Trekking in Pu Luong Reserve

Itinerary in details

• DAY 01: HANOI - MAI CHAU - BAN HANG: 160km, 4h drive

  Set off after breakfast this morning for a four hour drive to Mai Chau. The drive goes through beautiful Hoa Binh Province, located in the mountainous area southeast of Hanoi: a region dotted with limestone karsts. Pass through several villages along the way (home to Thai, Hmong, and Dao people.)

  Go down the last 14 km along a steep mountain road into the stunning valley of Mai Chau. Enjoy a hot lunch here, served by the trekking cook in one of the small villages.

  After lunch, drive 22km further into the reserve to begin the trek. The trek lasts for approximately 3 hrs before arriving at Hang Village, home to Thai ethnic minority. Spend the night with a local Thai family in their traditional house built on stilts. Enjoy a stroll around the village to observe daily life activities before dinner.

  Overnight homestay in a Thai village

• DAY 02: BAN HANG - EO KEN - KHO MUONG

  For those who don’t mind the early wake up, take part in the local morning activities or take a stroll around Hang village before breakfast. Today is a harder day of hiking, 50% on village paths 50% on an old, disused, unpaved French road. There are some steep climbs throughout the day, as well as some stream crossings. While trekking becomes more remote, one is never far from a villager tending fields or walking back from the early morning market.

  While lunch is being prepared, relax from the heat of the day in a local home inside the village. After lunch, continue along the old jeep road to a village nestled between steep karst mountains. Arrive early with spare energy to hike a two-hour return trip to a newly discovered and incredibly large cave. Hidden on high ground surrounded by thickets and hanging vegetation, the cave is now protected by the Forest rangers, due to the delicate ecosystem and bat species inside.

  Overnight homestay in a village

• DAY 03: KHO MUONG - PHO DOAN - BAN HUOU

  Wake up early to the sound of chickens and ducks and children preparing for the day at school. Breakfast at the homesaty then take a walk through the village to experience morning life in a farming community.

  The trek heads out along the Ma River and, after 3h30 hours, reach Pho Doan Town. If this day of the itinerary falls on a Sunday, pay a visit to the busy Pho Doan market. Followed by trekking to the Ma River, enjoy a nice view of rivers, paddies and a water wheel on the way.

  Have lunch at Pho Doan & in the afternoon, trek 08km up to Huou village. It is the beautifull village you can visit the terraced rice filed, Thai village and Huou waterfall.

  Stay overnight at Huou village

• DAY 04: BAN HUOU - PHO DOAN - HANOI

  Breakfast at the homesaty then take a walk down through the village to experience morning life in a farming community. After 2h30 hours, reach Pho Doan Town.

  Have lunch at the local restaurant, then, transfer back to Hanoi. Arrive at Hanoi in the end of the afternoon.

  End of the services!