BA BE – CAO BANG DISCOVERY 8 days

Itinerary in Brief            

Day 1: Hanoi – Ba Be

Day 2: Ba Be boat trip on Nang river and Three Bay (Ba Be)

Day 3: Ba Be – Pac Po – Cao Bang           

Day 4: Cao Bang trek

Day 5: Cao Bang trek

Day 6: Cao Bang trek

Day 7: Cao Bang trek

Day 8: Cao Bang – Lang Son – Hanoi

Trip Highlight:

Ba Be National Park, Ba Be Lake Nang River on Pia Boc range, Puong cave, Mountain drive, magnificent view for photo, trekking through many minorities villages, homestay in villages of minorities, mountain market…

Itinerary in Details

Day 1: Hanoi - Ba Be

In the early morning, we depart to the North for seven hour drive which takes us through the flatlands of the Red River Delta up into the mountain areas. As closer to Ba Be Lake, the scenery becomes more and more picturesque. We will have lunch at a local restaurant en-route. Arriving in Ba Be town by late afternoon then check into our guest house. The rest of the time is free at our leisure. Overnight in National Park guest house.

Day 2: Ba Be Lake

After breakfast, we transfer to the jetty where we will start a boat cruise along Nang River, once to stop at Puong cave where river goes through a huge mountain. Stop for a short trek to Dau Dang water fall where the river fall then return to the boat dock for a picnic lunch. After lunch, we go back to the boat for transferring back current to Ba Be Lake. If the weather permits, we can have a swim in crystal waters next to Ba Goa islet.

Fairy Pond might be in considering to see if time permit. No visit Fairy Pond in the rainy day.

Continue the trip, we transfer the Tay village of Bo Lu. A visit to this small hamlet will enable us to witness how little the lives of the people in these remote areas have changed. Overnight at Tay local homestay

Day 3: Ba Be - Cao Bang – Pac Po – Cao Bang

This morning we drive 90km drive to Cao Bang. En route, we are passing numerous villages of H'mong, Zao, Tay and Nung ethnic minority people, all living in harmonies. We will arrive at Cao Bang slightly before lunchtime and spend a little exploring this little town, and visiting the local market. After lunch we will visit Pac Po, the hideout used by Ho Chi Minh when he came back to Vietnam after 30 years of self-imposed exile. It was here that he organized his resistance army against the French. Late this afternoon we drive back to Cao Bang for our overnight stay at the local hotel. (B)

Day 4: Cao Bang Trek

We drive to Ta Lung Vietnam-Sino border and have lunch. Later, we begin our 15km trek to the Tay village of La and stay overnight in a local home stay. (B/L/D)

Day 5: Cao Bang Trek

Today we trek to Na Mieng village, another Tay community. The trek is approximately 16 kms long. Overnight in Na Mieng local homestay (B/L/D)

Day 6: Cao Bang Trek

Start this heavy-trekking-day through several minority hamlets. We stop for lunch at the village of Dong Khe before venturing on to the Red Dao settlement of Pac Khoang. Overnight at local house (B/L/D)  

Day 7: Cao Bang Trek

Our final full day of trekking takes us to the Tay village of Na Pang, a 17km trek. The rest of your time is free at your leisure. Overnight at local house (B/L/D)

Day 8: Cao Bang - Hanoi

Bid farewell to our host and continue walking a further 12kms until we reach the village of That Khe. After lunch in the village, meet up with our vehicle and drive back to Hanoi. (B/L)