Ba Be conjures images of lush forests, sparkling deep lakes resplendent with glimmering fish, mysterious caves and the cloud-capped limestone mountains standing as royal guardians to a hidden natural kingdom. This trip takes you deep into Ba Be National Park. With simplicity and humility, let's meet the Queen of this kingdom and her extremely hospitable subjects who are eager to share their natural and cultural heritage.

DESTINATIONS

• Dau Dang, a small remote village lying on a riverside in the forest.
• Pac Ngoi, a Tay minority village on the riverside where we experience true local hospitality.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The jewel of the park, the vast Ba Be Lake.
• Cave exploration.
• Cycling through the serenity of the park.
• Meet local people. Trade stories. Ask questions. Come away with something new.

TOURISM FOR DEVELOPMENT

Ba Be National Park is the largest natural freshwater lake in Vietnam with exceptional fish diversity, a population of langurs, over 200 bird and 350 butterfly species, geological treasures and mature primary limestone forest. In places like this, careless tourism can bring human disturbances and endanger this heritage, while thoughtful tours with a controlled impact provide excellent support to conservation projects in the area and help the economies of local people. We share your desire for the latter option and promise that nature knows how to return your kindness. Surrounded by the lush green, we hope you enjoy and learn from the time spent with all of our friends there and raise a glass of corn wine with your hosts, toasting to the health of our shared environment.

[Day 1] Hanoi – Dau Dang
Meals: lunch and dinner | Accommodation: homestay

7.00: Departure from Handspan head office. After a lunch on the way, we arrive at Ba Be National Park early in the afternoon. We cruise on the immense Ba Be lake and head first to some caves at its northeast edge. Then we enter the Gam River until reaching Dau Dang village, tucked away between jungle and limestone rocks on the riverside.

We are warmly welcomed and invited to dive into a local dinner with some homemade corn wine along. We spend the night there, in simple conditions with the sounds of the forest around us.

[Day 2] Dau Dang – Pac Ngoi
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner | Accommodation: homestay

After breakfast, we take a boat trip back to Pac Ngoi. Our bicycles are ready and waiting at the pier. We spend the day making a loop through the National Park with Tay and Dao villages on the road and in the wild. We pause for a shady picnic lunch en route.

Back to Pac Ngoi in the afternoon, time for a good shower and some rest before dinner and a night in the homestay of gracious local hosts.

[Day 3] Pac Ngoi – Hanoi
Meals: breakfast and lunch | Accommodation: N/A

An easy morning - we have some time after breakfast to stroll around before departure. Then we start the drive back to Hanoi on small roads, up and down through villages and forested areas. We stop on the way for a lunch at the house of a Tay family. Arrival in Hanoi, at Handspan main office, is around 6 pm.

Note:By booking this tour with us, you've contributed $5 to the Fauna & Flora International's Community Conservation Fund to protect endangered primates in Vietnam.

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

Solo: $582
From 2 participants: $344
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 in stilt houses
• Meals as specified in the program
• Travel in an appropriate air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced driver
• Boat cruise on Ba Be lake
• Mountain bikes and safety gear (currently using Trek 4500 bikes)
• The services of an experienced English-speaking guide
• All entrance fees
• VAT and other taxes

Not included

• Hotel in Hanoi
• International flight tickets and airport tax
• Visas
• Beverages, gratuities and personal expenses
• Camera fees (if any)
• Insurance