VIETNAM – Pu Luong – Hiking Between Rice-Field Terraces and Forest 3D2N

In the local Thai language, Pu Luong means “the highest summit of the village.” The Nature Park, established in 1999, is situated along two parallel ranges of mountains, with its lush central valley dotted by countless traditional Thai villages and beautiful rice terraces.

Theme

Art & Culture, Classic, Sustainable

Country - City

Vietnam - Pu Luong

Level of difficulties

LEVEL 2

Price level

$$

Seasonality

All year round - rainy season June - September

Max number of person(s)

15

Market segment

Arrival City

Pu Luong

Departure city

Pu Luong

Number day and night

3 days - 2 nights

Day by day description

Pu Luong is a beautiful region in northern Vietnam that offers fantastic opportunities for hiking and outdoor adventures. It’s known for its stunning landscapes, terraced rice fields, lush forests, and traditional villages. Hiking in Pu Luong allows you to experience the natural beauty and cultural richness of this area. Hiking in Pu Luong allows you to immerse yourself in the natural beauty and local culture of this serene region. It’s an excellent destination for travelers who want to explore a less touristy area of Vietnam and experience its rural charm.

During this itinerary, travelers can explore the area on two different hikes. One is a little more challenging, passing through numerous valleys and a forest, giving hikers a stunning overview of the region.

Selling points

  • To see the bamboo waterwheels and beautiful rice terraces in the Natural Reserve
  • To discover the rural villages of the Black Thai ethnic people, their local life, and experience a  Vietnamese homestay
  • An active walk for intermediate-level hikers

Level Of The Excursion

High – This activity strongly supports local communities and/or helps preserve the culture and environment

The Impact Of This Excursion

Social/cultural Impact

Homestays

Involving minorities

Environment Impact

Transportation

Economic Impact

Community benefits

Additional Information

Positive Impact:

This itinerary takes place in a rural region of Vietnam, where travelers have a positive impact by staying in a homestay and hiking in lesser-visited parts of the valleys. The Thai minority inhabits the area, and the homestay provides income to the local family.

Extensions

  • Mai Chau – Hiking in the enchanted Mai Chau landscape
  • Ninh Binh – Lunch in a Local House

Selling points

  • A different way to see rice fields and terraces, not far from Hanoi and avoiding Sapa
  • Easy to combine with Mai Chau or Ninh Binh to make a loop from Hanoi
  • Suitable for active requests with a 20 km hike
  • Local guides with Pu Luong Retreat or with the homestays
  • Pu Luong is the “new destination” near Hanoi;  it is the place to go now before the rush
  • Suitable for FIT and small group
  • Avoid to propose Pu Luong during the week end
  • Perfect destination for active guests; the hike the 2nd day is more challenging than the classic hikes near the homestays
  • Better to propose with homestay experience than with Pu Luong Retreat
  • Homestays are very clean and new, same village than Pu Luong Retreat /Pu Luong Village

Pros

  • Easy access from Hanoi or Mai Chau
  • Hiking tour is easy from Pu Luong Retreat or the homestays
  • Homestay hosts mainly work at Pu Luong Retreat so they have tourism and hospitality know-how and skills
  • Local guides know the region perfectly

Cons

  • No access for the bus or van to the valley (parking places near the main road)
  • Travelers have to walk (about 2 kilometers) to the homestay if  they are with van; No walk to Pu Luong Retreat – entrance next to the parking place
  • Pu Luong Retreat is not well-organized and service is not perfect
  • No AC – Small swimming pool in Pu Luong Retreat
  • Only Vietnamese-speaking local guide with the homestays
  • National Guide, Easia Travel to train for the hiking tours
  • Homestay Rice Field and Hoanh Homestay (Located on opposite side of Pu Loung Rice Road Homestay) have capacity for 10 guests each, so 2 homestays for 15 guests, just next to each other, or bigger capacity with Pu Luong Village guesthouse.

