Vietnam Trekking Map- Ha Noi Mai Chau Trekking ( 4 Days )

Mai Chau trekking tours: Travel through Thai villages Hang Kia Van Xo Poom Coong (4 days)

Mai Chau offers a wide selection of trekking tours ranging from easy day hike to multi-day challenging treks. The following 4-day trekking tour is only a sample trekking itinerary Lotussia Travel customizes for active, adventure travelers, small groups tours or family travel, those seeking a medium hike to the northern Vietnam. Begin your holidays with a car transfer from Hanoi through Hoa Binh and up to Mai Chau valley. You start you hiking adventure from Hang Kia village, inhabited by the H’mong, hiking through Van village, Xo village to Poom Coong villages which are inhabited by the Thai people. The 4-day hiking tour is provided with an English-speaking guide, local Thai guide, cook and trekking equipments. Your luggage is taken care by our support team. You only need to bring you small bag for the day hike. The accommodation and the food are simple, basic and this trekking tour is not recommended for those looking a luxury travel, vacations. Contact Lotussia Travel for more details.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Hang Kia village.

We leave Hanoi heading west to Hoa Binh Province. We climb towards the Mai Chau valley another two hours away stopping to take in the spectacular scenery. Following lunch in Mai Chau town we drive to the White Thai village of Xa Linh where we start a 2-hour trek to the village of Hang Kia. Our hosts this evening will be the H’mong people. Whilst enjoying their hospitality we learn a little about their way of life. Tonight’s accommodation will be basic although mattresses, bedding and mosquito nets are provided.

Day 2: Hang Kia – Van village.

This morning we have a 4-5 hour trek to Van village is home of the White Thai people. The trek takes us through unforgettable scenery and provides us with an opportunity to witness the authentic rural life.
Arriving in Van village by mid to late afternoon there will be time to take a short walk around the village.
Our hosts for this evening will treat us to a fine meal and stories of life in Van village.

Day 3: Van village – Xo village.

We spend the morning strolling around the surrounding villages. We then return to Van for lunch. After lunch, stroll down to the river (if weather permit) before embarking on a 3hour walk to the village of Xo.

Dinner and overnight in Xo village.

Day 4: Xo village – Poong Coong village – Hanoi.

Bidding farewell to our hosts we have a five-hour trek from Xo to Poong Cong village. Lunch will be provided in a local stilt house.

After lunch, we will drive back to Hanoi.

Arrive Hanoi around late afternoon. Check-in hotel and overnight in Hanoi.

Lotussia Travel is a Hanoi based tour operator offering a wide selection of trekking tours in all over Vietnam. The above trekking tour is only a sample we list on this site for your reference. That can be flexible, customizable and subject to weather conditions and other circumstances. We have lots of other itineraries we don’t put all here since there are some dishonest individuals have copied, without our agreement our contents and pasted on their site for commercial purpose. If you need further information or have any suggestions or comments, please feel free to contact us at any time. We look forward to seeing you soon in Vietnam!

Vietnam Trekking Map-Hanoi Maichau Trekking (6 Days)

Trek Mai Chau villages (6 days)

Mai Chau offers a wide selection of trekking, hiking tours ranging from easy day hike to multi-day challenging treks. The following 6-day trekking tour is only a sample trekking itinerary Lotussia Travel customizes for active, adventure travelers, small groups tours or family travel, those seeking a medium hike to the northern Vietnam. Begin your holidays with a car transfer from Hanoi through Hoa Binh and up to Mai Chau valley. You start you hiking adventure from Hang Kia village, inhabited by the H’mong, hiking through Van village, Xo village to Poom Coong villages which are inhabited by the Thai people. The 6-day hiking tour is provided with an English-speaking guide, local Thai guide, cook and trekking equipments. Your luggage is taken care by our support team. You only need to bring you small bag for the day hike. The accommodation and the food are simple, basic and this trekking tour is not recommended for those looking a luxury travel, vacations. Contact Lotussia Travel for more details.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Hang Kia Village

08h00: You will be met up with Lotussia travel team at your hotel in Hanoi. Then head west to Hoa Binh Province where we may make stop for refreshments. We continue driving for two more hours towards the Mai Chau valley.We arrive Mai Chau around noon. We will have lunch in a stilt house in Mai Chau before taking half-hour drive to Sa Linh from where we commence a 3-hour trek to the village of Hang Kia. Our hosts for this evening will be the H’mong minority people. Whilst enjoying their hospitality, we will discover a little more about their lives and culture.

