Pu Luong Nature Reserve – Mai Chau – Hanoi
7 days - Private Tour

Destinations: Hanoi, Mai Chau
The Pu Luong Nature Reserve belongs to Ba Thuoc distrric, Thanh Hoa province some 160 km from Hanoi to south West.  It is an area of outstanding natural beauty, rich cultural interest and high biodiversity value. The region is blessed with primitive forests, limestone peaks, green rice paddies and peaceful hamlets with stilt-house of Thai ethnic people. This trip takes you off the beaten path with deep exploration through hidden trails, get close up with the wildlife and experience local life in local homestay. Get ready for challenging but also alluring, terrific adventures in wait!

 Full Itinerary 

DAY 1    Hanoi – Canh Nang – Cao Village    
In the morning, we pick you up from your hotel and dỉve to to Pu Luong Nature Reserve on Ho Chi Minh Highway well-known as “Ho Chi Minh Trail” during Vietnam War. Lots of oppotunaty to take picture with beautiful views on the way. On Thursday and Sunday, you will have chances to join Pho Doan hill tribal market where all colors of ethnics gather on a festive day. Transfer by motorcycle from the ranger station to Cao village of Muong hill tribe. Dinner and homestay overnight in Cao village.

DAY 2    Cao – Son – Muoi – Ba & Nua Village      
Trekking distance/time: 8 hours - Moderate

Trekking attractions: Rice field, pine forest, ethnic stilt-houses and village school

Today you will visit the 3 best beautiful villages of Pu Luong, which make this Nature Reserve as “Da Lat valley of Thanh Hoa province”. You will take a long trek from 600m to 1.180m where the 3 villages are located. Trekking among terraced rice fields, palm and pine trees, mountainous ranges surrounding stilt-houses. Dinner and overnight in Nua village.

DAY 3    Nua – Cao Hoong – Kit Village    
Trekking distance/time: 5 hours - Moderate
Trekking attractions: Deep and thick jungle. If possible, you can see the wild lingur in Red Book.

This is a light day for trekkers before the next long day of trekking. You'll hike up to the most remote villages of Cao Hoong and Kit, which are located deep inside the jungle. From Nua village, you will conquer 7km through the narrow trails in primitive forests. Each village has around a dozen households nestling next to palm trees and surrounded by terraced rice fields. Kit village is not far from a habitat of langurs – take some time to admire wild monkeys jumping among the ancient trees. Dinner and overnight in Kit village 

DAY 4    Kit – Thanh Cong – Kho Muong – Dong Dieng Village     
Trekking distance/time: 8 hours – Moderate

Trekking attractions: Deep and thick jungle, Bat cave, rice fields

Today, you will start trekking early at 6.00 am through primitive forest to Pon village, and tentative lunch time is when you're in Pon village. The trails look like a snake winding around the mountains, hidden behind lush rice fields and swallowed by the palm trees. Enjoy cool atmostphere and sudden rain during the trek. In the afternoon, you continue trekking from Pon to Kho Muong village. Stopover to explore Bat cave then finish the adventure day at Dong Dieng village - located in the bottom of Pu Luong Mountain. Dinner and overnight in Dong Dieng village

DAY5    Dong Dieng – Pu Luong Peak At 1,700m – Overnight In Sleeping Bags      
Trekking distance/time: 6 hours - Difficulty

Trekking attractions: Kim Giao forest. Deep and thick jungle, if possible, you can see the wild lingur in Red Book.

This is the main day of our journey. Start from Dong Dieng village, you will trek and hike-up in 6 hours to Pu Luong mountain peak at the elevation of 1,700m. You’ll enjoy picnic lunch en route and stunning thick forest of Kim Giao-a precious wood used for Vietnam Kings’ banquet. You also have chance to come across the wild langurs, an icon of Western Thanh Hoa mountain. You have 2 options for overnight: Overnight on Pu Luong peak or trekking back to Dong Dieng village.

DAY 6    Dong Dieng Village – Mai Chau        
Trekking distance/time: 5 hours - Moderate

Trekking attractions: Kim Giao forest. Deep and thick jungle

You will departure early via a shortcut to Dong Dieng village. After lunch, you say goodbye to the hosts and continue on road back to Mai Chau downtown by bus. Check in homestay. Dinner and enjoy traditional music performance by White Thai villagers.

DAY 7    Mai Chau – Hanoi     
Morning transfer back to Hanoi and arrive your hotel in Hanoi in the early afternoon. End of services.