Trek Pu Luong Nature Reserve and Mai Chau villages (5 days)

The 5-day trekking tour is arranged in the north west of Hanoi, taking you to different Thai and Muong villages, located inside the Pu Luong nature reserve and Mai Chau valley. The tour begins with a car transfer from Hanoi through Hoa Binh to Tan Lac where you get off of the car and starting trekking to Trong village. The second day, you hike further to the center of the Puluong national park and spend the night at Hin village. After spending a full day hike in Pu Luong, you arrive Mai Chau valley where you also spend the night at a local homes (homestay). Enjoy the traditional music and dance shows, performed by the local villagers. The day 5, you have some more hike in the morning before taking your vehicle again for the 4-hour drive back to Hanoi. The tour is medium/challenging trek, customized for fitness people, active travelers travelling in small group tours. Contact Lotussia Travel for more details.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Ha Noi - Hoa Binh - Tan Lac



Leave Ha Noi fo Tan Lac via Hoa Binh. 12h00 arrive Ban Ton. Lunch in Ban Ton. Afternoon trek to Trong village and explore Trong Cave. Dinner and Overnight in Ban Ton Village. (4 hours trekking).

Day 2: Ban Ton village - Hin village ( Pu Luong)

Breakfast. Leave Ban Ton village for Hin village. Picnic lunch en route. Dinner and Overnight in Hin village. ( 7 hours trekking).

Day 3: Hin village - Kho Muong - Pa kha - Hang village

Breakfast. Leave Hin village for Kho Muong village. 12h00 arrive in Pa Kha. Lunch in Pa Kha. Afternoon continue to trek to Hang village. Dinner and Overnight in Hang Village. (7-8 hours trekking).

Day 4: Hang village - Pom coong (Mai Chau)

Breakfast. Leave Hang village to the gate of Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Then transfer to Pom Coong in Mai Chau. Lunch in Pomcoong. Afternoon continue 2-hour trek through villages to discover rural life of white Thai people. This evening after Dinner you will enjoy Thai music and dance in house on stilts. Overnight in Pom Coong village ( 6 hours trekking).

Day 5: Pom Coong - Ban Voi village - Hoa Binh

Breakfast. Transfer to Bai Sang by car. 1-hour trek to visit Go Lao waterfall then get on a boat to cruise on Hoa Binh reservoir for 2 hours. Lunch on board before arriving in Ban Voi village. Afternoon trek 3 hours to Hoa Binh. Join our vehicle again and travel back to Hanoi. Trip ends.

Trek Pu Luong National Park (5 days)

The five-day Pu Luong nature reserve trek takes you to Mai Chau and villages of the Thai and the Muong in Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Begin your 5-day adventure vacations with a car transfer from Hanoi to Mai Chau valley where you make a short stop for lunch before starting the 5-day hike through Thai, Muong hamlets, rice paddy fields to the center of the nature reserve. You spend nearly four days trekking from village to village among in the local Thai community, sleep in local Thai stilt house, eat local food. The hiking trail is easy with few climbs up and down hill. The best time to do this trek will be the dry season or while people are harvesting rice. The hike does not require much of preparation and can be offered to elder, young or children. Contact Lotussia travel for more details.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Hanoi – Mai Chau – Pu Luong Nature Reserve (L,D)

7:00 a.m: you will be met up with Lotussia Travel team at your hotel in Hanoi (please advise your hotel name). Depart for Mai Chau. You will travel through Hoa Binh town and arrive in Poom Coong village, Mai Chau at about 10:30. You will take a short walk around Lac and Poom Coong village to visit the ethnic Thai people.Lunch will be served at local home in Poom Coong village. After lunch, you will then leave Mai Chau for a short drive south-west along the Ma River (22km). You will be dropped off at Sai village, Pu Luong Nature Reserve where you will begin the four-day trek through different Thai and Muong villages.



You will trek through outstanding mountain scenery and picturesque rice paddies. You may wish to talk with friendly local villagers.

You will spend the night in a local Thai family’s traditional house on stilts in Hang village.

Day 2: Trek Hang village - Eo Ken village – Pa Ban village – Kho Muong village (B,L,D)

After your simple breakfast, provided in the local stilt house. You will start the day at 8:00 am. Today you will be walking for an approximately 5 to 6 hours. The first section is hard with some steep climbs and stream crossings. The second stage is glorious with beautiful views of the valley, rice terraces, rich rain forests.

Picnic lunch will be provided on the way at Eo Ken village.

Around lat afternoon, you will arrive in Kho Muong village. The village  is nestled between steep karst mountains with rice terraces in the afternoon sun. You will have dinner and spend the second night in a typical Thai stilt house in Kho Muong village.