Day 2: Trekking Hang Kia – Van Village

Today we will have a 7-hour trek to Van Village, home of the White Thai people. The trek will offer you the opportunity to closely observe rural life in Vietnam.

A picnic lunch will be provided along the way.

Arriving in Van village by late afternoon there will be time to take a stroll down to the nearby stream.

Check into a local house for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Trekking Van village – Xo Village

After breakfast we spend the morning strolling around the surrounding villages and meeting local villagers. After a morning’s exploring we return to Van village for lunch.After lunch, it will be possible for you to take a short siesta or to stroll down to the river before embarking on a 3 hour walk to the village of Xo.We arrive the homestay about late afternoon. Check into a local house for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Trekking Xo village – Poong Cong Village

After breakfast, we will continue our journey taking a five-hour trek from Xo to Poong Cong village. We arrive Poom Coong village around noon. Lunch will be provided in a stilt house in Poom Coong village.

We have the afternoon free to wander around the picturesque Thai villages or maybe wander into Mai Chau town itself.

Dinner and overnight in Poong Coong village.

Day 5: Poong Coong Village – Nanh Village

We drive to the Da River where we board our boat for a one-hour river cruise. From our drop off point we have a 2-hour trek to Nanh village, inhabited by the Zao people. Stopping for a picnic lunch on the way.

We will arrive Nanh village around late afternoon. Check into a local house for dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Mai Chau- Hanoi

Leaving the village at around 08:00, we retrace our steps back to the boat for a cruise back to meet with our vehicle. Drive back to Hanoi. We will arrive back in Hanoi early afternoon. Trip ends.Lotussia Travel is a Hanoi based tour operator offering a wide selection of trekking tours in all over Vietnam. The above trekking tour is only a sample we list on this site for your reference. That can be flexible, customizable and subject to weather conditions and other circumstances. We have lots of other itineraries we don’t put all here since there are some dishonest individuals have copied, without our agreement our contents and pasted on their site for commercial purpose. If you need further information or have any suggestions or comments, please feel free to contact us at any time. We look forward to seeing you soon in Vietnam!

Vietnam Trekking Map-Hanoi Hoabinh Maichau (6 Days)

The 6-day tour is arranged in north-western Vietnam taking you to Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa provinces. The tour begins with a car transfer from Hanoi to Hoa Binh, and then Mai Chau valley where you start trekking through local Thai hamlets and rice paddy fields. You spend the following day trekking through other Thai villages before arriving in Pu Luong Nature Reserve. There, you follow small hiking trail going along hill sides through Thai and Muong villages. Spending 5 nights at local home (homestay);  Eating local food and chatting with local Thai and Muong friendly villagers offers the opportunity to experience the real life. The 6-day trekking tour is customized for active, adventure travelers. There are about 6 hours trekking per days. This adventure holiday is only available during the dry season starting from October until April. Contact Lotussia Travel for more details.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Hanoi – Hoa Binh – Mai Chau

Pick up at your hotel to go to Mai Chau via Hoa Binh – one of the most beautiful mountainous places in the Northwest of Vietnam. Stop at Muong and Dzao village to discover the daily life and culture of these hill tribes. Have lunch in Hoa Binh Hotel. After lunch continue going to Mai chau by car. 13:00 arrive in Mai Chau. Chek in Thai’s house then walk around peaceful Thai villages in Mai Chau valley. You have a chance to see how Thai people weave colorful clothes, breed silk worm, grow rice. Overnight in house on stilts in Mai Chau.

Day 2: Mai Chau – Van Mai

Breakfast. start 4-hour trek to Van Mai. Lunch in Van Mai. Afternoon rafting in Suoi Sia stream to enjoy beautiful landscapes along the stream. Dinner and overnight in Thai village.

