North Vietnam Escape to Pu Luong Nature Reserve 2 Days

Day 1: Hanoi to Pu Luong: Journey to the Hidden Valley of Tranquility

🚗 Distance: 160 km – Approx. 4 hours

Your unforgettable mountain escape begins at 8:00 AM, when our guide and driver pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi. Leaving behind the urban buzz, the scenery quickly changes to peaceful countryside — narrow roads weaving through green rice paddies, small villages, and gentle hills.

After a few hours, stop at Thung Khe Pass, one of northern Vietnam’s most stunning viewpoints. Here, the clouds often hang low, brushing the mountaintops while panoramic views of valleys and limestone peaks stretch as far as the eye can see. Take a moment to breathe in the fresh air and capture incredible photos.

Continue your journey past Mai Chau Valley, known for its picturesque rice fields, lush mountains, and the stilt-house villages of the White Thai ethnic people. You’ll arrive at Pu Luong Nature Reserve just in time for lunch, where you’ll check in to your charming accommodation surrounded by terraced hills and the soothing sound of nature.

In the afternoon, head to Chieng Lau Village, a peaceful haven of bamboo forests, green paddies, and traditional water wheels turning slowly in the river. Embark on a 3–4 km scenic walk, winding through the valley and stopping to meet local Thai villagers who work the land with quiet grace. Watch as they skillfully use bamboo water wheels for irrigation — a centuries-old practice that symbolizes harmony between man and nature.

For a special experience, enjoy a short bamboo raft ride on the calm stream — a serene moment to take in the rhythm of rural life and the reflection of the surrounding hills in the water.

Return to your lodge in the late afternoon to relax. As the sun sets, the valley glows golden and mist begins to settle, creating an almost dreamlike atmosphere. After dinner, unwind in the peaceful night, with the distant sound of crickets and rustling leaves as your lullaby.

🌿 Emotional Highlight: Watching the sun dip behind Pu Luong’s terraced hills while water wheels spin gently in the stream — a moment of pure serenity you’ll never forget.

Included:

• English-speaking guide
• Meals: Lunch, Dinner
• Private transportation
• Bamboo rafting in Chieng Lau
• 2 bottles of mineral water (500 ml) per person/day
• Accommodation: Pu Luong Home (Double Room, shared bathroom) or similar

Day 2: Pu Luong Discovery: Easy Hiking Through Villages & Valleys

🚶 Trekking Distance: ~5 km

🚗 Transfer back to Hanoi – 160 km (~4 hours)

Wake up to the crisp morning air and the soothing sound of nature all around you. After breakfast, begin your day with an easy hike into Pu Luong’s most beautiful valley — a peaceful trail that leads from your lodge down into a world of endless rice terraces and mountain panoramas.

Follow winding paths as you pass Chom Uoi and Chom Lan villages, where life flows in harmony with the land. Here, you’ll see farmers tending to their fields, women weaving fabric under stilt houses, and children playing along narrow dirt paths. Each step reveals a new view — green paddies reflecting the sky, streams glistening under the sun, and buffalo grazing lazily by the water.

Your guide will share stories about the Thai ethnic culture, their ancient traditions, and how their lives remain deeply connected to the earth. Take your time to capture the moments — this is Pu Luong at its most authentic and pure.

After the hike, relax and enjoy a local-style lunch. Then, board your private vehicle for the scenic drive back to Hanoi. Along the way, stop at Cam Luong Sacred Fish Stream, a unique natural site where thousands of large fish swim freely in crystal-clear waters beneath limestone cliffs — a fascinating local legend come to life.

Arrive back in Hanoi by late afternoon, filled with the tranquility and beauty of Pu Luong’s landscapes still fresh in your heart.

🌾 Emotional Highlight: As you walk through the terraced fields and hear laughter echoing from the villages, you realize — Pu Luong isn’t just a place you visit, it’s a place you feel.

Included:

• English-speaking guide
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Private transportation
• 2 bottles of mineral water (500 ml) per person/day