Pu Luong – Ninh Binh – Halong Bay 6 Days 5 Nights

07:00  Meet at the Opera house in Hanoi Old Quarter to board the bus and start the trip to Pu Luong

10:30 You will have a stop in Thung Khe Pass for a spectacular view of Mai Chau Valley. The Thung Khe Pass flagpole, also called the Mai Chau Flagpole is the highlight of the entire mountain pass. During the stop, you can see the local stands selling typical products. Take a chance to try one of the local specialties, the “Com Lam”, sticky rice cooked in bamboo.

12:00 : Check in the hotel in Pu Luong and have lunch. Free time to relax or enjoy the infinity pool.

14:00:  Board the car to reach the starting point of the afternoon trekking. You will first pass a hanging bridge over the Cham river . You will pass through Ba village and see old traditional houses.

After that, you will admire the ingenious agriculture system of the Thai ethnic minority, the bamboo waterwheels. Specific to the Thai people , the water wheels in Pu Luong are amongst the most impressive in Vietnam. The day will end by a relaxing and tranquil bamboo boat ride . Adapted for tourism, the boat is kept in use by locals to navigate and visit other houses or to go to the fields.

16:30 Back to the Retreat. Free time to enjoy a cup of tea or a cocktail on the terrace or to enjoy a swim in the infinity pool.

19:00: Dinner in the Eco restaurant and assist to a traditional dances of Thai ethnic minority community. Feel free to experience the Bamboo clap dance. Quiet night in the Reserve

07:00 – 08:00 : Enjoy breakfast at the Eco-restaurant with mountain view

08:00  You will board the van to reach the starting point of the trek. On Thursday and Sunday, you will have a stop to the local Pho Doan market.

You will then be dropped at the starting point. The trek will pass through a small dirt path, passing by isolated hamlet and through the jungle. You will arrive to the higher part of Hieu village contemplating some stunning views.

While going down to reach the waterfall, you will see some local houses. Free time to enjoy the waterfall (swimming and water hiking depending on season)

12:00 Time to join the local house for a Garden to Table Lunch at the homestay of ethnic minority people

After lunch, rest and relax in the village before boarding the car back to Pu Luong Eco Garden. Free time to relax in the hotel in the room or by the infinity pool or to explore an easy walk around Bang Village.

19:00 Dinner in the Eco – Restaurant and peaceful evening at the bar or by the pool

07:30 – 08:30 : Enjoy breakfast at the Eco-restaurant with mountain view

08:30 Trek to Kho Muong Village & Bat Cave. The trekking will start by small alley houses nearby traditional Thai stilt until reaching beautiful view points of the infinity rice terraces.

Arriving from the top of the hill, you will slowly see appearing the village of Kho Muong and understand how special is this place.

After walking around the village, you will walk to the entrance to the cave. Possibility to visit the cave (depending on weather conditions).

11:30 Check out and lunch at Pu Luong Eco Garden the Mountain Retreat

11:30  Say goodbye to the fabulous Pu Luong Nature Reserve and start the journey to reach the Halong Bay on land, Ninh Binh

14:00 – 17:30   Transfer to Ninh Binh, arrival and free time to relax.

19:00 Dinner in Trang An Ecolodge Resort

7:00 – 08:00 Breakfast at the Lodge

8:00: Cycling to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. Back to X century, the ancient Vietnamese capital was the place of the emperors of the dynasty of Dinh, Tien Le and Ly. Travel out of time in this spectacular site. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is not only a valuable relic site but also a remarkable tourist, offering tourists the chance to appreciate both stunning historical scenery and unique architectural values of a by gone era.. 

12:00 : Check out & lunch

13:30 :  it will be time for a relaxing tour in the UNESCO site of Trang An. You will enjoy a boat tour in wonderful landscape in between karst pics covered by jungle, passing through a cave and watching temples. It is a world apart and a unique destination in Vietnam.

A relaxing and serene boat trip with the most amazingly beautiful views and rich in history with perfectly preserved architecture.

16:30  Back to the Ecolodge to enjoy free time, either having a swim in the pool or enjoy a cup of tea

19:00 : Dinner at the lodge and peaceful evening  

07:00 am Check out and say goodbye to the beautiful Ninh Binh. The bus will pick you up at the lodge to start the transfer to reach the pier to register for the cruise. Take away breakfast will be provided. 

11:45-12:00: Welcome to V’Spirit Cruises lounge at Tuan Chau International Habour and complete check- in procedures.

12:00 - 12:30: Transfer to V’Spirit Cruises by a tender boat. Embark V’Spirit Cruises and enjoy a welcome drink while listening to cruise briefing and safety introductions.

13:00: Have lunch at The Dawn Restaurant while V’Spirit Cruise takes you through some of the most breathtaking sceneries from Halong Bay to its secretive “neighbour” called Lan Ha Bay.

14:45: Explore the Tra Bau area by kayaking, get closer to the rocky islands and admire the stunning nature of the bay. You have chance to kayak pass by a hidden temple of the fishing villagers if weather permits.

16:15: It’s time for swimming and water activities, immersed in the green water of the Bay with floats.

17:00: Join a cooking demonstration to get to know Vietnamese cuisine and create your own special flavors.

17:30-18:30: Enjoy a Sunset party with some complimentary while waiting for twilight over limestone islands. Take the chance of HAPPY HOUR to have your favorite drinks.

19:00: Dinner at the restaurant. Fine dining setting with degustation expedience will create your memorable moments.

21:00: Enjoy evening views of the bay on the top deck, join some game show at the top deck bar to get some nice local gifts. Optional: Try your luck with squid fishing.

06:15: Enjoy relaxing moment with sunrise minutes combining Tai Chi session on sundeck.

7:00: Have a light breakfast on board.

7:30-8:45: Explore Bright cave on a traditional rowing bamboo boat with locals.

9:00: Return to the cruise, check-out.

9:30: Enjoy a luxury Set menu brunch at the restaurant while cruising back to Tuan Chau port.

11:00: Disembark at Tuan Chau port.

15:00: Drop off at your hotel in Hanoi the Old Quarter.