Day 3: Van Mai – Ban Hang – Pa Kha village

Breakfast. Transfer to Ban Hang ( 20 km). Start 4-hour trek to Eo Ken, Pa Ban, Pa Kha. Lunch in Pa Kha. Afternoon trek to Ban village to discover Muong minority’s life. Overnight in Pa Kha.

Day 4: Pa kha – Kho Muong – Hin village

Breakfast. Trek to Kho Muong village. This is a beautiful Muong ethnic village in the valley. Tourists will spend one hour to discover this village to find out local peoples’life. Then Continue treking to Pon, Nua village. Picnic lunch en route. Afternoon trek to Hin Village. Dinner and overnight in Hin village

Day 5: Hin village – Pho Doan Market – Mai Chau.

Breakfast. Trek through Trinh, Cao villages to get to Pho Doan Market. Visit the market. Lunch in Pho Doan.
Afternoon transfer To Mai Chau. In this place you will have variety of choice to buy typical souvenirs for your family and friends. In the evening following dinner is Thai Minority’s show and drink local wine. Overnight in Mai Chau.

Day 6: Mai Chau – Hoa Binh – HaNoi.
Breakfast. Transfer to Bai Sang. On the way visit Go Lao waterfall. One last hour trek to admire the view of Hoa Binh Reservoir. Get on the boat. Sailing on Hoa Binh reservoir. Lunch on board. Afternoon take 3-hour trek on the trail along Hoa Binh reservoir. You will be met up again with your vehicle and travel back to Hanoi. Trip ends.
Lotussia Travel is a Hanoi based tour operator offering a wide selection of trekking tours in all over Vietnam. The above trekking tour is only a sample we list on this site for your reference. That can be flexible, customizable and subject to weather conditions and other circumstances. We have lots of other itineraries we don’t put all here since there are some dishonest individuals have copied, without our agreement our contents and pasted on their site for commercial purpose. If you need further information or have any suggestions or comments, please feel free to contact us at any time. We look forward to seeing you soon in Vietnam!

Mai chau trekking tour 2 days – 1 night

Mai chau trekking tour 2 days – 1 night

Mai Chau is a mountainous area of outstanding natural beauty, inhabited by a Thai and H’mong ethnic minority groups.This trip offers an easy trek combined with homestay in villages of Thai , where we have opportunities to observe the local lifestyle of these minority people.

DAY 1
7:30-8:00: our driver and guide come to pickup you at your hotel in the Old Quarter for going to Mai Chau.
10:00: have a short break in the middle of the way.
11:30-12:00: Scenic photo stop of Mai Chau valley/arrive in Mai Chau
12:15: Traditional lunch in local village (vegetarian available)
13:00-15:00: Bicycle ride with local tour guide, see farmers working in fields, locals weaving scarves and visit surrounding peaceful villages.
15:00-18:00: Free time for bicycling, walking, shopping
18:00: Visit Thai living museum for Traditional BBQ dinner
19:30: Watch Thai traditional dance in the stilt house. Enjoy Tradidional alcohol (ruou can) with the community

DAY 2
7:30-8:00: Wake up and eat breakfast
8:30-11:30: Hike to 1000 Step Cave and visit local market in Mai Chau village.
12:15 – 15:00: have lunch and free time to relax before getting on the van to Hanoi
18:30-19:00: Drop you off at your hotel

 More information :

Isolated Mai Chau is a 139km trip from Ha noi and 66km further on from Hoa Binh. Though it’s not far, the trip from Hoa Binh to here takes almost two hours by motorbike due to the mountainous terrain.

Mai Chau is in a valley just over the biggest hump, about 10km from the Song Da river and only 150 metres above sea level. The village presents an idyllic rural valley that could easily charm you into staying longer than intended. Nestled between two towering cliffs and surrounded by emerald green paddies, it is an enchanting sight as you wind down the cliff side.

In spring Mai Chau is a bright, almost parrot-green and by autumn this green transforms into golden hues as the rice approaches harvest. Taking the time to watch these transitions of colour seems like a perfectly useful way to spend your time while there.

