Category Archives: Trek

Trekking Vietnam Mai Chau in January

Mai Chau is located in Hoa Binh province, approximately 135 km from Hanoi and 60 km from Hoa Binh. Mai Chau is the name of a district of Hoa Binh province where are located the two villages Lac and Poom Coong are inhabited by the White Thai people. For most of travelers and tourists travelling to Mai Chau is to coming to Lac and Poom Coong villages where they spend the night in a local stilt house (homestay).

From Hanoi you can hire a car and travel to Mai Chau. The road transfer takes about 3.5 – 4 hours. Those who are on budget can buy a bus ticket at My Dinh station. There are more than two departures per day leaving My Dinh bus station in both morning and afternoon. Renting a motorbike is also a good choice for many active adventure travelers.

January is a very good month for doing a trek in Mai Chau.  January falls into late of winter and the early of spring. During this month, the temperature is around 20 degree C in Mai Chau (day time). The temperature can be lower at night or when there is a monsoon. The sky is usually cloudy with few hours of sunshine (about 4 hours sunshine per day). It is quite sec in January with little rain.

If you are already plan your holidays to Mai Chau in January, please check with us if your holiday falls into the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, the TET festival which usually falls into late January or early February. During this period there are lots of Vietnamese tourists going on holidays. Mai Chau is one of favorite place especially for young travelers including pupils and students. They come to Mai Chau for camping, trekking and spending the night at a local home (homestay). Many tourist sites, restaurants and homestays are closed during the TET festival.

Indeed, Mai Chau offers a wide selection of trekking tours ranging from easy, short walking day tours to multi-day challenging trekking tours. Most of Mai Chau treks start in either Lac or Poom Coong village. You travel through different Thai hamlets, rice fields, hillsides before taking another hiking trail to get back to Mai Chau again where you will be picked up by your vehicle and transferred back to Hanoi. Those who are more adventurous can get off of the car in the national road #6, from there they begin their trek hiking through H’mong and Dzao village until they reach Mai Chau, picked up and transferred to back to Hanoi.

There are also some other extension tours which can be combined with Mai Chau trekking tours including Tam Coc river boat trips, Tam Coc countryside cycle, Pu Luong Nature Reserve trekking tours, Cuc Phuong National Park trekking, birding tours…These optional tours can be ideal for active, adventure travelers seeking a multi-activity holidays in Vietnam. Except in Halong bay where it may be a bit foggy in January, Tam Coc, Kenh Ga village, Van Long are good for doing either cycling or sightseeing.

“Mai Chau is one of my favorite places for trekking. I come back here and do the trek quite every year. The Mai Chau valley does not have the wild scenery and the big landscape that people must say wow when they first come. But the Mai Chau people are very friendly and smiley. The area is quiet, peaceful. This is the true place for you to come and experience the real life.” – Said Manh Nguyen, experienced tour guide at Lotussia Travel.

For more information either mail to travel at lotussia.com or visit http://www.lotussiatravel.com

Mai Chau Outdoor Treks 7 Days

Day 1: Ha Noi – Hoa Binh Province.
7:00 AM: You will be met up with Lotussia Travel team at your hotel in Hanoi. Depart by road to Hoa Binh Province, 75 km. North West of Ha Noi and home to a number of hill tribes and other ethnic minorities including Thai and Muong. 4-hour trekking along Hoa Binh reservoir to visit the Muong villages. Dinner and enjoy a traditional Muong and Drum concert. Overnight in Hoa Binh. ( 4 hours trekking)
Day 2: Mai Chau Trek
Drive to Xa Linh ( 90 km). 1-hour jungles trek before lunch. Afternoon trek to Hang Kia and overnight in a H’Mong village. ( 5 hours trekking)
Day 3: Mai Chau Trek
Continue trekking to Tau Na and stop for picnic lunch. In the afternoon climb a high pass to Cun Pheo and overnight in a Muong village. (7- 8 hours trekking)
Day 4: Mai Chau Trek
In the morning trek to Sam Khoe village and after lunch trek around villages to discover ordinary day life of white Thai people. In the evening enjoy lovely songs perform by Thai children. Overnight in Thai village. ( 7 hours trekking)
Day 5: Trekking and bamboo rafting
Continue trek to Van Mai . In the afternoon take 2-hours bamboo rafting on Suoi Sia stream. Overnight in a Thai village. ( 5 hours trekking)
Day 6: Mai Chau trek
In the morning trek to Pom Coong village. After lunch trek around villages to discover how local people weaving materials. Overnight in Thai village.
Day 7: Mai Chau – Ha Noi.
In the morning transfer to Ha Noi. End the tour. 
Need further information? Contact us

