Hiking Mai Chau & Pu Luong

Upon arrival at Hanoi International Airport, you will make your own way to the hotel.In the late afternoon, at approximately 16:30, our guide will host a group meeting in the hotel lobby.

Afterwards, we’ll take a leisurely walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, stopping to visit the picturesque Ngoc Son Temple, located on a small island in the lake and reached by a traditional red wooden bridge. We’ll then enjoy a welcome dinner together at a local restaurant.

In the morning, we travel to Tho Ha Traditional Village for a chance to experience rural life in Vietnam up close. Upon arrival, take a short ferry ride across the Cau River to reach the village. Enjoy a guided walk through the village, including a visit to the traditional Communal House. Some homes here still retain their original architecture from the late 1800s, offering a glimpse into Vietnam's past.

We’ll then be welcomed by a local family and observe how rice paper is made and dried. Afterwards, enjoy a short performance of Quan Ho folk songs - a traditional form of duet singing recognised as part of the cultural heritage of Bac Ninh province. Following this memorable cultural exchange, we say goodbye to our hosts and continue our journey.

Returning to Hanoi, we visit the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) - Vietnam’s first university, founded in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong. Inside, you’ll find 82 of the original 116 stelae engraved with the names of doctorate holders. The temple’s courtyards, altars and tiled roofs make it a fine example of traditional Vietnamese architecture.

Next, we take a walking tour through Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Starting from Hoan Kiem Lake, we pass Hang Hanh - known for its charming coffee shops - and head towards the Catholic Church. As you wander through the quiet alleys, you might spot a street vendor napping in the shade or a motorbike taxi driver (xe om) dozing on his bike. Suddenly, you’ll re-emerge into the lively bustle of Hanoi’s main streets, surrounded by the sounds, smells and scenes of everyday life.

The walk ends with time to relax and enjoy a cup of one of Hanoi’s iconic drinks: egg coffee. Invented by a local who once worked at the Sofitel Legend Metropole, this unique blend of whipped egg yolk and coffee has become a symbol of the city. Though many cafés now offer it, many still consider the original to be the best. After today's tour, the evening is at leisure.

Hanoi - Mai Chau. Today, we leave the bustle of Hanoi behind and journey into the mountainous region of Mai Chau. As we travel, the road gradually climbs, revealing a landscape of rolling hills and peaks set at a moderate altitude.

On arrival in Mai Chau, we’ll enjoy a welcome lunch prepared by a local family in a traditional Thai stilt house - a wonderful opportunity to learn more about local customs and daily life.

In the afternoon, we take a hike to Na Cut village, nestled at the foot of the mountains. Here, you’ll stay at a local homestay, sleeping overnight in the home of a local family, in the spacious main room of the stilt house. For your comfort, individual beds will be provided, complete with mattresses, sheets, pillows, mosquito nets and fans.

Please note: If you prefer, you can upgrade to a private room rather than a homestay for your 2-night stay in Mai Chau - please contact us for this

Hiking distance and duration: Mai Chau - Na Cut: 8 kilometres / 2h 30min

In the morning, we transfer to Mai Hich to begin today’s hiking adventure. Our walk starts through scenic rice paddies, framed by the surrounding mountains. As we make our way through several villages inhabited by the White Thai ethnic group, we’ll pass by a range of local plantations including corn, sugarcane, cassava and peanuts. The trail gradually ascends as we continue towards Buoc village, where we stop for lunch at a local homestay.

After a rest, we take a short transfer to Van village, another community of the White Thai people. From here, we set off along a trail lined with palm leaves, leading us into a bamboo forest. Emerging from the forest, we arrive in Hai village and enjoy views of rice terraces stretching up the hillsides.

We continue hiking to Cun Pheo rice field and follow the trail uphill to a viewpoint. Along the way, there are chances to take in – and photograph – the natural beauty of the terraced fields and farmers working in the landscape.

After a short rest at the top, we begin our descent through Cun village, where you’ll see traditional stilt houses and learn more about White Thai culture and daily life. Our hike ends at the main road, where our driver will be waiting to return us to the homestay.

Hiking distance and duration: 15 to 17 kilometres / 5 hours to 6 hours
Elevation gain: 200 metres

Mai Chau - Pu Luong Nature Reserve. This morning, we depart Mai Chau and travel to Pu Luong Nature Reserve, home to the Thai and Muong ethnic minorities. As we make our way through peaceful villages, rice fields and stretches of primary forest backed by rugged mountains, you’ll get a glimpse of a region still largely untouched by tourism.

On arrival in the heart of Pu Luong, we set out on a 2.5-hour hike starting from Ban Don village. The trail descends into a quiet valley, passing rice terraces, ducks, chickens and local farmers at work. You’ll eventually reach a stunning natural amphitheatre of rice fields - an ideal spot for photos. The walk continues among terraced fields and traditional Thai houses, offering insight into the community’s way of life. We return to our starting point in time for lunch.

Morning hiking distance and duration: 5.2 kilometres / 2h 30min
Elevation: +201 metres / -201 metres

In the afternoon, we travel to the Chieng Lau area to begin our next walk. After crossing the Chieng Lau Bridge over the Cham River, we find ourselves surrounded by lush rice paddies. The trail leads through villages inhabited by the Black Thai people and follows a scenic route along the river to a traditional water wheel.

We then leave the riverbank and make our way through a bamboo forest, enjoying a tranquil walk back along the riverside.

Afternoon hiking distance and duration: 7.5 kilometres / 3 hours

Pu Luong Nature Reserve - Van Long Nature Reserve - Ninh Binh. We depart Pu Luong this morning, travelling by road through scenic countryside en route to Van Long Nature Reserve, an area known as the 'terrestrial Halong Bay'. Around midday, we arrive at a local village where lunch is served in a traditional home.

In the early afternoon, we’ll enjoy a leisurely bike ride through nearby villages, offering a closer look at daily life and the surrounding landscapes. Reaching Van Long Nature Reserve, we board a small rowboat for a tranquil journey through flooded rice fields and dramatic limestone formations, with canals and lush vegetation all around. We then continue on to the hotel in Ninh Binh for the evening.

Cycling distance and duration: 8 kilometres / Maximum 1 hour
Rowboat excursion duration: 1 hour 30 mins

Ninh - Binh - Halong Bay. This morning, we travel to Halong Bay, arriving around midday to board an overnight cruise. Famed for its striking limestone islets covered in lush greenery, Halong Bay is one of Vietnam’s most spectacular natural wonders. The bay is home to around 1,900 islands and rocky outcrops, many of which remain untouched and uninhabited.

As we cruise through this UNESCO World Heritage site, we’ll take in the dramatic seascapes from the comfort of the boat. Lunch and dinner are served on board, featuring excellent, freshly caught seafood from the bay. In the evening, you’ll have the opportunity to try night fishing from the boat.

Halong Bay - Hanoi. Early this morning – weather and season permitting – you’ll have the chance to watch the sunrise over the aquamarine waters of Halong Bay, a peaceful start to the day.

The cruise continues through the bay until late morning, when we disembark. From here, we travel back to Hanoi and on to Noi Bai Airport for your departure flight. We recommend booking flights for after 18:00 to allow sufficient travel time.