Hanoi – Mai Chau – Pu Luong 3 days 2 nights
Leave Hanoi behind for three days among the valleys and villages of Mai Chau and Pu Luong. Cycle at your own pace through rice fields and Thai villages, then journey deeper into the mountains for a scenic trek through terraced valleys to Hieu Village and its waterfall. With homestay nights, home-cooked meals and plenty of freedom in between, this is northern Vietnam at a slower rhythm.
Duration 3 Days 2 Night
Check availability to see starting times
Join-group / Private
Group size depends on the selected tour option
Car
Transportation provided as part of the activity
Cards payment accepted
Complete your booking securely through our online checkout
English-speaking guide
Guided throughout the experience by a knowledgeable local guide
Hotel pick-up & drop-off
Pickup availability depends on your accommodation location
Highlights
- Explore Mai Chau Valley at your own pace, cycling through rice fields, countryside and peaceful villages
- Experience local Thai culture through home-cooked meals and two nights in a traditional wooden stilt house
- Light trek through Pu Luong Nature Reserve, surrounded by terraced rice fields, mountain valleys and ethnic villages
Full description
Day 1 — Hanoi to Mai Chau | Settle into the Valley
Leave Hanoi between 7:00 and 7:30 AM aboard a comfortable limousine bus and watch the city gradually give way to mountains, farmland and the rural landscapes of northern Vietnam.
Arrive at Mai Chau Eco House at around 11:00 AM, where your hosts welcome you with a drink and a home-cooked lunch featuring local ingredients. After checking in and taking some time to settle into your new surroundings, pick up a mountain bike and the map provided by your hosts.
The afternoon is yours to explore. Pedal between rice paddies and vegetable fields, pass through villages of the local Thai community, or venture farther towards a village stream and waterfall. There is no guide setting the pace — stop when something catches your eye and return whenever you are ready.
Back at the Eco House, refresh and slow down with a homemade drink as the afternoon light fades over the valley. Dinner is served at the homestay before your first night in a traditional wooden Thai stilt house.
Day 2 — Mai Chau to Pu Luong | Into the Mountains
After breakfast, set out at around 8:30 AM for a different side of the journey. Travel for approximately one hour by motorbike into the heart of Pu Luong Nature Reserve, leaving Mai Chau’s broad valley behind as the landscape becomes increasingly mountainous.
From here, continue on foot, descending deeper into the valley through terraced rice fields, forested hillsides and villages of the local Thai community. Rather than simply viewing the landscape from the road, today’s journey takes you right through it.
Pause along the trail for lunch at a local family’s home before continuing towards Hieu Village in the afternoon. On arrival, take time to refresh at Hieu Waterfall, rest beside the water and enjoy the peaceful surroundings after the day’s walk.
At around 4:00 PM, meet your motorbike rider for the journey back to Mai Chau Eco House. Return in time to relax, enjoy dinner and spend a second night in the traditional stilt house.
Day 3 — A Slow Morning in Mai Chau | Return to Hanoi
Wake to another quiet morning in Mai Chau and enjoy breakfast at the homestay.
There is no need to rush. Take the provided map and explore the surrounding village and countryside on foot, or simply spend the morning around the Eco House enjoying the landscape and rhythm of local life.
Lunch is served at 11:30 AM. At approximately 1:00 PM, board the limousine bus back to Hanoi, arriving at Hanoi Opera House at around 5:00 PM.
Includes
- Round-trip limousine bus between Hanoi and Mai Chau
- 2-night accommodation at Mai Chau Eco House
- Half-day mountain bike rental
- Maps for self-guided cycling and walking
- Round-trip motorbike transportation between Mai Chau and Pu Luong on Day 2
- Local guide for the Pu Luong trek
- Meals: 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners
- 2 homemade pre-dinner drink
- Welcome drink on arrival
Excludes
- Additional food and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Other optional activities not specified in the itinerary
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts
- No refund for cancellations made less than 24 hours before start time
- Full refund or reschedule offered in case of severe weather cancellation by operator
Good to know
- The package includes round-trip transfer by limousine shuttle bus. Pick up and drop-off at the Hanoi Opera House.
- Overnight accommodation is in a traditional wooden Thai stilt house with shared sleeping space. Each guest has their own clean mattress, bedding, mosquito net and fan, separated by curtains for added privacy. There is no air conditioning. Clean shared bathroom and toilet facilities are located separately from the sleeping area.
- Maps are provided for your cycling and walking explorations, giving you the freedom to choose your own route and pace. Optional light trekking with a local guide and bamboo rafting with local people can be arranged for a small additional charge.
- Cycling routes can include village lanes, rice fields and rural roads. Comfortable clothing and suitable footwear are recommended.
- Day 2 involves approximately one hour of motorbike travel each way between Mai Chau and the trekking area in Pu Luong. Guests ride as passengers with local riders.
- The Pu Luong experience is a light trek through hilly countryside, including descents and sections through rice terraces and village paths. Comfortable walking shoes with good grip are recommended.
- Hieu Waterfall is a natural site, so water levels and swimming conditions vary according to season and weather.
- Bring comfortable outdoor clothing, sun protection, insect repellent and a small daypack for the Pu Luong excursion.
- Dietary requirements should be advised in advance so the hosts can prepare accordingly.
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