Mai Chau Hiking Tour 6 Days

Day 1: Arrive Hanoi.
Upon arrival at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi via Flight???, you will be greeted by Lotussia Travel guide, driver then escorted to your hotel in town. 
The rest of the day is free at leisure. 
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: 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 Hang Kia village. 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 3: 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 4: 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 5: Xo village – Poong Coong village – Hanoi.
Bidding farewell to our hosts we have a five-hour trek 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.
Day 6: Departure.
Free at leisure until transfer to Hanoi airport for your onward flight back home. Flight???. End trip.
Need further information? Contact us

Hiking Mai Chau Nature Place 4 Days

Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Hang Kia village.
7:00 AM: you will be met up with Lotussia Travel team at your hotel in Hanoi. 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 Mai Chau 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 hike 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 trek 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 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.
Need further information? Contact us

Hanoi Mai Chau Valley Trek 3 Days

Day 1: Ha Noi – Hoa Binh – Mai Chau (150km)
Depart from Hanoi to Mai Chau at 7h 30 via Hoa Binh Hydro-electricity. Arrive in Mai Chau about 12.00. Have lunch. After lunch start to trek Mai Chau discovering Lac village, Pom Coong village – the typical ethnic people of Mai Chau. Dinner at 19h00. Overnight in Lac village.
Day 2: Mai Chau – Ma River (20 km)
Breakfast at 7.30 AM. Trekking to Van Mai village. Lunch in Van Mai. Afternoon transfer to Co Luong ( 20 km) and go for a row on the river by motor – boat with stop-over at En village (Thai people). Return to Co Luong at 18:00 PM. Bus back to Mai Chau. Dinner at 19.00 and enjoy traditional music show. Overnight in Ban Lac village.
Day 3: Mai Chau – Xa Linh – Ha Noi
AM: Have breakfast at 7.00 AM then go to Xa Linh (35 km from Mai Chau) where H’Mong people stay. Trek to Pa Co village to visit black H’Mong. Back to Mai Chau at 12.00PM. Lunch. Return to Ha Noi at 14.00. Arrive in Ha Noi at 18.00. 
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Trek Hanoi Mai Chau Village 3 Days

Day 1: Ha Noi – Mai Chau
8:00 AM: You will be met up with Lotussia Travel team at your hotel in Ha Noi. Drive about 2 hours to Hoa Binh. Short stop for break and coffee in Hoa Binh hotel. Drive up to Mai Chau with few stops on the way for taking pictures. 12h00 arrive in Mai Chau where you have lunch in Thai’s house. In the afternoon take a 3-hour trek around Mai Chau valley to admire beautiful landscape of the valley. Dinner at a stilt house of Thai minority village. Night in the village.
Day 2: Mai Chau Trekking
Whole day trek. 8:00 AM: Trek to Van Mai village. On the way you can have chance to see ordinary activities of Local people in Thai’s area. Lunch in Van Mai. Afternoon trek to Ban Buoc village. You can enjoy beautiful, peaceful scenery along the path. Dinner and overnight in Ban Buoc. This evening you will meet warm hospitable Thai schoolchildren with interesting traditional songs. 
Day 3: Drive back to Hanoi.
Drive back to Hanoi. Upon your arrival back in Hanoi, you will be drop off at your hotel. The end of Lotussia Travel services.
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Mai Chau Valley Treks 2 Days

Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau valley (L,D).
You will be met up at your hotel by Lotussia Travel guide and driver. Then depart Hanoi for Hoa Binh province and the town of Mai Chau. This scenic drive takes around three hours and a half. Along the way we pass fields of tapioca and sugar cane as well as rice paddies. Following lunch in a Thai village in Maichau we spend the afternoon hiking through Mai Chau ethnic minority villages in this area. 
After dinner, we will assist to the traditional music and dance show which is performed by The Thai young girls and boys. They all come from this village. Try also some rice alcohol made of traditional plants and local sticky rice. 
We spend the night with a local Thai family.
Day 2: Mai Chau valley – Hanoi (B,L).
After breakfast, we have the opportunity to enjoy one more half day hiking in Mai Chau this area before heading back to Hanoi. We will hike through many different Thai hamlets, rice fields, hill sides…We will stop by some local houses to talk with local people to understand their customs and culture. 
After lunch, we will join our vehicle again for the journey back to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi around late afternoon. End tour.
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