Mai Chau - Ninh Binh - Halong Tour

NB08 | Day tour | Private Tour | All Year Around | Can be tailored to suite your requirements

OVERVIEW

For those who would like to get away from the bustle and hustle of the big cities like Hanoi and interested in outdoor activities such as trekking, sampan boat-riding, cruising in the beautiful landscape, this is the one. With 4 days, start with a scenic drive to the mountainous province of Hoa Binh, the scenery is getting more and more beautiful, specially the stop for viewing over Mai Chau will give you a great start. Get insight into the Thai ethic group culture on the afternoon trek to villages, fruit gardens, rice fields... 

Once you are in Ninh Binh, admire the mythical beauty of Trang An Scenic Landscape from a sampan boat, rowed by a local farmer, taking you through many tiny limestone caves. This is really worth the 3-hour row. 

The trip will finish with a relaxing cruise on Halong Bay, one of the seven world wonders. With an overnight cruise, you definitely understand why the bay is recognized as the World Heritage twice by UNESCO.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Day 1: Hanoi - Mai Chau Valley
  • Day 2: Mai Chau Valley - Ninh Binh
  • Day 3: Ninh Binh - Halong Bay
  • Day 4: Halong Bay - Hanoi

    • DETAILED ITINERARY

    DAY 1: HANOI - MAI CHAU VALLEY

    Depart from Hanoi at 7.30 AM.
    The drive to the Mai Chau Valley takes about 3,5-hours. There are some stops on the way for photo opportunities. Arrive at Mai Chau around noon.
    Your Vietnamese lunch is served by a local family at their stilt-house.
    After lunch and rest, go for a soft trek about 3 hours to explore the surroundings and visit some villages, rice paddies and gardens. Or you can choose to discover the area by bicycles with shorter time. Along the trek you will have chance to learn about the local life, their agriculture and beautiful handicrafts.
    Dinner and overnight in Mai Chau.
    ​
    Note: trekking time can be flexible. You can discuss with your tour guide.

    mai chau town

    mai chau town

    stilt house village

    stilt houses

    mai chau trekking

    trekking

    DAY 2: MAI CHAU VALLEY - NINH BINH

    After having breakfast, you will check out and take the morning scenic drive to Ninh Binh province.
    Ninh Binh is famous for many beautiful attractions, especially Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex which has been recognized as the natural and cultural heritage by UNESCO. Arrive in Ninh Binh around noon.
    Lunch at a local restaurant with the local specialties.
    In the afternoon, you will embark on a spectacular sampan boat-ride at Trang An. The row is a bit long (3 hours) but it is worth it as you will explore the core of the heritage. You will be taken through several tiny caves which enables you to visit different flooded valleys surrounded by limestone outcrops.
    Back to the boat dock and transfer the hotel for check-in. Dinner and overnight in Ninh Binh

    trang an landscape

    trang an

    boat ride in ninh binh

    boat rowing

    trang an

    trang an

    DAY 3: NINH BINH - HALONG BAY

    Breakfast is served at the hotel.
    Today, we take an early departure from the hotel (7.00 AM) because the morning journey through the fertile Delta of the Red River takes over 4 hours to Halong Bay.
    Halong Bay is one of the well-known and must-see attractions in Vietnam. Beside being recognized as a natural world heritage, it was also listed as one of the 7 world wonders.
    Arrive at the pier about 12.30 PM, get aboard and enjoy your lunch while the boat is cruising in between beautiful limestone islands.
    There will be some activities for you to join in the afternoon such as swimming, kayaking, caving.
    Dinner and overnight on boat.

    halong bay overview

    halong bay

    a cave in halong

    a cave in halong

    kayaking

    kayaking

    DAY 4: HALONG BAY - HANOI

    If you are an early raiser, get up at dawn for fresh-air and join a Tai-chi class (some boat don't have Tai-chi) while enjoying the sun-rise on the sundeck.
    Breakfast is served on boat.
    The crews then pull up the anchor and start the morning cruise to visit other parts of the bay. Followed by the gentle cruise toward the pier.
    The brunch will be served on the way.
    Arrive at the pier about 11:30 AM.
    Get on land and take the afternoon drive to Hanoi.
    Late in the afternoon, arrive in Hanoi and finish the trip at your hotel in Hanoi.

    taichi practice

    taichi practice

    sundeck

    A boat sundeck

    halong bay

    flat surface

    Tour Inclusions

    • Private A/c transportation with all entrance per itinerary
    • English speaking tour guide
    • Vietnamese meals: 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners.
    • All accommodation in shared twin/ double during the tour
    • Sightseeing tickets & permit
    • Sampan boat-ride in Ninh Binh
    • Simple bicycles in Ninh Binh & Mai Chau (if you're not interested in trekking)
    • Kayaks in Halong Bay
    • Bottled water on the vehicle
    • Cruise package in Halong Bay (Options for join-group & private cruises)


    Tour Exclusions

  • Travel insurance (covers covid19 treatment from 1000 USD)
  • Drinks and other meals 
  • Hotel in Hanoi (On request) 
  • Visas and airport transfers (On request) 
  • Any flight tickets 
  • Tips and gratuities 
  • Personal expenses and others not mentioned clearly above.


    • Inquire a free quote for this tour

    This is a sample itinerary that has been enjoyed by many of our past travelers to the region. It can be custom-made to meet your expectation. The prices very much depend on your group size and type of accommodation. Please send us a quote request and we will get back to you with the detail.

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