Beware that whilst a beautiful time of year, Mai Chau can become unbearably hot in June / July with little respite from the heat as electricity doesn’t come on until the evening.

Those bemoaning the dearth of truly budget accommodation in Vietnam will be happy to learn that this is one place you can stay for a song. The star attraction here is a ‘homestay’ in a stilt house in one of the two ethnic White Thai villages, Ban Pom Coong and Ban Lac. While both are run by ethnic minority families who have lived on and worked the land for generations, this is hardly like trucking into a Karen village in  village in northern Thailand and  staying in the spare room of someone’s house.

The ‘bare bones’ accommodation is purpose-built to give tourists the ‘homestay’ experience, while the watchful eye of the government makes sure they have western toilets, ample bedding, and sometimes even satellite TVs in the common rooms.

Ban Lac is the more developed of the two villages, with more gift shops and a busier nightlife — what there is of it — but there’s little to differentiate the accommodation on offer. The lodgings are mostly traditional stilt houses with large communal rooms where you can sleep on a mat laid upon a squeaky, split bamboo floor, for just about the same cheap price everywhere. The sleeps are really a loss leader — they make the real money off the food you eat, and the curios and textiles you buy. Not to mention, the liquor you drink. A typical charge is 150,000 VND / person for dinner, breakfast, and a bed although some are a bit cheaper. You could save ‘small money’ by eating in town, but family-style Vietnamese cooking is generally far superior to restaurant fare, and you wouldn’t want to miss out on the nightly group meals.

Despite this tourist-driven set-up, and the regular influx of visitors, the villages remain a relatively peaceful retreat, and it’s heartening to see how the influx of tourist dollars hasn’t changed the essential character of the locals, which we gauge to be as warm and easy-going as you please.

As far as eating is concerned, all guesthouses in the villages offer food at quite reasonable prices and varying standards. If they don’t live up to your expectations there is little option other than to track back into town to try the local restaurants. Be warned though you will struggle to find anything of outstanding worth there.

Ha Noi to Mai Chau trekking

Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Hang Kia Village (B,L,D)

8:00 AM Mai Chau Trek tour guide and driver pick up at your hotel and leave Hanoi for Mai Chau, the beautiful gate way to the mountainous area of northern Vietnam – home of the H’mong and the White Thai minority group. On the way, have a short stop for refreshment.

Upon arrival in Mai Chau picked up by local guide and continue driving to Xa Linh Village.

Local lunch in a H’mong house before setting off on a beautiful trekking in the afternoon. After lunch, begin our trek on the village’s road and then walk on dirt path used by the locals. Afternoon, reach Tra Day Village, home to a small community of Black H’mong minority people. From the Tra Day village, have two options for trekking route to reach Hang Kia, where we will stay overnight. The easier route with rocky path running through another H’mong village. The harder route take more time to do with trail uphill through jungle and dirt path though terraces.

Around 5:00pm reach Hang Kia with a small and scenic valley, which is home to a group of Flower H’mong minority people.

Overnight with a H’mong family. While our local guide cooks dinner we can take shower or stroll around the village.

Dinner around 7.30 pm. Before going to bed we will treat our feet with herbal foot massage, which you do by yourself with the guide’s instruction.

Day 2: Trekking from Hang Kia to Van Village (B,L,D)

After breakfast in the house, say goodbye to the family and begin an exciting trekking day. Right after the village, walk on jungle trail for one hour. The trail could be a bit wet due to the dense trees that keep sunlight away. After that, descend the hill passing farm and terraces. The scenery is stunning with mountains, terraces and expansive valley. During the trek have some breaks for snack, rest, and photographing. After crossing a small river, reach a village of White Thai minority group

Lunch in a local house. After lunch, have a short nap in the house.

In the remainder of the day, walk on village road to reach Van Village, a beautiful village of White Thai minority people. The road runs zigzag along the valley and through lots of scenic village. Walk through these villages the locals may try to invite to come to their house and have dinner with them.

Have dinner and stay overnight in a Thai family.

