Overview
An eight day, privately-guided tour, walking Northern Vietnam’s inland villages and valleys, starting and ending in Hanoi. Walk between 7-15km per day on moderate trails, and stay in local guesthouses and homestays. And becoming familiar with minority ethnic groups of the region, such as the Hmong and White Thai people, their traditions and lifestyles. Hiking highlights along the way include Pù Luông Nature Reserve, rice paddies of the Mai Châu Valley and bathing in tropical waterfalls. As well as the innate welcome of Vietnamese people in their homes along the way of course.
- Hanoi
- Pù Luông Nature Reserve
- Mai Châu Valley
- Homestays
- Hmong people
- White Thai people
Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Châu – Hang Kia village | 7km
This morning you are picked up from your accommodation in Hanoi (booked independently). The private transfer (4h) takes you through a rural region of limestone mountains towards Hòa Bình Province, with a stop in Mai Châu and lunch served in the neighbouring village of Pom Coọng. Your driver then takes you to Xà Lính village (1h) where a 3h trek begins to the village of Hang Kia, home to the Hmong people.
- Walking for the day: 7km
- Accommodation: homestay in Hang Kia
- Meals included: lunch and dinner
Day 2: Cun Pheo village | 14km
After breakfast, begin the trek through tropical rainforests, following trails alongside cornfields and descend into Mai Châu Valley. The trek lasts about 5h, with some steep sections. Lunch is served at a local stall at the foot of the valley. Continue through several villages that are home to ethnic groups in the region, arriving in Cun Pheo village by late afternoon. Take time to walk around this quiet village that’s home to the White Thai people, one of the ethnic groups in the region. In the evening, there’s a traditional dinner which you share with your host family in a stilt house.
- Walking for the day: 14km
- Accommodation: homestay in Cum Pheo
- Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3: Xâm Khòe village | 12km
Trek through several Thai hamlets, passing rice paddies and open fields. Stop for a picnic lunch before reaching Xâm Khòe village in the afternoon. Have dinner with your hosts and, if you fancy it, toast today’s trek with a glass of local maize wine.
- Walking for the day: 12km
- Accommodation: homestay in Xâm Khòe
- Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4: Pù Luông, Đôn village | 15km
Trek from village to village through rice terraces, stopping for lunch before arriving at Mai Hịch village.Take a short taxi ride for about 1h, then begin the hike through Pù Luông Nature Reserve. The trek lasts about 3h with some uphill sections to some great viewpoints. The trek comes to a close at your homestay, also on stilts, in the late afternoon. Take some free time to rest before sharing a traditional dinner with your host family.
- Walking for the day: 15km
- Accommodation: homestay in Đôn
- Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5: Hiêu village | 12km
Before breakfast, you’re invited to join your host family for their morning activities such as feeding livestock, collecting vegetables from the garden or helping prepare breakfast.
Today’s hike lasts 5-6h (approximately 12km), which takes you through terraces and small villages. A picnic lunch is served before continuing through more villages to arrive at Hiêu village in the afternoon. Take a rest or visit the nearby waterfall before returning to the homestay for dinner.
- Walking for the day: 12km
- Accommodation: homestay in Hiêu
- Alternative accommodation: Les Bains de Hieu Ecolodge in Hiêu
- Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6: Nua village | 12km
Set off for another village-to-village trek along a route that takes you alongside cool streams, covering 10-12km (5-6h). Take a break for lunch, then continue along local paths through rice paddies to reach the homestay in Nua village.
- Walking for the day: 12km
- Accommodation: homestay in Nua
- Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7: Son village | 12km
Leave Nua village after breakfast and begin the full-day trek into Pù Luông Nature Reserve, covering an area of 176km2. It is known for its diverse flora and fauna, including ancient forests, waterfalls, caves and terraced rice fields. A picnic lunch is served along the way, after which you continue through traditional villages as far as Son village. If the weather allows, watch the sunset before having dinner.
- Walking for the day: 12km
- Accommodation: homestay in Son
- Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 8: Ton village – Hanoi | 3km
Today’s route is a short one, with gentle ascents and descents through rice paddies to Ton village, where your driver awaits to transfer you to Mường Khến town (1h 30mins) for lunch. After lunch, you are transferred to Hanoi (3h), reaching the city by late afternoon.
- Walking for the day: 3km
- Meals included: breakfast and lunch
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour is in traditional homestays. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. The rooms at the homestays are mostly dormitory-style rooms with shared bathrooms.
Click to view the default accommodation
- Homestay in Hang Kia
- Homestay in Cum Pheo
- Homestay in Xâm Khòe
- Homestay in Đôn
- Homestay in Hiêu
- Homestay in Nua
- Homestay in Son
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of any being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with an accommodation of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Click to view alternative accommodations
- Les Bains de Hieu Ecolodge (Hiêu)
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of any being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with an accommodation of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Seven breakfasts, eight lunches and seven dinners are included.
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is rated moderate and is suitable for those with a little walking experience. A good level of fitness and stamina is required. However, there is some flexibility, as your guide can suggest a suitable route depending on your fitness level. Routes can also change due to external circumstances, such as weather conditions (the rainy season between June and early September can cause muddy paths, which can become dangerous). Many of the roads in this region are unpaved and there are many steep cliffs that are regularly damaged by landslides during the wet season, blocking the route (read more about difficulty grades).
When to go
This trip is available all year round. The summer months (May-August) are generally warm and humid, while the winter months (December-February) can be chilly, with occasional frost. Spring and autumn offer pleasant weather for trekking. Monsoon season typically occurs from July to early September, bringing occasional heavy rain showers.
Please note that there will be a surcharge applied for bookings that fall during holiday periods, such as the Lunar New Year. For more information, see our blog, Best time to go to Vietnam.
Getting there
Click to view travel options and route planner
Our recommended airport for this tour is Nội Bài International Airport in Hanoi.
- From Nôi Bài International Airport you can take bus number 86 to the city centre (50mins), with departures every 45mins from 07.00 until 22.00. Tickets cost around ₫45,000
- Taxis from Nôi Bài Airport to the city centre cost around ₫300,000 to ₫350,000
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights accommodation in homestays
- 7 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 7 dinners
- Transfers as per itinerary
- Local English-speaking guide
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and airport transfers
- Visa for Vietnam (if applicable*)
- Accommodation in Hanoi
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Surcharge for peak season (eg New Year, Vietnamese Lunar New Year, Christmas), public holidays and/or compulsory meals (if applicable)
- Any drinks and meals not listed in the itinerary
- Personal expenses and tips
- Any items not specifically listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
*From 15 March 2022, Vietnam has reintroduced visa waivers for the nationals of 13 countries, including the UK. Visa waivers allow for visits to Vietnam for up to 15 days without needing to apply for a visa. If needed, Vietnamese e-visas can be applied for here
Options, extras and supplements
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Extra nights in Hanoi
- Two days and three days optional extension trips to Hạ Long Bay (available on request)
- Airport transfers
