Lunch will be served on-board followed by kayaking excursion around Hang Luon Cave, and if it is hot, the boat will take you to some beautiful wild beaches where you can spend some time swimming and snorkelling before having dinner on-board and spending the night on the boat.
1 day • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Cat Ba Island - Ha Noi (B/L)
1 stop
9
Lan Ha Bay
After enjoying breakfast on the boat with the sun rising in the background you will continue the cruise around Lan Ha Bay, weaving among the myriad of limestone peaks. On this last day you will also get to visit a fish and shellfish farm and the colourful floating village of Cai Beo. Lunch will again be served on-board (or on land if we have new passengers waiting to embark). You will disembark at around 11:30, return to Hanoi, ending your tour of Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island.
12 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

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