Northern Vietnam Soft Hiking Mai Chau

Day 1: Hanoi – Arrival (–,–,D)

Upon arrival in Hanoi International airport, you will travel to hotel at your own. In the late afternoon, estimated 16:30, the guide will have a group meeting in hotel lobby, then, you will take a stroll around the Sword Lake and stop to visit the beautiful Ngoc Son Temple on an island in the middle of the lake, accessed via a red wooden bridge. And have a welcome dinner in a local restaurant. Meals: Dinner Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi Transfer distance of airport to hotel in downtown: 28 kilometers - 45 min. Notes: Rooms will be at guests’ disposal from 14:00

Day 2: Hanoi (B,–,–)

In the morning, you will reach Tho Ha Traditional Village, a great opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of rural life in Vietnam. Upon arrival, you will have a short ferry ride to cross the Cau River to Tho Ha village. Time for a walk to visit the village and the traditional Communal House. You will be amazed by the old architecture of this village, some of the houses still keep the original construction of late 1800s. Then you will be welcomed by a local family and you will observe and learn how rice paper is created and dried. Then interact with the family through a mini Quan Ho folk song show. The traditional Quan Ho songs are performed as alternating verses between two women from one village who sing in harmony, and two men from another village who respond with similar melodies, but with different lyrics. Quan họ songs express the spirit, philosophy and local identity of the communities of Bắc Ninh province. Then it will be time to say good bye to say to your host and to continue your journey. Distance and duration: 50 kilometers -1h 30min per way Next, you will return to Hanoi and visit the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu in Vietnamese), situated in the place once known as the first university of Vietnam. Built in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong, the university was first opened for princes and mandarins exclusively. Inside, you will find 82 of the original 116 stelae engraving the names of the winners from doctorate competitions. Outside, with its ancient courtyards, altars and roofs, Van Mieu is a very fine example of Vietnamese architecture. Then Stroll in Hanoi Old Quarter: You will set off from Sword Lake, passing by Hang Hanh - the famous coffee street and heading towards the Catholic Church. Wandering in these peaceful alleys, your eyes will catch the daily scenes of street vendors quietly napping in the shade or a motorbike taxi-driver (or xe om in Vietnamese) sleeping precariously on his bike. Then, suddenly you will again find yourself in a noisy and busy street. Throughout the tour, your senses will be bombarded with a cascade of different sights, sounds, smells and characters that harmonize to the music of life in Hanoi. At the end of the walk, you will have time to enjoy a cup of coffee from one of the many small shops in the area. Distance and duration of the walk: 4 kilometers - 2 hours. Level: 0 While you are in the Old Quarter, try one of Hanoi's experiences: Egg Coffee: Iconic to Hanoi, the egg coffee recipe was developed by a Vietnamese local who once worked in the most legendary hotel in Hanoi, the Sofitel Legend Metropole. Although his cafe was once the only destination to enjoy the unique drink, due to its popularity the secret egg coffee recipe has been copied and is now served in many coffee shops around Hanoi. According to many, the original is still the most special place to try the iconic beverage, which has earned a place in local legend. Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Day 3: Hanoi – Mai Chau (B,L,D)

Today, head out of bustling Hanoi to the mountainous area of Mai Chau. En route, the road ascends gradually until you find yourself in the middle of a landscape of mountains set at a medium altitude. Upon arriving in Mai Chau, you will be served a welcome lunch prepared by a local family in a traditional Thai stilt house. This will be a great opportunity for you to learn more about the culture and daily life of the locals. In the afternoon, you will take a short walk to Na Cut village at the foot of the mountain to observe a genuine example of the local life of the region, where long practiced traditions are still retained. At night in the home of the local inhabitants you will sleep in the large main room of the house. To ensure your maximum comfort the house will be furnished with beds (mattresses, sheets, pillows, mosquito nets, fans). Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Accommodation: Overnight at homestay (Supplement for overnight at hotel if you wish) Distance and duration of the afternoon hike: Mai Chau - Na Cut: 8 kilometers - 2h 30min Level: 1 Transportation: 150 kilometers - 4 hours

Day 4: Mai Chau (B,L,D)

