Overview
You may know Ninh Binh as tourist magnet with Cuc Phuong National Park, Hoa Lu– the ancient capital of Vietnam during the Dinh and early Le dynasties and Tam Coc – known to travelers as ‘Halong Bay without water’ or ‘Halong Bay on the rice paddies. This package will bring you to the same destination, but out of the tourist tracts with a trek through the Cuc Phuong National Part to a Muong Ethnic Minority village in Hoa Binh, a cycle ride on the hidden road from Hoa Lu to Tam Coc…
Activities: Trekking; Cruising
Grade: Moderate
Short Itinerary
Day 1: Depart Hanoi for Cuc Phuong National Park. Trek through the Cuc Phuong National Part to Khanh village, inhabited by Muong Ethnic Minority.
Day 2: Morning 1 hour walk following by 1 and half hour cycling from Hoa Lu to Tam Coc.
Day 3: Walk and rowing boat cruise around Tam Coc. Transfer back to Hanoi.
Detail Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi - Cuc Phuong - Trek to Khanh Village (-,L,D)
At 7h30, your trip will begin with a drive to the Cuc Phuong National Park. Upon arrival, you can visit the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre, where the rare primates of Vietnam are reared and rescued. Having seen the primates, you can then start your trek through the dense, grass jungle valleys. You will stop to have lunch at the giant ancient tree with its 45-metre height and 1.5 meter diameter. You can enjoy the beauty of the forest, fauna and wildlife on the way to your destination: the Muong village of Khanh, where a well prepared dinner, made by the local house family, is waiting for you.
After dinner, all the friendly and hospitable villagers in their traditional dress will gather in the stilt house, making an unforgettable party of folksong singing, dancing and rice wine drinking.
Day 2: Khanh Village – Hoa Lu - Tam Coc (B,L,D)
Having said goodbye to the hospitable villagers, you will start a short walk along a dirt road. On the way you will have more opportunities to experience the local daily life on their rice fields. At the main road, your vehicle will be waiting to transfer you to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th century under Dinh and Le Dynasty. After visiting the Temple of Dinh and Le Kings, you will get on the bikes and start the 1 and haft hour cycling trip to Tam Coc. The ride is following a hidden small paved road running through the beautiful landscapes made of rice fields and limestone Islets, called “Halong Bay on Land”, surely make your ride shorter. Upon arrival at Tam Coc, you will check in your hotel,
Day 3: Tam Coc walk and rowing boat cruise – back to Hanoi (B,L,-)
After having breakfast at the hotel, you will start the walk today through the villages. After around 30 minutes, you will start ascending on a small trail into a low mountain range. The 2 hours walking on this mountain range would not be that easy without the help of your local guide, who many times have to use his bush-whacker. You will then arrive at Thung Nang pier, where you will get on your rowing boats. The 1 hour cruise gives you a perfect time to enjoy the fresh feeling of the country side of Vietnam when your boat goes along green rice paddy, set between the limestone Islets. From the arrival pier, you will take a short walk back to your hotel. After having lunch at the hotel, you will have a transfer back to Hanoi and arrive in Hanoi in the mid afternoon.
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