Vietnam adventure retreat
Discover incredible scenery, vibrant ethnic minorities, and exciting adventures by day and lay your head to rest in some of Vietnam’s best ecolodges throughout the country by night. Hike through the valleys of Mai Chau and Ninh Binh, whitewater raft in Pu Luong, and kayak in the emerald waters of Halong Bay.
Destinations
Destinations
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Hanoi
Welcome to the land of dragons, Vietnam. Upon arrival to Noi Bai Airport, our driver will greet you and transfer you to the city center to your hotel.
Accommodation: Peridot Grand Hotel & Spa
Day 2: A day in the life of a Hanoian
Dive into the history of Hanoi by visiting the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and President Ho Chi Minh’s preserved stilt house and a small museum dedicated to his life.
Have lunch at Koto Training Restaurant, a social enterprise dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty faced by many youths in the city, empowering them by training them in the culinary arts and hospitality training.
After lunch, view the scenic West Lake by electric car as you take in the incredible views of the immense lake, stopping at Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda and Quan Thanh Taoist Temple on the quaint Truc Bach Lake.
End your day by stopping at The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. All displays are clearly labeled in English, French, and Vietnamese, with guides available at the main entrance for those who want to hear more in-depth information
Return to your hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy your evening free to discover Hanoi on your own.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Peridot Grand Hotel & Spa
Day 3: Check-in to Mai Chau Ecolodge, situated within a lush green valley
Leave the hustle and bustle of Hanoi and journey 4-hours west to the luscious valley of Mai Chau in Hoa Binh Province. Filled with chic ecolodges and rustic homestays, Mai Chau is the perfect introduction to the incredible scenery of Vietnam and the warm hospitality of the 54 different ethnic minority groups residing in the hills.
Upon arrival to Mai Chau, check-in to the Mai Chau ecolodge and spend time free at leisure to hike or cycle through the mostly flat valley, rice fields, and quiet villages.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Mai Chau Ecolodge
Day 4: Trek through surrounding ethnic minority villages
Today trek to the small village of Mai Hich from Mai Chau after breakfast. A 30-minute transfer brings you to the start of the day-hike at Mai Ha Village, passing through Kha and Te Villages to stop in Buoc Village for lunch. Admire the hilly scenery with rice fields stretching as far as the eye can see. Continue on to Mai Hich Village and meet the local ethnic minorities, learning about the Thai people’s cultures and daily lives.
Return to the Mai Chau Ecolodge in the late afternoon and see a traditional dance performance from the Thai minority.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Mai Chau Ecolodge
Day 5: Discover Pu Luong Nature Reserve
Continue on your off-the-beaten path discovery of Vietnam 2-hours south through a breathtaking mountain pass to the incredible Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Upon arrival, check-in to the eco-friendly Pu Luong Retreat and take in the amazing panoramic views of the gorgeous scenery.
After lunch, visit the suspension bridge over the Cham River, in search of gigantic water wheels. Investigate each wheel to figure out how water is moved from the river to the handmade bamboo aqueducts via simple construction and innovation. Once you arrive to a local fisherman’s house, pause for tea before your river adventure on handcrafted wooden rafts.
Once you arrive to the rustic Tan Lap Bridge, leave your raft and return to your accommodation in Pu Luong.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Pu Luong Retreat
Day 6: Experience village life in Pu Luong
Explore the village life of the area with a day-hike into the beautiful valley of tumbling rice terraces. Walk through small paths overcome by lush vegetation and admire the picturesque villages along the mountain base. When you arrive to the village, see how men work the farms and rice fields and learn how women make rice wine and weave intricate, colourful textiles.
Return to the Pu Luong Retreat in the afternoon and enjoy some free time to discover the landscape independently on foot or by bicycle.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Pu Luong Retreat
Day 7: Explore Halong Bay on land in exotic Ninh Binh
A 3–hour journey east brings you to the bigger, charming countryside town of Ninh Binh. You may recognize some of the backdrop of the 2017 Hollywood blockbuster hit “Kong: Skull Island” as it was filmed here.
Start with an unusual rowboat ride in Van Long and enjoy the view of the romantic countryside as water buffalo graze, farmers work and children play.
Joining in a bicycle ride to Hang Mua, a picturesque mountainside spot with a cave and beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding area, dotted with karst mountains and sparkling rice fields.
Check into your boutique accommodation in the afternoon and enjoy the view of flowering gardens and serene nature, free to explore independently.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel & Resort
Day 8: Explore Halong Bay by overnight cruise
Once breakfast finishes, drive east to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Halong Bay, an otherworldly landscape featuring emerald green waters, sandy white and golden beaches around every corner, and hundreds of thousands of towering limestone karst pillars and islets with dustings of shrubs growing in every which way.
Check into cruise as we experience the bay in all her glory on an overnight trip. Discover enchanting Cua Van Floating Fishing Village by kayak or bamboo boat and swim in the emerald lagoon-like waters before preparing traditional Vietnamese cuisine in a Masterchef competition.
At the end of the day, the boat will anchor while guests enjoy the cocktail happy hour and a fresh seafood dinner. Try your hand at squid fishing in the evening or stargaze before retiring to your elegant cabin for a restful sleep.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Indochina Sail
Day 9: Time to say good-bye
Wake up to your last morning in Halong Bay. Try Tai Chi on the sundeck as the sun rises and munch on a light breakfast before exploring the mysterious Tien Ong Cave. Admire the views of the bay as the boat gently glides through the incredible rock formations towards the dock as you dine on brunch.