Day 3: Trekking from Van Village to Buoc Village (B,L,D)

After breakfast say goodbye to the family and begin 3-hr trek in the morning to reach Buoc Village. The path will runs uphill and down hill through bamboo forest, terraces and farms. On the trek, see farmers working on their farms.

Around 12 pm, reach Buoc Village, another scenic village of White Thai minority people. Local lunch house and take a short nap if you wish. In the afternoon, enjoy 2-hr leisure trek around the village. Weather permitting, at the end of the day, enjoy the cool water of the stream nearby the homestay.

Dinner will be cooked by our local guide. Foot massage before bedding time.

Day 4: Mai Chau Trekking to Van Mai – Transfer to Hanoi (B,L)

After breakfast say goodbye to the family and enjoy the last trekking along mountain foot to reach Van Mai, take a short transfer to Pom Coong Village for lunch in a local house. After lunch, head back to Hanoi. Return to Hanoi around 5pm. Tour ends.

Hanoi – Mai Chau – Xo Village

Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Xo Village (L,D)

8:00 AM Mai Chau Trek tour guide and driver pick you up at your hotel and leave Hanoi for Mai Chau trek  with 4-hours beautiful bus. Reach Pom Coong, a village of the Thai ethnic minority in Mai Chau valley.

Lunch in Pom Coong Village. In the afternoon, take light walk on village road to Xo, a village of the Thai ethnic minority.

Dinner and overnight in a local house.

Day 2: Xo Village – Buoc Village – Van Village (B,L,D)

After breakfast at the home stay, say goodbye to the host and walk to Buoc Village. On the way, see villagers working on rice paddies and children going to school.

Lunch on the way.

In the afternoon, reach the beautiful village of Van.

Spend the second night with a local family.

Day 3: Van Village – Buoc Village – Van Mai Village – Hanoi (B,L)

After breakfast at the home stay, walk on village roads which run between mountains and rice paddies. Then, reach our lunch stop, Van Mai Village, around 11:30am.

Lunch in a local house before taking a bus ride back to Hanoi.

Arrival in Hanoi around 5.30pm. Trip completes in Hanoi.

Mai Chau, White Tai minority

I have to start with an apologize cause I don’t have much linguistic inspiration for the moment… I am too busy with my project of a documentation corner, ( I will tell you later about that)

But I don’t want to keep my pictures that I made in the peaceful valley of Mai Chau trek…

So just a short story…

Mai Chau was on my priority list since the beginning… if you know me a bit than you won’t be surprised that I was immediately excited by reading ” get a real experience by staying at a stilt house with the local family”… last Friday I finally “created” some time to get this experience…

The journey from Mai Chau was a challenge and a test for my patience and survival skills… first the bus, then a motorcycle to catch a another bus, being kicked out in the middle of nowhere and with people around me that were showing me only 3 fingers ( = 3 kilometers, right) so I started to walk, took a ride on the back of a cycle when I was tired, bagged a girl to help me to catch a taxi. I walked again, the lady followed me and picked me up and brought me the next village (=3 kilometers but not Mai Chau) and there I found a man that wanted to bring me to Mai Chau on the back of his Xe Om ( motorbike)… a trip in the dark through the valley and the mountains of more than an hour!

But, don’t worry… everything under control and I reached Mai Chau, booked my coconut carpet on the floor in the house of a local family … the beginning of an amazing experience!

The valley is a source of peace and quietness… paddy fields all around, the people still live in stilt houses and the mountains keep the beauty as a treasure…

It is one of my favorites in North Vietnam!

treking Mai Chau Viet Nam

Welcome to Mai Chau Trek

Mai Chau Trek is a travel portal site managed by Vietnam Package Travel Company and specializing in operating tour to Mai Chau, a beautiful landscape in the Northwest province of Hoa Binh, Vietnam.

Mai Chau trek is the heart of a beautiful valley that is a world away from the hustle of Hanoi. The modern village is an unappealing sprawl, but as you emerge on the rice fields and rural living is transformed into a real paradise. It’s a stunning area, and the most people here are ethnic White Thai, distantly related to tribes in Thailand, Laos and China.