Ninh Binh

Hiking

You will be picked up from your hotel in Hanoi's Old Quarter then drive to the ancient capital of Hoa Lu. Discover the former capital of Dai Co Viet in the 10th and 11th Centuries. Next, visit Mua Cave and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views. Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese set menu lunch at a local bungalow. After lunch, you will go on a sampan boat trip in Tam Coc, passing through three caves: Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba. Then, cycle through the rice fields and villages to visit Thai Vi Temple. Enjoy a sunset party with tea and fruit at a swimming pool; relax and swim before you return to Hanoi.

Take a guided tour of the Mua Caves, the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, and Trang An. Feel the spirit of many shrines and temples like King Dinh Temple, trek up to the summit of Ngoa Long mountain, and take a peaceful boat ride along the Ngo Dong river. Start with pickup at your accommodation in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Travel by shuttle bus ad journey through the beautiful countryside until you reach Ninh Binh province. Arrive at the ancient citadel of Hoa Lu. The site was once the capital of the region. See the various shrines and temples such as King Dinh Temple. After Hoa Lu, travel to Mua Cave and start a trek up to the summit of Ngoa Long mountain. Once you reach the summit enjoy a beautiful view of the valley below. After working up your appetite on the trek, enjoy a delicious lunch at a traditional restaurant. Next, take a 2.5-hour sampan boat trip operated by a local rower. Sail gently along the Ngo Dong river, capturing the wonderful scenery of the Karst hills, rice fields, and peaceful villages. See the Trang An caves of Vang cave, Lam Cave, Dai Cave and historic sites. Returned to your hotel in Hanoi at approximately 7:30 PM.

Embark on a full-day tour of the Ninh Bình province. Explore the Vietnamese ancient capital of Hoa Lu to understand the history of the country. Marvel at the scenic landscape of Trang An. Hike to the top of the Mua Cave for incredible views from the top. Start your day at 7:45 AM with a hotel pickup. Meet your guide and leave for Hoa Lu. Pass by green fields and villages. Have a 20-minute break to stretch your legs. At 9.30 AM, arrive in Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 11th century. Visit the Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Dai Hanh Temple. Appreciate the unique architecture. Delve deep into history and learn about the first Vietnamese government. Explore the excavation area. Experience the vestiges of Royal Palace ground dated back to the 10th century. Then, hop back on the bus at 10 AM for a drive to Trang An. Artfully crafted by nature, Trang An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Get on a bamboo boat for a 2.5-hour tour rowing through the majestic cave complex of Bright Cave, Dark Cave, Ba Giot Cave. Glide along the river, crossing villages, mountains, and lush rice fields. At 12:45 PM, stop at a restaurant to feast on local food. Get back to the bus and leave for Mua Cave. Hike up the mountain and see the Ngo Dong River. Climb 486 steps to reach the top of Lying Dragon Mountain. Enjoy a panoramic of Tam Coc. At 3:30 PM, say goodbye to the countryside and get on a 2-hour bus ride back to Hanoi. Get dropped off at your hotel.

Get back to nature and explore the ancient cultures of Vietnam on a 2-day tour of Tam Coc and Hoa Lu. Spend the night at a luxury homestay and learn about the everyday life of the locals. Day 1: Hanoi – Tam Coc Depart Hanoi and travel to Ninh Binh in the Red River Delta. Visit the limestone cave of Tam Coc on a boat trip down the Ngo Dong River. Enjoy the peaceful scenery of limestone mountains, rice paddies, and local temples. Check-in to your luxury bungalow accommodation and chat with the locals. Savor the local cuisine, including a refreshing green tea or coffee. Then, explore Ninh Binh by bike and cycle past rice fields and mountains. See the Bich Dong Pagoda, and learn about the Buddhist culture of Vietnam. Return to the bungalow and enjoy some free time before dinner served by the local host family. Day 2: Mua Cave – Hoa Lu – Hanoi Enjoy breakfast at the bungalow before cycling to Mua Cave. Hike to the peak of Ngoa Long Mountain and get amazing views of Tam Coc and the Ninh Binh area. Check out before lunch, and then visit the ancient capital of Hoa Lu. Admire the temple of King Dinh before the drive back to Hanoi.

On day one you will be picked up from your hotel in Hanoi's Old Quarter between 7:30 AM and 8:00 AM and head to Hoa Lu arriving shortly after 10:00 AM. You will explore Hoa Lu the ancient capital of Dai Co Viet before heading off to see Mua Cave where you will enjoy breathtaking panoramic mountain views. You will then visit a local bungalow to enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch. After lunch you will go on a sampan boat ride in Tam Coc, passing through three caves: Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba. In the mid-afternoon, you will go on a bike ride through the rice fields and villages. Then enjoy a swim and sunset party with tea and fruits before checking into your homestay. Once you have checked in you will have dinner and then have free time in the evening. On day two you will start your day at 7:30 with breakfast and depart for the Bich Dong Pagoda at 9:00 AM. Once you arrive at the Pagoda you will climb up the 200 steps to explore it. After you visit the pagoda you will head to Thung Nham National Park where you will have lunch before exploring the magnificent caves found in the park. Later enjoy a sampan boat ride to see the bird park. At 4:30 PM you will leave Ninh Binh for Hanoi arriving back in Hanoi at 6:30 PM.

Explore Hoa Lu, former capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries, and Tam Coc. Following a hotel pick-up from the Old Quarter of Hanoi, relax in air-conditioned comfort on the 2.5-hour journey southeast, approximately 70 miles (120 kilometers) from Hanoi. Upon arrival, see the 2 main temples of the former royal city, including the main temple to Emperor Dinh and the temple to Emperor Le in the foothills of the Den Mountain. Explore the historic sites of the Outer Citadel, separated from the Inner Citadel by the limestone mountains. Continue to Tam Coc for lunch before cruising the Hoang Long River by traditional sampan. Pass the curious karst mountains carpeted in lush vegetation, and paddle into hidden caves to see geological formations. Next, cycle along quiet roads through small villages and rice fields to see the rocky outcrops of Tam Cốc-Bích Động. The gentle bike ride lasts for about 1 hour, covering a distance of approximately 3 miles (5 kilometers). Round off your day with an air-conditioned transfer back to Hanoi.