Discover the unspoiled nature of Pu Luong and learn about the ancient history of Vietnam in Ninh Binh on this amazing trekking adventure!
Are you wondering where you can spend your short time in Vietnam and have an overview understanding of the country? Then look no further! Come and join us on this trekking adventure to Pu Luong and Ninh Binh! Not only can you discover the beautiful nature of the Vietnamese countryside, but you can also learn about the local tribal culture and ancient history of Vietnam here.
Day 1 – Hanoi / Pu Luong
Get ready to go back to nature as we pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi on our limousine bus! Our journey to Pu Luong Nature Reserve will take around 4.5 hours and we will make several stops along the way. Our first stop is a short break at Luong Son where you can notice the change in scenery and embrace the countryside vibe. After driving for around 2 hours along the panoramic Thung Khe Pass, we will arrive at the local market of Muong ethnic minority where we could purchase some local products and interact with the people. We will continue our drive towards Pu Luong with a quick transfer into a van in Mai Chau.
Once we reach Pu Luong, we will check in to our accommodation at Pu Luong Eco Garden – The Mountain Retreat and enjoy our lunch. In the afternoon, we will embark on our first trekking adventure in the middle of nature. As our van drops us at the starting point, we will trek through the country paths along the rice terraces and sugarcane fields as well as walk across the suspension bridges to reach the rural area where the local tribes reside. We will visit the Thai ethnic minority villages of Chieng Lau, Yen and Ba to learn more about the local traditions. We may also learn about the traditional agricultural method as we observe the farmers working at the duck farms. After the strenuous trekking and exploration, we will enjoy cruising down the Cham River onboard the bamboo raft. We will then return to our hotel and indulge in the delicious barbecue dinner. Have a good night’s sleep and look forward to the upcoming adventure!
Day 2 – Pu Luong / Hieu Waterfall / Ban Hieu
As we have a taste of trekking through the easy route, we will challenge the hard route and push our boundaries today! After recharging your energy with the hearty breakfast, we will head towards Pho Doan to begin our trekking adventure. If you are here on Thursday or Sunday morning, we will visit the local market where you can observe how the locals go about their daily lives. On other occasions, we will start trekking immediately after we arrive at Pho Doan.
Our main destination for the day is the magnificent Hieu Waterfall which is located amidst the mountains and deep inside the jungle. We have to hike up and down the hilly terrains through the paddy fields and lush jungles for around 10 kilometres before we are presented with the impressive scenery. As we arrive, we will enjoy our picnic lunch by the waterfall. You are free to spend the entire afternoon on your own around the waterfall. Whether you choose to dip in the refreshing pool or wander around the nearby forest, don’t forget to marvel at the beautiful cascading water here! Once we are satisfied with our time at the waterfall, we will head towards the rustic Ban Hieu Nature Homestay where we will stay for the night. Located in the middle of the jungle and managed by the local family, you can expect home cooked dinner with a taste of local rice wine and warm hospitality while staying at this homestay. Have an early night and enjoy the serenity of nature!
Day 3 – Ban Hieu / Ninh Binh
After having our breakfast early in the morning, we will say goodbye to our hosts and head back to Pu Luong. Our agenda for the day is to explore the hidden gems around Pu Luong Nature Reserve. We will visit the Black Thai ethnic minority village of Kho Muong which is located deep inside the forest and mountain. As the village is pretty isolated, we need to trek on hilly roads along the rice fields for around 6 kilometres and cross the river to reach this remote area. Once we arrive, you can interact with the locals and learn about the local traditions that have been passed down for over 3 centuries here.
Not only can we discover about the local tribal culture, but we can also get closer to nature by visiting the largest cave in Pu Luong. Doi Cave (Bat Cave) which is situated near the Kho Muong Village will offer you a spectacular view of stalactites and stalagmites formations. Moreover, we could experience the rich biodiversity inside the cave as we meet 5 different species of bats here. By noon, we will return to Pu Luong and have our lunch. You are free to spend some time to relax before we depart for Ninh Binh at 2.30 pm. After driving for around 3 hours, we will reach the Ninh Binh Retreat and check in to our rooms. We will indulge in our scrumptious dinner before retreating for the night.
Day 4 – Ninh Binh / Trang An / Hanoi
Last but not least, our final day on this tour will show the historical side of Vietnam amidst the wonderful nature. Once we fuel up with breakfast, we will cycle along the limestone mountains to reach the ancient citadel of Hoa Lu. We will visit the two temples built in the 10th century for the Emperors of Hoa Lu and learn more about the ancient history of Vietnam. Moreover, we will uncover more about the Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang who was the first emperor of the unified, post-Chinese rule Vietnam by visiting his tomb on top of the Ma Yen Mountain. While hiking up the mountain, make sure you take some time to enjoy the panoramic scenery of the surroundings!
As we head back to Ninh Binh, we will stop by the house of a local family to observe their daily activities and learn about the local customs over a cup of tea. We will head back to the hotel and check out before we have our lunch. In the afternoon, we will have the chance to witness the picturesque Ha Long Bay of the land in Trang An. We will board the boat down the river and marvel at its stunning limestone karsts amidst the lush vegetation. Don’t forget to take in the serene atmosphere here! After we have completed all our activities, we will return to Hanoi with your choice of transportation (train or bus). Our tour ends as we drop you off at your hotel in the city.
Please refer to our refunds policy under Terms of Use section
Refer to the map below to see a list of pick up location(s) that are available for you to choose from. You can select your desired pick up location when you book the tour.
List of Location(s):
Pick up is also available for other location(s) under the vicinity of Hanoi. For more information, please contact Adventoro's concierge service.
Make use of Adventoro's complimentary concierge service by emailing info@adventoro.com to effortlessly plan your next adventure!
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