Mai Chau & Pu Luong Nature Reserve 2 Day Discovery

Your journey begins with a comfortable limousine bus pick-up from your hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The drive to Mai Chau takes you out of the city and into peaceful mountain landscapes. Along the way, you’ll stop at Thung Khe Pass, where you can admire panoramic views over the Mai Chau valley and browse small roadside stalls selling local snacks — try the bamboo-cooked sticky rice known as com lam if you’re feeling curious.

Once you arrive in Mai Chau, you’ll be welcomed into a traditional stilt house homestay run by a local Thai family. Enjoy a home-cooked lunch of regional specialties, then take some time to rest, go for a short walk, or relax by the pool while soaking in the peaceful atmosphere of the village.

Hop on a bicycle for a laid-back ride through the Mai Chau valley. You’ll pass through green rice fields, local farms, and small White Thai villages, where life moves slowly and traditions are still strong. Along the way, you’ll stop to see local brocade weaving and other cultural crafts — you’re welcome to browse or pick up a handmade souvenir directly from the artisans.

After the ride, return to the homestay for some free time — cool off in the pool, explore the quiet village lanes on foot, or simply unwind. Dinner will be served at the homestay, featuring hearty dishes from the mountainous north. You’ll spend the night in a cozy wooden stilt house, a simple but memorable way to experience local hospitality.

After an early breakfast, you’ll say goodbye to Mai Chau and head into the heart of Pu Luong Nature Reserve. The drive takes you deeper into the countryside, where limestone peaks and layered rice terraces create one of the most dramatic landscapes in northern Vietnam.

Your trek begins near Pu Luong Eco Garden and winds through lush rice fields, small pathways, and stilt-house villages. As you climb to higher ground, you’ll reach sweeping viewpoints that look out over the terraced hills. The trail eventually brings you down to Kho Muong, a remote village tucked between mountains. It’s a chance to see rural life up close and appreciate the quiet beauty of this less-visited area.

Near the village lies the largest cave in the reserve. If weather permits, you can enter and explore this impressive limestone formation — a cool and mysterious contrast to the sunlit trek above. Inside, you’ll find unusual rock formations and even some vegetation growing near the entrance.

After the trek, return to the homestay at Pu Luong Eco Garden for a refreshing shower and a well-deserved lunch. There’s time to relax or enjoy a swim in the infinity pool with sweeping views before heading back to Hanoi.

You’ll depart Pu Luong in the afternoon for the return drive to Hanoi. Expect to arrive back in the Old Quarter around 7:00 PM — tired but full of fresh air, great memories, and stunning photos.