Hike, Bike & Kayak
14 days jungle adventure across 3 countries
Highlights
Itinerary
Hanoi Arrival
Welcome to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Known for its centuries old architecture and delectable cuisine, Hanoi is not only rich in history and culture, but also a buzzing city and a connecting hub to other parts of the country and region. Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport (Noi Bai), you will be transferred to your hotel. Check in and relax before you stroll through the Old Quarter and have dinner in a local restaurant. After the dinner, you will then spend the first night in Hanoi.
(D)
Hanoi - Mai Chau - Bike Tour
After breakfast in Hanoi, we take you on a scenic drive to the Mai Chau valley. Once you arrive in the valley, you go on a bike tour through paddy fields, villages, and breathtaking mountainous landscapes. You will learn about local lifestyle, customs, and culture. At the end of the day, enjoy a traditional dinner with various local specialties accompanied by a traditional show of the local ethnic minorities. You spend the night in Mai Chau.
(B, D)
Mai Chau - Hoa Binh Lake Boat Tour
Today you are going to Hoa Binh Lake, the man-made reservoir for the Hoa Binh Hydrowater Plant and also the largest lake of Vietnam. On Wednesdays, you will stop on the way at the weekly farmer market Bai Sang Market where the locals of various ethnicities gather to trade goods. After arriving at Hoa Binh lake, you will go on a boat tour to explore the lake and the fish farms. Afterwards, you will enjoy a traditional lunch at the Suoi Lon village by the lake. After lunch, we will drive back to the Mai Chau ecolodge. Once there, you will hike to several villages nearby to learn more about local life before returning to Mai Chau ecolodge by car. Spend the night in Mai Chau.
(B, L, D)
Mai Chau - Pu Luong - Hiking and Rafting
Today you will have an active day at Pu Luong, a tropical forest nature reserve and also living place of ethnic Muong and Thai people. Here you will have a unique panoramic view over the valley and see the traditional bamboo waterwheels on the Cham River. After about 1.5 hour hike, you will get on a bamboo raft and cruise down the quiet river for another 1.5 hour. Afterwards, you return to Pu Luong Retreat for dinner and stay overnight.
(B, L, D)
Captivating hiking trails through the Kho Muong valley
In the morning, you are going on a 2.5 mile (4km) hike through the Kho Muong Valley, where explore the beautiful landscapes and small ethnic villages. At noon, we go back to Pu Luong Retreat for lunch before returning to Hanoi in private car. You spend the night in Hanoi.
(B, L)
Hanoi - Ha Long Bay
Today you will go to Ha Long and embark on a two-day cruise trip in the amazing Ha Long Bay. After boarding your cruise, you can enjoy a fresh seafood lunch, visit limestone caves, swim at Ti Top island, and explore the bay by kayak. Later, join a cooking class on board before enjoying a sunset dinner. Afterwards, you can relax on the sundeck, sip a cocktail at the bar, or watch a movie. You spend the night on board the cruise.
(B,L,D)
Ha Long Bay - Hanoi - Hoi An
Start your day early with a sunrise Tai Chi session before enjoy your breakfast. After breakfast, transfer to a small bamboo paddle boat for a cave excursion. Then you return to the cruise for lunch and watch islands and small fishing villages passing by. Back in the harbor, you disembark the cruise and get transferred to Hanoi Airport for your flight to Danang. Once there, our local driver will take you to your cabin in An Bang Beach in Hoi An where you will be spending the night.
(B, L)
Bike Tour, Cooking Class, & Palm Forest in Hoi An
Today you will be introduced to the local cuisine through a hands-on food journey. First, our local guide will meet you at your hotel and take you on a bike ride to the Hoi An market, where you will learn about local ingredients and buy what’s needed for the cooking class. Continue on to Tra Que, a little charming village on the outskirts of Hoi An, where vegetables and herbs are grown organically to supply to local restaurants and markets. Once you arrive, you can walk through the gardens, see a variety of local vegetables, smell the fresh herb aroma, and watch the farmers at work. Then come to the village kitchen, where you will learn from the village chefs how to prepare some Vietnamese dishes. Enjoy the meal you made before heading to the Bay Mau nipa palm forest to explore the unique low-roof houses made entirely from nipa palm and get a glimpse of the local life here. You will meet with local farmers and fishermen and learn a few new skills from them. Afterwards, you will return to your cabin at An Bang beach.
(B, L)
Hoi An - Siem Reap
This morning, you can enjoy your free time at An Bang beach. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport in Danang to fly to Siem Reap. Once there, our local driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. In the evening, enjoy your dinner in a local restaurant before spending the night in Siem Reap.
(B, D)
Angkor Bike Tour - Tonle Sap Lake
After an early breakfast, you will explore the Angkor Archaeological Park by bicycle. You will first visit the mountain temple Phnom Bakheng. Then continue on to the peaceful unrestored Banteay Kdei temple, and Ta Prohm temple whose towers and walls are being mesmerizingly swallowed by the surrounding jungle's vast root system. After lunch, you will visit Preah Khan temple, which is largely unrestored and consumed by numerous trees and vegetation. Then move on to Bayon Temple where over two hundred giant stone smiling faces peering at you. After the bike tour, you will be transferred in private car to Kompong Khleang, a floating village by Tonle Sap Lake, where you will be staying overnight at a homestay.
(B)
Tonle Sap Lake - Siem Reap - Bangkok
Today you will take a boat trip to visit the floating village Kompong Khleang. You will see traditional homes, visit a school, meet with some families and learn how community members earn a living. After the tour, you will be transferred to Siem Reap airport to fly to Bangkok. After you arrive, our local driver will take you to your hotel. You are staying overnight in Bangkok.
(B)
Bangkok - Pattaya Floating market - Chiang Mai
Today you will travel to Pattaya, a coastal city located two hours south of Bangkok. There you will go on a boat tour to explore the Pattaya floating market where the best products from all parts of Thailand are sold. You will taste fresh fruits and local food while watching the hustle and bustle of the colorful market. After the tour, you will be transferred to the Pattaya airport for your flight to Chiang Mai. Once there you will be picked up and driven to a restaurant for dinner. Then your local driver will take you to your hotel in Chiang Mai to spend the night.
(B, D)
Elephant Camp & Bamboo Rafting in Chiang Mai
Today you will visit an elephant camp and have a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with these majestic but so gentle mammals. After meeting with elephants, feeding them, and bathing them, you return to the camp in an ox cart and enjoy a Thai lunch there. In the afternoon, you will go on a relaxed bamboo rafting ride on the river. Afterwards, on the way back to Chiang Mai, you will visit an orchid nursery before returning to your hotel to spend the night.
(B, L)
Chiang Mai Departure
Enjoy your free time in Chiang Mai before you go to the airport to fly home. Safe travel and see you next time!
(B)
Route
This trip takes you from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, then heads south to Hoi An before flying into Siem Reap (Cambodia) to the temples of Angkor Wat before going to Pattaya (Thailand) and wrapping up in Chaing Mai.
Destination
Cambodia, Vietnam, ThailandDeparture
Hanoi / Chiang MaiDeparture Time
dailyIncluded
Accommodation as described in programAirport TransfersBike rentingCooking classDaily breakfast in accommodationEnglish speaking private tour guideMineral water during excursionsNot Included
Optional