8Days Mai Chau – Ninh Binh – Catba Island Halong Bay

Itinerary

ITINERARY IN DETAILS:

DAY 1: HANOI –DUONGLAM - PAGODA TAYPHUONG - HOABINH (~ 80KM) (L,D)

Depart 08.00am and head west of Hanoi through the country side to Duong Lam village,  a purely agricultural village of the Northern Red River delta where still preserve many hundred-year-old houses. It it is lovely experience to walk along tiny ancient alleys; visit Mong Phu temple in Mong Phu hamlet,  the only hamlet whose original village entrance gate remains intact, dedicated to national heroes. Meet and talk   with the locals the host of  their ancient houses. After lunch we drive to visit Mia Pagoda aother hamlet in Duong Lam compound, built in 15 th century  and admire 287 statues of all sizes, amonst others  are famous sculpture such as the statue of Buddha  in the Himalayas and the statues of the Eight Vajra Deities. We then cycle to Tay phuong Pagoda et amongst the rural villages and mountains. Continue onto Hoabinh for the night. Overnight at the hotel in Hoabinh.

DAY 2: HOABINH  MAI CHAU (~ 80KM) (B,L,D) 
Breakfast ad the hotel we cycle through the mountains and valley  
to Mai Chau villages. Continue further to the get insight into the Maichau
area where we stay at Thai trible village.  Overnight in Thai's house on stilts.

DAY 3: MAI CHAU – CUC PHUONG NATIONAL PARK ( ~ 120 KM) (B,L,D) 
Breakfast and ride about 20 km small trails around Thai and Muong villages.After lunch in Mai Chau,  we will get transfer to Lac Son, from there we will ride   40 km to Cuc Phuong National Park. Overnight Cuc Phuong National Park.

DAY 4: CUC PHUONG – NINH BINH (~ 60 KM) (B,L,D)
Morning visit the Primate Rescue center, then we ride 20km through Cuc Phuong forest to the park center, tea break then trek walk round the heart of the rainforst. After that we cycle around the small road through the forest,villages, pipeapple farms, rice field into Ninhbinh. Overnight at hotel in Ninbhinh

DAY 5: NINH BINH - HAIPHONG (~ 150 KM) (B,L,D) 
Morning we cyle to Tam Coc cave where we do 2 hours boat trip in "Dry Halong bay",  through villages, rivers, rocks to. Hoalu. Visit the 2 temples of the two late emperors.  Afternoon cycle along the rice field to Phatdiem Cathedral and through the red river to Haipong. 
Overnight in Haiphong.

DAY 6: HAIPHONG - BAOHA - CATBA ISLAND(~ 80 KM) (B,L) 
Cycling 30km to Vinhbao distict visit   Bao Ha village, well-known for its carved wooden statues. Visitors to Bao Ha village are amazed by the ancient statues and the local puppet shows and they love to visit workshops that produce puppets or a wide range of statues. This  village has been making statues for more than 500 years.  Local products are statues made from wood or lacquered wood that are highly appreciated by both local and international visitors. Afternoon cyle 40km through the rugged limetone mountains to Catba island. Overnight in Catba island

DAY 7: CATBA ISLAND - HALONG BAY - HANOI(~ 160 KM) (B,L)
Boat trip to visit the stunning Halong bay with prime beaches, caves and floating villages. Enjoy swim followed by seafood lunch. Disembark and return to Hanoi in the afternoon. Visit ceramic village en route.Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

DAY 8: DEPART (B) 
At leisure. 
Transfer to airport for the departure flight