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Trekking in the natural world of Ba Be four days is the best way to really
get to know a country region, because you are walking on trails that the locals
have travelled for years, to go to market, to tend their livestock, to visit
their relatives. Only in this way can you gain an insight into the lives of
these resilient resourceful villagers. With this new trail, only recently
discovered by Mr Linh, you will travel through more remote areas of the Ba Be
National Park, experience true jungle, sublime mountain views and idyllic
villages of the Tay, the Dao and the Hmong Flower people. You really do go to
places that others can’t reach.
Day 1: Hanoi to Ba Be lake (L, D)
We will leave Hanoi for Ba Be National Park at 08.30 hrs. Here you will find the
biggest natural lake in northern Vietnam, one of the world's only Karst
limestone lakes. Known by some as ‘Halong Bay in the mountains’, Ba Be lake is a
Natural World Heritage Site, and sits in Vietnam's eighth dedicated National
Park. We will stop en route for refreshment in Thai Nguyen before a quick visit
to the Thai Nguyen Museum of Ethnology, where you will learn about the different
ethnic minorities in northern Vietnam. After this, we will visit Bac Kan and
have lunch in a local restaurant before continuing to Ba Be. Upon arrival to the
National Park a short boat ride will you at Coc Toc village, where you will be
invited in to the house Tay Family to have a wonderful traditional Vietnamese
dinner followed by a peaceful night of rest.
Day 2: Ba Be lake trekking (B,L,D)
After breakfast at the homestay, we set off for a full day’s hard trekking. We
go by car just to the local market at Tày ethnic village notable for its
complete absence of souvenirs! This is a true local market operating
fortnightly. We walk uphill gradually on an easy path taking in more and more
views of the rice paddies and the karst mountain formations and pass through Tày
ethnic villages, pretty Tay villages. In an idyllic setting we discover Dao
ethnic village, an attractive village of the Dao people and can admire their
well ordered vegetable cultivation. Further on, the washing lines and the
village ladies burst into colour as we enter the village of the Flower Hmong
people. This is such a privilege to see an ethnic group going about their daily
tasks in their wonderful traditional dress. Now it is time for serious hiking as
we enter the karst mountains covered by thick jungle. We follow tiny trails,
sometimes just buffalo trails, surrounded by the tall trees and lush vegetation.
The way is rocky, slippery and steep, so not for the faint hearted. However,
when we finally emerge we are rewarded by a spectacular view of the little
villages and rice paddies below. We make our way down to the valley and we
finish the day by walking to the Silk Waterfall where we can wash off the day’s
work in the cool water. As a reward, the car will collect us to take us back to
Coc Toc village for hot showers, a delicious meal and a well earned rest.
Day 3: Ba Be lake boating (B,L,D)
You will have a tasty Breakfast at the homestay, and they will offer to let you
try some traditional Dzao ethnic clothing for some memorable photos before
saying your farewells and setting out for another fulfilling day of trekking.
You will take some slightly gentler trails compared to the previous day,
visiting a black H'mông ethnic village before descending through the thick and
beautiful forest with some spectacular views to visit Dau Dang waterfall which
lies on the border of the two provinces of Bac Kan and Tuyen Quang. After
viewing the waterfall your guide will take you to have lunch with 'Mr Pirate'
who was the main actor in “Ba Be Lake Pirate Movie”. After this, you will take a
relaxing motorboat trip up the river to visit the breathtaking Puong cave, a
huge limestone structure that spans across the river and is home of thousands of
bats (of 18 different species) and has many stalactites and stalagmites to view.
You will then pass by and visit An Ma temple in the boat, before heading to Mr
Linh's homestay for dinner and a restful night of sleep.
Day 4: Ba Be lake - Hanoi (B,L)
After having breakfast at the homestay, we will head for Hanoi, paying a visit
to Hua Ma cave on the way. The cave has only recently been made accessible, as
few locals would enter due to ancient beliefs. Legend has it that it is the
resting place of many soldiers from previous wars in the region, but their
spirits have been set free from the cave. You can descend into the cave via an
impressively built concrete staircase to view the thousands of stalactites and
stalagmites - a very atmospheric experience. You can take the chance to rest on
the drive back to Hanoi, stopping briefly for lunch at a local restaurant on the
way. We arrive in Hanoi at about 17.30 hrs where you will be let off at your
hotel.
TRIP ENDS |