TIME AND TRANSPORTATION

From To Kilometers By Duration Road conditions
Hanoi Pu Luong 200 kilometers Bus  4 hr 30 min Good
Pu Luong Mai Chau 50 kilometers Bus  2 hours Good
Pu Luong Ninh Binh 130 kilometers Bus  4 hours Good

 

Notes

Market suggestion

GERMANY

FRANCE

UK

Important notes

  • For reservation at Pu Luong Retreat – package with the hotel with local guide and picnic and back up assistance
  • For reservation at Pu Luong Homestays  (Pu Loung Rice Road Homestay- Pu Loung Rice Road Homestay), book the local guide as supplement for the hiking tours + the transportation of the luggage with truck or motorbike
  • Ask for picnic lunch with no plastic with long hiking tours to the homestay (chicken without bones in banana leaves – eggs – rice- bananas)
  • Privatization for Easia Travel group; max 10 persons per homestay  (Pu Loung Rice Road Homestay- Pu Loung Rice Road Homestay)
  • During the rainy season, language guide should verify the trails with the local before the hike
  • Local Guide + the language guide should have a first aid kit
  • Train the local guide to wear “active clothes ” ( no nice skirts or pants ) = > jean + T shirt + shoes
  •  SERVICES: Snack package (Twice per day) : includes water (3L guest/day) & snacks for ACTIVE guests only
    Should be bought in advance from Hanoi or booked with  the Homestay (fruits- local cereals) as there are no ” shops” near the homestays
  • Special Active catering equipment (towel,mats,cutlery….), if a picnic lunch is provided during the program
    Operation must  provide to the language guide or verify with the homestay if they can handle it
    Train the homestay to not use Plastic if possible
  • LANGUAGE GUIDE
    • Always remember to provide the first aid kit to the Guide 
    • Explain clearly to the Guide the profile of the Client and expectation of the Travelers
    • Guide must be flexible on the spot and the guide must adapt the speed and the length of the trails to the needs of the travelers
    • Have to study the tour  with operation – Map
    • Should  check the cold water &  snacks every day  (number and place to buy and when)
    • Should have lunch together with the Active travelers
    • Should check the climate conditions before the tour to avoid risks (for example; bring rain coats) and be careful during the tour not to put the lives of the clients in danger.
    • Language – use polite language and adapt the behavior depending on the guests’ character and behavior
    • Shoes – proper shoes – please no sandals or flip flops
    • Uniform – guide must dress properly, using hiking clothes

Contact

Pu Luong Retreat- Sales Department of Pu Luong Retreat – Tel: (+84) 43823 9988. Ext: 101 – Mobile Phone: (+84) 169 8118 993
Pu Luong Homestay – Pu Luong Rice Road –  0976605956

English

Pu Luong Hiking Between Rice-field terraces and forest 3D2N – VN-N-PULUONG-A-139-MO-$$

Day 1: Hanoi – Pu Luong

Get up for an early departure from Hanoi to Pu Luong Nature Reserve, populated by white Thai and Muong minority peoples. You will follow the Ho Chi Minh Trail to reach the southern part of the reserve, where you will start your hike by following the Cham River and discovering the water mills along the way. Then, you will continue your walk, cross a bridge, and reach the beautiful, verdant heart of Pu Luong with your vehicle.
In the afternoon, you will have time to explore the valley and enjoy Pu Luong’s amazing scenery by walking along the paths between villages and rice fields.

Meals included: lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Overnight at the homestay

Level 1
Distance and duration of the walk: 7 kilometers – 3 hours
Transportation: Hanoi -Pu Luong – 180 kilometers – 5 hours

 

Day 2: Pu Luong

Early in the morning, start the hike from the valley, heading northwest, and start to climb a stepped dirt road to find your way into a thick forest of bamboo and high trees, which is mostly uphill, until you reach the paved road. Then, following the paved road through the villages, take in the fantastic views from the road of the rice fields and valley below. Then, trekking along on a small trail, make your way to Kho Muong Village, where you will have a rest and a drink. Then, continue on heading down on unpaved trails to the Quan Village, Uoi Village, and Lan Village, each surrounded by stunning rice fields, and where you’ll enjoy your lunch.
After the picnic lunch, head to a paved road and cross Pho Doan Village before starting a 1-kilometer ascent through the forest. You will finish your day, walking back along the rural paths of Pu Luong Valley, with a simply amazing view of the rice fields.

Meals included: breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Overnight at the homestay

Level: 3
Distance and walking time: 20 kilometers –  6 hours
Terrain – ascent and descent which could be slippery in case of rain
Total Gain elevation : – 1.8 meters , ( + 478 / – 480 meters)
Note: The hike requires good walking shoes, long pants and sun protection.

