Hanoi – Mai Chau – Pu Luong – Ninh Binh
(5 days 4 nights)
Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau (L, D)
At 8.00 our driver and guide will meet you at hotel lobby in Hanoi then drive straight to Mai Chau through country side and town of mountainous regions.
12.00 Arrive in Mai Chau. Where we are really happy with fresh air and panorama view.After checkin the accommodation we’ll have lunch with authentic cuisine of local people. We have a hiking in villages surrounding in afternoon at one of the most beautiful area in the north west of Vietnam.
19.00 we have dinner at the accommodation.
Day 2: Mai Chau – Pu Luong (B,L,D)
At 8.00 AM after breakfast. In the morning we have bicycle through terraced rice paddies and small villages, discovering the natural beauty of the valley and encountering the culture of the ethnic minority Thai people on our visits to the Lac and Na Phon villages. Return for lunch in the village then we continue our journey to Pu Luong.
At 3.00 PM setting off on a trek through rice paddies and winding lanes to visit the Hieu village, Home to Muong and Thai ethnic groups. Immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture. We have chance to take shower in the waterfall, relaxing in the bamboo stilt house ( Mr Ly’s home stay) dinner at 7 PM with family
Day 3: Pu Luong (B,L,D)
After breakfast at 8 a.m we hike around corn fields and rice terraces, along the palm forest and we see the villages and people going about their day.
Have a picnic lunch on the way of the White Thai village, enjoy some free time to acquaint yourself with the villagers. In the afternoon, we trek through terraced rice paddies and small villages, discovering the natural beauty of the valley and encountering the culture of the ethnic minority Thai people in Don village. Arriving at your accommodation. In the evening enjoy a lively atmosphere of the village. Stay overnight at the accommodation in Don Village. Dinner at 7 PM
Day 4: Pu Luong – Ninh Binh (B,L)
We start the hiking in the morning through the rice terraces and palm forest then we start at 11.00 AM for a drive on Hochiminh highway to Ninh Binh through the surrounding countryside enjoy an authentic lunch at one of the restaurant on the road. Arriving Ninh Binh at 4.30 PM at hotel in Ninh Binh city ( Ngoc Anh 2).
Day 5: Ninh Binh (B,L)
At 8.30 our driver and guide will meet you at hotel lobby. We drive to Mua Cave mountain
9.00 Arrive there, visit the secret hospital that Vietnamese used in the days of thunder (Vietnam War) based inside the cave, then we challenging ourselves with 500 steps to the top of the mountain where we are really happy with fresh air and “rooftop of Ninh Binh ” panorama view, we back to the car for driving to the east of Ninh Binh area.
12.00 we stop for lunch with some local special dishes such as Crispy rice, Soups, Goat meat with elderberry in a local restaurant.
13.00 PM After lunch, The last visit of today we will go to visit Tam Coc grottoes , take a boat trip to visit a complex of water-through caves in mystery and wildness, see scenery of mountain and rivers Ha Long on land of Ninh Binh. Also rice field along the river side makes you a memorial day.
We will have a short time to take a look at the Thai vi temple. In a limestone mountain the middle of the valley with its unique architecture is made entirely of stone and enjoy the fresh air with nature. We drive back to your hotel in where the trip ends at 17.50.
The fact:
- 5 km hiking of day 1
- 15 km cycling of day 2 and 5 km trekking of day 2
- 14 km trekking of day 3
- 7 km trekking of day 4
- optional: 10 km cycling of day 5 (free of charge)
Accommodation:
In Mai Chau: Homestay at Lac village or Mai Chau Ecolodge (5 star standard )
In Pu Luong: Homestay at Mr Ly’s family (private bungalow) on day 2
Homestay at Mr Hong’s family or Pu Luong retreat (4 stars standard ecolodge) on day 3
In Ninh Binh: Ngoc Anh hotel 2 in the center of city (3 star standard)
Trip cost: USD 425 $/ 1 person / 5 days with accommodation 3 nights at homestay (bungalow) and 1 night at hotel
Trip cost: USD 590 $/ 1 person / 5 days with accommodation 2 nights at ecolodge, 1 night at homestay (bungalow) and 1 night at hotel
Inclusion : private car and guide, accommodation, all meals mentioned in program, drinking water, tickets, boat trip, bikes, travel insurance
Exclusion: Personal expenses, other drinks.
Links for reference:
http://www.ngocanhhotel.com/gallery
http://puluongretreat.com/the-retreat/rooms/ http://m.maichau.ecolodge.asia/theroom.html

Hanoi is embraced by two rivers in the Northern Vietnam: Red River and Day River. It is said that its name was derived from the meaning “the hinterland between the rivers”. It was the trace of ancient rivers inside that made many beautiful and romantic lakes for Hanoi capital. Lakes are the lung of Hanoi which plays an important role in making the climate equable for all parts of a city. Also, they are the favorable place of interest for every visitors and Hanoians, especially in summer.

