While it is essential to preserve the treasures here, it is also important to help the community to improve their (very poor) living conditions. Finding this balance is the challenge that we chose to face in partnership with an NGO in charge of nature conservation and livelihood improvement in the reserve. Get ready for a very special tour.

DESTINATIONS

• An indescribably lovely valley nestled in the heart of a tall karst mountain range

HIGHLIGHTS

• Light trekking across fairyland scenery: lush forests, blue rivers, and misty waterfalls in a deep valley surrounded by limestone rock formations, palm trees, and bamboo groves.
• Homestay with a Muong family: simple conditions but a warm welcome.
• Numerous encounters with natural and cultural treasures all along our way.

[Day 1] Hanoi – Chieng – Mu - Sat
Meals: lunch and dinner | Accommodation: homestay

We depart at 7.00am from your hotel to head southwest. The Reserve is actually quite close to Hanoi, we should get there around noon time. The car stops at the headquarters where we will meet some forest rangers and have a brief explanation about the nature conservation and livelihood improvement efforts taking place. We then are transferred to a local restaurant in Chieng village where we have lunch.

The real rapture starts after lunch; from Chieng we head down into the valley to reach Mu village. We take our time to stroll around the village and have a break near the cascade of the Mu waterfalls. A bit more gentle walking across the terraced rice fields brings us to Sat village to settle down in a cozy homestay there. After a warm welcome there's time for relaxing in the stream by the house while dinner is prepared and the sun slowly sets.

[Day 2] Sat – Mu – Khay – Mon - Chieng - Hanoi
Meals: breakfast and lunch | Accommodation: N/A

We start early today to walk back to Mu village by another trail and then head to Khay and Mon villages in one of the most beautiful parts of the Reserve. As we walk, we'll journey from quiet and wild natural areas into unusually dynamic villages alive with vivid sounds and scenes of life. This is your chance to really breathe in an atmosphere quite different from the one we usually know at home. We promise your guide will provide opportunities for numerous encounters with locals as you learn that these people are poor only in technology, but have an immense wealth of human knowledge about how to live together happily. We will share lunch with a family in Mon village before some motorbike taxis bring us back to Chieng village. Time for refreshments in a local restaurant before the drive back to Hanoi.

Note: N/A

PRICE PER PERSON (Valid from 01/01/2013 to 31/12/2013)

Solo: $359
From 2 participants: $201
Single supplement: N/A

Group discount is available, please contact our sales staff at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Included

• Accommodation
• Meals as specified in the program
• Water during the trek
• Travel in an appropriate air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced driver
• Use of motorbike taxis to cross the Reserve
• The services of an experienced English-speaking guide
• The services of one local guide employee of the project
• All entrance fees
• VAT and other taxes

Not included

• Hotel in Hanoi
• Beverages, gratuities and personal expenses.
• Camera fees (if any)
• Insurance
• Surcharge for peak season (Christmas and New Year)