Discover Mai Chau - Pu Luong - Ninh Binh tour 4 Days

Day 1, Hanoi - Mai Chau (L,D) 145km - 3.5h
Visiting Muong village, Thung Khe the scenic pass, Mai Hich, overnight at a homestay

8:00 Am: Meet tour guide and driver then depart to Mai Chau. On the way, visit a Muong village. Continue to Thung Khe pass where you can view magnificent panoramic views of the valley before arriving in Mai Chau town. Mai Chau is a beautiful valley located 145 km away from Hanoi. It is great place with harmonious landscapes, green mountain ranges, rice terraces and White Thai ethnic villages.

Arrival in Mai Hich, check in your accommodation and enjoy local food cooked by the host. Later explore Mai Hich by bike(optional) or walk along the trails and concrete roads. You will be seduced by the gorgeous landscapes as the villages, rice fields, mountains and streams are in perfect harmony with one another. Do not miss the opportunity to communicate with the friendly local people who are always willing to welcome you into their house to enjoy a cup of tea. Return to your accommodation in the late afternoon.

Note: Private traditional music and dancing show by local people is available with extra cost of $35/group. Please ask our guide to reserve if you are interested in.

Day 2, Mai Chau - Pu Luong (B,L,D) 40km - 1h
Discovering Eo Ken, Ban hang villages, Chieng Lau discovery

Depart from Mai Hich directly to Eo Ken, 30km away, where the Muong ethnics live. Walk down the slope and enjoy the spectacular view of Pu Luong Nature reserve, rice field terraces and mountains. Visit a Muong ethnic family in Eo Kenvillage and discover their authentic life. Continue walking through this beautiful landscape and cross a stream to reach HangVillage.

Pick up by driver for transfering to Pu Luong. Check in your accommodation. In the afternoon transfer to Chieng Lau, a beautiful rice field area with bamboo water wheels. Walk through the field to the village and encounter the locals to discover their life, culture and customs.


Day 3, Pu Luong - Ninh Binh (B,D) 140km - 4h
Authentic easy hiking route: Chom Uoi - Chom Lan - Pho Doan village, visiting Cam Luong stream

8:00 Am: Start your day by hiking down into the beautiful valley from your accommodation, passing through spectacular rice fields and follow small paths to slowly reach Chom Uoi and Chom Lan villages. Your camera will help you capture these unforgettable moments. During the hike, you will witness the changing landscapes of rice terraces intermingled with villages, fields, ponds, streams and mountains. Continue walking to Pho Doan to have lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, transfer to Ninh Binh. On the way, visit the sacred fish stream in Cam Luong. This place is well known for a special kind of fish that populate the stream. It's called a sacred fish for the many mysterious stories created around this special creature. Continue travel to Ninh Binh, check in your accommodation in the late afternoon.


Day 4, Ninh Binh - Hanoi (B,L) 100km - 2h
Biking in Thung La, enjoying authentic drum performance, boat trip in Van Long Nature Reserve

8:00 Am: take a 15km bike ride (optional) or walk through the villages. A journey along the dyke will offer you gorgeous landscapes of rice fields, a river and limestone mountains. There are several stops for you to take beautiful photos or encounter the locals then walk to discover Thung La temple, dating back to the 11th century.

Continue to take a sampan boat trip along the stream and among the limestone mountains to discover the beauty of Van Long nature reserve. If lucky, you might get to see white monkeys and egrets on the cliffs. After the boat trip, visit Lang Van village and its church.

Return your bike to homestay, say good bye the host. End of the day, transfer from Ninh Binh to Hanoi. Enjoy the journey passing Red River delta with a lot of chance taking pictures of rice fields, peaceful countryside.