 

Day 3: Pu Luong – Hanoi
Enjoy your last morning at the edge of the beautiful valley, then depart to your next destination

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation: 
Distance: Pu Luong – Hanoi 180 kilometers – 5 hours

French

Randonnée entre les rizières en terrasse et la forêt à Pu Luong 3J2N – VN-N-PULUONG-A-139-MO-$$

Jour 1: Hanoi – Pu Luong

Vous quitterez Hanoi de bonne heure pour vous rendre dans la réserve naturelle de Pu Luong où vivent des Muongs et des Thais blancs, deux peuples minoritaires. Vous suivrez la piste Ho Chi Minh pour rejoindre le sud de la réserve en direction du point de départ de votre randonnée. Vous longerez la rivière Cham et découvrirez les moulins à eau avant de continuer à pied pour traverser un pont qui vous conduira au cœur de Pu Luong avec votre véhicule.

Dans l’après-midi vous aurez le temps d’explorer la vallée et d’admirer le fantastique paysage de Pu Luong en vous baladant sur les chemins entre les villages et les rizières.

Repas inclus: déjeuner, dîner
Hébergement: Nuit chez l’habitant

Niveau 1
Distance et durée de la marche : 7 kilomètres – 3 heures
Transport: Hanoi – Pu Luong – 180 kilomètres – 4h 30min / 5 heures

 

Jour 2: Pu Luong

Vous commencerez votre randonnée en début de matinée et quitterez la vallée en direction du nord/ouest. Vous débuterez votre ascension sur une route de terre pour rentrer dans une forêt de bambous et de grands arbres. Vous suivrez ce chemin en montée jusqu’au moment où vous atteindrez une route pavée qui traverse les villages et offre une très belle vue sur les rizières. Vous prendrez ensuite un petit sentier qui traverse la forêt et la vallée vers le village de Kho Muong où vous ferez une petite pause pour prendre un rafraîchissement. Vous poursuivrez votre randonnée sur un sentier pavé qui descend vers les villages de Quan, Uoi et Lan, tous trois entourés de rizières. Après un déjeuner sous forme de pique-nique, vous rejoindrez une route pavée et traverserez le village de Pho Doan avant de monter dans la forêt sur environ un kilomètre. Vous finirez la journée en empruntant le chemin rural de la vallée de Pu Luong d’où vous aurez une vue incroyable sur les rizières.

Repas inclus: petit-déjeuner, déjeuner pique-nique, dîner
Hébergement: Nuit chez l’habitant

Niveau: 3
Distance et durée de la marche: 20 kilomètres –  6 heures
Terrain – montée et descente qui peuvent s’avérer glissantes par temps de pluie
Accumulation totale du dénivelé : – 1,8 mètres, (+ 478 / – 480 mètres)
Remarque: Pour la randonnée il vous faudra amener de bonnes chaussures de marche, des pantalons et de la crème solaire.

 

Jour 3: Pu Luong – Hanoi
Vous profiterez de votre dernière matinée en bordure de cette splendide vallée avant de la quitter pour rejoindre votre prochaine destination.

Repas inclus: petit-déjeuner
Hébergement: 
Distance: Pu Luong – Hanoi : 180 kilomètres – 4h 30min – 5 heures

Spanish

Excursión en Pu Luong entre terrazas de campos de arroz y el bosque (3 días y 2 noches)- VN-N-PULUONG-A-139-MO-$$

Día 1: Hanói – Pu Luong 

Saldrá temprano desde Hanói en dirección a la reserva natural de Pu Luong, habitada por las minorías de los Thai Blancos y los Muong. Seguirá la Ruta Ho Chi Minh hasta llegar a la parte sur de la reserva, donde comenzará su excursión que seguirá el río Cham hasta descubrir los molinos de agua. Posteriormente, continuará con su paseo, cruzando un puente y llegando al centro de Pu Luong con su vehículo.
Por la tarde, tendrá tiempo de explorar el valle y disfrutar de los impresionantes paisajes de Pu Luong caminando por los senderos entre pueblos y campos de arroz. 

Comidas incluidas: almuerzo, cena.
Alojamiento: estancia nocturna en vivienda particular. 

