Mai Chau Valley Trekking

OVERVIEW

In the mountains of northern Vietnam not far from the Laos border you can trek and mountain bike through forested countryside inhabited by H'mong, Dao, Muong and Thai hill tribe people.

Located just five hours from Hanoi, this region is a convenient area to explore the sharp limestone ridges and fertile valleys of the northern interior area. Staying overnight in rustic hill tribe villages you explore forest paths, mist filled valleys and old – world culture amongst stunning rice fields and mountain vistas. Diverse architecture styles, languages and textile weaving styles also add color and spice to these adventures where you can learn all about local traditions. 

Accommodations during the trek will be in typical homes in local villages and will be basic, consisting of a bed with mosquito netting. A local guide will accompany you on all the treks. Luggage will be transferred between destinations.

You will: Travel the mountainous North West of Vietnam near the Laos and China borders areas; Trek where few western tourists go – in the most remote and beautiful areas of Vietnam; Experience how the local ethnic minorities really live by staying in their homes and participating in their activities; Discover the varied ethnic minorities in the hilly rural North of the country and grab some fantastic photographs as they carry on their daily activities.

ITINERARY

DAY 1 : Ha Noi - Mai Chau (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

08:00 am. After a morning pick – up at your hotel in Hanoi, you will travel to Mai Chau, via the peaceful gateway to the northwest, Hoa Binh town. Mai Chau is the heart of a beautiful valley. As you emerge to the rice fields and rural areas, you will experience a real paradise. Most of the people are ethnic White Thai. The women are masterful weavers of the traditional – style clothing that is found in the markets and village center. The stilt houses border both side of the roads. The houses are quite large with palm leaf roofs and bamboo – slat floors. The kitchen is located in the center of the house, where the cooking as well as the weaving takes place. The windows are large and decorated with patterns. Each house also has a pond to breed fish. The Sunday market brings different minorities into the town and is an important social as well as commercial occasion.

Enjoy a minority music show in the evening.

Overnight in stilt house of White Thai minority in Lac village.

Distance       Ha Noi Central – Mai Chau: 200 km => 4 hour transfer

DAY 2 : Mai Chau - Hang Kia (Breakfast)

08:00 am. In the morning we will drive to Xa Linh, an H’mong village and from here you will trek to Hang Kia (8km). After an easy start on dirt paths the trek takes you down two slippery streambeds before climbing up a steep mountainside. The vegetation is dense and the trail down is steep. The path eventually leads to an open valley, known locally as “Elephant Valley”, where the trail flattens out. From here the trail leads up and over a final pass before descending down a rocky path to the H’mong village of Hang Kia. Hang Kia is in a small and scenic valley and is home to a group of H’mong minority people.

Overnight in the house of H’mong people in Hang Kia.

DAY 3 : Hang Kia - Cun Pheo (Breakfast)

08:00 am. Today’s trekking (8 – 10km) is mainly downhill, and the scenery a contrast to the previous day. We will stop for a picnic lunch along the way. Begin with a gentle descent on a wide track, which turns into a narrow path winding through hamlets, cultivated fields that afford beautiful views of the Mai Chau Valley below. The trekking is challenging involving several stream crossings, steep descents and balancing between rice paddies. There are spectacular views of karst Rock Mountains in the distance. The path crosses two suspension bridges before arriving at Cun Pheo, a village of the White Thai minority. This is a spectacular village surrounded by palm gardens and bamboo.

Overnight in stilt house in Cun Pheo.

DAY 4 : Cun Pheo - Xam Khoe Village (Breakfast)

08:00 am. In the morning we leave Cun Pheo and trek to Xam Khoe Village (8 – 10km). Along the way we pass many villages and lush rice fields. We have lunch in a local home.

In the afternoon we trek around the area to see the nearby gardens and terraced rice fields

Overnight in home of Dzay minority in Xam Khoe Village

DAY 5 : Xam Khoe - Mai Chau (Breakfast)

08:00 am. In the morning trek from Xam Khoe Village back to the spectacular Mai Chau valley and the village of Ban Lac (8 – 10km). In the afternoon you are free to explore Mai Chau valley by bike.

Overnight in stilt house in the Thai village of Ban Lac

DAY 6 : Mai Chau - Hanoi (Breakfast)

After breakfast we drive back to Hanoi, stopping for lunch in Hoa Binh. The tour ends at your hotel

Distance        Mai Chau - Ha Noi Central: 200 km => 4 hour transfer

INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS

What’s included?

• Accommodation in the category chosen or similar: Overnight at homestay
• Meals as mentioned in the program. 06L: Lunch, 05D: Dinner.
• Transfer as mentioned in the program
• All entrance fees and sightseeing as mentioned in the program. Mineral Water (01 bottle/pax/day)
• English speaking guide(s) in Vietnam.

What’s excluded?

• Late check out or Early check in
• Meals are not mentioned in the program
• International flight/ Domestic flight tickets and airport taxes.
  All internal/ regional flight tickets in economy class with/without departure tax (? USD/Pax).
• Visa fee upon arrival in Vietnam (25 USD for one 1 month or 3 month single entry visa). (Vietnam visa authorization letter (5 USD/ pax). Visa fee upon arrival in Cambodia (30 USD/ pax). Lao visa fee (40 USD/ pax).
• Tips & personal expenses. Personal insurance. Any service not clearly mentioned in the program.

IMPORTANT INFO

Cancellation Policy

1. Cancellations must be advised by email / fax
   b. The cancellation fees will apply:

• Cancelation 30 days prior to arrival date: USD 50 per person will be charged.
• Cancelation from 20 days to 30 days prior to arrival date: 30% of total invoice amount will be charged
• Cancelation from 10 days to 20 days prior to arrival date: 50% of total invoice amount will be charged
• Cancelation less than 10 days prior to arrival date or no-show: 100% of total invoice invoice amount will be charged

Price In USD (in a private tour for a group of 2 adults)

PRICE IN USD PER PAX (in a private tour for a group of 2 adults)

Date: 01 Jan – 31 Dec