Day 3: Trek Kho Muong village – Ban Pon village – Ban Nua village – Ban Hin village (B,L,D)

After breakfast, you will trek to Hin village (5 - 6 hours). On this hiking trail you will encounter some steep climbs and more stream crossings. Along the way you will have the opportunity to visit an incredible cave, only recently discovered and now protected by the Forest Rangers.

The trekking will become more and more remote although one is never that far from a villager tending their fields. You will pass by steep limestone mountains and curiosity conjuring caves, through the dense rain forests all inside the borders of the Pu Luong Nature Reserve and onto Nua village.

You lunch will be served en route.

After lunch, you continue trekking to Hin village of the Thai people.

Have dinner and spend the night in a local house.

Day 4: Hike Hin village to Son village

Ater breakfast, provided in the homestay, you will start the full day trek to Son village. Climbing up hardly, you will get in deeper inside the Pu luong Nature Reserve with wild and rich tropical forest.

Lunch will be provided on the way.

After lunch, you will continue your trek passing through other hill tribe villages. Arriving in the homestay, you may want to take a break or to stroll round this village before having dinner and spending the night in the homestay.

Day 5: Trek to Ton village. Return Hanoi.

After breakfast, you will trek for some kilometers to Ton village. Today you will have a nice and easier trek, just a bit up and downhill through rice paddies. After about two hour and a half, you will arrive in Ton village. You will be picked up again by your Lotussia driver and transferred back to Hanoi. Upon your arrival in Hanoi, you will be dropped off at your hotel in Hanoi. The end of Lotussia Travel service (hotel accommodation in Hanoi: own arrangements).

The Pu Luong Nature Reserve is an area of outstanding beauty, cultural interest and high biodiversity value stretching from Mai Chau in the north west to Cuc Phuong National Park in the south east. The region is blessed with rich forest, limestone panoramas, magnificent rice terraces and breathtaking scenery.

On this 6-day trip you can experience the everyday life and culture of Thai and Muong ethnic minorities and spend nights with friendly locals.

Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Pu Luong (L,D)

8:00 AM Mai Chau Trek tour guide and driver pick you up at your hotel and depart Hanoi for Pu Luong Natural Reserve via Mai Chau. This scenic drive takes around 4 hours. Along the way, pass fields of tapioca and sugar cane as well as rice paddies. Reach Mai Chau valley by lunchtime.

Lunch in Pom Coong Village and then drive 22km further into the reserve to begin the trek for approximately 3 hours before arriving at Hang Village, which is home to Thai ethnic minority.

Spend the night with a local Thai family in a traditional house built on stilts. Before dinner, stroll around the village to observe daily life activities of the locals.

Day 2: Trek to Kho Muong Village (B,L,D)

Breakfast in the home stay before the big trek of the day. Walking for around 6 hours on a rocky path running through jungle.in a village along the way.

After lunch, pass through several Thai villages before arriving at the village of Kho Muong.

Have the night in a Muong minority village.

Day 3: Trek to Cao Hoong Village (B,L,D)

Have a full day trek as we climb to the Pu Luong range. En route pass through a number of small hamlets and minority villages. After 3 hours of light ascent, descend to the village of Cao Hoong, a village of Thai ethnic minority people and have local lunch

Spend the night in local home.

Day 4: Trek to Cao Village (B,L,D)

Have a around 6 hours trek through the verdant countryside. The trek path runs uphill and downhill through forest, rice terraces and scenic villages. On the trek, see farmers working on rice paddies and children going to school.

Local lunch in a village.

Spend the night in the Thai village of Cao.

Day 5: Cao Village – Canh Nang Town – Mai Chau (B,L,D)

After breakfast, trek toward Ma River. The trek is quite gentle since we descend a wide-open valley. After 2 hours trek, reach Pho Doan Town where we visit to the local market. Following, trek Ma River, on the way see nice view of river, paddies and water wheel.

Pick up and transfer to Mai Chau for a late lunch.

Overnight homestay in Pom Coong village.

Day 6: Mai Chau – Hanoi (B,L)

Today is a relaxing day with a stroll in Mai Chau Valley to observe daily life activities of the local.

Lunch in local house before driving back to Hanoi.

Arrive in Hanoi around 5 pm, tour concludes.

Note on client safety: We reserve the right to deviate from this itinerary for any reasons, including road and weather conditions, frequency of visits to a village, or for any other factor which may influence client safety.

