Mai Chau Valley (2 Days/1 Night)
Mai Chau 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.
Although most local no longer wear traditional dress, the Thai women are masterful weavers who ensure that there is plenty of traditional – style clothing to buy in the village centre. You will see women weaving on looms under or inside their houses in the village. Much of the silk looks similar to that seen in Laos. The Thai of Mai Chau are less likely to employ strong-arm sales tactics than their H’mong counterparts in Sapa: Polite bargaining is the norm rather than endless haggling.
Day 1: Ha Noi – Mai Chau, Cycling (L,D) 08h00: Pick up from your hotel and head west towards Hoa Binh to have refreshment 10h00: Leave Hoa Binh for Mai Chau Valley, about 2hrs away, stop for snapping pictures. 12h00: Arrive in Mai Chau and have lunch in a family house in the local village. 14h00: Bicycle around the surrouding villages of White Thai Ethnic people. Learn more about their lives and cutures as your guide can help answer any questions. 18h00: Dinner with the family, get a closer look into their real life. Drink “ruou can” (traditional alcohol) with your new family. Sleep in the village, in the stilt house, the most interesting part of the trip. Stilt houses are unique to Mai Chau and you cannot find this experience in other tour. You can sleep in the large communal room or you can order a private room ( Homestay)
Day 2: Mai Chau – Ha Noi (B,L) The early morning is the most peaceful time to walk aroud the villages. See women prepare foods on the wooden fire while the sun is rising over the beautiful mountains. 7h30: Breakfast in the village then walk to Mai Chau market then climb to 1000 Step Cave. The cave is breathtaking and so is the view of the area from the entrance of the cave. 12h00: Have lunch in the village before getting on the bus back to Hanoi. 17h00: Back to your hotel on Hanoi and finish the trip.
Tour included: - Rounding bus transportation - Tour Guide - Entrance ticket in the village - Meals as indicated: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner - Bicycle - Homestay in Lac village Tour excluded: - Personal fee ( ex: Drinks, Souvenirs) - Insurance
* Children rates: + Free of charge for children under 4 years sharing bed with parents. + Surcharge 50% rate of adult for children (5-11 years) sharing bed with parents. + Over 11 years is adult’s rate.
* The itinerary can be changed due to weather, tide levels and operating conditions. * Special request (diet or vegetarian, …) should be sent before your departure date.