Mai Chau Valley (2 days)

Perfect for families and travellers not wanting to exert themselves too much, this soft adventure combines a bit of activity, with culture, village life and natural beauty. Only four hours from Hanoi, Mai Chau valley is the gateway to North West Vietnam. This area confirms all the postcard fantasies – limestone mountains overlooking peaceful valleys, terraced rice paddies and traditional villages. You ride along quiet village roads and have a unique opportunity to discover traditional village life that has experienced very little change over the centuries. Your trip starts and finishes in Hanoi

Name	Mai Chau Valley
Duration	2 days / 1 night
Price from	150 USD / pax (based on 2 pax)
Itinerary in short	Day 1 : Hanoi / Hoa Binh / Mai Chau Day 2 : Mai Chau / Hanoi

TRAVEL NOTE
• The best time of year to visit Mai Chau is between October to November, and February to May. During these months, the weather is sunny but not too hot. From December to January (sometimes extending until February), the weather can get pretty cold. Visiting any time between June and September is strongly discouraged and it is hard to deal with the heat when electricity only comes on at night. It is also during these months that the heavy rains pose a challenge for outdoor exploration
• This package can be extended to 3 days/2 nights and even more. Contact us for further information

DAY 1 : HANOI / MAI CHAU (-/L/D)
Around 08h00, depart from Hanoi this morning on a 4-hour drive through mountains, fertile valleys and traditional villages. The Mai Chau Valley is dominated by rice paddies and small villages and enclosed by mountains. It's an idyllic scene and while most travellers only spend a night here, it's easy to stay longer - especially for trekkers.

At 12h00, we arrive in Mai Chau. A welcome drink with cold/hot towel is served, followed by a delicious lunch. The fresh, tasty dishes on offer include local vegetable, ingredients and flavors such as green bean, black mushroom, fish and chicken cooked in Muong or Thai ethnic minority style

This afternoon, we discover the interesting surroundings and ethnic minority tribes with a relaxing walk to Thái villages of Pom Coong and Lac and explore Mo Luong cave

This evening, complement your experience by sampling delicacies from the local region during dinner time and enjoy the performance by local troupe of ethnic minority Muong and Thai people. It is so relaxing to watch the exotic dances featuring the flower, land-scape and daily agriculture cultivating activities and sweet dating songs in the fresh mountain air.

DAY 2 : MAI CHAU / HANOI (B/L/-)
After breakfast at the homestay, strike out on a trek through the local area. The people that live in this region are from the White Thai villages. We have an opportunity to visit a number of villages and learn more about their lifestyles, culture and customs from our local guide. The trek is approx. 3 hours in length and not overly strenuous, however a good solid pair of shoes is recommended as we will be walking on uneven trails and up and down hills. There are plenty of opportunities to take a break, enjoy the pristine scenery, take some photos or just relax in this stunning setting where few outsiders venture.

After lunch, begin the journey back to Hanoi climbing over Mai Chau Valley itself for superb views- have your cameras ready! Arrive in Hanoi late this afternoon for your departure flight or continuing on your Vietnam tour to other destinations.

This is a sample itinerary so the cost really depends on the number of people in your group and time of travel. Please send us your enquiry for availabilities & the most up dated price.

INCLUSION
• Transportation in private air-con vehicle, including pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Hanoi
• Accommodation in traditional Thai stilt house
• All meals as mentioned in the programme (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
• ½ liter bottle of mineral water/person/day
• Welcome drink
• All sightseeing fees
• Traditional dance performance
• Local English-speaking tour guide
• 24/24h assistance from our company
• Service charges and government tax

EXCLUSION
• Travel insurance
• Visa arrangement for Vietnam
• Drink and beverage
• Personal expenses
• Camera fees (if any)
• Tips for guide & driver
• Surcharge in peak season (Christmas, New Year, local public holidays)
• Other items than mentioned in the program
• Any additional expenses caused by reasons beyond our control such as natural calamities (typhoon, floods), flight delays, rescheduling or cancellations, any accidents, medical evacuations, riots, strikes etc.

ACCOMMODATION
Two words sum up the Mai Chau experience – “village homestay”. There is really no point in coming to Mai Chau if the idea of a village homestay doesn’t appeal. You are sleeping on a mat in a bamboo stilt house, in a large communal room probably shared with the host family and/ or other travellers. There are no restaurants or bars unless , you eat and drink with your homestay hosts