Tour includes:

    Private round trip transfer with A/C
    English  speaking guide
    Meals as indicated
    Home-stay permissions
    Entrance fees & Sightseeing fees

Tour excludes:

    Travel insurance
    Visa
    Tips
    Personal expenses

What to bring: Trekking boot, sun block, hat, anti-insect repellent, sunglasses, sleeping bag, rain coat, tioletries, original passport, first-aid kit

Tour Notes:

    Home stay condition is basic
    Beware of your luggage and money
    Inform in advance if you are vegetarian.
    All customers must obey the order of your tour guide for your safety.
    Passengers are advised not to take along big luggage for convenience

Trek Pu Luong Nature Reserve 6 days

The Pu Luong Nature Reserve is an area of outstanding beauty, cultural interest and high biodiversity. Stretching from Mai Chau in the north west to Cuc Phuong National Park in the south east. The region is blessed with rich forest, limestone panoramic views, magnificent rice terraces and breathtaking scenery. On this trip you can experience the everyday life and culture of Thai and Muong ethnic minorities and spend nights with friendly locals

Day 1: Ha Noi – Mai Chau – Pu Luong ( B / L / D ) 3 hours trek

After breakfast we depart Hanoi for Pu Luong Natural Reserve via Mai Chau. This scenic drive takes around 4 hrs. Along the way we pass fields of cassava  and sugar cane as well as rice paddies. We will reach Mai Chau valley by lunchtime. Following lunch in Pom Coong Village, we drive 22km further into the reserve where we begin our trek. We trek for approximately 3 hrs before arriving at Hang Village, which is home to the Thai ethnic minority people. We spend the night with a local Thai family who will be our hosts in a traditional house built on stilts. Before dinner we can stroll around the village to observe the daily activities of the locals.

Day 2: Trek to Kho Muong Village ( B / L / D ) 6 hours trek and slightly uphill, rock path

This morning we have breakfast in the home stay before we begin the big trek of the day. Today, we will walk for around 6 hrs on a rocky path running through the jungle. Lunch will be in a village along the way. After lunch we will pass through several Thai villages before arriving at Kho Muong village. As the name suggests this is a Muong minority village and we will be their guests for the night.

Day 3: Trek to Cao Hoong Village ( B / _ / D ) 6 hours trek and light climbing

Following breakfast, we have a full days trek as we climb to Pu Luong range. En route we pass through a number of small hamlets and minority villages. After 3 hr of light ascent we will we will arrive in Cao Hoong village, a village of Thai ethnic minority people, where we spend the night at home stay in Cao Hoong village

Day 4: Trek to Cao Village ( B / L / D ) 5 – 6 hours trek and climbing

Eat breakfast. Our trek through the verdant countryside today will take around 6 hrs. The trek path runs uphill and downhill through forest, rice terraces and scenic villages. On the trek we may see farmers working on rice paddies and children going to school. Lunch break will be in a local village. We spend the night at home stay in the Thai village of Cao village.

Day 5: Cao Village – Canh Nang Town – Mai Chau ( B / L / D ) 4 – 5 hours trek

After breakfast we trek toward Ma River. The trek is quite gentle since we descend to a wide-open valley. After 2 hrs trek we will reach Pho Doan Town where we will visit the local market. Following we trek to Ma River, on the way we will see nice views of the river, paddies and a water wheel. We will be picked up and transferred to Mai Chau for a late lunch. Stay overnight at home stay in Pom Coong village.

Day 6: Mai Chau – Ha Noi ( B / L / _ ) 4 hour trek

Today is a relaxing day. We can take a stroll in Mai Chau Valley to observe the daily life activities of the local people. Lunch is in a local house before driving back to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi around 5 pm. End of tour..

Mai Chau & Pu Luong Super Trek 5days

Mai Chau & Pu Luong Super Trek 5daysDay 1: Hanoi - Mai Chau - Pu Luong (~ 170 km & 3hour walk)

Depart from your Hanoi hotel at 8:00 am transferring to Mai Chau. Daydream as we drive a safe route with spectacular views around every bend. Upon arrival at Poom Coom village in Mai Chau, we will take a short walk to visit the ethnic Thai people, then lunch will be served at local home. By 1:00 pm take a quick ride (15 minutes) to the Ma river, where we will take a short boat trip followed by a 2 to 3 hour walk through beautiful hill side villages, magnificent rice paddies, seeing hand crafted bamboo water wheels. The highlight on this walk is experiencing the beauty of Pu luong Nature Reserve, the everyday life and culture of the white Thai people. Become a part of local life when we are welcomed as honored guests at a traditional Thai home on stilts. Here in Hang village we will have a traditional dinner and stay the night.