Disembark from the cruise and journey back to Hanoi by car, where the day is free at leisure until your transfer to Noi Bai airport for onward booked transportation.
Best price guarantee
When you travel with Mundo Asia through any of our destinations, we're confident you'll return with memories that truly last a lifetime. That's why we are proud to promise you a best price guarantee with unbeatable prices for the highest quality and value. If you are able to find our exact program and product for a lower price on another website, we will refund you the price difference (terms and conditions apply).
Why book this tour
- Get off the beaten track while trekking and cycling through Mai Chau and Pu Luong
- Stay at the gorgeous Mai Chau and Pu Luong ecolodges
- Time to rest and relax in Ninh Binh and Halong Bay
- Premium value at affordable prices
- 5% off total package when you book and pay deposit 60 days before arrival
Information
General information
Hotel
Important notes
Services included
- Accommodation in twin/double room with daily breakfast
- Tours as per itinerary with local English speaking guide
- All transfers and transportation with air-conditioned vehicles
- All boat trips as program
- All entrance fees as program
- Meals as indicated in the program
Services excluded
- Airfares (international and domestic) and airport taxes
- Early check-in or late check-out
- Personal expenses & tips
- Meals other than mentioned in the program
- Visa fees, travel insurances
- Additional transfer required due to emergency situation
- All services which are not mentioned in “services included”
Services included
- Accommodation in twin/double room with daily breakfast
- Tours as per itinerary with local English speaking guide
- All transfers and transportation with air-conditioned vehicles
- All boat trips as program
- All entrance fees as program
- Meals as indicated in the program
Services excluded
- Airfares (international and domestic) and airport taxes
- Early check-in or late check-out
- Personal expenses & tips
- Meals other than mentioned in the program
- Visa fees, travel insurances
- Additional transfer required due to emergency situation
- All services which are not mentioned in “services included”
Peridot Grand Hotel & Spa
Hanoi★★★★★
An oasis of tranquility in the hustle and bustle of Hanoi Old Quarter, Peridot Grand Hotel and Spa stands out as an artistic and urban-chic place, combining sophisticated luxury with captivating grandeur and uncompromising service.
Mai Chau Ecolodge
Mai Chau★★★★★
Surrounded by mountains and paddy fields, Mai Chau Ecolodge features modern rooms and suites with views and free WiFi. It has a restaurant, bar, an outdoor pool and in-house spa for guests to relax in.
Pu Luong Retreat
Thanh Hoa★★★★
Set amidst lush jungles and terraced rice fields, Pu Luong Retreat features traditional houses on stilts with all the amenities required for guests' comfort. The resort allows guests to immerse themselves completely in nature as they enjoy absolute tranquility in this remote area.
Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel & Resort
Ninh Binh★★★★
Set within the charming landscape of golden rice fields and majestic mountain ranges, Ninh Binh Hidden Charm offers guests a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life with plus rooms and great views of surrounding scenery.
Bhaya Premium Cruises
Quang Ninh★★★★
Bhaya Premium Cruises are one of the top-rated overnight cruises with ten years of experience exploring Halong Bay. The wooden boat offers a cozy atmosphere complemented by excellent customer service. It is a perfect place for those looking for boutique accommodation.
About the tour
- This trip includes a number of long journeys on windy and sometimes bumpy roads in a shared mini-bus on days 3, 5, and 7 in northern Vietnam. This is often the best and only way to access some of these locations, but we promise you that the views for most of the journey are impressive enough to make it all worthwhile.
- This trip includes soft adventure activities on days 4, 6, and 7 with gentle day hikes and cycling tours. Terrain can be uneven, muddy or loose underfoot. Although these activities are possible for most travellers, a moderate level of fitness and a comfortable pair of shoes will help increase your enjoyment of this experience.
- Flooding and typhoons are common across Vietnam between June-December, and can lead to landslides. During these months there may be disruptions to transport and some activities or destinations may need to be changed at short notice
- The weather in Vietnam can be hot and sticky from May to November, so ensure that you pack accordingly. It is also recommended to bring warm clothes between the months of November to March as it can get quite cool in the evenings
- All overnight Halong Bay cruises must have permission to operate from the Management Board of Halong Bay. If your cruise is suddenly affected by poor weather conditions (monsoon, storms, high winds), Mundo Asia takes responsibility to change to an alternative option
- This itinerary is a privately guided tour, designed just to show you what is possible
- Please ensure your passport has a minimum of 6 months validity remaining at the time of your departure and that the name on your passport matches the name on your booking and airline tickets
- This package requires a visa to Vietnam
How to book
It’s never been easier to book the holiday of your dreams! Just select the trip you are interested in and fill in the simple form and one of our travel designers will reply within 24 hours to start planning the trip of a lifetime. It is also possible to chat with us on Whatsapp or our hotline at +84 913 028 100 if you’d prefer to chat in person or in real-time.
If you see a package that is already perfect, just click “book now” and fill in the details to start your journey!
Easy payment
Mundo Asia prides itself on its easy payment methods including by credit card, Onepay, PayPal, bank transfer, and in some cases, cash. Please refer to our booking terms and conditions for more information.
Flexible cancellation policy
Worried about cancellation fees? The only payment required is a 30% deposit of the total fees once all services are confirmed after the planning stages. In addition, Mundo Asia has a flexible cancellation policy which you can learn more about in our booking terms and conditions for more information.
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