Note: Distance of biking to Thung La is on your request

Services Included

• Three nights of accommodation based on double or twin sharing.
• One night in a handpicked 4-star hotel, resort or eco-lodge in Mai Chau, one night in a premium eco-resort or boutique retreat in Pu Luong and one night in a 4-star hotel or resort in Ninh Binh for the Premium 4-Star Nature and Culture Version.
• One night in a selected 5-star retreat in the wider Mai Chau region, one night in the best available luxury boutique retreat or eco-lodge in Pu Luong and one night in a 5-star hotel or resort in Ninh Binh for the Prestige 5-Star Nature Retreat Version.
• Private air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver throughout the four-day journey.
• A comfortable seven-seat private vehicle for four travellers or a private minibus for five to six travellers, subject to luggage requirements.
• Private pick-up and drop-off at a centrally located hotel in Hanoi according to the confirmed itinerary.
• Private road transfers from Hanoi to Mai Chau, Mai Chau to Pu Luong, Pu Luong to Cam Luong and Ninh Binh, and Ninh Binh to Hanoi.
• Private local transfers to and from scheduled walking, cycling and sightseeing starting points.
• English-speaking licensed tour guide throughout the itinerary.
• Local trekking support during scheduled village walks when required.
• Three breakfasts, four lunches and three dinners according to the recommended full-meal package.
• Entrance fees and sightseeing tickets for all scheduled attractions mentioned in the confirmed itinerary.
• Visit to a Muong ethnic village on the journey from Hanoi to Mai Chau.
• Scenic stop at Thung Khe Pass, subject to weather and road conditions.
• Walking or cycling experience through Mai Hich and the surrounding White Thai villages.
• Bicycle use in Mai Chau according to the confirmed itinerary.
• Guided walking experience through Eo Ken and Hang Village.
• Cultural interaction with Muong and White Thai communities.
• Visit to Chieng Lau rice fields and traditional bamboo water wheels.
• Chieng Lau bamboo rafting experience, subject to weather, water levels and local operating conditions.
• Guided hike through Chom Uoi, Chom Lan and Pho Doan.
• Entrance fee and scheduled visit to Cam Luong Sacred Fish Stream.
• Bicycle rental for the scheduled rural cycling route in Ninh Binh.
• Visit to Thung La Temple and local drum performance when available.
• Van Long Nature Reserve sampan boat trip.
• Visit to Lang Van Village and its church according to the final itinerary.
• Bottled drinking water and tissues during private road transfers.
• Fuel, road tolls, parking fees and driver expenses for the included transportation.
• Local taxes and service charges for all included ground arrangements.
• 24/7 local assistance during the journey.

Services Not Included

• International flights to and from Vietnam.
• Domestic flights requested as part of a customised extension or modified itinerary.
• Accommodation in Hanoi before the tour begins or after the tour ends.
• Airport transfers in Hanoi unless specifically included in the confirmed quotation.
• Vietnam visa stamping fee or e-visa fee, if applicable.
• Personal travel insurance, including medical, cycling, trekking, cancellation, emergency evacuation and baggage coverage.
• Drinks, alcoholic beverages, minibar, laundry, spa treatments, telephone calls and personal expenses.
• Meals not clearly mentioned in the confirmed itinerary.
• Single room supplement or an additional room required for an odd-numbered group unless included in the confirmed quotation.
• Early check-in and late check-out at hotels or resorts unless specifically included.
• Hotel room upgrades, suites, private pool villas or premium room categories unless requested and confirmed.
• Private traditional music and dance performance in Mai Chau unless specifically included.
• Optional spa treatments, wellness programs, cooking classes, cultural workshops or resort activities.
• Private porter services during walking or trekking activities.
• Trekking poles, specialised hiking equipment, personal rainwear and footwear.
• Additional four-wheel-drive vehicles, motorbike transfers or special transportation not stated in the confirmed itinerary.
• Privately chartered boats or exclusive boat arrangements in Van Long Nature Reserve.
• Tips for guides, drivers, boat rowers, porters, hotel staff and local service providers.
• High-season, rice-harvest season, weekend, Christmas, New Year, Lunar New Year or Vietnamese public-holiday supplements, if applicable.
• Additional costs caused by adverse weather, landslides, road closures, bamboo rafting suspension, cycling restrictions, boat restrictions or force majeure events.
• Additional transportation, meals or accommodation required because of unexpected road, weather or safety conditions.
• Any service not clearly listed under “Services Included”.