The fascinating valleys of Mai Chau and Pu Luong are much-loved destinations for nature lovers, making a short trip to Mai Chau and Pu Luong an ideal getaway. Thanks to their authentic villages and breathtaking landscapes, three days of hiking in this beautiful region will give you the perfect opportunity to discover the culture of ethnic minorities: Thai, Muong, Hmong, and Dzao.
Brief itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Ban Te
Day 2: Ban Te – Ban Hang – Kho Muong
Day 3: Kho Muong – Ban Uoi – Ban Hieu
Day 4: Ban Hieu – Hanoi
Highlight
Meet local ethnic groups
Two or three nights with the local people for moments of sharing
The succulent cuisine of the Thai people
Picturesque landscapes and lush forests
Full itinerary
B (Breakfast), L (Lunch), D (Dinner)
Open and close
Departure in the morning for the Mai Chau valley, which marks the entrance to the northwestern region where white Thais have long resided in fertile valleys. Meet the Thai, Muong, Dzao, Hmong ethnic groups at the turn of the small streets, perpetuating the life of their illustrious ancestors for more than 100 years ... Women are still adorned (but for how long?) With their color that becomes clothing, hallmarks of their ethnicity. Upon your arrival, admire the natural spectacle typical of the Vietnam countryside offered by the rice terraces and traditional houses on stilts scattered throughout the valleys. Enjoy lunch at Monsieur Cuong with typical Thai dishes. In the afternoon, you will start a leisurely hike that passes through Thai villages at the foot of the Pu Poc Mountain range and then a large tropical forest covered with beautiful greenery. The walk will take you to Ban Te, a Thai unknown village to travelers. Accommodation in a Thai family.
Car: 140km Night: homestay
A short drive will take you to Pu Luong Nature Reserve, which has been a must–see site for nature lovers for some years. The day will begin with the discovery of magnificent landscapes (lush vegetation, limestone rocks, terraced crops, etc.) before passing through villages with houses with thatched roofs. You will pass through villages such as Ban Duom, Ban Hang, Eo Ken where Thai and Muong live.
In the afternoon we cross an immense bamboo forest to reach the village of Kho Muong which hides at the foot of the karst mountains. Overnight at the inhabitant.
Car: 30km Night: homestay
Day to walk in the heart of Pu Luong nature reserve. Visit a cave that is home to large bats (bats are very popular with the locals who consider them lucky!) And explore a humid jungle before passing through a very beautiful village where you will discover the ingenious irrigation systems used to supply water to the bats. paddies. Finally, arrive at the village of Ban Hieu where you will spend the night with the locals in a Thai house on stilts.
Trekking: 5h /13km Night: homestay
After a local breakfast prepared by your owner, take a short one hour walk before leaving the pretty village of Ban Hieu to return to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi in the early afternoon. End of our services.
Car: 130km Trekking: 2h
€ 340euro/personneUSD
The price includes
þ Accommodation and breakfasts in hotels on the accommodation list
þ Meals clearly mentioned in the program: B = breakfast; L = lunch; D = dinner
þ The entrance fee to the sites
þ Competent English–speaking guides throughout the trip except the free days when it is mentioned clearly: without a guide
þ Private air – conditioned car for all land transport except free days when it is mentioned clearly: without driver
þ One litre of drinking water per person per day
þ All logistic services necessary for the program
The price does not include
ý International flights and airport taxes from/to your country
ý Bank commission
ý Means of transport not mentioned in the program
ý Meals not mentioned in the program
ý Tipping for services: local guides, crew members, drivers, porters…
ý Drink, telephone, linen or all personal expenses not mentioned in the "price includes" section
You need to know
Trip price
All prices mentioned in the quotes provided to clients are in US Dollars (USD). Euros are accepted, but the exchange rate will be determined by the international website https://www.xe.com/ on the date the payment is made. iLOTUS TOURS guarantees the rates mentioned in the quotes, invoices, or documents given to the client. Upon payment of the deposit or the full price, we guarantee the price of your trip (excluding changes made by you). However, certain force majeure situations may require us to adjust our prices to meet the travel conditions described in the quote. These force majeure situations may include: • An unpredictable and significant increase in the rate of our local providers (hotels, trains, planes, junks, boats, road vehicles...) • A significant currency fluctuation that has a considerable impact on the exchange rate • The introduction of a new tax imposed by the government Proof of these force majeure events will be provided to the client. In these cases of force majeure, even after the deposit has been paid, the client may refuse these increases and cancel their trip. We commit to refunding the deposit you have paid.
Reservation and Confirmation
All reservations must be sent to iLOTUS TOURS by email at: contact@ilotustours.com • Registration must be accompanied by a deposit of 25% of the total cost of the trip and 100% of the cost of international flights. • The deposit required for trips lasting less than one week is 50% of the total trip cost. • A larger deposit may be required in the case of last-minute bookings or depending on the specific requests of certain high-category hotels or airlines. • The balance must be paid upon your arrival, without any reminder from our side. • Upon confirmation of the booking, an invoice will be sent to the client by email.
Payment
The trip can be paid for in cash, by bank transfer, by credit card, or through an application (Wise, Revolut, One Pay...): • Cash payments must be made at the iLOTUS TOURS office located in Hanoi, and the client will not be charged any payment fees. • Credit cards: we accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and JCB. Any bank fees are the responsibility of the client. • Bank transfer in US dollars or euros.
Cancellation by the Client
In the event of trip cancellation, all cancellations must be confirmed by email. The client must pay cancellation fees corresponding to the following rates: • 25% of the total trip price, if the cancellation reaches iLOTUS TOURS less than 30 days before the trip start date. • 50% of the total trip price, if the cancellation reaches iLOTUS TOURS less than 10 days before the trip start date. • 75% of the total trip price, if the cancellation reaches iLOTUS TOURS less than 3 days before the trip start date. • 100% of the total trip price, if the cancellation reaches iLOTUS TOURS 2 days before the trip start date or in case of no-show. For trips to Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar, your travel advisor will provide you with all the information regarding the deposit and cancellation fees.
Cancellation by iLOTUS TOURS
iLOTUS TOURS reserves the right to cancel trips agreed upon with clients for reasons related to a force majeure situation: war or the threat of war, riots, a natural or nuclear disaster, a port blockade, looting, fires, and any terrorist activity, adverse weather conditions, an epidemic, quarantine, or any similar event. In all these cases of cancellation, iLOTUS TOURS will deduct the amount of these penalties from the deposit paid by the client but will refund the remaining amount to the client by bank transfer, with the client covering all bank fees.
