Exclusive Trip Pu Luong To Ninh Binh 4 Days
4.4 8

Itinerary

This 4-day tour takes you to three quieter destinations near Hanoi are Ninh Binh, Pu Luong, Mai Chau where you can see limestone landscapes and rice terraces without the crowds. You’ll stay in small guesthouses or eco-lodges, travel by private vehicle, and spend time on the water exploring caves and rivers. It’s a good option if you want nature and village life but don’t have time for the longer Sapa trip.

Ninh Binh is known for its karst formations similar to Halong Bay but on rivers instead of the sea. Pu Luong, Mai Chau are less visited, with traditional water wheels still in use and trails through terraced fields. You’ll meet Thai ethnic families, try local meals, and see how rural life works in these areas. The activities are gentle, mostly boat rides and easy walks. Want to add cycling or extend your stay in either location? Let us know via this form or email [email protected] to design your trip.

Highlights

  • Mai Chau Valley – Stay with Thai families, watch evening cultural performances, walk through villages
  • Pu Luong – See working water wheels, take a bamboo raft down the river, photograph rice terraces
  • Ninh Binh (Trang An) – Boat through cave systems and green waterways, visit temples built into cliffs
  • Village meals – Having home-cooked food with local families, learn about regional ingredients

Day 01: HANOI - MAI CHAU

Arrive in Mai Chau at noon, where you’ll be welcomed with lunch at a traditional local house, offering an authentic taste of the region’s cuisine. After your meal, begin an immersive trek through cascading terraced rice paddies and charming small villages, discovering the natural beauty of this pristine valley while encountering the rich culture of the ethnic Thai people. Visit the picturesque villages of Pom Coong and Na Phon, where you’ll have the opportunity to observe traditional stilt houses and interact with friendly local families.

Return to your accommodation for some well-deserved leisure time before the evening. As night falls, a special live dance and music performance featuring traditional Thai instruments will bring your evening to life, offering an authentic glimpse into the vibrant cultural heritage of the valley.

Overnight in Mai Chau.

Meal: Lunch, Dinner
Tour guide: English Speaking Guide

Charming Paddy in Mai Chau

Day 02: MAI CHAU - PU LUONG

After breakfast, at 8:30 am, our guide and driver will transfer you to Pu Luong – a magnificent “hidden gem” of North Central Vietnam that remains beautifully untouched by mass tourism. On the journey, you’ll wind through a breathtaking mountain pass that offers panoramic views of the entire valley spread out before you like a green tapestry.

After approximately 2 hours of scenic driving, you’ll arrive at your accommodation nestled in the heart of Pu Luong’s pristine nature. Enjoy a delicious lunch featuring fresh local ingredients before embarking on your afternoon adventure.

In the afternoon, you’ll be transferred to a suspension bridge spanning the Cham River, where your walking exploration begins in search of Pu Luong’s stunning traditional water wheels. Get up close to each ingeniously crafted wheel and discover how water is transported from the river to handmade bamboo aqueducts through simple yet effective constructions of various sizes – a centuries-old irrigation technique still used by local farmers today.

Arriving at a local fisherman’s house, take a short rest to prepare for the highlight of the day: bamboo river rafting with a skilled local boatman. Float peacefully along the calm river, taking in the spectacular views of limestone karsts and lush vegetation while learning how to paddle and steer your handcrafted raft. This tranquil journey offers an intimate connection with nature and a glimpse into the traditional way of life in this remote valley.

After your rafting adventure, return to your accommodation for dinner and relaxation.

Overnight in Pu Luong.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tour guide: English Speaking Guide

Pu Luong Water Wheel

Day 03: PU LUONG - NINH BINH

This morning, after breakfast, you have a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in village life and interact closely with locals living in the hills surrounding your retreat. Take a leisurely walk through working farmland and vibrant rice fields, gaining insight into daily life in these mountains. Learn fascinating details about traditional crafts such as rice wine making and the intricate art of weaving colorful textiles that have been passed down through generations. The morning culminates with lunch back at your lodge, where you can savor the flavors of the region one last time.

