Pastoral Dream: 9-Day Mai Chau, Pu Luong & Lan Ha Bay Tour – Vietnam's Scenic Peaks

Emotion & Experience: Absorb the intellectual legacy of a thousand-year-old civilization, gain deep insight into cultural diversity, and be captivated by a unique performance.

9:00 AM: Our cultural exploration begins at the Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu), Vietnam's first national university (11th century). Stroll through its tranquil courtyards, admire the symbol Khue Van Cac, and view the World Heritage stone steles honoring ancient scholars.

Next, we seek cultural insight at the Museum of Ethnology (closed Mondays). Spend two hours exploring the traditional costumes, tools, and houses of Vietnam’s many ethnic groups, offering a profound understanding of the nation’s diversity.

The afternoon introduces the elegance of the French Quarter—Hanoi’s "Little Paris." We visit (outside) Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, then walk through the botanical gardens to see the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s simple house on stilts, and the unique One-Pillar Pagoda.

The day concludes with the mesmerizing Water Puppet Show, a unique performance art where puppets dance on water, narrating Vietnamese folklore and daily life.

• Included: English-speaking Guide, Breakfast, Private Transportation, Entrance Fees, Water Puppet Show, Mineral Water (2 bottles/pax).

• Accommodation: Conifer Grand Hotel (Deluxe Room) or similar.

Emotion & Experience: Feel the stress melt away as you journey to the peaceful valley, finding immediate closeness to nature and the warmth of local connection in a Thai stilt house.

8:00 AM: Depart Hanoi and head towards the serene, mountainous landscape of Mai Chau. The journey itself is a reward, with a stop at a Muong village for an early cultural glimpse. We then ascend the scenic Thung Khe Pass, offering a magnificent panoramic view of the valley below before arriving in Mai Chau town.

We settle into our accommodation in Mai Hich village and enjoy a delicious, authentic lunch cooked by our local host family.

Later, choose your pace: embark on a leisurely bike ride (12 km) or a peaceful walk (6 km) along trails bordered by rice fields, mountains, and streams. This is the heart of Thai culture, where the gentle landscape and the friendliness of the local people—who are always willing to welcome you into their homes for a cup of tea—create a deeply harmonious and unforgettable experience.

• Included: English-speaking Guide, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Private Transportation, Bike Rental (Mai Chau), Mineral Water (2 bottles/pax).

• Accommodation: Mai Hich Homestay (Sharing Homestay) - Experience the tranquility of a traditional Thai stilt house.

Emotion & Experience: Experience a deep sense of discovery as you trek into the more rugged terrain of Pu Luong, witnessing traditional life and ingenious water technology.

After breakfast, we drive the scenic 30km to Eo Ken, a remote area inhabited by Muong ethnics. We embark on a fantastic downhill walk, immediately greeted by the spectacular, lush views of the Pu Luong Nature Reserve.

Walk through this breathtaking landscape, crossing a stream to reach Hang Village. During this trek (approx. 4-5 km), we visit a local Muong family in Eo Ken village to gain firsthand insight into their authentic way of life.

After being picked up, we transfer deeper into Pu Luong and check into our accommodation. In the afternoon, we explore Chieng Lau, renowned for its pristine rice fields and the unique bamboo water wheels. Take a scenic walk (3-4 km) and engage with local residents, watching these ingenious wheels irrigate the land—a true symbol of harmonious farming.

• Included: English-speaking Guide, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Private Transportation, Mineral Water (2 bottles/pax).

• Accommodation: Pu Luong Home (Double Room, Shared Bathroom) or similar.

Emotion & Experience: Begin the day with a final pastoral hike, capturing the unforgettable beauty of Pu Luong before transitioning to the dramatic geological landscapes of Ninh Binh.

8:00 AM: Enjoy a beautiful morning easy hike (approx. 5 km) down into the valley from your accommodation. We pass through spectacular rice fields, following small paths to the remote villages of Chom Uoi and Chom Lan. Your camera will be working overtime as you capture the changing landscapes of terraces, fields, streams, and mountains—a final, rewarding cultural immersion in Pu Luong.

We then transfer to Ninh Binh (approx. 3 hours). The drive is a picturesque blend of winding mountain roads and flat delta terrains, offering a constant glimpse into Vietnamese rural life. We check into our hotel nestled within the dramatic limestone landscape.

• Included: English-speaking Guide, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Private Transportation, Mineral Water (2 bottles/pax).

• Accommodation: Nep House (Double Room) or similar.

Emotion & Experience: Discover the reverent quietude of Ninh Binh's hidden waterway, feel a sense of awe in a mystical cave, and marvel at a unique blend of Eastern and Western architecture.

