From Mai Chau to Quang Binh

Itinerary

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1. Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
   

   Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam’s bustling colonial capital. On arrival, your driver and guide will meet you outside the baggage claim of Noi Bai Airport and take you to your hotel in the city center. In the afternoon, enjoy an orientation walk, visiting some of Hanoi’s main attractions: the Opera House, Old Quarter, St. Joseph's Cathedral, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. This evening, savor a welcome dinner of authentic Vietnamese food at one of Hanoi’s finest restaurants.
   
   Meals: Dinner.
   Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.

2. Day 2: Hanoi - Mai Chau
   

   

   Saying goodbye to the bustling capital, you will be picked up at your hotel to journey Southwest through the rich farmland of the Red River Delta to Mai Chau, the beautiful gateway to the mountainous area of northern Vietnam. The scenic drive offers an excellent opportunity to observe rural Vietnam up-close.
   Arriving in Mai Chau, a small town nestled in the midst of a lush valley and surrounded by emerald-green rice fields and is inhabited by a community of the Thai minority group, walk around to have the first taste of the village where you will stay overnight tonight. After lunch, spend the afternoon trekking off the typical tourist track, along the Song Ma River. Trek through terraced rice paddies and small villages, discovering the natural beauty of the valley and encountering the culture of the White Thai people, living in the region.
   
   Back to your homestay where you will have dinner with a local family while enjoying a live dance and music performance in the evening. Note: If you choose to stay at hotel/ lodge instead of homestay, dinner will be arranged at hotel's restaurant.
   
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
   Accommodation: Homestay or hotel in Mai Chau.

3. Day 3: Mai Chau - Ninh Binh
   

   

   This morning, continue exploring Mai Chau valley by trekking through villages to understand more about the life of local people. After having lunch, you will leave for Ninh Binh. On arrival, check in your hotel and free for relaxing.
   
   Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.
   Accommodation: Hotel in Ninh Binh.

4. Day 4: Ninh Binh – Hoa Lu – Tam Coc
   

   

   

   

   

   After breakfast, board your private sampan rowing along the Ngo Dong River. The 90 minute peaceful boat ride will pass through the three caves where the French movie 'Indochine' was filmed. The trip also includes a visit to Bich Dong Pagoda. Being set among pink lotuses, the temple offers spectacular views of the surrounding area. Back in Tam Coc on right time of a delicious Vietnamese lunch. In the afternoon, cycle through villages to Hoa Lu to visit the temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh Dynasty (968-80), and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty (980-1009). The ancient Hoa Lu Citadel (most of which has since been ruined) once covered an area of three square kilometres.
   
   Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.
   Accommodation: Hotel in Ninh Binh.

5. Day 5: Ninh Binh - Quang Binh
   

   

   After breakfast, free at leisure until your guide and driver take you to Ninh Binh station to catch the day train to Dong Hoi (SE5 11.21 – 19.22). On the way, be picked up by your guide and driver to your hotel for checking in.
   
   Meals: Breakfast.
   Accommodation: Hotel in Quang Binh.

6. Day 6: Quang Binh - Paradise & Dark Caves
   

   

   

   After breakfast at the hotel, your guide and drive will pick you up to Phong Nha National Park for exploring before getting to Paradise Cave. Discovered by scientists of the British Caving Research Association in 2005, Paradise cave is the longest dry cave in Asia with 31.4km length. Afternoon, your driver will transfer you to the Dark Cave (Hang Toi) for an adventure and we promise you will be nothing short of amazed. Explore the Dark Cave with specialized equipment, go swimming and kayaking in the clear and fresh river, and soak in the mud, a natural health therapy.
   
   Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.
   Accommodation: Hotel in Quang Binh.

7. Day 7: Quang Binh – Countryside with bike
   

   

   

   8.30 AM, your tour guide will pick you up for a biking trip around the countryside. You will have chance to learn about local life and understand more about local people and culture. Have lunch with a local family. Pedal back to your hotel by bike between 16.00 – 16.30.
   
   Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.
   Accommodation: Hotel in Quang Binh.

8. Day 8: Quang Binh - Free time
   

   

   Today you will have a free day on your own. You may just relax at the beach or join us on a private excursion to Vinh Moc underground tunnels. Please contact with our travel consultant for quotation and arrangement.
   
   Meals: Breakfast.
   Accommodation: Hotel in Quang Binh.

9. Day 9: Quang Binh - Hanoi - Departure
   

   

   Free at leisure until your driver takes you to Dong Hoi Airport for your flight to Hanoi. On arrival, continue to take your onward flight to the next destination.
   
   Meals: Breakfast.
   Accommodation: N/A.