Nivel 1.
Distancia y duración de la excursión: 7 kilómetros – -3 horas.
Transporte: Hanoi -Pu Luong – 180 kilómetros – 4 horas y 30 kilómetros / 5 horas. 

 

Día 2: Pu Luong 

Temprano por la mañana, comenzará la excursión desde el valle hacia la zona norte/oeste y comenzará a ascender una empinada carretera de tierra hasta entrar en un bosque conformado por bambú y árboles altos. Esta parte es en su mayoría un ascenso en montaña hasta que llegue a una carretera asfaltada. Seguirá la carretera a través de los pueblos, disfrutando de las agradables vistas de los campos de arroz desde la carretera. Posteriormente, caminará por un pequeño sendero a través del bosque y el valle hasta llegar al pueblo de Kho Muong, donde descansará un rato y beberá algo. Después, continuará descendiendo por senderos de tierra hasta los pueblos de Quan, Uoi y Lan, rodeados de campos de arroz.
Después de disfrutar de un almuerzo en forma de picnic, llegará a una carretera asfaltada y cruzará el pueblo de Pho Doan antes de comenzar el ascenso por el bosque, que se alargará un kilómetro. Finalizará su día caminando a través de la ruta que discurre por el valle de Pu Luong, contemplando unas impresionantes vistas de los campos de arroz. 

Comidas incluidas: desayuno, almuerzo en forma de picnic, cena.
Alojamiento: estancia nocturna en vivienda particular. 

Nivel: 3.
Distancia y duración de la excursión: 20 kilómetros – 6 horas.
Terreno: ascendente y descendente, con tramos que pueden resultar resbaladizos en caso de lluvia.
Altitud total del terreno: – 1,8 metros (+ 478 / – 480 metros).
Nota: para esta excursión necesitará ir equipado con calzado adecuado para caminar, pantalones largos y protección solar. 

 

Día 3: Pu Luong – Hanoi
Disfrute de la última mañana en la ladera de este precioso valle, para más tarde salir hacia Hanói con su conductor. 

Comidas incluidas: desayuno.
Alojamiento: 
Distancia: Pu Luong – Hanoi – 180 kilómetros – 4 horas y 30 kilómetros / 5 horas. 

Italian

Escursione a Pu Luong tra terrazze di campi di riso e foreste

1 ° giorno: Hanoi – Pu Luong

Partenza anticipata da Hanoi verso la riserva naturale di Pu Luong, abitata da popolazioni bianche di minoranza thailandese e Muong. Seguirete il sentiero di Ho Chi Minh per raggiungere il sud della riserva, dove inizierete la vostra escursione seguendo il fiume Cham e scoprendo i mulini ad acqua. Quindi, continuerete la vostra passeggiata, attraverserete un ponte e raggiungerete il centro del cuore di Pu Luong con il vostro veicolo.

Nel pomeriggio avrete tempo per esplorare la valle e godervi lo straordinario scenario di Pu Luong camminando lungo i sentieri tra villaggi e risaie.

Pasti inclusi: pranzo, cena

Sistemazione: pernottamento in famiglia

Livello 1

Distanza e durata della passeggiata: 7 chilometri -3 ore

Trasporto: Hanoi -Pu Luong – 180 chilometri – 4 ore e 30 minuti / 5 ore

 

2 ° giorno: Pu Luong

Al mattino presto inizierete l’escursione dalla valle verso nordovest e inizierete a salire una strada sterrata per entrare in una foresta di bambù e alberi ad alto fusto. Questa parte è principalmente in salita, fino a raggiungere la strada asfaltata. Seguirete la strada asfaltata attraverso i villaggi con una bella vista sulle risaie. Poi farete un’escursione su un piccolo sentiero e attraverserete foreste e valli per raggiungere il villaggio di Kho Muong, dove potrete riposare per un drink. Continuerete a camminare su sentieri non asfaltati fino ai villaggi di Quan, Uoi e Lan circondati da campi di riso.

Dopo il pranzo al sacco raggiungerete una strada asfaltata e attraverserete il villaggio di Pho Doan prima di iniziare una salita nella foresta per 1 chilometro. Finirete la giornata, camminando attraverso il sentiero rurale della valle di Pu Luong con una vista incredibile sui campi di riso.

