DAY 1: HANOI – NINH BINH
Depart from Hanoi at 7.30 AM. The morning drive to Ninh Binh takes about 2,5 hours. Upon arrival at Trang An boat operation station, get on a small sampan boat and enjoy a 3-hour row on a little river that goes through many small limestone caves. This is a very interesting discovery! The scenery is spectacular as you are rowing in between the towering karst formations of this newly recognized Unesco’s heritage. Lunch is served at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, take a stunning bicycle on back roads through the beautiful scenery of towering karsts on the ground of ponds, rice paddies and rural villages in the area.
While cycling, you are able to make stops as many as you want for photographing. Arrive at Hang Mua, go for a hike to Ngoa Long mountain summit. The hike consists of about 500 steps, it is a bit challenging for some senior visitors on a hot day. Once you are on the top, it is really worth your hard work. The bird-view scenery over the limestone mountain is incredible.
After that, get back and keep pedaling to Tam Coc to finish the biking tour. Check-in a hotel, relax and dinner.
Included meals: Lunch & Dinner
DAY 2: CUC PHUONG NATIONAL PARK - HANOI
Have breakfast at the hotel. Get transferred to Cuc Phuong National Park. The drive takes about 1.5 hours away. On arrival, after get the permit, continue on driving 30 more minutes inside the forest to Bong Sub-center. Embark on 3-hour trek on a small trail into the dense forest, enjoying the rain forest atmosphere & admiring the diversity of the tropical flora system, viewing ancient trees here and there. Drive back to the park's headquarter. Having a set menu lunch at the park's restaurant. Followed by a visit to the Endangered Primate Rescue Center where you'll have a chance to watch some different species of Vietnam's rare langurs, learn about the center's rescue program and then visit to the Turtle Conservation Center. This is another flagship for efforts to protect tortoise and freshwater turtles in Vietnam. After that, start driving back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 3: HANOI - BAC SON VALLEY
We depart from Hanoi at 7:30 AM. The morning drive takes us nearly 4 hours, through the fertile Red River Delta and onward into the hilly area after Thai Nguyen City. The scenery along the way is beautiful with rice and other cereal fields, dotted with stilt-house villages. There will be some stops on the way for taking photographs. Arrive at Quynh Son village by noon. A Vietnam lunch will be severed at a local stilt house. This is not only a chance to enjoy the local food but also a good time to interact with the host family.
After lunch and a short rest, we will take a short stroll around the village to learn the daily life of the Tay ethnic minority. Get picked up by car on the way and transferred to the foot of a mountain where the cell phone tower situated atop. Thence, we start climbing up to the summit for admiring the dramatic panorama of the valley.
Getting back down and walk to the homestay for refreshing, rest and dinner. Overnight at the homestay.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner