Activities

Day 1 Hanoi – Tan Duc – Pu Luong Nature Reserve - Ton Village Valley/Mountain Trek

We depart Hanoi in the early morning and transfer 3 hours to the trailhead in Hoa Binh Province. Our trek begins at the Lung Van market. The terrain is flat as we hike along an old jeep trail, through rice paddies and ethnic villages. We rest in Ro village – home to Muong people and enjoy lunch in a traditional stilt house. Following lunch, we continue our journey through charming forests, dotted with tranquil villages. Tonight we sleep in a stilt house of the Muong people in Ton. Warm clothing may be needed, as the evenings are cool in the forest

Trek: 5 hours trekking. Difficulty: Moderate. Meals: Lunch & Dinner. Accommodation: Home-Stay

Day 2 Xom Village – Ban Muoi –Ban Hin

Our first few hours are spent hiking in beautiful undisturbed forests before taking a steep down-hill track into the heart of the reserve. In this wide lush valley cultivated by minority Thai peoples we’ll glimpse rice fields and vegetable farms that are punctuated by idyllic looking villages. When we reach level ground, we’ll hike along a jeep trail as well as village paths to Hin and Nua village for an overnight stay. For those wishing to hike a little further, you can continue into the limestone hills to Ban Cao Hoong. In the evening we’ll be treated to a traditional music performance by the local villagers. We sleep in an Ecotourism home-stay in Hin or Nua Village.

Trek: Approx 6-7 hours trekking. Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging.  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Accommodation: Home-Stay

Day 3 Ban Hin – Ban Kho Muong

In order to enjoy the weekly market at Pho Doan, we must be here on a Thursday. It is an early morning start, as we hike towards the market with many villagers. After immersing ourselves in the market atmosphere, we’ll hike for 3 hours uphill along a footpath to the hidden village of Kho Muong. This is perhaps the most remote of the village home-stays. From here we’ll trek to a recently discovered and now protected cave, home to rare bats. It’s a fantastic place to explore, being an untouched cavernous labyrinth. We spend the night in the ecotourism home-stay in Kho Muong.

Trek: Approx 6-7 hours trekking. Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Accommodation: Home-Stay

Day 4 Kho Muong – Hang village

Today’s hike takes us on 50% village paths and 50% on an old unused, unpaved French road. There are some good descents and several more stream crossings. The trekking is remote yet one is never far from a villager tending his fields. We’ll relax from the heat of the day in a local home for lunch before continuing on a picturesque path to Hang village nestled between steep Karst mountains. The setting of the village is perhaps the most beautiful in Vietnam, with these magical limestone peaks surrounding it. It is recommended to stroll around and join in as villagers go about their daily lives, or you can just relax in one of the three eco home-stays. We sleep in a stilt house in Hang Village.

Trek: Approx 5 hours trekking. Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Accommodation: Home-Stay

Day 5 Pu Luong Nature Reserve – Mai Chau – Hanoi

After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll hike through a narrow valley for 2 hours to the junction where our bus will be waiting for us. Be sure to bring plastic sandals, as there are two more streams to cross before leaving the reserve. From here we head back towards Hanoi. First however, we’ll stop in Lac village in Mai Chau for coffee and a second breakfast. Ypur free time to stroll around Mai Chau befre we drive the rest weary legs to Hanoi.

Trek: Approx 2 hours trekking. Difficulty: Moderate. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

INCLUSIONS

• Experienced English speaking adventure guide throughout.
• Local trekking guide for trekking days.
• Cooks and trek helpers for trekking days. Their job is to provide meals and prepare bedding for clients.
• 01 Air-conditioned vehicle for transfers except trekking day
• Motorbike to carry foodstuff, luggage, equipment for trekking days.
• 01 Silk sleeping sheet bag/person.
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch & D= Dinner)
• Healthy snack, fresh local fruits and soft drink for trekking days.
• Trekking permit.
• Bottled drinking water for trekking days.
• All sightseeing entrance fee where required in the itinerary.
• Accommodation for trekking days will be at local homestay (traditional house on stilt). We will prepare separate bedding, bed sheets, blanket, mosquito net, pillow for each trekker.
• Simple First Aid Kit.

EXCLUSIONS

• International flight to/from Vietnam and international airport departure tax.
• Airport pick up and drop off.
• Hotel in Hanoi
• Vietnamese Visa. Please assure that you have visa before departure.
• Travel Insurance. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance from home.
• Personal expenditure (telephone, laundry, shopping and so on…)
• Tips for guide, driver, porters. We recommend 5 USD/person/day for guide, 3 USD/person/day for driver and 2 USD/person/hotel when you check in/out.
• Beverage and alcoholic drinks.
• Any other services not clearly mentioned on the itinerary and trip inclusive portion.