Vietnam local Home-stays, genuinely friendly locals and captivating mountain scenery all await you on this one-week adventure. Towering limestone cliffs surround deep, lush green valleys and ethnic groups flourish in this idyllic setting.  If you need a week to get back to nature, or desire a real journey “off-the-beaten track,” Pu Luong and Mai Chau are the places for you.
 

• Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi – Tan Duc – Pu Luong Nature Reserve - Ton Village

Day 2: Xom Village – Muoi – Hin

Day 3: Hin –Kho Muong

Day 4: Kho Muong – Hang village

Day 5: Pu Luong Nature Reserve – Buoc - Xam Khoe - Hang Kia

Day 6: Hang Kia - Xa Linh – Mai Chau - Hanoi

• Trip Grade:

Level of fitness is required.

• Weather:

Undoubtedly, weather is one of the determining factors for your traveling decisions. If you are heading to Vietnam, then, take it easy to make up your mind. Vietnam’s climate is not just steamy hot as what you are frequently exposed to on movies. All year round here, there is always a perfect place where it is pleasant to stay. Basically, the whole country falls into the tropic and subtropics but its stretching length and diverse topography allow it to span several different climate zones. The weather thus, tends to vary considerably from season to season and also from region to region.

Northern Part
The North of Vietnam is generally cooler than other South East Asian regions in the same longitude. It experiences two main distinct seasons. In winter months, the weather gets colder and colder fromNovember to March and considerably warmer in April (a leap into summer). This is also time to observe much cloud and frequent drizzle. The average winter temperature is 17.2°C (62.9°F). Particularly, the mountainous areas (Northwest) are often much colder, temperature may keep below 10°C (50°F) for long period. Ice and snow even cover Hoang Lien Son Mountains and nearby Sapa town for some times with the lowest record of -3°C (26.6°F) in Feb 2008.
In the summer (from May to October), the whole region is quite hot. Temperature may rise to 37°C (98.6 °F) in the peaks of June and July. Hanoi and coastal provinces around the Red River Delta generally enjoy equitable weather with high average humidity (80%) all year round though they may occasionally be subjected to typhoons and heavy rain in late summers (September to November). Vietnamese people even identify four seasons in the Northern provinces (from Hai Van Pass toward the north) with their distinct features: pleasant spring (typically March-April) and autumn (October-December), a chilly winter (December- February) and a hot summer (June – July).

Central Part
The Central Vietnam with two sub-regions, coastal lowlands and central highlands, can be seen as an in-between climatic area of the North and the South. The coastal strip is usually dry and hotter than the rest in the summer, as the Truong Son Mountains do not allow it to enjoy most rainfall of south-western monsoon (from April to October). Unprotected coasts in their turn, however, make it wet and colder than the rest in winter-monsoon season (from November to March). Also, storms and typhoons strike this area more frequently than the northern coasts in summer months (from July to November). The Central Highlands in particular enjoys nearly double the average rainfall of the country. Two biggest towns in this plateau, Dalat and Pleiku, are ideally cool throughout the year. Near-the-south coastal cities, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang and Phan Thiet, on the contrary, experiences steamy hot weather (21°C-32°C / 70°F-90°F) all year round.

Southern Part
The South of Vietnam, merely 8 degrees north of the Equator, is typical of humid tropical climate which is excellent for growing rice. The region’s temperatures experience little variations in a year (around 27-32°C/80-90°F). There are two main seasons: the rainy and the dry. During the rainy/monsoon season (from May to November), downpours are expected to happen nearly every afternoon, resulting in occasional street flooding in and around Saigon. In the dry season, it is hot from late February to April then slightly cooler when first downpours come. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) enjoys rather equitable tropical climate with high humidity all year round. December to March is said to be the most pleasant time to hit this region’s center.

Note: In all, Vietnam climate is so diverse that there is almost no definition of an average temperature for the whole country. Thanks to these regional variations in weather, generally, you can drop in Vietnam at any time of year. Commonly, based on the duration of your stay, you should plan to catch the good weather and places by either dropping in Saigon in February or March then following the coast to north or hitting Hanoi in October-November then tracing southward.
 

Day 1: Hanoi – Tan Duc – Pu Luong Nature Reserve - Ton Village Valley/Mountain Trek
You will depart Hanoi in the early morning and transfer (3 hours) to the trailhead in Hoa Binh Province. The trek begins at the Lung Van market on a flat trail along an old jeep trail, through rice paddies and minority villages. You rest in Ro village, home to the Muong people, and enjoy lunch in a traditional stilted house. Following lunch, you continue our journey through forests and tranquil villages. Tonight you will sleep in a stilted house in Ton. Warm clothing may be needed, as the evenings are cool in the forest

Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in home-stay

Trekking: 5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate

Day 2:  Xom Village – Muoi – Hin

The first few hours are spent hiking in beautiful undisturbed forests before taking a steep downhill track into the heart of the reserve.  In this wide lush valley, cultivated by minority Thai people, you’ll glimpse rice fields and vegetable farms that are punctuated by idyllic looking villages. When you reach level ground, you will hike along a jeep trail and village paths to Hin and Nua villages for an overnight stay. For those wishing to hike a little further, you can continue into the limestone hills to Ban Cao Hoong. In the evening you’ll be treated to a traditional music performance by the local villagers. Sleep in an ecotourism home-stay in Hin or Nua Village.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in home-stay

