Pu Luong Village Trek

📍 Transfer: 3.5 hrs Trekking around the village: 1-2hr Difficulty: Easy

Set off after breakfast this morning for a four hour drive to Mai Chau. The drive goes through beautiful Hoa Binh Province, located in the mountainous area southeast of Hanoi: a region dotted with limestone karsts. Pass through several villages along the way (home to Thai, Hmong, and Dao people.)

Descend the last 14 km along a steep mountain road into the stunning valley of Mai Chau. Enjoy a hot lunch here, served by the trekking cook in one of the small villages. The homestay this evening is inside this quaint village and is a great way to experience the cultures and traditions of the Thai people.

After lunch and a bit of relaxation, take a short 1-2 hour walk around the village and the valley. Depending on the day of the week, visit Mai Chau Market and Van Village.  

Overnight homestay in a Thai village 

Inclusions:

🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Transfer: 4 hr Trekking: 3hrs Difficulty: Easy

After breakfast, drive 22km further into the reserve to begin the trek. The trek lasts for approximately 3 hrs before arriving at Hang Village, home to Thai ethnic minority. Spend the night with a local Thai family  in their traditional house built on stilts. Enjoy a stroll around the village to observe daily life activities before dinner.

Overnight homestay in a Thai village
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Trekking: 5 hrs or 12 km Difficulty: Medium

For those who don’t mind the early wake up, take part in the local morning activities or take a stroll around Hang village before breakfast. Today is a harder day of hiking, 50% on village paths 50% on an old, disused, unpaved French road. There are some steep climbs throughout the day, as well as some stream crossings. While trekking becomes more remote, one is never far from a villager tending fields or walking back from the early morning market.   

While lunch is being prepared, relax from the heat of the day in a local home inside the village. After lunch, continue along the old jeep road to a village nestled between steep karst mountains.  Arrive early with spare energy to hike a two-hour return trip to a newly discovered and incredibly large cave. Hidden on high ground surrounded by thickets and hanging vegetation, the cave is now protected by the Forest rangers, due to the delicate ecosystem and bat species inside.  

Overnight homestay in a village
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Transfer: 4 hrs Trekking: 3-3.5 hrs Difficulty: Medium

Wake up early to the sound of chickens and ducks and children Wake up early to the sound of chickens and ducks, and children preparing for the day at school. Take an early morning walk through the village to experience morning life in a farming community. The trek heads out along the Ma River and, after 2 hours, reach Pho Doan Town. If this day of the itinerary falls on a Sunday, pay a visit to the busy Pho Doan market. Followed by trekking to the Ma River, enjoy a nice view of rivers, paddies and a water wheel on the way. Pick up will be arranged from here for the departing transfer to Hanoi (arriving in the late afternoon.) 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch