THE LITTLE NORTH WEST AND LAN HA BAY

Arrival in Noi Bai airport, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel in the city center. The check-in will be available at 2 pm. The rest of the day is free to rest or discover the city at your own pace.

Depart at 8h00 am from Hanoi to Mai Chau, a picturesque valley, predominantly inhabited by the White Thai ethnic group. Arrive in Mai Chau around noon and transfer to your hotel, then lunch will be followed by a short break. In the afternoon, we will make a nice bike ride to discover an authentic and uncharted country, unspoiled by mass tourism. You’re gonna be charmed by the traditional houses on stilts, the Thai’s friendly smiles and greetings, vegetable gardens, green rice and bamboo forests along the way, crossing many villages of different ethnic groups: Chieng Sai, Cha, Cha Long, Na Tang, Tong Dau ... Return to the lodge to admire its natural surroundings. After dinner, enjoy the traditional music show. Overnight at the hotel.

 After breakfast, drive to Mai Ha, a village known for its production of rice alcohol and corn. From here, you will start a pleasant hike that crosses Thai villages at the foot of the Pu Poc mountain range, then a large tropical forest covered with beautiful vegetation. The ride will take you to Ban Te, a Thai village little known to travelers. Stop at a Thai family for lunch. In the afternoon, you will cross a bamboo forest before reaching the village of Na Meo where your driver will be waiting for you. Return to Mai Chau.

After breakfast, you’ll be picked up and transferred to Pu Luong. You enter Pu Luong Nature Reserve  via a breathtaking mountain pass giving you a panoramic view of the whole valley. You arrive at your accommodation in time for a delicious lunch, followed by some free time to explore the beautiful retreat, with its captivating panoramic views and tranquil setting. 
In the afternoon, transfer to a place about 12 km from the Retreat, where you will start your walk to a suspension bridge over Cham River, afterward follow the river, walk from village to village looking for stunning water wheels. Get close to each wheel and discover how water is directed from the river to handmade bamboo aqueducts via simple constructions of all sizes. Arriving at Chieng Lau village, you can rest and enjoy a tranquil streamside scenery. Walk to the main road to be transferred back to Pu Luong Retreat.

You will leave the pretty nature reserve of Pu Luong to reach Tam Coc - nicknamed "The Halong Bay on land". The Ho Chi Minh track will cross a huge region dominated by the Muong. Sugar loaves on your way. Upon arrival, bike ride to the Bich Dong Pagoda located on the hillside. The afternoon will be devoted to a sampan ride to discover this magnificent region dotted with limestone peaks and rice fields. You will pass by the three caves of Tam Coc which cross the mountains… a spectacle at the same time sublime and soothing! Night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel, then explore the superb Tam Coc region, known as "Halong Bay on land", in a rowing sampan. The boat will sail on a small river in the middle of villages, rice fields and karst rocks. At 10am, as the tourists begin to arrive, it will be time for you to leave Tam Coc. On the way to the district of Hai Hau, known for its culture of bonsai. Crossing rivers by local ferry. Meeting with Mr. Phi's family. In the afternoon, you will leave for a bike ride in the countryside to discover the orchards, bonsai, Catholic churches, the local market and especially the daily life of the inhabitants of Tonkin. Come home before night falls. Opportunity to participate in the preparation of dinner with the family's grandmother. Night in homestay.

After breakfast with the locals, drive to Lan Ha Bay through the provinces of Nam Dinh, Thai Binh and Hai Phong. Nam Dinh is known for its pagodas and temples dedicated to the emperors of the Tran dynasty (1225 - 1400). Crossing the Red River (Song Cai - Maman River) to enter Thai Binh province. The road will reveal a countryside landscape where rice cultivation prevails. At noon, embark on a traditional junk for a magical cruise in exceptional settings that UNESCO has not failed to include in its heritage. Kayaking in lagoons crossing rocky cavities and stops on deserted white sand beaches for swimming. Meal based on seafood served by the crew. Overnight on board.

Wake up early to admire the sunrise over the bay. Breakfast on board around 7:30 am. The junk continues to sail in Lan Ha bay, approaching the most beautiful peaks and rocks. Around 8:45 am, arrival at Viet Hai village, a small isolated fishing village. Bike ride to visit the village and discover its superb landscapes. Back on the junk to take a shower and free your cabins while the junk returns to Ben Beo. Lunch-brunch on board around 11am, then disembark and return to Hanoi. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

You will be picked up at the hotel at 8:00 am, starting the day trip with a visit of the Ho Chi Minh Complex, including Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum (closed on Mondays & Fridays) and his former stilt-house residence. We will continue with the Temple of Literature constructed in 1070 to worship Confucius, which served as the first Royal National University in Vietnam. The site also honors 82 Vietnamese doctorates who passed a number of rigorous exams in the feudal ages. Their names, birthdays and birthplaces are engraved in 82 headstones perched on stone tortoises. It is widely believed that touching the heads of these tortoises will bring one luck. Its peaceful green compound and its neatly maintained lawns, gardens and lotus ponds make it a tranquil hideaway from the city’s bustle and heat. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays, the alternative being the History Museum), which offers informative and well-documented displays on the country’s 54 ethnic groups cultures, including elaborate and colorful hill tribe costumes. The display continues in the museum’s garden with fascinating examples of traditional houses of numerous minority groups, from the Kinhs to the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands.  Then back to the Old Quarter for a one hour and a half walking tour to give you a deeper insight of local daily life. Head to Ngoc Son Temple set on a tiny island in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. Ngoc Son Temple dates back to the 13th century, and the lake itself is the picturesque heart of Hanoi, frequented by tourists and locals alike.

Free time to go shopping in the busy streets of the old quarter or rest at the hotel (room available until 12 noon). Transfer to the airport. End of our services.