At 12:00 pm, check out and bid farewell to the tranquil beauty of Pu Luong as we embark on the journey to Ninh Binh – often called “Halong Bay on land” for its stunning limestone landscapes. After checking in at your hotel in Ninh Binh, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, where you can taste the region’s distinctive cuisine.

The evening is yours to spend at leisure. You might choose to take a stroll around your hotel neighborhood or simply relax and prepare for tomorrow’s adventures.

Overnight in Ninh Binh.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch.
Tour guide: English Speaking Guide.

Trekking in Pu Luong to explore Local Daily Life

Day 04: NINH BINH - TRANG AN - HANOI

At around 8:00 am, after breakfast at your hotel, you’ll be transferred directly to the boat pier to begin an enchanting journey through the picturesque waterways of the Trang An ecological site, a UNESCO World Heritage destination. Board a traditional rowing boat and glide through a mystical landscape where forested limestone mountains rise dramatically from emerald waters. The scene is completed by winding rivers, verdant lowlands, and hidden caves that create a fairytale-like atmosphere.

Your boat journey takes you through an impressive network of 11 caves adorned with beautiful stalactites of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Each cave offers its own unique character, from soaring cathedral-like chambers to intimate passages where the ceiling nearly touches the water. Your local rower, often a skilled village woman, navigates expertly through these natural wonders while you sit back and absorb the serene beauty.

After completing your boat trip, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant featuring regional specialties.

Following lunch, visit the magnificent Bai Dinh Pagoda, which holds special significance even among Vietnamese locals. This sprawling spiritual complex is home to Vietnam’s biggest bronze Buddha statue, standing an impressive 10 meters tall and weighing 100 tons. The pagoda also contains 500 Arhat statues, each with unique expressions and postures. Take time to explore the grand architecture, peaceful gardens, and sacred halls that make this one of Vietnam’s most important Buddhist sites.

After your visit, we’ll begin the journey back to Hanoi, where you’ll arrive in the late afternoon.

End of our service.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Tour guide: English Speaking Guide

Join in Boat trip in Trang An

Pricing

Category Price valid from Jan 1st – Dec 31st, 2026 (per person in US dollar)
2 people 3 – 4 people 5 – 6 people 7 – 8 people Single supplement
Cost Saving $508 $419 $336 $294 $109
Superior $531 $442 $317 $317 $132
Deluxe $582 $493 $410 $368 $183

Note: If you’re planning to visit Vietnam in 2025 or at another time, please fill out this form or email us at [email protected] to get a quote with a customizable itinerary.

ACCOMMODATION

Below is our suggested accommodations. As we offer private tour, your hotel can be selected to match your travel interests.

Cities Hotel Category
Cost Saving Superior Deluxe
Mai Chau

Mai Chau Lodge

Deluxe Mountain View

Mai Chau Sol Bungalow

Deluxe Bungalow

Mai Chau Ecolodge

Deluxe

Pu Luong

Pu Luong Valley Home

Deluxe Bungalow

Pu Luong Natura
Deluxe Valley View

Pu Luong Natura

Suite Bungalow Valley

Ninh Binh Le Clos Du Fil

Standard

Ninh Binh Hidden Charm

Superior

Emeralda Ninh Binh Resort

Superior

Include & Exclude

TRIP INCLUSIVE

  • Accommodations base on twin sharing room with daily breakfast
  • Private transfer with air-conditioned car for airport pick up/drop off
  • Bottle of water and cold towel daily on the private car
  • Regional and experienced English speaking guides
  • Meals as indicated (without beverage)
  • All entrance and sightseeing fees.
  • Services charges and government tax

TRIP EXCLUSIVE

  • Travel insurances
  • Drink and meals not mentioned in Inclusive column
  • Personal tipping and gratuities
  • International flight ticket
  • Vietnam Visa

Note:

* Check-in time: 02.00pm – Check-out time: 12.00pm

* Price is based on minimum of 2 people sharing 1 double/ twin room. Single supplement is surcharged when one person occupy one room.

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