mai chau

We pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The drive to Mai Chau takes around 3-4 hours southwest through Hoa Binh Province.

Thung Khe Pass. We stop at the top for panoramic views of the valley below. Local vendors sell corn and sugarcane - a snack before we descend.

Lunch in the valley. Traditional White Thai cuisine with sticky rice, grilled meats and bamboo shoot dishes.

Cycling through the rice paddies between Ban Lac and Pom Coong villages. Flat and easy with plenty of stops for photos and to chat with local villagers.

Chieu Cave. We climb the 1,200 steps up the hillside next to Ban Lac. The cave has stalactites inside but the real reward is the panoramic view of the entire valley from above. Good preparation for the trekking ahead.

Homestay in Ban Lac Village. Settle in, explore the village or watch the sunset from the stilt house balcony.

Home-cooked White Thai dinner at the homestay, followed by a traditional dance performance.

Breakfast at the homestay. Fresh tea, coffee and local dishes.

We drive from Mai Chau into the Pu Luong Nature Reserve. The road climbs through increasingly dramatic scenery. The transfer takes approximately 1.5-2 hours.

We begin trekking through the northern section of the reserve. The trail follows the rice terraces, passing alongside streams with bamboo water wheels and through small farming hamlets. Today’s trek is approximately 10-12km on rolling terrain with some ascents.

Picnic lunch on the trail with views across the terraced valleys.

We continue through bamboo forest and along ridgelines with panoramic views of the reserve. The terraces here are spectacular - tier after tier descending into the valley below.

We arrive at our homestay in Don village. The views from here across the terraced valleys are some of the finest in the entire reserve. Time to rest, explore the village or simply sit on the balcony and watch the light change.

Communal dinner with our hosts in the stilt house. Home-cooked local food - expect rice, pork, fresh vegetables from the garden and local rice wine if you fancy it.

Early breakfast at the homestay. We have a full day of trekking ahead.

We leave Don and trek south through the heart of the reserve. The trail descends into valleys then climbs again over ridgelines, passing through dense jungle and bamboo forest. This is the most remote section of the trek - few other tourists come this way. Today’s trek is approximately 12-14km.

We pass through small villages and farming hamlets along the way, where locals work the steep terraces by hand. There are opportunities to stop and chat with families - the people here are curious and welcoming.

Picnic lunch in the forest or at a village along the route. A chance to rest the legs before the afternoon section.

The afternoon section takes us deeper into the southern part of the reserve. The scenery shifts - more jungle, steeper terrain, fewer settlements. We are heading for Kho Muong village.

Before reaching the village, we visit Kho Muong Cave - a large limestone cave extending deep into the hillside. Unlike tourist caves elsewhere, this one is undeveloped - no coloured lights or paved paths. Just rock formations, darkness and quiet. A torch is needed.

We arrive at our homestay in Kho Muong village. This is as remote as it gets - a traditional Thai village deep in the reserve surrounded by terraces and forest. Simple, authentic and very peaceful.

Communal dinner with the homestay family. The food here is honest and hearty - everything comes from the surrounding fields and forest.

Final homestay breakfast.

We trek from Kho Muong towards Hieu Waterfall, following trails through jungle and alongside the river. This morning’s trek is approximately 6-8km.

Hieu Waterfall - the signature waterfall of Pu Luong. Multi-tiered cascades pouring into natural swimming pools surrounded by jungle. We spend a good amount of time here - swim, relax, take photos. You’ve earned it after three days of trekking.

Bamboo rafting on the Cham River. We float downstream on a traditional bamboo raft past rice paddies, limestone karsts and bamboo water wheels. About 30-45 minutes of pure relaxation - the perfect way to end the Pu Luong experience.

Lunch near the river before we begin the transfer back to Hanoi.

We drop you back at your hotel in Hanoi. Four days covering the cultural valley of Mai Chau and the wild, terraced heart of Pu Luong - two of northern Vietnam’s best-kept secrets.