HIGHLIGHTS:
NOTE: Tour departs from 2 people or more
In the morning, around 7h30, our guide and driver will pick us up at the hotel to leave for Bac Kan province. The road may takes 5 hrs thru plain land of Hanoi surrounding before reaching the long and winding roads in between the North East mountain ranges. Lunch at the restaurant at Cho Ra intersection or at Ba Be Lake.
Ba Be Lake is the largest natural lake in Vietnam, nestled within Ba Be National Park. The lake is surrounded by lush forests, towering limestone mountains, and traditional villages of Tay, Dao, and Hmong people. After check-in hotel, we will take our headgear and sandals to follow our guide to Buoc Lom wharf, taking a boat for our visits. Nang River, the water resource of the lake, has two flows, one crystal and one dirt, running together and just creating a marvellous scenic boat trip. We will enjoy the serenity here from our boat for the whole afternoon, or take short stops at Puong cave with hundreds of bats, Ao Tien, An Ma islet or Ba Goa islet while cruising around.
Back to our hotel for dinner (own expenses) and rest. Overnight in Ba Be.
After breakfast, we will hang around with our guide then trek from our hotel to Hua Ma Cave, about 7km away to the southeast of the lake. The road crosses green paddy fields, gardens and villages, then we need to climb upstairs to go into the cave. Arriving at Hua Ma, we’ll go from surprise to surprise with its big pavilions, multiple stalagmites and stalactites of various sizes and shapes adorn the cave. Around 11h, our guide and driver will take us back to the hotel or a local house to have lunch. Afternoon head to Cao Bang province. We will check-in hotel at Ban Gioc Waterfalls, the largest falls in Southeast Asia, 53m high, divided into 3 levels, and enjoy the landscape at the northernmost borderline between Vietnam and China, or take a boat to cross the river flow. Dinner at your own arrangement. Overnight in Cao Bang.
After breakfast, we will relax to walk around the area of the Falls, then drive with our guide toward Nguom Ngao Cave, 'the Tiger Cave', located about 5km from Ban Gioc waterfall. The cave is enriched with rich legends of Tay ethnic group, Nguom Ngao in Tay language means "Tiger Cave". Legend has it that, in the past, there were many ferocious tigers living in the cave. People set traps to catch all the tigers and have lived peacefully ever since. Therefore, the Tay people named the cave Nguom Ngao.
Have lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon we will head to Khuoi Ky stone village. The road leading to the village is paved with cobblestone. The village is currently home to 16 Tay ethnic households and 14 stone-built houses on stilts, which were constructed in the 16th century. 16 houses in Khuoi Ky stand together, symbolizing the strong bond between families. The custom of building stone houses comes from the Tay people's belief in the worshiping of the Stone God. They believe that the Stone God has strong natural powers that can protect them and bless them with a peaceful life.
After that, we will visit Phia Thap Incense Village, well-known for producing traditional incense of Nung An people. Made totally from natural materials, Phia Thap incense sticks release a spicy and strong scent, different from incense made in other places. Therefore, to the villagers, incense making is not only a craft to earn income but also their great pride and the historical bond among generations. With exceptional cultural and traditional values, Phia Thap has become an interesting destination for tourists in Cao Bang.
Coming back to the hotel. Dinner at your own arrangement. Overnight in Cao Bang.
After breakfast, we will check out the hotel, at your leisure until our guide and vehicle pick you up to go back to Hanoi.
Goodbye and hope to see you for a longer trip in Vietnam!