Northern Natural Discovery

Arrive in Hanoi you will be met and transferred from the airport to your hotel in Hanoi Old quarter. Rest of your day will be free for your exploration to Hanoi capital. Overnight in Hanoi.

8 am: Depart to Mai Hich, Mai Chau. Enjoy the ride through the paddy fields of the Old Doai village and street-side village markets. Take a stop at Thung Khe Pass to observe the landscape of the valleys and hills.
11 am: Arrive in Mai Hich and be greeted by the village hosts in traditional dresses with cold drinks at Minh Tho Homestay.
Have a home-cooked local lunch with forest specialties and fresh ingredients.
Afternoon: Cycle or walk around the villages to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding nature and rural activities in action, including houses-on-stilt, fish ponds, low terrace paddy fields, and so on. Take part in some of the daily farming routines of local farmers. Check out a traditional weaving cooperative and have a chance to buy some hand-made souvenirs for your loved ones.
18:30 pm: Have dinner while enjoying the music and dances of Thai youth. Have a chance to learn and join the dances, and taste some local alcoholic specialty afterwards.
Have a comfortable overnight rest at Minh Tho Homestay (with privacy, coziness, and free wifi access)
Optional: Campfire with roasted corn, sweet potatoes or chicken porridge

Waking up to the fresh and tranquil morning of Tay Bac mountainous area!
7 - 8 am: Buffet breakfast in the setting of local Thai market
Option 1:
Take a walk through the corn fields, paddy fields and enjoy the daily life of the local community. Enjoy a rafting adventure along Xia River
Pack up and prepare to leave Mai Hich, depart Mai Hich to visit a traditional craft center operated by the physically challenged artists in Lac Village. Try on traditional costumes and shop for souvenirs in Lac Village.
Have lunch at Quan Hang Homestay in Lac Village before drive to Ninh Binh
Overnight in Ninh Binh

Option 2:

Trek through the villages, bamboo forests, visit a local brick factory, visit Thai, Mai Ha, Chieng Chau villages on the way from Mai Hich to Lac Village.
Have some souvenir shopping time at the center of Lac Village. Lunch at Quan Hang Homestay in Lac Village.
Drive to Ninh Binh. Overnight in Ninh Binh

9:00am leave the hotel for Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. In 968, Dinh Bo Linh declared himself as the King. Since then Hoa Lu existed as the capital for the next 41 years (968 – 1009), of which 12 years was under the Dinh dynasty – King Dinh Tien Hoang, the country named Dai Co Viet, and 29 years later was under the Le dynasty – King Le Dai Hanh. In 1010, King Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long – present day Hanoi. Hoa Lu became the old citadel. In Hoa Lu there are now 2 temples have been built on the ground of the old royal palace, one is dedicated to King Dinh Tien Hoang, the other is to King Le Dai Hanh. The visit offers a chance to know more about part of feudal dynasties and historical periods in Vietnamese history.

An hour for lunch at local restaurant with local food.

After lunch, take the amazing boat trip to visit Trang An grottoes which is a gathering of 31 valleys, 50 cross-water caves, and home to 600 kinds of flora and over 200 kinds of fauna, many of them in the Red Book of Vietnam. While rowing through Trang An grotto in the quiet, fresh air of the highlands, with only the sound of birds and the oars stirring the clear water and surrounded by magnificent forested mountains upon which graze white goats, visitors enjoy a heaven on earth.

8.00: Shuttle bus will pick up for a drive to Halong Bay. On the way, we stop for refreshment and photos.
You will reach to Halong Bay at around 12:00, welcome aboard. Enjoy your lunch on boat while cruising along the Bay, passing through multi-shaped rocks jutting out of water. Afternoon, you will discover the Bay on a kayak by yourself, climb up the mountain to get a panorama view of Halong, swim or relax on beach. Time for photo hunt at the sunset. You will witness a beautiful orange painting on the sea on a sunny day.
After dinner, free time to join boat's activities. Overnight on boat.

Get up a bit early to breathe some fresh air and join Tai Chi exercise on sun deck. Tea and coffee are served before you explore one of the nicest caves in Halong. Back to your cruise, freshen up and check out.
12.00: Shuttle bus will take you back to Hanoi. Dinner on guest's account.
Overnight in Hanoi

 

 

Free at leisure until our car and guide pick you up and transfer to the airport for departure flight.