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mai chau
About the tour...
This 2 day tour combines two very different sides of Mai Chau. The first day stays down on the valley floor among the White Thai villages of Ban Lac and Pom Coong, with time for cycling and a stop at Go Lao Waterfall. By evening we move on to the Black River / Hoa Binh Lake for a quieter overnight stay by the water.
It is a good option if you want to experience the classic Mai Chau valley scenery, but would rather spend the night somewhere more secluded before returning to Hanoi.
Itinerary
Day One - Hanoi to Mai Chau & Black River
08:00
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.
11:00
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.
12:00
Lunch at a local restaurant in Ban Lac village. Traditional White Thai cuisine! Expect sticky rice, grilled meats, fresh vegetables and bamboo shoot dishes.
13:00
Cycling through the rice paddies. We pick up bicycles and take the flat loop between Ban Lac and Pom Coong villages. Plenty of stops for photos and to chat with local villagers along the way.
15:00
Go Lao Waterfalls are around 20 minutes from Mai Chau by car, this is a pleasant stop for a few relaxed hours by the water. Swimming is possible here and is especially popular on warmer days.
17:30
After the day’s activities we drive on to the Black River / Hoa Binh Lake area for the night. The atmosphere here is much quieter than the valley floor, with broad water, forested hills and a slower pace by the lakeside.
19:00
Dinner at the homestay by the Black River. A relaxed evening by the water rounds off the first day well.
Day Two - Black River Boat Ride & Return to Hanoi
07:30
Breakfast by the lake before we set off for the final day.
08:30
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.
09:00
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.
10:30
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.
12:00
Lunch near the lake before we begin the return drive to Hanoi.
17:30
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.