Mai Chau to Ninh Binh: Northern Vietnam's Hidden Gems 05 Days

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Overview
Itinerary
Inclusions

Overview

Start/End: Hanoi/Hanoi
Route: Mai Chau - Pu Luong - Ninh Binh
Duration: 05 Days
Theme: Authentic, Active, Mountain & Minority, Nature & Discover
Tour type: Private tour
Tour schedule: Daily departure
Tour guide in: English, Français, Español, Deutsch, Italiano

Highlight

Discover the beautiful and exotic cultures of the North of Vietnam with an overnight visit to Mai Chau. Trek through rolling countryside and immerse yourself in the wonders of the Pu Luong nature reserve. Relax on a boat trip then cycle around the Van Long preservation zone. This package tour is crafted to show you the best of the North’s beauty. Requiring little travel time, it is the perfect escape from Hanoi or extension to a Vietnam tour.

Muong, Thai minority culture
Mountain landscape and nature reserve
Boat trip, biking & trekking

Notes

Perfect itinerary for traveller love medium trek, distance is flexible
Bring your trekking shoes
May to September is rice season

Itinerary

Day by day itinerary Expand All

Day 1Wed, Sep 10, 2025
Hanoi - Mai Chau 145km - 3h
Alluring landscapes in Mai Hich & Xam Khoe, learning Thai people’s culture
8:00 AM: Meet tour guide and driver then depart to Mai Chau. On the way, visit a Muong village. Continue to Thung Khe pass where you can view magnificent panoramic views of the valley before arriving in Mai Chau town. Mai Chau is a beautiful valley located 145 km away from Hanoi. It is great place with harmonious landscapes, green mountain ranges, rice terraces and White Thai ethnic villages.
Arrival to Mai Hich, have a rest and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon Explore Mai Hich by walking along the trails and concrete roads. You will be seduced by the gorgeous landscapes as the villages, rice fields, mountains and streams are in perfect harmony with one another. Do not miss the opportunity to communicate with the friendly local people who are always willing to welcome you into their house to enjoy a cup of tea.
Continue trekking, passing the rice field and small communities to Xam Khoe, a Thai villages that is still not touristic. Enjoy the harmony of nature's beauty and rich human culture. At the end, get a pick up by driver then transfer back to your accommodation.
Walking distance: approx. 5-6 km
Note: For more interacting with local people and get authentic experience, we invite you stay at homestay with basic equipment: clean mattress, pillow, mosquito net, blankets, outside WC and hot water shower but hotel service is also available, please contact us to get good advises. Private traditional music and dancing show by local people is available with extra cost of $46/group. Please ask our guide to reserve if you are interested in.
Included:
English speaking guide
Meal: L, D
Transportation
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Tu Diep Bungalow(Bungalow Double ) *or similar hotel
Mai Hich commune, Mai Chau district, Hoa Binh , Vietnam
Video:
Day 2Thu, Sep 11, 2025
Mai Chau - Pu Luong 40km - 1h
Travel to Pu Luong, discovering Eo Ken, Ban Hang, and Ban Don villages.
Depart from Mai Hich directly to Eo Ken, 30km away, where the Muong ethnics live. Walk down the slope and enjoy the spectacular view of Pu Luong Nature reserve, rice field terraces and mountains. Visit a Muong ethnic family in Eo Kenvillage and discover their authentic life. Continue walking through this beautiful landscape and cross a stream to reach HangVillage.
Walking distance: approx. 4-5 km
Our walk begins in Ban Don and leads us into a stunning valley lined with vibrant rice fields. We’ll follow narrow trails that meander through lush vegetation, guiding us to picturesque villages like Ngon and Leo. As we descend further into the valley, we’ll be surrounded by a rich tapestry of scenery—terraced rice paddies, traditional Thai villages, flourishing vegetable gardens, and peaceful fish ponds. Along the way, we’ll take time to meet warm and welcoming locals, listen to their stories, and gain a deeper understanding of their daily lives. It's a truly memorable experience that brings you closer to the soul of this remarkable region.
Walking distance: approx. 3-4 km
Note: Distance of trek is flexible
Included:
English speaking guide
Meal: B, L, D
Transportation
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Pu Luong Home(Double Room (Shared bathroom)) *or similar hotel
Ba Thuoc district, Thanh Hoa , Vietnam
https://www.facebook.com/p/Puluong-Home-100063523480660/
Video:
Day 3Fri, Sep 12, 2025
Pu Luong
Full day trek to the Kho Muong village of Thai people, following Uoi, Lan Ngoai villages