Pasti inclusi: colazione, pranzo al sacco, cena

Sistemazione: pernottamento in famiglia

Livello 3

Distanza e durata della passeggiata: 20 chilometri – 6 ore

Terreno: salita e discesa, che potrebbero essere scivolose in caso di pioggia

Dislivello: – 1,8 metri, (+ 478 / – 480 metri)

Nota: l’escursione richiede di essere equipaggiati con scarpe comode, pantaloni lunghi e protezione solare.

 

3 ° giorno: Pu Luong – Hanoi

Godetevi l’ultima mattinata ai margini della bellissima valle e poi partite per la vostra prossima destinazione

Pasti inclusi: colazione

Sistemazione

Distanza: Pu Luong – Hanoi 180 chilometri – 4h 30min – 5 ore

German

3T2N – Wanderung durch Pu Luong zwischen Reisterrassen und Wald – VN-N-PULUONG-A-139-MO-$$

Tag 1: Hanoi – Pu Luong
Die Abreise von Hanoi zum Naturreservat Pu Luong findet früh statt. Das Naturreservat wird von den Minderheiten der Weißen Thai und der Muong bewohnt. Sie folgen dem Ho-Chi-Minh-Pfad bis zum Süden des Reservats. Dort beginnen Sie mit der Wanderung, indem Sie dem Cham-Fluss folgen und die Wassermühlen entdecken. Anschließend geht die Wanderung weiter und Sie überqueren eine Brücke. Das Zentrum oder das Herz von Pu Luong erreichen Sie mit einem Fahrzeug.
Am Nachmittag haben Sie Zeit, das Tal zu erkunden und die erstaunliche Landschaft von Pu Luong zu Fuß entlang der Pfade zwischen Dörfern und Reisfeldern zu genießen.

Mahlzeiten inklusive: Mittagessen, Abendessen
Unterbringung: Übernachtung bei Gastfamilie

Schwierigkeitsstufe: 1
Strecke und Dauer der Wanderung: 7 Kilometer – 3 Stunden
Transport: Hanoi – Pu Luong – 180 Kilometer – 4 Stunden und 30 Minuten  bis 5 Stunden

Tag 2: Pu Luong
Früh morgens beginnen Sie mit der Wanderung vom Tal in Richtung Norden/Westen und klettern einen steilen Schotterweg hoch, um einen Wald aus Bambus und hohen Bäumen zu erreichen. An dieser Stelle geht es größtenteils bergaufwärts, bis Sie eine gepflasterte Straße erreichen. Sie werden der Pflasterstraße durch die Dörfer mit wunderschönem Ausblick von der Straße auf die Reisfelder folgen. Dann geht es mit der Wanderung auf einem schmalen Pfad durch Wald und Tal weiter und Sie erreichen die Gemeinde Kho Muong, in der Sie sich bei einem Getränk etwas ausruhen können. Anschließend setzen Sie den Fußmarsch fort und laufen bergab auf unbefestigten Wegen zu den von einem Reisfeld umgebenen Dörfern Quan, Uoi und Lan. Nach dem Picknick-Mittagessen kommen Sie an eine befestigte Straße und durchqueren die Gemeinde Pho Doan. Sie beginnen mit einem Aufstieg von 1 Kilometer in den Wald. Sie beenden den Tag, indem Sie auf ländlichen Wegen des Pu-Luong-Tals mit einem erstaunlichen Ausblick auf das Reisfeld wandern.

Mahlzeiten inklusive: Frühstück, Picknick-Mittagessen, Abendessen

Schwierigkeitsstufe: 3

Unterbringung: Übernachtung bei Gastfamilie

Strecke und Dauer der Wanderung: 20 Kilometer – 6 Stunden
Terrain – Auf- und Abstieg; kann bei Regen rutschig sein
Gesamt-Höhenunterschied: -1,8 Meter, (+478 / -480 Meter)
Hinweis: Die Wanderung erfordert gute Wanderschuhe, lange Hosen und Sonnenschutz.

Tag 3: Pu Luong – Hanoi
Genießen Sie Ihren letzten Morgen am Rande des schönen Tals und brechen Sie dann zu Ihrem nächsten Ziel auf.
Mahlzeiten inklusive: Frühstück

Unterbringung

Strecke: Pu Luong – Hanoi 180 Kilometer – 4 Stunden und 30 Minuten bis 5 Stunden