In the morning, you will transfer to Mai Hich where you will start your hiking journey for the day. Start walking through the rice paddy fields and admire the imposing scenery of the mountains surrounding. The walk will take you through different villages of the White Thai ethnic people. You will pass by different local plantations such as corn, sugarcanes, cassavas, peanuts and so on. You will continue walking slightly uphill to reach the Buoc village where you enjoy your lunch at the homestay. After lunch and getting some rest, you will go for a short transfer to Van village, an area inhabited by the White Thai ethnic minority group. Here, you will start a hiking journey walking along a trail surrounded by palm leaves. This trail will then take you to the bamboo forest before reaching the roads of Hai village, where you will get to admire the beautiful rice terraces stretching from the road up to the high mountains. Then you will continue your trail to the Cun Pheo rice field where you will start hiking uphill to reach the top. Along the way, you will have the chance to capture the natural beauty of the rice terraces and the local farmers working on the field. After taking a short rest you will start walking down passing through the Cun village. Here you will get the chance to see the stilt houses inhabited by the White Thai people and get to know more about their life and culture. At the end, you will head to the main road where your driver will wait for you and return to the homestay. Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner Accommodation: Homestay Mai Chau Distance and duration of the Hiking: 15 kilometers to 17 kilometers - 5 hours to 6 hours Elevation gain: 200 meters Level: 1

Day 5: Mai Chau – Pu Luong

You will depart from Mai Chau to Pu Luong Nature Reserve, populated by the Thai and Muong minorities. Your journey through beautiful villages, rice fields with mighty mountains in the background as well as a primary forest offers the opportunity to discover a region which is not often visited. Upon your arrival in the center of Pu Luong, you will start a 2-hour hike lasting for the rest of the morning. You will begin from the village of Ban Don and descend into the valley. Along the way you will come across rice terraces, ducks, chickens and probably some locals working in the fields. Eventually you will arrive at a beautiful amphitheater of rice terraces providing countless opportunities for perfect pictures. You will then continue to walk among the rice terraces and pass many homes of the Thai minority, a great way to learn about their customs and the way they build their houses. You will be back at the starting point ready for lunch time. Distance: 5.2 kilometers - 2h 30min Elevation: +201 meters / -201 meters Transportation: 50 kilometers - 1h 30min In the afternoon, you will travel to the Chieng Lau area to start on the walking trail. After crossing the Chieng Lau bridge to get to the other side of Cham River, you will end up in the middle of the beautiful, lush rice field. Then, continue your walk to discover the villages of Black Thai ethnic people, as well as their trails that lead from village to village, along the river and to the water wheel. After your stroll, head away from the river to go through the bamboo forest and enjoy a peaceful journey along the riverside. Distance: 7.5 kilometers Duration: 3 hours Terrain - ascent and descent, which could be slippery in case of rain. Level: 1 Scenery: rice field, villages, forest, river bank, water wheel Transportation: 10 kilometers - 30 minutes Meals included: Breakfast, lunch Accommodation: Hotel in Pu Luong

Day 6: Pu Luong – Van Long Nature Reserve – Ninh Binh (B,L,–)

You will depart from Pu Luong to the site of “terrestrial Halong Bay” by taking a road that crosses picturesque landscapes. You will arrive at noon in a village and have lunch in a local house there. At the beginning of the afternoon, you will take a pleasant bike ride through the villages to discover the areas and their inhabitants. Arriving in the Van Long Nature Reserve, you will step aboard a small rowboat for a slow journey through the flooded rice fields and the spectacular landscape of rocky peaks, canals and vegetation. You will then make the trip to the hotel. Meals: Breakfast, lunch Accommodation: Hotel in Ninh Binh Distance and duration of the cycling: 8 kilometers - maximum 1 hour Level:0 Transportation: 135 kilometers - 3.5 hours Note: Duration of the rowing boat visit is 1h 30min

Day 7: Ninh Binh – Halong, Overnight On Board (B,L,D)

In the morning, you will travel to Halong and arrive around noon. There, you will embark on a cruise in the must-see Halong Bay. This world-famous bay is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Vietnam, with its giant rock islets covered in luxuriant vegetation overlooking the waters. Halong Bay includes some 1,900 islands and islets of rocky peaks, often uninhabited and unvisited. This scene creates a spectacular marine landscape, which earned it UNESCO World Heritage status in 1994. You will be served lunch and dinner aboard with excellent and freshly caught seafood from the bay. At the end of the day, you will have the chance to enjoy a night fishing session on the boat. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Accommodation: Overnight on board Transfer distance: 200 kilometers - 3h 30min to 4 hours

Day 8: Halong – Hanoi. Departure (B,–,–)

Early in the morning and depending on the season, you will wake up to enjoy the sunrise over the aquamarine waters of the bay. Then the cruise will tour around the bay until you disembark at the end of the morning. After that, you will then return to Hanoi, then to Noi Bai airport for your departure flight. Meals included: Breakfast Distance: 155 kilometers - 3hrs.