Highlights
• Ethnic groups interaction
• Boat ride on the tranquil lakes
• Visit Puong grotto
• Homestay experience
Day 1 Hanoi – Ba Be National Park
Our tour guide will pick you up by car at your hotel 8:00am, as an
early start is necessary for all we have in store for you today. On the way to
Ba Be National Park, we will stop in a local village to enjoy lunch in a
restaurant, before our route takes us up through the mountains and tea
plantations on the road to Ba Be Lake.
You will then travel to the Tay village of Coc Toc, where the houses are built
in traditional Tay fashion on stilts. The local Tay population is extremely
friendly to visitors and will welcome you with open arms, introducing you to
their way of life central pillars of which are fishing on the lake and
rice-farming.
This is where you will spend the night in a homestay, to really get an intimate
look at Tay culture and daily life. After checking in at the homestay, your
afternoon will be free to spend as you wish, though we recommend going for a
walk to explore the beautiful surroundings. Following this, we will take you to
Hua Ma Cave, featuring thousands of stalactites and stalagmites.
The rest of the day is again yours to do with as you please, though we offer the
optional activities of guided walks/bike rides around Coc Toc Village and
kayaking trips on the lake. If you’d rather spend the rest of the day relaxing
and enjoying the serene views, then that’s also an option.
– Highlights and activities: Hua Ma Cave, Ethnic Village, and a 3-5km walk.
Day 2 Trekking in Ba Be National Park
On your second day in Ba Be, you will have the chance to explore its diverse and
beautiful landscapes as you go trekking through the park. Your guide will start
off by taking you to Coc Toc Village, visiting the local Tay fishermen who live
there, before crossing Pelu Stream and navigating some steep terrain. You’ll be
greatly rewarded for the effort, as once you reach a higher altitude you will be
assailed by magnificent views of the mountains.
As you journey ever higher, you will stop in a H’mong village, where a picnic
lunch will be prepared for you. After you’ve eaten and rested, you will continue
through the vast mountain ranges and valleys to see the stilt houses of the Dzao
people and visit one of their local schools before visiting a second H’mong
Village and returning to your homestay by the lake.
- Highlights and activities: Tropical forest, ethnic villages, and a 12-15 km
trek.
Day 3 Ba Be Lake – Hanoi
After breakfast we’ll kick the final day of the tour of by boarding a boat and
setting off onto the lake. It’s up to you how to spend your time on the boat,
whether it’s relaxing and enjoying the views or going for a swim in the cool
waters to refresh yourself. The views consist of stunning karst formations all
around you covered with patches of wild vegetation and a rich wildlife.
The boat will then continue along the Nang River, giving you a chance to explore
the caves of Puong Grottowhere you can marvel at the stalactites and stalagmites
created through river erosion, as well as observe the thousands-strong bat
colony that lives here.
After your exploration of the lake, you will have the chance rest as we drive
you back to Hanoi, taking in the beautiful scenery along the way. You will stop
for lunch at a local restaurant on the way before arriving in Hanoi at about
17:30.