Day 2: Hike to Eo Ken & Kho Muong villages

Here, daily life starts early. It will be interesting for you to get up, take part in your host family's activities in the morning, take an opportunity to stroll around Hang village before having breakfast served by Thai people. Start our trek at 8 a.m. Today we will be walking for a approximately 5 to 6 hrs. The first hiking is hard with some steep climbs and yet more stream crossings, the next is really glorious with beautiful views of valley, rice terraces, rich rain forest. Picnic lunch on the way at Eo Ken village. Arrival in Kho Muong- the setting of the village is perhaps the most beautiful in Vietnam nestled between steep karst mountains and nice terraces in the afternoon. Spend our second night in a typical Thai eco - stilt house in Kho Muong.

Inclusion:

guide, homestay, all meals,

Day 3: Trek to Nua and Hin villages

Having breakfast, then start for a harder full day of hiking. Continue on through the valley. There are some steep climbs and yet more stream crossings. Trek to an incredible cave, only recently discovered and now protected by the Forest rangers. The trekking becomes more remote yet one is never far from a villager tending fields, passing steep limestone mountain, rain forest inside the Pu Luong Nature Reserve to Nua village. After a rough trek, what is more refreshing than a cool stream .This will surely bring you a new experience.. Stream bathing! Then picnic lunch will be served here. Relax from the heat of the day before continuing on to Hin - the village of Thai people in the afternoon. We will be welcomed as honoured guests. Have dinner with local people at their traditional house. Free time for you to talk and learn their traditional customs and culture. Prepare picnic lunch for the next day.

Inclusion:

guide, homestay, all meals,

Day 4: Hike to Son village

Leave Hin village after having breakfast at Thai people, we will start for a full day trek to Son village. Climbing up hardly, we will get in deeper inside the Pu luong Nature Reserve with wild and rich tropical forest, having picnic lunch on the way. Continuing our trek passing through Ba beautiful village to Son village when the "sunset" - if it does not rain. Take a break and stretch your legs on the house on stilt of Thai people or strolling round this village and get in contact with hospitable friendly local people here. Dinner and overnight in Son village.

Inclusion:

guide, homestay, all meals,

Day 5: Trek to Ton village then van to Hanoi
Breakfast is prepared by guide then we start our trek at 8:00 am to Ton village. Today we will have a nice and easier trek, just a bit up and down through rice paddies, jungle fever. After 2.5 hours we get to Ton village. Driver will pick us up and transfer to Muong Khen town for lunch. Arrive and end in Hanoi in the afternoon.

Inclusion:
Transfer, guide, breakfast, lunch

Pu Luong Nature Reserve- An Ideal Ecotourism Destination

Pu Luong, also called Phu Luong, was recognized one of Nature Reserves in the Northwestern of Thanh Hoa province. It is not only the habitat of plentiful of flora, but the living environment of many species of fauna as well. With an area of 17,662 ha, Pu Luong Nature Reserve is ideal place for developing main types of Vietnam tourism.

Pu Luong (alternatively called Phu Luong) is one of nature reserves located in Quan Hoa and Ba Thuoc districts in north-western of Thanh Hoa Province. Pu Luong shares the boreder with Mai Chau, Tan Lac and Lac Son districts of Hoa Binh Province to the North-east. Covering total area of 17,662ha, Pu Luong Nature Reserve is ideal for developing main types of tourism such as trekking and mountain biking, etc.

Pu Luong Nature Reserve- An Ideal Ecotourism Destination

The Nature Reserve is situated along two parallel mountain ridges running from the north-west to the south-west. In the middle of the nature reserve is a valley that separates it into two parts. This valley is the settlements of several local people and a large area of agricultural land.

Pu Luong is the habitat of plentiful of flora. It possesses the primary forest, which can be regarded as closed evergreen tropical seasonal forest. A diverse flora covers the forest with at least 1,109 vascular plant species. Besides, three primary forest subtypes found at the site also play an important role, including primary lowland forest on limestone and schist/shale, primary coniferous submontane forest on limestone and primary submontane forest on basalt.

Pu Luong Nature Reserve- An Ideal Ecotourism Destination

Furthermore, Pu Luong is also the living environment of total of 84 mammal species, in which there are 24 bat species, 162 bird species, 55 fish species, 28 reptile species, 13 amphibian species, 158 species of butterfly and 96 species of land snail. Here is an important place for the safeguarding of Delacour's Leaf Monkey.

Thanks to the variety of flora and fauna inside, Pu Luong Nature Reserve should be an ideal destination for tourists in Vietnam travel, especially for those who enjoy eco-tourism and adventure tours.