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2729

Outstanding Scenery

Amazing landscapes, rice terraces and ‘Halong Bay on Land’ around Ninh Binh make this a spectacular tour.

 

At a glance...
  • 2 nights in Hanoi
  • 2 nights in Mai Chau
  • 3 nights in Ninh Binh

Sights you'll see

van-long-wetlands-ninh-binhhoa-lou-ninh-binhmai chau lodge entrancemai chau weavingmai chau cyclemai chau landscape

Itinerary

Enjoy this tour as-is, or we'll tailor it to suit you.

Day 1Arrival in Hanoi

Your guide will meet you at the airport and private transfer to your hotel.

After your hotel check-in, you may wish to take a late afternoon or evening stroll of 2.5km around Hoan Kiem Lake. The lake is considered the center of Hanoi, not only physically but also symbolically.

Day 2Hanoi Discovery

Today, discover the highlight sites and sights if this vibrant capital city including: Streets of the Old Quarter, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, One-pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature and museums of interest.

In the evening, we’ll transfer you to the railway station, in good time to check in to your private cabin, for the overnight journey north to Sapa

Day 3Hidden Valleys

After leaving Hanoi, the road now weaves through mountains, fertile valleys and traditional villages. By late morning, we’ll arrive in the picturesque Mai Chau Valley, which is surrounded by spectacular karst rock formations and rice paddies.

Enjoy a traditional lunch in the local village. After lunch, we can cycle around the locality with your tour guide.

You’ll see farmers working in fields, locals weaving scarves and visit surrounding peaceful villages when doing the bike ride around the village

Retire to Mai Chau for an evening of traditional dance (Bamboo pole dance ) and wine (ruou can) with the local community . Dinner is included tonight.

Day 4Mu Luong and Minority Tribes

Begin at Mu Luong Cave, which is famous for its mysterious stalactites. The cave is rich in myths and local legends. After, visit local Thai tribe villages

Most no longer wear traditional dress, but the Thai women are masterful weavers producing plenty of traditional-style textiles and enjoy a picnic lunch in the village before heading back to Mai Chau.

Day 5Pu Luong

After breakfast, we’ll drive through lovely countryside for around 35km to Pu Luong Nature Reserve. This place is the authentic everyday life and culture of the white Thai minority. Become guests at a traditional Thai home on stilts.

Lunch is served at a local house then you can take the opportunity to stroll around Hang village. We’ll continue on through this beautiful valley with unspoiled villages and a wonderful views of Karst mountains, with many rice terraces.

This is one of the most beautiful areas of Vietnam, with glorious views of the valley, rice terraces, rain forest and streams.

Day 6Ninh Binh

Morning drive through outstanding countryside to the picturesque Ninh Binh, which is surrounded by spectacular karst rock formations and rice paddies.

In the afternoon, discover Hoa Lu – the ancient capital of Vietnam and visit the remaining two temples of Dinh King and Le King, the site of a 10th-century capital of the ancient Vietnamese kingdom of Dai Co Viet.

Day 7Trang An UNESCO Landscape

A full day around this most stunning area of the Trang An Landscape Complex – A UNESCO World Heritage site.

Situated near the southern margin of the Red River Delta, the Trang An Landscape Complex is a spectacular landscape of limestone karst peaks permeated with valleys, many of them partly submerged and surrounded by steep, almost vertical cliffs.

This day also visits Bich Dong, which is one of the popular destinations in the province, because of its pagodas that are rich in history and culture.

Conclude the day at the stunning Phat Diem Cathedral, which was built between 1875 and 1899. With four roofs and six sets of iron wooden pillars, a network of ponds, lakes, churches, and artificial caves, this is an unmissable visit.

Day 8Departure or further destinations

This morning, your guide will accompany you Hanoi Airport for your outbound flight home.

Or to continue your discovery of Vietnam, by customizing this tour – perhaps to Halong Bay or south towards central Vietnam by train.

Details

Where
  • Hanoi, Mai Chau and Ninh Binh
Duration
  • 8 days / 7 nights Private Tour
Tour Includes
  • 7 nights hotel with breakfast
  • 3 Lunches
  • 2 Evening Meals
  • Experienced Tour Guides
  • All Entrance Fees
  • All transportation and transfers
Main Exclusions
  • International flights
  • Visa / Immigration Fees
  • Any Private Expenses
  • Tips / Gratuities
Always Included
  • Expert planning
  • In-country support 24/7
  • Bottled drinking water on tour

Main places visited

More details on the towns and cities you visit