Tours - Sampan + 1000 steps + National Park

We start the tour early and either collect you from your hotel or residence in Hanoi. We have a private car with driver to take us the 100km (2hrs) to Ninh Binh. We aim to get there for around 09:30.

In Ninh Binh, our 1st activity of the day is a sampan boat ride at Trang An. We have an option of 2-3 hours boat ride. Please note that each sampan can only take 4 passengers. The boat ride takes us down the river. We pass many limestone karsts along the side of the river. They tower 100s of metres high. We also pass thought a few of them as they straddle the river. This is quite the sight as some of the clearances are very low and we have to lower our heads which feels quite special. We thank the ladies for rowing us and make our way for some tasty lunch.

Lunchtime! We are in for a treat. We eat at Chef Dung which is actually a local family for some amazing food. Their speciality is goat & crispy rice. We also have many other dishes brought to the table. The view from the location is beautiful too. There is a small stream that is near by as well to walk around. After lunch we drive to a nearby location…

1000 Steps - we get to this famous site, with 486 steps carved into the side of the biggest limestone karst in the area. The steps are not difficult and the summit is reached in 1/2 hour. The view from the top is spectacular. Seeing smaller karsts lining the river below in one direction, the dragon temple in the other with Ninh Binh town visible in the distance. We descend the steps and visit the Mua Cave under the 1000 steps. Hear of the local legends of the cave & the stream that runs though it. There is also a beautiful lotus garden next to the cave to see. The lotus garden is on a raised wooden walkway as the lotus flower is in a large pond. After such a treasure of sights we go off to collect some bicycles!

Cycling in Ninh Binh is very popular because of the flat terrain surrounding the river. We cycle to the Bich Dong Pagoda which takes us an hour at a leisurely pace, enjoying the scenery as ride. The pagoda dates many centuries and was added too over the years. It’s extremely beautiful, so its in our tour. We then cycle back to drop off our bicycles, the homestay is a few hundred metres away, so we walk there.

The homestay we choose usually has a bungalow to stay in otherwise it is a private room. The views next the giant limestone karsts is quite amazing. We have time to relax before supper.

Food is served! We can choose from eating at the homestay or at the bamboo restaurant which is located near by. Their specialities are highly recommended not just by myself but also by previous tour guests. If we are at the restaurant, then we aim to head back for around 20:00, this is of course highly flexible.

Select what you desire from the tasty local food options breakfast menu. We aim to be to be ready to leave and check out at around 08:00 to start our days adventures. Our driver takes us the 45km to out main destination for the day.

Arriving in Cuc Phoung National Park, we 1st check out the Primate Centre to see their impressive collection. We stay an hour to check it all out. As the park is so huge - we need to drive to our next sight.

Early Cave of Man - This cave contains the oldest evidence of humans living in Vietnam so it is quite special.

We eat in the national park itself. It’s deep inside the park, a jungle area - giving us great atmosphere. We will have local food for lunch. Even though it is a public facility, the food is quite good.

We take the Muong Village Trail. It is a popular one day trek in the national park. The route is circular and we go clockwise around. The trekking takes us 2.5 hours in a lush green forest brimming with life. Monkeys are the most easily spotted as they are quite loud. Peacocks too. We also see Cho Chi the the 700 year old tree and optionally the Palace Cave if desired (it’s just off the main route). We can also see the highest peak in the park Silver Cloud Mountain at 656m. All too soon we find ourselves back where we started and ready to go home.

Our driver takes us back to Hanoi, thankfully we return after the rush hour.

Alas now its the end of the tour. We can drop you off at your point of choosing back in Hanoi. We hope you had an amazing day & many wonderful memories of the tour.