The Pu Luong Nature Reserve is an area of outstanding beauty, culture and biodiversity value stretching from Mai Chau in the North West to Cuc Phuong National Park in the south east. The region is blessed with rich forest, limestone panoramas, magnificent rice terraces and breathtaking scenery. On this trip you can experience the everyday life and culture of Thai and Muong people and stay in scenic villages with traditional home stay accommodation. Be warned – it’s not for the faint hearted.

 

Day 1: Hanoi – Pu Luong (Hang village)
After breakfast, we’ll depart Hanoi for Pu Luong Natural Reserve. This scenic drive takes around four hours. Enjoy our lunch break in Mai Chau, then drive further into the reserve where we begin our trek to the Thai village of Hang. We’ll spend the night with a local Thai family who will be our hosts in a traditional house built on stilts. Whilst enjoying their hospitality we will discover a little more about their lives and culture. (L/D)

Day 2: Kho Muong village
This morning we have the opportunity to stroll around Hang village before we start trekking. Today we will be walking for approximately six hours. Along the way we pass through several Thai villages and hamlets before arriving at the village of Kho Muong. This is a Muong minority village and we will be their guests for the night. (B/L/D)

Day 3: Cao Hoong village
Today we’ll have a full day trek as we climb to the summit of Pu Luong Mountain. En route we’ll pass through a number of small hamlets and minority villages. At the summit, the panoramic views of Pu Luong are magnificent. The climb to the top takes around eight hours with a further two hours for the descent to the village of Cao Hoong where we stay overnight. (B/L/D)

Day 4: Trinh village
Our hike through the verdant countryside today will take around five hours as we encounter the local population going about their daily lives cultivating the fields and herding buffalo. In the afternoon we’ll arrive at the village of Trinh. (B/L/D)

Day 5: Son village
Departing Trinh village we have a six hour trek to our next home stay in Son village. This village is located on the slopes of the mountain and as such offers a cooler location. (B/L/D)

Day 6: Pu Luong - Hanoi
We leave Son village and walk through several hamlets and villages for approximately three hours. We then rendezvous with our awaiting vehicle that will take us back to Hanoi where the trip ends. (B/L)

 

Trip price: please enquire for availability and cost
 
Tour includes:
·    All accommodation at standard guest house
·    Meals as mentioned (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
·    English speaking guide on land tour
·    Tours and transfers as mentioned by private air-conditioned vehicle
·    Sightseeing fees and permits during guided time

What to take
You will be responsible for carrying your own luggage while trekking, therefore it is in your own interest to pack as lightly as possible. We suggest you keep your luggage weight down to a maximum of 10 kg with a reasonable daypack for the day treks. Comfortable walking boots are essential for the walks especially during the wettest months of the year.

Fitness Requirements
There are no specific fitness requirements for this trip, although please note that the Vietnamese climate is probably hotter and more humid than you would otherwise be used to.

 

"Thanh was fantastic guide. Very cheerful and good company. Very well run and organised trek with lots of interesting places to see. I would recommend the trip to friends."

 

Claire Paget, UK