DAY 1: HANOI – PU LUONG (L - D) Village Life | Water Wheels | Rafting
07:00 AM: Pick up at your hotel in the Old Quarter area. Expect a 4-hour drive without heavy traffic.
10:00 AM: Stop for a 15-minute rest break halfway through the journey. Enjoy picturesque village landscapes along the way.
12:00 PM: Arrive at Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Have lunch at a local restaurant. Check-in at your reserved room (standard check-in time 14:00) and relax at your own pace.
01:30 PM: Afternoon leisurely walks.
Transfer to Ban Cong and start a 2.5km walk. Cross a suspension bridge to reach one of Pu Luong's most scenic villages, where the largest stream flows through. Along the river, admire stunning landscapes, rice fields, and village life. Seek for the giant water wheels, a remarkable creation of Vietnam's mountainous ethnic minorities. Difficulty level 2/5.
Arrive at Chieu Lau dam and embark on a bamboo rafting experience. Paddle the raft upstream with locals and have fun.
03:00 PM: The raft lands on the other side of the river. Embark on another 2km trek through rice fields and villages, completing a loop trail. Meet the transfer at the main road and return to the hotel for relaxation by 05:00 PM.
Evening: Culinary exploration and leisure
Optional cooking class for those interested. Enjoy a delicious dinner at 7:00 PM, followed by free time to relax. This concludes your first day in Pu Luong.
DAY 2: PU LUONG – HANOI (B - L) Iconic Rice Terrace | Local Brocade
07:00 AM: Enjoy breakfast and prepare for the day's activities. Be ready by 8:30 AM.
08:45 AM: Take a leisurely stroll down the valley to Don village, renowned as the epicenter of Pu Luong. This area boasts a gentle road that winds through vast terraced fields. With every step, you'll witness the captivating transformation of the scenery. As you continue your walk, you'll come across Uoi hamlet. When viewed from above, this hamlet nestles humbly at the base of the towering mountain. We assure you that this landscape will be a visual delight and may even fill up your phone's memory card with its beauty.
Descend the hill to Lan Village, often referred to as the "Kingdom of Thai People in Pu Luong" home to around 100 Thai families. You can opt for a leisurely bicycle ride (optional) or take a relaxed stroll around. Here, you'll encounter the soothing sights of cool streams, verdant farmlands, ducks joyfully paddling in ponds, and friendly locals going about their day. You'll have the opportunity to observe their everyday activities, marked by simplicity and humility, with a special focus on their traditional brocade sewing. Take this time to engage with the locals and learn about their craft. After that, transfer back for check out your room by 11:30 and have lunch.
01:00 PM: Prepare for the bus journey back to Hanoi. Expect to arrive at your hotel in Hanoi by 6:30 PM, barring heavy traffic. The tour concludes at your Hanoi hotel.