8:00 AM: Our day begins with a transfer to Thien Ha Pier, where we embark on a fantastic two-hour bamboo sampan boat trip with a local rower. Glide silently through the mystical landscape of limestone mountains, where buffaloes, ducks, and simple houses complete an idyllic rural picture.

We disembark to walk up to the breathtaking Thien Ha Cave (Celestial River Cave), only discovered in 2007. After walking the first 200m, we take another boat trip inside the cave to discover its hidden paradisiacal beauty, complete with magnificent stalagmites and stalactites.

After lunch, we visit Phat Diem Cathedral, known as the "Catholic Capital" of Vietnam. Built between 1875-1899, this site is unique for its incredible combination of traditional Vietnamese pagoda architecture and a Western church, constructed almost entirely of stone and wood. We explore the complex, including the impressive gate and the completely stone-built church at the end of the courtyard.

• Included: English-speaking Guide, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Sampan Boat Trip (Thien Ha), Private Transportation, Entrance Fees, Mineral Water (2 bottles/pax).

• Accommodation: Nep House (Double Room) or similar.

Emotion & Experience: An active morning of discovery and cultural participation gives way to the serenity of the wetlands, providing a perfect final glimpse of the countryside.

8:00 AM: Choose your adventure! Take a scenic 10 km bike ride (one way) or a leisurely drive along the dyke, offering stunning views of rice fields and limestone mountains. Our goal is the 11th-century Thung La Temple, where you can enjoy a special performance of traditional musical instruments, connecting you to the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people. Alternatively, you may reach the temple by car or scooter passenger.

Next, we journey to the beautiful Van Long Nature Reserve for a final sampan boat trip. Glide through the tranquil stream and among the karsts. If you're lucky, you might spot rare white monkeys and egrets on the cliffs.

After the boat trip, we visit a local embroidery village and join a small workshop led by craftswoman Mrs. Lam. This is a hands-on opportunity to practice the techniques of this traditional craft.

We transfer back to Hanoi, saying goodbye to the idyllic rural life, and check into your hotel by the evening.

• Included: English-speaking Guide, Breakfast, Lunch, Sampan Boat Trip (Van Long), Private Transportation, Entrance Fees, Bike Rental (Ninh Binh), Embroidery Workshop, Mineral Water (2 bottles/pax).

• Accommodation: Conifer Grand Hotel (Deluxe Room) or similar.

Emotion & Experience: The dramatic shift from land to sea offers absolute serenity and a sense of luxury and escape as you kayak through one of the world's most beautiful, unspoiled bays.

9:00 AM: Pick up at your Hanoi hotel. Enjoy a comfortable 2.5-hour drive via the new highway to the port near Hai Phong, passing through the picturesque Red River Delta.

1:00 PM: You are warmly welcomed aboard the luxurious Peony Cruise. Enjoy fresh drinks and a gourmet lunch as we set sail for the pristine Lan Ha Bay—a sanctuary away from the crowds.

3:30 PM: We reach the unspoiled Tra Bau area. This is the prime time for kayaking, allowing you to discover the true, hidden beauty of the limestone islands up close. Alternatively, relax with a swim or enjoy the on-board Jacuzzi.

5:30 PM: Join a cooking demonstration to learn about Vietnamese spring rolls. Afterwards, head to the top deck to enjoy a breathtaking sunset and Happy Hour—the ideal time to capture the unforgettable beauty of the Gulf of Tonkin.

7:30 PM: Indulge in a delicious deluxe dinner served in an intimate, romantic setting. The evening is open for relaxation, spa services (optional), or the chance to try your luck at squid fishing on the main deck.

• Included: Shuttle Bus (Hanoi - Tuan Chau), English-speaking Guide (on board), Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Entrance Fees, Kayaking, Cooking Demonstration, Overnight Cruise (Deluxe Balcony Cabin), Mineral Water (2 bottles/pax).

• Accommodation: Peony Cruise - 2D1N (Deluxe Balcony Cabin).

Emotion & Experience: End your journey with a moment of spiritual calm and geological wonder before departing, carrying memories of Vietnam’s diverse beauty.

6:00 AM: Start your final day with an energizing Tai Chi session on the sundeck as the sun rises over the magnificent karsts.

7:30 AM: We transfer to Cat Ba Island to explore the stunning Trung Trang Cave—a massive limestone cave within the Cat Ba World Biosphere Reserve, offering incredible geological value.

9:30 AM: Return to the main boat, check out of your cabin, and enjoy an early brunch as we cruise leisurely back toward the port.

11:30 AM: Disembark and meet your driver for the comfortable transfer back to Hanoi. Your driver will then take you directly to Noi Bai Airport for your onward flight, concluding your journey through Vietnam's rice fields and limestone peaks.

• Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Private Transportation, Entrance Fees, Tai Chi Session, Mineral Water (2 bottles/pax).