Tonkinese Landscape Marvels - 8 Days

Experience Vietnam’s natural and cultural marvels on this 8-day journey. Visit 5 destinations, including Hanoi, Mai Chau, Cuc Phuong, Ninh Binh, and Halong Bay. Highlights include ethnic villages, dramatic landscapes, lush rice terraces, and a scenic bay cruise. Perfect for adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Trip Duration
8 Days

Key Destination
5 Destinations

Trip Type
Special Interest

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi

Welcome to Vietnam! Your local guide and chauffeur take you to town. We leave the rest of the day for your leisure to while off the jet lag and acclimatize yourself. If you arrive in the morning, we have some interesting optional activities in the afternoon or evening ready upon your request.

Day 2: Hanoi to Mai Chau

After breakfast we depart Hanoi and travel through hilly outskirt towards Mai Chau in the midland region. As we travel longer we gain more elevation on the scenic winding roads until we reach the picturesque valley of Mai Chau. We have lunch and settle in at one of the Thai village in the center of the valley. We move into our rooms in an eco lodge which is beautifully situated on the hillside overlooking the rice fields.

The afternoon is for an easy electric car ride around the village and the center area of the little town. have a sightseeing tour with some walking to a Thai village. Dinner will be served after the opening dance show of the Thai villagers in their colorful costume. The bamboo dance will be particularly engaging.

Day 3: Mai Chau to Cuc Phuong

Today we explore venture into the surrounding villages and further explore the beautiful landscape of Mai Chau. We wander through several villages of the White Thai peacefully settled among paddy fields against the backdrop of the surrounding mountain ranges. There will be lots of encounters with the local people.

Set out from Mai Chau. We take a scenic drive from the mountains towards the lowlands, driving through different landscape with picturesque rugged karst hills rising from the flat green paddy fields. We head for Cuc Phuong National Park and arrive by late afternoon when we will check in Cuc Phuong Resort and spend the night on the jungle outskirt.

Day 4: Cuc Phuong to Ninh Binh

Today we start in the morning with a visit to the Endangered Primate Rescue Center (EPRC) before moving into the central station where we will take a 2-hour hike through the tropical vegetation of the national park. We will encounter some huge trees of a few hundreds of years old. We also explore a cave which carries traces of pre-history Man. Around mid afternoon we leave the national park and take a short drive toward Ninh Binh.

Once arrived in Ninh Binh, we check in our resort and have the rest of the day to relax , getting ready for the next amazing day.

Day 5: Ninh Binh

The whole day today is to explore the extraordinary attractions in Ninh Binh. In the morning we hop on a bicycle and peddle through scenic countryside. We visit some old temples in Hoa Lu, the site of the medieval capital. In the afternoon we take a stunning boat trip and paddle through the magnificent karst landscape in Trang An, a UNESCO site.

Before the end of the afternoon we walk up 500 steps at Hang Mua to be rewarded with the breath taking panorama and the sunset from the top of this karst hill. End of the day, we will spend one more night in Ninh Binh.

Day 6: Ninh Binh to Halong

From a UNESCO site to the next. Today we travel to Halong Bay, a magical creation of nature in the form of thousands of half-submerged karst pillars.

Here we have an overnight exploration cruise on board of a traditional wooden junk.

Day 7: Ha Long to Hanoi

After the night away from the civilized world, wake up in the tranquil settings of the bay. Continue with the morning cruise while the junk glides through further dramatic scenery. We visit a magnificent stalactite cave before heading back to the harbor in Halong. Upon disembarkation we take the drive back to Hanoi. You have the evening at leisure or to stroll around town before the next departure day.

Day 8: Departure from Hanoi

You are at leisure till transfer time. If you have late flight we will arrange extra activities or accommodation upon your request. We wish you a good journey home.

Include

Private vehicle for all transfers as per program.
English speaking guide for activities as per program.
Entrance fees at all attractions
Hotels with daily breakfast.
2 bottles of water and towel per person per day.
Domestic travel insurance as per official regulations.

Exclude

Hotel Selection

Below are the hotels we inspect these hotels on regular basis to make sure they are well maintained and provide good value. In case any of these hotels are not available, we guarantee to provide an equivalent accommodation of the same class.

Hanoi: May De Ville City Centre 2
Mai Chau: Mai Chau Ecolodge
Cuc Phuong: Cuc Phuong Resort
Ninh Binh: Ninh Binh Hidden Charm
Halong cruise: Emeraude Classic