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Ba Be is Vietnam’s largest natural lake and is now the centrepiece of an
extensive National Park. The park and the surrounding area is limestone country,
so lakes, waterfalls, caves and unusual rock formations abound. The whole area
is richly forested and is home to many ethnic minority communities. Ba Be
National Park has been recognized as a Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
This tour offers you a fun combined adventure at easy grade. It is suitable for
anyone at reasonable level of personal fitness.
Day 1: Ha Noi - Hua Ma Cave - Silk Waterfall - Ba Be Lake (L, D)
We will start the day by collecting you from your hotel at 07.30 am, stopping
for lunch on the way north in a street restaurant. After lunch, our route will
take us winding through the mountains and tea plantations to arrive at Hua Ma
cave. You will have time to look around the cave, take some great photos, and if
you wish you can have a swim at Silk waterfall. After that we will visit the Tay
village of Coc Toc, where the Tay people make their living fishing and from rice
and corn cultivation. They live in wonderful pretty stilt houses that you will
be able to see as you explore the area. In Coc Toc you will join the amazing
family of Mr Linh and enjoy their food and hospitality in their beautiful
traditional house. In the area there are many spectacular rivers, caves and
undulating mountains to discover, too. The later part of the day can be spent on
Ba Be Lake, before returning to the homestay for a beautiful dinner of local
specialities cooked by your host. In this time, you will also have the option of
walking or cycling around Coc Toc Village, Kayaking on the lake with Kayaks that
we reserve for our tour guests, or simply relaxing in the peaceful surroundings
and enjoying the views.
Day 2: Trekking In National Park (B,L,D)
Agree on the day for trekking!! To begin your local guide will take you to visit
the Coc Toc village where the Tay people fish from the lake for their income.
You will cross the Pelu stream and navigate some steep terrain, but as you gain
height you will begin to see the beautiful views across the mountains. As you
journey further towards the uplands you will stop in a H'mong ethnic village
where you will have a picnic lunch. Your guide will then take you through the
vast mountain ranges and valleys to see the stilt houses and school of the Dzao
people along the trail to visit another H'mong ethnic village. You will then
return to your homestay where you can enjoy a dinner of local home cooked food.
Day 3: Ba Be lake boating - Puong Cave - Ha Noi (B,L)
Once you have enjoyed breakfast at the homestay, we set out on foot to Bo Lu
boat station. From here you will take a 3 hour boat trip, touring peacefully
around the lake. This is a great time to jump in to the water for a swim to cool
off and relax if you feel in the mood to do that. The trip will take you along
the slow flowing river, giving you gorgeous views of the dramatic mountains,
valleys and natural caves. There is also a good opportunity here for some bird
and butterfly spotting - the national park is home to a wonderful diversity of
flora and fauna. The boat will then take you through the tunnel of Puong cave,
with its spectacular array of stalactites and stalagmites. You may also get the
chance to see some bats here, as the cave is home to a colony of thousands. You
will then get the chance to rest on the trip back to Hanoi, stopping for lunch
at a local restaurant on the way, arriving in Hanoi at about 17.30 hrs, where
you will be let off at your hotel.
TRIP ENDS |
