Vietnamese Vistas: A 6-Day Northwest And Halong Bay Expedition
Tour itinerary
At 8:00 a.m., following breakfast and check-out from the hotel, your guide and driver will be prepared to lead you on an adventurous trip along Highway 6 towards Mai Chau. This serene town rests within a lush valley, surrounded by verdant rice fields and inhabited by warm-hearted locals.
During our journey through the countryside, we'll pause to visit the Muong tribe and take in the breathtaking vistas from Thung Khe Pass, offering glimpses of Mai Chau Valley's unspoiled beauty. This promises an authentic trek, immersing you in Vietnam's cultural tapestry and awe-inspiring natural landscapes.
Upon arrival, a nourishing lunch awaits, thoughtfully prepared by a local host family in Mai Chau.
Following lunch, embark on a picturesque hike along rustic trails, winding through rice paddy fields and charming hamlets. This leisurely trek provides opportunities to appreciate the valley's natural allure and engage with the White Thai community, gaining insights into their customs and way of life.
As night falls, take a moment to unwind before joining the local family for a delightful dinner, accompanied by traditional dances and live music performances, marking a captivating conclusion of this day.
After breakfast, at 8:30 a.m., our guide and driver will transfer you to Pu Luong, a hidden gem in Vietnam's North Central region. The journey takes you through a breathtaking mountain pass, offering panoramic views of the entire valley. After about a 2-hour drive, you'll arrive at Pu Luong Retreat, where a delicious lunch awaits.
In the afternoon, we'll head to a suspension bridge over the Cham River to start our walk in search of the stunning water wheels. Get up close to these fascinating structures and learn how water is moved from the river to handmade bamboo aqueducts through simple yet ingenious constructions.
Next, we'll visit a local fisherman’s house for a short rest before embarking on a bamboo river rafting adventure with a local boatman. As you float along the calm river, enjoy the beautiful scenery while learning to paddle and steer your handcrafted raft. We'll disembark at the scenic Tan Lap Bridge and return to Pu Luong Retreat for dinner.
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Start your day with an early breakfast at Pu Luong Retreat. Afterward, we begin our descent into the stunning valley facing the Retreat, where you'll stroll through cascading rice terraces. Our trek takes us along narrow paths veiled in lush vegetation, gradually revealing a picturesque village nestled at the base of a towering mountain-a perfect spot for photography.
Continuing to the base of the valley, we navigate through a diverse landscape of roads and farmland, villages and wild fields, ponds and rivers, mountains and open land. Enjoy the ever-changing scenery as we trek to a beautiful spot.
Following our trek, we’ll return to Pu Luong Retreat for lunch. At 12:00 p.m., we'll check out and bid farewell to Pu Luong, then proceed to Ninh Binh, often referred to as "Halong on land."
Upon arrival in Ninh Binh, check in at your hotel and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. The evening is yours to relax at leisure, followed by an overnight stay in Ninh Binh.
This morning, board a small boat and float down the romantic Tam Coc River, soaking in the early morning atmosphere in peace before the day-tripping tourists arrive from Hà Nội. Take in the breathtaking scenery around you as the river weaves through bright green rice paddies edged by towering karst mountains.
Next, drive to Cuc Phuong National Park for lunch and trekking through Vietnam’s oldest national park and largest nature reserve. Rich with biodiversity, you’ll have the chance to see a wide variety of flora and fauna, including a 1,000-year-old tree, as well as endangered animals such as langurs and pangolins being rehabilitated in the park’s conservation centers.
Today, travel to Cat Ba Island where you’ll board a traditional wooden sailboat and sail into Lan Ha Bay, passing the floating villages that fringe this Jurassic-looking national park island. Kick back on the deck and watch the backdrop change as the sun dips down and jungle-topped karsts become shadows of a hundred different shapes against the twilight sky.
Overnight on the cruise.
Wake up to a setting that feels otherworldly as you cruise among the thousands of karst islands and pillars rising up with sheer cliffs from the emerald water. Stop for a swim or kayaking before returning to Gia Luan harbor on Cat Ba Island to travel to the airport.
Pillions welcome
- Private Car
- Accommodations in twin-rooms
- Local English Speaking guide
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary: 5 Breakfasts (B), 6 Lunches (L), 5 Dinners (D)
- All activities as mentioned in the itinerary
- Thai music dance performance
- All entrance fee
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