Embark on a captivating journey through Pu Luong Nature Reserve, where adventure, culture, and cuisine intertwine over three unforgettable days. This immersive tour offers a unique blend of trekking, motorbike exploration, and a hands-on cooking class, allowing you to experience the best of rural Vietnam.
Day 1: Trekking, talking, and visiting local people. (Lunch, Guide)
The tour starts with a leisurely trek along the trails of Pu Luong after your lunch at your hotel, where you will be surrounded by stunning scenery, including terraced rice paddies, rolling hills, and lush vegetation. As you make your way through the landscape, you will have the opportunity to visit the homes of local people and talk to them about their daily lives and traditions.
One of the highlights of the tour is a visit to a local spring, where you can relax and enjoy a refreshing drink while taking in the stunning scenery. You will also have the chance to see the daily works of local people, including farming and other traditional activities.
After the trek, you will be able to witness the local craftsmanship as you see how stilt houses are constructed. The tour ends with a visit to a traditional village, where you will have the opportunity to interact with the locals, try local food and drinks, and learn about the culture and traditions of the ethnic minority groups in the area. After that, you will come back to your hotel and enjoy your dinner by your own account.
This half-day tour is perfect for anyone who wants to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and experience the beauty and simplicity of rural Vietnam. With its stunning scenery, rich cultural heritage, and friendly locals, Pu Luong Nature Reserve is truly a unique and unforgettable destination.
Overnight at Pu Luong Boutique Garden
Day 2: Countryside adventure on a motorbike tour (Breakfast, lunch, guide)
After breakfast, you will embark on a thrilling day motorbike tour, starting from Don Village and cruising towards the stunning Bat Cave – a popular destination in Pu Luong. Enjoy breathtaking views of the lush valley and limestone mountains as you pedal along an easy route.
After reaching Kho Muong Village, you will leave your motorbike behind and embark on a short trek to one of the most remote and beautiful villages in Pu Luong – Kho Muong Village. If you are a skilled driver, you can ride your motorbike to Kho Muong Village, or park it in front of the cave entrance as the local people often do. Here, you will discover traditional stilt houses and learn about the daily lives of the local Thai people. Savor their delicious local cuisine and experience their warm hospitality.
Explore the picturesque Kho Muong Village in Pu Luong Nature Reserve, where traditional stilt houses made of bamboo and wood with thatched roofs are typical of the region. Home to the ethnic Thai people, you can learn about their daily life and sample delicious local cuisine. Then venture into Bat Cave, also known as Hang Doi, a stunning underground world surrounded by limestone mountains. Adorned with impressive stalactites and stalagmites formed over millions of years, the cave is home to thousands of bats, making for a unique and otherworldly atmosphere
Continue your journey to Uoi Village, a tranquil oasis nestled at the foot of majestic limestone mountains. Pedal through scenic areas like rice fields, streams, and small villages. Explore Uoi Village’s traditional stilt houses and enjoy a dip in the refreshing stream flowing through the terraced fields. Unwind and connect with nature, away from the hustle and bustle of modern devices and pollution. Chat with the friendly locals and make new friends.
Alternative for Uoi Village:
Next, head to Lan Village – a famous silk village in Vietnam, and the home of the Thai ethnic group. Visit a local silk-weaving household and witness the process of making traditional Thai silk from cocoon to finished product. Discover how silk is dyed, woven, and transformed into beautiful scarves, bags, and textiles. You can even try your hand at making silk yourself!
After the silk-weaving demonstration, take some time to explore the surrounding area, including the local rice paddies, streams, and traditional houses before cycling back to your lodge. This half-day motorbike tour is a perfect way to explore the beauty of Pu Luong and experience the rich culture of the Thai people.
After the silk-weaving demonstration, you will have some time to explore the surrounding area, including the local rice paddies, streams, and traditional houses before riding to Cham Stream. On the way, you will head to Pho Doan Market, a bustling market located in Pu Luong.
The market is only open three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, so it’s important to plan your visit accordingly. At the market, you can find a wide variety of goods, including fresh produce, handmade crafts, and traditional clothing. It’s a great place to shop for souvenirs and gifts, as many of the items sold at the market are unique to the area. In addition to shopping, the market is also a great place to try local cuisine. You’ll find a wide variety of street food vendors selling everything from traditional Vietnamese dishes to snacks and desserts.
When you arrive at Cham Stream, you will transfer to a bamboo raft and start your rafting adventure. Your experienced guide will navigate the bamboo raft down the gentle stream while you enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Pu Luong Nature Reserve. You’ll pass by lush forests, terraced rice fields, and traditional stilt houses.
