AVAILABILITY: Yearround

ACCOMMODATIONS: Homestays

 

 

HIGHLIGHTS: Hanoi, Mai Chau

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Mai Chau is a mountainous area inhabited by the Hmong and Thai ethnic minorities. This trip offers a combination of cultural expedition and trekking. We’ll visit remote villages and stay overnight in local homes where we have the chance to immerse yourselves in the daily lives of our hospitable hosts.

 

General Itinerary:

• DAY 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Hang Kia Village (Includes Lunch & Dinner): We’ll pick you up at your hotel at 8 am and leave Hanoi for Mai Chau, which nestles in the mountainous regions of northern Vietnam, southwest of Hanoi in Hoa Binh Province. The valley of Mai Chau is inhabited by a community of one of Vietnam’s 52 minority groups, the White Thai and the in upper lands of Mai Chau reside the Hmong. Upon arrival in Mai Chau, we’ll pick you up to drive to Xa Linh Village where we will have our lunch in a Hmong house before setting off for an afternoon trek on the village’s road then a dirt path used by the locals. After 40 mins, we’ll reach Tra Day Village, home to a small community of Black Hmong minority people. From the Tra Day village, we have two options for trekking route to reach Hang Kia. The easier route with a rocky path runs through another Hmong village. The more difficult route takes more time and follows a trail uphill through jungle and dirt path though terraces. We’ll reach Hang Kia around 5 pm. Hang Kia is a small and scenic valley, home to a group of Flower Hmong minority people. While our local guide cooks dinner, we can take shower or stroll around the village. Dinner around 7:30 pm. Before going to bed, we will treat our feet with herbal foot self-massage with guided instructions. Overnight with a Hmong family.

• DAY 2: Trekking from Hang Kia to Van Village (Includes Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner): After breakfast at the homestay, we’ll begin an exciting trekking day, starting with a jungle trail for one hour. The trail could be a bit wet due to the dense trees that keep sunlight away. Next we’ll descend a hill passing farms and terraces. During the trek, we will break as needed for snacks, rest and taking photos. After crossing a small river, we will reach a village of White Thai minority group and have lunch at a local house. After lunch, you may wish to have a short nap in the house. For the remainder of the day, we will walk on a village road to reach Van Village. The road runs zigzag along the valley and through lots of scenic villages. Tonight we will eat and sleep the traditional way, on bamboo flooring. Again, our local guide will cook dinner for us while we shower or have a pre-dinner drink. At the meal, the host will welcome us with homemade whiskey. Before going to bed, we will care for our feet with herbal foot massage.

• DAY 3: Trekking from Van Village to Buoc Village (Includes Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner): After breakfast, we’ll say goodbye to our host family and begin a 3-hr trek to reach Buoc Village. The path runs through bamboo forest, terraces and farms, where we may see farmers working. We’ll reach Buoc Village around noon and have lunch in a local home, followed by a short nap if you wish. In the afternoon, we will start a 2-hr leisure trek around the village. If the weather permits, we could enjoy the cool water of the stream near our accommodations. Dinner will be cooked by our local guide, and self foot massage. Overnight in homestay.

• DAY 4: Trekking to Van Mai – Transfer to Hanoi (Includes Breakfast & Lunch): After breakfast, we’ll begin our last trekking along the mountain foot to reach Van Mai, where we will meet our car and driver for a short transfer to Pom Coong Village for lunch in a local house. After lunch, we will head back to Hanoi, returning around 5 pm.

 

PROGRAM INCLUDES: Accommodations as per itinerary, transfers as per itinerary, English-speaking guides as per itinerary, Entry fees as per itinerary, Meals as per itinerary

 

PROGRAM EXCLUDES: International flight tickets, Visas, Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses

 

This itinerary is just a sample of a tour, we are happy customize it based on your preferences.

 

What else to bring:
Sunblock, Wide brim hat, Comfortable shoes, Rain gear, Warm clothes