8:00 AM: Start your day with a short 5 km transfer from your hotel in Ban Don to Bang Village, where your hike begins. From there, descend to Kho Muong Village, nestled in a peaceful valley surrounded by stunning limestone mountains and cascading rice terraces. Kho Muong is home to the Thai ethnic group and offers countless photo opportunities—so have your camera ready to capture the breathtaking scenery and encounters with friendly locals along the way.
Once in Kho Muong, explore a nearby cave before enjoying a traditional lunch at a local homestay.
In the afternoon, continue along forest trails and through manioc fields to reach Uoi Village, a charming community where another Thai ethnic group still preserves their thatched-roof houses and way of life. Then, continue walking to Chom Lan Village, renowned for its traditional textiles. Your driver will be waiting there to transfer you back to your hotel.
Walking distance: approx. 15 km
Included:
English speaking guide
Meal: B, L, D
Transportation
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Pu Luong Home(Double Room (Shared bathroom)) *or similar hotel
Ba Thuoc district, Thanh Hoa , Vietnam
https://www.facebook.com/p/Puluong-Home-100063523480660/
Video:
Day 4Sat, Sep 13, 2025
Pu Luong - Ninh Binh 160km - 4h
Discover bamboo water wheels and travel to Ninh Binh.
Head to Chieng Lau, a picturesque area renowned for its lush rice fields and bamboo water wheels. Here, embark on a scenic walk, allowing you to engage with local residents and catch a glimpse of the bamboo water wheels used for irrigation.
Walking distance: 3-4 km
Transfer to Ninh Binh, a scenic drive that takes approximately 3 hours. Along the way, you'll pass through rural landscapes and peaceful villages, offering a glimpse into the daily life of the Vietnamese countryside. The route is a blend of winding mountain roads and flat terrains, making for a picturesque journey.
Included:
English speaking guide
Meal: B, L, D
Transportation
Entrance fees
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Nep House(Double Room) *or similar hotel
Lang Noi, Lang Van, Gia Lap, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh , Vietnam
https://nephouses.com
Video:
Day 5Sun, Sep 14, 2025
Ninh Binh - Hanoi 100km - 2h
Biking & boat trip in Van Long nature reserve
Enjoy breakfast and peaceful morning in the countryside. you can choose to embark on a 10 km bike ride (one way) or a 20 km ride (round trip) along the dyke, offering stunning views of rice fields, a river, and limestone mountains. Take optional stops along the way for picturesque photos and interactions with locals. Continue your exploration by visiting Thung La Temple, which dates back to the 11th century. Don't miss the opportunity to experience traditional musical instruments that are integral to the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people.
Note: Travellers who prefer not to ride a bicycle can either ride as a passenger on a scooter or reach the temple by car.
Continue to Take a sampan boat trip along the stream and among the limestone mountains to discover the beauty of Van Long nature reserve. If lucky, you might get to see white monkeys and egrets on the cliffs. After the boat trip, visit an embroidery village and take part in an embroidery workshop under the instruction of local craftswoman, Mrs Lam. She will proudly explain the techniques of her traditional craft. This will be a good opportunity for you to practice on fabric like a real craftsman.
Travel from Ninh Binh to Hanoi, enjoying the scenic views of the Red River Delta along the way. You can opt for a rest stop to stretch your legs or take photos of daily life. Upon arrival in Hanoi, you'll be dropped off at your accommodation.
Note: Available to cycle one or two way to Thung La Temple
Included:
English speaking guide
Meal: B
Boat: Van Long
Transportation
Entrance fees
Bike: Ninh Binh
Leisure: Thung La temple music
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Video:

Inclusions

English speaking tour guide following itinerary
All entrance fees and tickets mention on itinerary
Selected Accommodations with daily breakfast
Boat: Van Long
Transportation
Meal: Breakfast: 04, Lunch: 04, Dinner: 04
Bike: Ninh Binh
Leisure: Thung La temple music
Service charges and Taxes

Exclusions

International flight from/to your country
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Tipping and Gratuities
Other not mentioned in the program

Reviews

5.0

02 Reviews

5
|
Max Turner
Recommend this company
Just came back from an awesome trip to Mai Chau and Ninh Binh! These places are like hidden treasures. Izitour planned everything perfectly. We just had to show up and enjoy. Definitely a must-do for the chill traveller!
Apr 29, 2025
5
|
Emilia Schneider
Off beat exploration
If you're into exploring and really getting the vibe of a place, this tour hits the mark. We went through some amazing spots that are totally off the radar. Trekking through the landscapes and meeting locals was rad. Props to Izitour for keeping things spicy!
Apr 26, 2025

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