Mai Chau is a mountainous area of outstanding natural beauty, inhabited
by a Thai and H’mong ethnic minority groups. This trip offers a great
combination of cultural expedition and trekking. We trek for three days
through the spectacular scenery, visit remote and stay overnight in
local homes where we have the chance to get to know these hospitable
villages. From the mountainous region of Mai Chau, we travel back to
the nation's capital, Hanoi.
Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Hang Kia Village
Pick up at your hotel at 8 am and leave Hanoi for Mai Chau, the beautiful gate way to the mountainous area of northern Vietnam. On the way we will have a short stop for refreshment.
Mai Chau nestles in the mountainous regions of northern Vietnam, south west of Hanoi in Hoa Binh Province. The valley of Mai Chau is inhabited by a community of one of Vietnam’s 52 minority groups, the White Thai while the upper lands of Mai Chau are inhabited by the H’mong minority group.
Upon arrival in Mai Chau we will pick up our local guide and continue driving to Xa Linh Village, where we will have our lunch in a H’mong house before setting off on a beautiful trekking in the afternoon. From here we will not use our car until the last day. After lunch we will begin our trek on the village’s road and then walk on dirt path used by the locals. After 40nims we will reach Tra Day Village, home to a small community of Black H’mong minority people. From the Tra Day village we have two options for trekking route to reach Hang Kia, where we will stay overnight. The easier route with rocky path running through another H’mong village. The harder route take more time to do with trail uphill through jungle and dirt path though terraces.
We will reach Hang Kia around 5pm. Hang Kia is a small and scenic valley, which is home to a group of Flower H’mong minority people. Tonight we will stay overnight with a H’mong family. While our local guide cooks dinner we can take shower or stroll around the village. Dinner around 7.30 pm. Before going to bed we will treat our feet with herbal foot massage, which you do by yourself with ATV guide’s instruction.
Summary
The transfer: 4.5 hrs
The trekking: 2.5 – 3 hrs trekking on dirt & rocky path (or jungle trail-second option), slightly
uphill and downhill.
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Home stay: Hang Kia Village
Day 2: Trekking from Hang Kia to Van Village
After breakfast in the house we will say goodbye to the family and begin an exciting trekking day. Right after the village we will walk on jungle trail for one hour. The trail could be a bit wet due to the dense trees that keep sunlight away. After that we descend the hill passing farm and terraces. The scenery is stunning with mountains, terraces and expansive valley. During the trek we will some breaks for snack, rest, and photographing. After crossing a small river we reach a village of White Thai minority group, where we have lunch in a local house. After lunch, you may wish to have a short nap in the house. In the remainder of the day we will walk on village road to reach Van Village, a beautiful village of White Thai minority people. The road runs zigzag along the valley and through lots of scenic village. As you walking through these villages the locals may try to invite to come to their house and have dinner with them. Tonight we will have dinner and stay overnight in a Thai family. We will eat and sleep on the bamboo floor as it is the traditional way. Again, our local guide will cook dinner for us while we taking shower or having a pre-dinner drink. At the meal time the host will welcome us with home made whisky. Before going to bed we look after our feet with herbal foot massage.
Summary
The trekking: 5 – 5.30 hrs trekking on downhill jungle trail and flat dirt road
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Home stay: Van Village
Day 3: Trekking from Van Village to Buoc Village
After breakfast we say goodbye to the family and begin 3-hr trek in the morning to reach Buoc Village. The path will runs uphill and down hill through bamboo forest, terraces and farms. On the trek we may see farmers working on their farms. Around 12 pm we will reach Buoc Village, another scenic village of White Thai minority people. We will have lunch in local house and take a short nap if you wish. In the afternoon, we will enjoy 2-hr leisure trek around the village. Weather permitting, at the end of the day we could enjoy the cool water of the stream nearby the homestay.
Again, dinner will be cooked by our local guide. Foot massage before bedding time.
Summary
The trekking: 5 hrs trekking on slightly downhill and uphill dirt path
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Homestay: Buoc Village
Day 4: Trekking to Van Mai – Transfer to Hanoi
After breakfast we say goodbye to the family and enjoy the last trekking along mountain foot to reach Van Mai, where we will meet our car and driver for a short transfer to Pom Coong Village for lunch in a local house. After lunch we will head back to Hanoi. Return to Hanoi around 5pm. Tour ends.
Summary
The trekking: 3-hrs trekking on flat dirt road along mountain foot
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.