Afterward, indulge in a delicious lunch served on the bamboo raft, featuring local specialties and fresh ingredients.
During your lunch, you’ll continue your scenic journey along the stream, passing by more beautiful scenery and local villages. You’ll have the opportunity to take some stunning photos and learn more about the local way of life.
After that, take your motorbike to the waterwheels in Chieu Lau Village.
Waterwheels in Pu Luong are an interesting cultural and historical attraction that you can visit. These waterwheels are used to irrigate the rice paddies in the area and are powered by the natural flow of water from the Cham River. They have been used for generations by local farmers and are an integral part of the agricultural landscape in Pu Luong.
Visitors can witness the traditional way of farming and see how these waterwheels work. It’s a beautiful sight to see these ancient machines at work and to understand the importance of them for the local people.
Aside from visiting the waterwheels, tourists can also take a walk around the area and explore the peaceful countryside. The stunning scenery with terraced rice fields and limestone mountains is a great backdrop for taking photos.
After that, you will journey through the beautiful Vietnamese countryside to reach the Bamboo Bridge. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to visit sugar cane farms, corn farms, rice paddies, and small villages, all while enjoying the scenic surroundings.
One of the highlights of the tour is seeing the tall, green sugar cane stalks swaying in the breeze. Sugar cane is an essential crop in Vietnam, and farmers in the area depend on it for their livelihoods. You may also come across fields of golden corn, which is used in a variety of Vietnamese dishes.
As you ride through small villages, you can catch a glimpse of local life and see children playing, chickens and ducks wandering around, and locals going about their daily business. You will also be surrounded by beautiful rice paddies, a staple food in Vietnam, and a breathtaking sight during the growing season.
The natural beauty of the Vietnamese countryside is a highlight of the journey. You’ll be surrounded by rolling hills, fields of flowers, and peaceful streams, making it an excellent way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse yourself in nature.
When you arrive at the Bamboo Bridge, take your time to admire the structure of the bridge, which is made entirely of bamboo and spans across the Ma River. The Bamboo Bridge is a marvel of local craftsmanship and is rebuilt every year using traditional techniques and materials. It can even support small motorbikes, which adds to its unique charm.
Walking across the Bamboo Bridge offers a unique experience, allowing you to take in the stunning views of the surrounding countryside, including the tranquil Ma River and lush greenery. It’s also an important connection between local communities, used by locals to transport goods and attend local festivals and events.
You will then cruise along the Ma River, you’ll have the opportunity to take in the natural beauty of the surrounding area.
Here are a few things you might see along the way:
Scenic countryside: The Ma River flows through some of the most picturesque areas of Vietnam, with lush green hills, fields of flowers, and peaceful streams. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in nature and escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
Traditional fishing boats: The Ma River is an important source of fish for local communities, and you might see fishermen in traditional wooden boats using nets and other fishing techniques.
Local villages: There are many small villages along the banks of the Ma River, where you can catch a glimpse of daily life in rural Vietnam. You might see locals working in the fields, tending to livestock, or going about their daily business.
Wildlife: The Ma River is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, fish, and reptiles. Keep your eyes peeled for herons, kingfishers, and other bird species.
Please note: When it comes to boating on the Ma River, it is highly dependent on the water level and flood of the river. During the rainy season, the river can experience significant flooding, making it unsafe for boating. However, during the dry season, the water level can be too low for boats to navigate. Therefore, the best time for boating on the Ma River is typically during the transitional period between the rainy and dry seasons, when the water level is moderate and stable.
Day 3: Gathering Ingredients for Cooking Class – Hanoi (Breakfast, Lunch, guide)
Start your day with breakfast and enjoy a delightful morning in the garden as we gather the necessary items. Following the culinary preparations, savor a delicious lunch before departure.
The price for a private tour is USD 185/ per person
Our prices include:
- Accommodation at Pu Luong Boutique Garden
- Private boat for bamboo rafting
- Visit local houses, farms… (Buffalos, pigs, dogs, cats, chickens…
- Travel on the back of motorbikes with an experienced safe driver.
- The services of experienced English-speaking local guides as indicated in the itinerary
- Where necessary, entry fees for all visits as mentioned in the programme.
- Lunches (as specified in the itinerary) in the local house or on the bamboo boat
Our prices do not include:
- VAT 8% (Government tax)
- Drinks, gratuities, and personal expenses, tip for local house 5$ – 10$/ group
- insurance