Today we escape the busy city and head to Mai Chau - a beautiful and quaint valley mainly occupied by the White Thai. We get to the town around noon and a special lunch prepared by the Thai people will be waiting for you. The afternoon visit will continue with a nice bike ride, to immerse yourself in the authentic countryside untouched by mass tourism. You will be charmed by the friendly and welcoming smiles of the White Thai people, their traditional houses on stilts, green rice fields and vegetable gardens. Glide by bamboo forests along our cycle path passing through Chieng Sai, Cha, Cha Long, Na Tang, Tong Dau villages. Return to the lodge in time to enjoy its beautiful natural surroundings when the sun sets. After dinner you will enjoy a traditional music show. Night at the homestay.

In the morning we will drive to Pu Luong. The road leading to Pu Luong Nature Reserve takes you over breath-taking mountain passes and offers fascinating bird’s-eye views of the whole valley. 
We start the descent into the beautiful valley facing the Retreat, where you walk around the rice terraces. A small path covered with vegetation slowly leads us to Uoi village sitting at the foot of a towering mountain. Your camera battery will be feeling the strain at this point due to the scenic view of the village from above. We walk down the hill to Uoi village and then on to Lan Village. If time permits, we will stop to visit a local family to learn about traditional brocade weaving. Walking resumes through the rice paddies again to get to the main road and the car pick-up point. Take the car back to Pu Luong Retreat. 

Car transfer to Ninh Binh. In the afternoon, we will embark on a small rowing boat in Tam Coc to discover the outstanding karst waterscape on Ngo Dong River. Tam Coc literally translates to “three caves” and is adorned with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites of all sizes shaped like gemstones. While rowing, enjoy the peaceful scenery of rice paddies lining the river bank. Then visit Hoa Lu, the ancient Royal Capital of Vietnam, and two temples: Temple of King Dinh and of King Le, where you can admire this unique architecture from ancient times. Overnight in Tam Coc.

Our journey today is toward the East, through the rich farmland of the Red River Delta, and then by boat to Cat Hai Island off the port city of Hai Phong. On arrival at the port, you are welcomed aboard the ship. Settle into a private comfortable cabin and unpack for a three-day cruise around Lan Ha Bay. Along the way to the unspoiled and less visited areas, you can admire the picturesque scenery of islands immersed in emerald water while enjoying a generous lunch served on board. These karst formations are littered with beautiful beaches, grottoes and caves. Take a break from the cruise with an enjoyable paddle in the kayaks or a recreational swim in a secluded cove and the crystal-clear waters of the bay. Then back to the boat to take part in an onboard traditional cooking class. Enjoy delicious local food prepared and served for you by the wonderful onboard catering staff. 

Nothing can be compared to waking up to a serene morning surrounded by karsts. You can have an early morning dip and then breakfast on board. We will continue to sail through the bay during the morning to explore hidden areas. The junk will stay close at all times serving as a backup vessel for those who need it. Around midday we will return to the main harbour & drive back to Hanoi. End of our services.