This 3-day tour takes you to the stunning Ba Be National Park, discover Ba Be Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake in Vietnam, which also features incredible biodiversity, stunning geological treasures and gorgeous primary forests.
In places like this, careless tourism can bring human disturbances and endanger the local heritage and culture, while thoughtful and responsible tourism can provide excellent support to conservation projects in the area and help the economies quality of life of the local ethnics. We take this responsibility seriously, and can promise you a great time exploring virtually untouched natural beauty, including lakes, caves, mountains and jungles.
Hanoi
Every Friday – group tour
7.30-8.00 Pick up at your hotel in Hanoi for the journey to Ba Be Lake, a drive of approximately 150 miles (250 km). You will head north from the bustle of Hanoi and into the stunning landscape of rural Vietnam. On the way, we will stop in a local village to enjoy lunch in a restaurant, before our route takes us up through the mountains and tea plantations on the road to Ba Be Lake.
You will then travel to the Tay village of Coc Toc, where the houses are built in traditional Tay fashion on stilts. The local Tay population is extremely friendly to visitors and will welcome you with open arms, introducing you to their way of life central pillars of which are fishing on the lake and rice-farming. This is where you will spend the night in a homestay, to really get an intimate look at Tay culture and daily life. After checking in at the homestay, your afternoon will be free to spend as you wish, though we recommend going for a walk to explore the beautiful surroundings. Following this, we will take you to Hua Ma Cave, featuring thousands of stalactites and stalagmites.
The rest of the day is at your leisure, though we offer the optional activities of guided walks/bike rides around Coc Toc Village and kayaking trips on the lake. If you’d rather spend the rest of the day relaxing and enjoying the serene views, then that’s also an option.
Highlights and activities: Hua Ma Cave, Ethnic Village, and a 3-5km walk.
Today, you will have chance to explore its diverse and beautiful landscapes as you go trekking through the national park. Your guide will start off by taking you to Coc Toc Village, visiting the local Tay fishermen who live there, before crossing Pelu Stream and navigating some steep terrain. You’ll be greatly rewarded for the effort, as once you reach a higher altitude you will be assailed by magnificent views of the mountains.
As your journey ever higher, you will stop in a H’mong village, where a picnic lunch will be prepared for you. After lunch and rest, you will continue through the vast mountain ranges and valleys to see the stilt houses of the Dzao people and visit one of their local schools before visiting a second H’mong Village and returning to your homestay by the lake.
Highlights and activities: Tropical forest, ethnic villages, and a 12-15 km trek
After breakfast we’ll kick the final day of the tour by boarding a boat and setting off onto the lake. It’s up to you how to spend your time on the boat, whether it’s relaxing and enjoying the views or going for a swim in the cool waters to refresh yourself. The views consist of stunning karst formations all around you covered with patches of wild vegetation and a rich wildlife.
The boat will then continue along the Nang River, giving you a chance to explore the caves of Puong Grotto where you can marvel at the stalactites and stalagmites created through river erosion, as well as observe the thousands-strong bat colony that lives here.
After your exploration of the lake, you will have the chance rest as we drive you back to Hanoi, taking in the beautiful scenery along the way. You will stop for lunch at a local restaurant on the way before arriving in Hanoi at about 17:30.
Highlights and activities: Ba Be Lake, Puong Cave, Nang River and Tay ethnic villages.