“Hanoi 36 pho phuong” is another familiar phrase for the name of Hanoi. In the past, each street specialized in a particular trade. That explains why Hanoi has the name of 36 districts. At present, although many of the streets no longer have the products for which they were named, some still keep its trade for earning people’s livings. All streets are gathered in Hanoi Old Quarter – which is situated near Hoan Kiem Lake in the heart of Hanoi.

“A City of Peace” – Hanoi is worthy a center of politics, economy, culture and tourism of Vietnam – one of the most interesting and safe destinations of foreign tourists to Vietnam.

Those who are more interested in local cuisine than just sightseeing can settle in with a local family and learn how to make some authentic Vietnamese food. Dishes include succulent spring rolls, zesty sauce dips and sticky rice. We then enjoy the family’s gracious hospitality as they share lunch with us.

After lunch, we drive around several villages and witness the tight-knit community at work. We learn about agriculture, such as rice cultivation, and the growing of peanuts and assorted vegetables, a time-consuming and labour-intensive process. This is followed by our journey to Hoa Lu ancient capital dated to 10 century the first KING of Vietnam was choosing hoalu as the best location to build palace we will know alot about Vietnam history by our exellent tour guide then it is time to be back to your Hotel arriving there at around 5pm. (Lunch is included).

From July to September, the climate is usually humid and hot. From October to June brings cooler and more pleasant weather.

Transport: moto bicycle or car and boat.

Tour Guides: experienced and friendly Tour Guides, all of whom speak excellent English and French. Every Guide is extremely knowledgeable about local cultures, history and the environment.

Meals: 1 lunch.

We choose local ingredients, typical of the way people eat in the area, at local restaurants, markets or homes.

We also cater for Vegetarians but please request this at time of booking. ]]> http://victravel.net/?feed=rss2&p=47 0 http://victravel.net/?p=10 http://victravel.net/?p=10#comments Sat, 09 Mar 2013 18:50:47 +0000 admin http://demo.fireofsun.com/bird-malaysia/?p=10 Coming to Ha Long bay you will have an excelent chance to discover one of the picturesque scenery and most beautiful islets with differents shape. With 3,000 islands of various size, beautiful mountains and Caves such as Sung Sot, Luon, Ga Choi mark Ha Long bay well-known in the world as well as in the list of World New Seven Wonders.
Activities: Swimming, kayaking, volleyball, biliard, relaxing on the sandy beach… trekking & Biking in Cat Ba National Park. Day 1: Ninh Binh- Halong bay; Swimming and Kayaking ( L – D) Price: 150 usd/ 1 person (please contact us for details)

AM at 8 oclock Our guide and car pick up at your address for Mua Cave – Tràng An day tour. Arrive in Hang Mua, visit the secret hospital that Vietnamese used in the days of thunder (Vietnam War) inside the cave then we challenging ourselves with 500 steps to the top of the mountain where we are really happy with fresh air and “rooftop of Ninh Binh ” panorama view, we back to the car for lunch with some local special dishes such as Soups, Goat meat with elderberry (5 kms far from Trang An).

PM After lunch, we will go to visit Trang An grotoes , take a boat trip to visit a complex of caves such as: Sang Cave, Toi Cave, Ba Giot Cave, Nau Ruou in mystery and wildness, see scenery of mountain and rivers Ha Long on land of Ninh Binh. Also the latest Natural UNESCO heritage in Vietnam. We will have a short time to take a look at the Taoist temple. In a Limestone mountain the middle of the river with its unique architecture is made entirely of wood and enjoy the fresh air with nature. Getting on the car for returning to your hotel. Around 17:00. Arrive at your address. Tour ends.
Tour cost : 50$ per person (inclusion : lunch, tickets, boat trip, car)

From July to September, the climate is usually humid and hot. From October to June brings cooler and more pleasant weather.
Transport: motocycle or car and boat.
Tour Guides: experienced and friendly Tour Guides, all of whom speak excellent English and French. Every Guide is extremely knowledgeable about local cultures, history and the environment.
Meals: 1 lunch. We choose local ingredients, typical of the way people eat in the area, at local restaurants, markets or homes.
We also cater for Vegetarians but please request this at time of booking.