Kayaking Hoa Binh Lake & Trekking Chieng Yen Valley

Hanoi – Hoa Binh Reservoir – Chieng Yen – Hanoi
3-day tour with 1 day kayaking & 1.5 days trekking
Trekking grade: Moderate
Kayaking grade: Introductory
From US$ 182 per person

Hoa Binh Reservoir is an ideal place for kayakers thanks to its gorgeous beauty. The beauty of the reservoir can be fully reflected whilst paddling among evergreen tropical forest, karst mountains and numerous hill tribe villages. Nature and human intermingled within tranquility, just as calm as the slow moving water of this country’s largest man-made reservoir.

Chieng Yen Valley nears Mai Chau and offer nice trek through jungle and rice paddies on hill slope. This new trekking area also offer authentic homestay experience. 

Day 1: Hanoi – Thung Nai – Kayaking to Bai Sang
8:00 am pick up at your hotel and leave for Hoa Binh Town which is 70km northwest of Hanoi. Upon arrival in Hoa Binh we have a short rest for refreshment. Continue to Thung Nai, a small quiet town on the bank of Hoa Binh Reservoir, the biggest reservoir in Vietnam which is ideal for kayaking. On arrival we start our paddling exploration toward Bai Sang where we will do homestay in a beautiful house-on-stilts of the Muong ethnic minority. The house looks over the reservoir and offers us a real relaxing time after the paddling. Lunch will be served on the support boat. Dinner and overnight at the homestay.

Summary
Transfer: 2hr by AC van
Kayaking: 4hrs
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Homestay

Day 2: Bai Sang – Buot Village – Phu Mau Village
After breakfast at the homestay we walk 6km to the highway where we meet our van. Transfer shortly toward Son La where we trek through a beautiful area of mountains, jungles, rice paddies and villages of ethnic minorities. We will walk downhill to Buot Village where we have picnic lunch in a local house. After lunch we continue trekking to Phu Mau Village where we will spend another night homestay in local house.

Summary
Transfer: 30mins by AC van
Trekking: 3hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Homestay
 
Day 3: Phu Mau Village – Na Bai Village – Mai Chau – Hanoi
After breakfast at the homestay we walk uphill for 2km to Na Bai Village. The trekking path goes through villages and rice paddies. Upon arrival in Na Bai Village we will drive toward Mai Chau Valley where we have lunch in Pom Coong Village. After lunch we head back to Hanoi. Arrival in Hanoi at 5.30. Trip completes.    

Summary
Transfer: 4hrs by AC van
Trekking: 1hr
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Note: the paddling in Hoa Binh Reservoir is strongly affected by wind thus the itinerary will be adjusted as below if the wind changes direction.

Day 1: Leave Hanoi for Buot Village. Trek to Phu Mau Village. Homestay
Day 2: Trek uphill Na Bai village. Transfer to Bai Sang. Homestay
Day 3: Kayaking and cruise to Thung Nai. Transfer to Hanoi. Trip complete.

Note on client safety
We reserve the right to deviate from this itinerary for any reasons, including road and weather conditions, frequency of visits to a village, or for any other factor which may influence client safety.