Trekking: 5 – 8 hours
Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging

Day 3:  Hin –Kho Muong (recommend Thursdays) 

In order to enjoy the weekly market at Pho Doan, you need to be here on a Thursday. Start your trek early and walk with the villagers to the market. After immersing ourselves in the market atmosphere, hike uphill for 3 hours along a footpath to the hidden village of Kho Muong. This is perhaps the most remote of the village home-stays. From here trek to a recently discovered and now protected cave, home to rare bats. It’s a fantastic place to explore, being an untouched cavernous labyrinth. Spend the night in the ecotourism home-stay in Kho Muong.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in home-stay

Trekking: 6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging

Day 4: Kho Muong – Hang village

Today’s hike takes you on village paths and an old unused, unpaved French road. There are plenty of downhill sections and stream crossings. The trekking is remote yet you are never far from a villager tending his fields.  Relax from the heat of the day in a local home for lunch before continuing on a picturesque path to Hang village nestled between steep Karst mountains. The setting of the village is perhaps the most beautiful in Vietnam, with these magical limestone peaks surrounding it. Stroll around and join with the villagers as they go about their daily lives, or you can just relax in one of three eco home-stays. Sleep in a stilted house in Hang Village.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in home-stay 

Trekking: 5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate

Day 5:  Pu Luong Nature Reserve – Buoc - Xam Khoe - Hang Kia  

Today is a wonderfully scenic trek with a gentle descent winding through hamlets and cultivated fields. The trekking is challenging and involves several stream crossings, steep descents and balancing on the walls between rice paddies. Hike uphill to hang Kia village with spectacular karst rock formations in the distance overlooking the beautiful Mai Chau valley. Your destination for this evening is Hang Kia village, home of the H’mong minority people. Stay overnight as the guests of an H'mong family in a traditional long house, situated in a picturesque valley of peach orchards.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in home-stay (N.B. very basic) 

Trekking: 6-8 hours
Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging

Day 6: Hang Kia  - Xa Linh – Mai Chau - Hanoi  

After breakfast, you descend the steep mountainside where the vegetation is dense. The path eventually leads to an open valley, known locally as “Elephant Valley”, where the trail flattens out. Continue trekking on flat dirt roads passing local fruits orchards, schools and villages. End your trek today at Xa Linh village. You shuttle a short distance to Mai Chau through the spectacular scenery, arriving at Mai Chau around lunchtime. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Mai Chau village or rest in the traditional Thai stilted house. Mai Chau is very popular for its handmade weaving scarves. Do not miss a chance to purchase some good handmade fabric. Return to Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Trekking: 4 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

This tour is private and can be tailor-made to suit your travel needs. As a result the price is quoted in US dollars and shown on a per-person basis. The 'Price From' quoted above is for parties of 2, 4 and 6 people and for accommodation in 3 star hotels. The final price will be privately quoted, based on the number in your party, your preferred time of travel, grade of hotel and any additional services requested. Please click on the BOOK NOW button and fill in the booking form, after which one of our travel consultants will customize the best value holiday for you.

REMARKS:
We are aware that a good tour must have good hotels. In Indochina particularly, hotel price makes up most of the cost of your Cambodia cycling, Vietnam cycling, Laos cycling, Myanmar cycling or Thailand cycling. All of our prices are calculated on a twin-shared basis. As a guide, Travel Loops defines hotel grades as follows:

>>Superior Level (3 star hotels in good locations): > 40 USD/room/night
>>Deluxe Level (4 star hotels): > 80 USD/room/night
>>Luxury Level (5 star hotels): > 180 USD/room/night

Price based on twin shared accommodation.
Tour price is indicative only, please enquire for a detailed quotation.
More people means more discount. Please enquire for more details

If, after reviewing the details of this tour, you would like to receive a "Special Offer" tour price, just click on the "INQUIRY" button below. If you wish to “Tailor Make" your trip, simply click on the "CUSTOMIZE TRIP" and enter your contact details.

COST INCLUDED:

• Experienced English speaking guide
• Private transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
• Accommodation in double/twin sharing rooms with daily breakfast
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
• Bottled drinking water for sightseeing
• All sightseeing entrance fee where required in the itinerary.

COST EXCLUDED:

• International/domestic airfares & tax
• Visa fees
• Travel Insurance. (We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance from home)
• Personal expenditure (telephone, laundry, shopping and so on…)
• Tips for guide, driver, porters and project cost
• Beverage and alcoholic drinks
• Any other services not clearly mentioned on itinerary and trip inclusive portion.

The hotels listed below are just our suggestions offering the best value for this trip according to the hotel category chosen, but Travel Loops also offers more options to cater for different grades, personal taste, and budget. Please let us know if you have any specific choice of hotels, or personal preferences/requirements.

Note: Our choices for each level of accommodation have been highlighted in orange. As mentioned above our selection criteria are based on: prior client reviews, hotel management and staff training, facilities maintenance, location, business relationship and advantages given exclusively to our clients on price and service.