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Maichau Encounter |
4
days/3 nights
This
trip to the north west highlands of Mai Chau
offers a balance of cultural interest and physical
activities set amongst some of northern
Vietnam’s most stunning scenery. We spend
4
nights
in the ethnic hill tribe minority villages walking
an average of 5 hours a day. We trek for four days
through villages in the Mai Chau area and
overnight in White Thai and H’mong villages
where we have the opportunity to observe the lives
of the minority peoples. From the mountainous
region of Mai Chau, we travel back to the capital,
Hanoi. Travelers who prefer to get off the beaten
track often prefer Mai Chau to Sapa.
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Day
1:
Hanoi - Mai Chau - Hang Kia Village
After
breakfast we depart Hanoi for Hoa Binh province
and the town of Mai Chau. This scenic drive takes
around three hours. Along the way we pass fields
of tapioca and sugar cane as well as rice paddies.
After lunch in a traditional stilt house of the
Thai people, we drive for one hour to Sa Linh
Village to begin our trekking. The verdant and
rugged mountain scenery combined with the colorful
local population makes this an unforgettable
experience. Today we walk along gravel tracks and
small paths, used by the locals. Our destination
for this evening is Hang Kia village, home of the
H’mong Minority people. Here we stay overnight
as the guests of an H'mong family in a traditional
long house, situated in a picturesque valley of
peach orchards.
(Lunch
and Dinner included).
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Day 2 :
Hang Kia - Van Village
Today we get
well and truly off the beaten track as we trek
through tropical rain forest, using the local
tracks and passing through cornfields as we
descend in to Mai Chau Valley. On the way we will
encounter the local villagers as they go about
their daily business: whether it be tilling the
fields, logging or herding buffalo. The trek will
take around 7 hours and is quite steep in places.
Lunch will be provided en route, and weather
permitting, we will have a picnic near a babbling
brook at the foot of the valley. From here we pass
through several White Thai villages, and are sure
to attract attention as this part of the country
receives very few visitors. We will arrive at Van
village by late afternoon and we will have time to
walk around this charming little village, enabling
us to understand a little more about how the
people live. The village is home to the Thai
people, and tonight we will be their guests in one
of their traditional stilt houses. There, we will
be toasted as honored guests and will be able to
sample some of their homemade rice wine!
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included) |
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Trekking in Maichau |
Day 3:
Van
village - Xo Village
After
breakfast we spend the morning strolling around
the surrounding villages and meeting villagers
along the way. After a morning's exploring we
return to Van village for lunch. With lunch
finished there will time for a short siesta or a
stroll down to the river before embarking on a
3-hour walk to the village of Xo (pronounced Soh).
Here there will be an opportunity to freshen up at
the communal well before sunset. This evening we
will spend our third night in a stilt house.
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included).
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Day 4:
Xo village
– Poong Cong Village – Hanoi
Bidding
farewell to our new friends after breakfast, we
have a five-hour trek from Xo to Poong Cong
village where we will take lunch. We can wander
around this pretty crafting village before the
journey back to Hanoi.
(Breakfast, Lunch
included).
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Trip includes: |
- All transfers/transportation by private car or bus
as indicated in the itinerary
- Accommodation on twin share basis including daily
breakfast
- English speaking guide
- Meals as stated
- Entrance fees |
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Trip excludes: |
- International air fare and airport taxes
- Visa and visa arrangement
- Meals not indicated
- Travel insurance ( mandatory )
- Personal expenses such as bar bill, telephone bill,
laundry
- Tips and gratuities |
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Tour
price in USD and per person
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USD $285
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Trip summary
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Where: |
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Trip starts
&
ends in
Hanoi |
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When: |
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All year
round; |
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Grade: |
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Moderate to strenous |
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Accommodation: |
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Homestay - simple but enriching experience |
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Transport: |
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Private car or minivan |
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Meals: |
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As indicated (B=Breakfast,
L=Lunch, D=Dinner) |
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