mai chau

We pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The drive to Mai Chau is approximately 135km and takes around 3-4 hours, heading southwest through Hoa Binh Province with a scenic stop along the way.

Thung Khe Pass. Our first stop is at the top of the pass which is over 1000m asl. We take in the panoramic views of the valley below. Local vendors sell corn and sugarcane here - a nice snack before we descend into the valley.

Lunch at a local restaurant in Ban Lac village. Traditional White Thai cuisine! Expect sticky rice, grilled meats, fresh vegetables and bamboo shoot dishes.

After lunch we drive on to Mai Hich, which is around 15 minutes from the valley centre. This brings us to the starting point for the afternoon walk.

We begin a 6km trek from Mai Hich towards Te Village, walking through White Thai countryside at a relaxed pace. The route is a good introduction to the area, with rice fields, village paths and everyday local life along the way.

We arrive at Mr Que Homestay for our first night. This is a White Thai homestay, so the evening keeps the local valley character while giving us a more settled village stop after the walk.

Dinner at the homestay with the host family. Expect a home-cooked White Thai meal and a relaxed first evening in the village.

Breakfast at the homestay. Fresh tea or coffee and a simple selection of local dishes ease us into the morning.

After breakfast we drive out to Xam Khoe, a White Thai village beyond the main Mai Chau tourist area. The transfer is short, but it brings us into a quieter part of the countryside where the day’s walk begins.

We arrive in Xam Khoe and set off on a gentle trek through the surrounding countryside. This is less about steep mountain hiking and more about walking village to village through rice fields, streams and traditional stilt-house settlements.

The route continues on towards Bao La, another White Thai area known for its peaceful setting and slower rhythm of life. We should arrive around lunchtime, with plenty of opportunities to stop for photos and take in the scenery along the way.

Local lunch after the trek. A proper break is well earned by this point, and lunch also gives us time to rest before the afternoon change of scenery.

After lunch we continue to Go Lao Waterfall. It is a good cooling-off stop and a nice contrast to the morning walk, with time to relax by the water before we move on.

From Go Lao we drive on to the Black River / Hoa Binh Lake area for our second night. The homestay here is in a Muong community, giving the evening a different cultural feel from the White Thai valley stay on night one.

There is usually time to relax by the water before supper, and in suitable weather and local conditions a swim may be possible.

Supper at the homestay as usual. A quiet evening by the Black River makes for a very different second night from Ban Lac.

Breakfast by the lake before we set off for the final day.

We make our way down to the lakeside for the morning’s Black River activity. The water is usually calm here, and the scenery is one of the highlights of the final day.

We head out on a relaxed boat ride on the Black River. This part of Hoa Binh Lake feels broad and peaceful, with limestone hills, quiet inlets and a much slower pace than the road back to Hanoi.

If conditions are right there may be another chance to stop by the shore or take a quick swim, but the exact plan depends on weather and water conditions on the day.

Lunch near the lake before we begin the return drive to Hanoi.

After lunch we head back to Hanoi. We usually arrive in the late afternoon, typically around 17:00-18:00 depending on traffic and your hotel location.