Trekking the Limestone Mountains and Handicraft Villages of Cao Bang

Code: VRT03 Tour Program

Cao Bang, Viet Nam

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Cao Bằng is home to many ethnic minorities that have kept their unique traditions but are also one of the

poorest people in Vietnam. Breathtaking landscapes made up of limestone mountains, rice terraces, wild

rivers, waterfalls and caves make it a perfect destination for tourists that seek an authentic and adventurous

travel experience.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi – Trung Vuong – Phia Thap (-/L/D)

06:00 Private Car/Bus transfer Hanoi – Cao Bằng – Trưng Vương. Lunch on way to Cao Bằng

13:30 Hiking Trưng Vương – Phia Thắp (3 hours, about 6km) / possible car pick up on the way if

needed

19:00 Dinner / homestay at Phia Thắp village

After a long journey by bus to Cao Bằng we will start hiking uphill in the steep idyllic valley of Trưng Vương.

We will pass through a breathtaking landscape of limestone mountains, rice terraces and maize fields to

reach our destination Phia Thắp community-based tourism village. The village is surrounded by limestone

pinnacles which make for a spectacular scenery. While the homestay owners prepare dinner you can sit on

the balcony to watch the beautiful sunset or stroll through the picturesque village.

Day 2: Phia Thap – Lan Duoi – Lung Ri- Phia Thap (B/L/D)

07:00 Climbing mountain near Phia Thắp village (viewpoint)

09:00 trekking to Làn Dưới (basket weaving village) and Lũng Rì (tiles village)

unch at Lũng Ri

13:00 Afternoon: making tiles at Lũng Rì, trekking from Lũng Rì to Pác Rằng (blacksmith village), car

transfer to Phia Thắp

Total trekking time whole day: 7 hours (13 km) / optional: car pick up at Lũng Rì back to Phia

Thắp homestay

18:30 Dinner / homestay at Phia Thắp village

Early morning you will climb to the top of a

limestone mountain behind the village from which

you can enjoy the stunning view over Phia Thắp

village and its surrounding mountains. Back in

Phia Thắp we will start trekking to Làn Dưới

village, a village specialised in the weaving of

baskets where you will not only see baskets being

made, but also have a go at making one yourself.

We continue trekking until we reach a meadow

that offers irresistible views over maize fields and

a fairy-tale landscape of limestone pinnacles

covered in lush vegetation. A perfect place to take

in the scenery and stop for pictures. We then start

our descent to the village of Lũng Rì where we will

enjoy a delicious meal cooked by a local family. In

the afternoon you have the chance to experience

the tile making process, a craftmanship the village

is famous for. After you tried making tiles yourself

we will continue trekking to Pác Rằng village. Pác Rằng is specialised in the crafting of blacksmith products

such as knives. You will be able to see a blacksmith at work before being picked up by car back to Phia

Thắp village.

Day 3: Phia Thap – Quay Son river – Ban Gioc (B/L/D)

07:00 Experience incense making at Phia Thắp and then car transfer from Phia Thắp to Trùng Khánh

district, canoeing for 2 hours on Quây Sơn river, lunch at Lũng Niếc homestay

13:00 Climbing the mountain near Lũng Niếc village and visit cave there, continue trekking to top of

mountain to see overview of Bản Giốc waterfall and pagoda, go to Bản Giốc waterfall from

another side of mountain

16:00 visit Bản Giốc waterfall

19:00 dinner / homestay at Lũng Niếc village

In the morning you can experience incense

making at Phia Thắp village. The village has a long

tradition in the production of incense sticks. Test

your craftmanship skills and try making your own

incense sticks.

After this fun activity we will drive to Quây Sơn

river for canoeing. Gliding through the jade-blue

waters of the river along a spectacular scenery of

limestone mountains and green rice terraces will

be an awe-inspiring and relaxing activity.

After canoeing we will have lunch in our homestay

at Lũng Niếc close to Bản Giốc waterfall. In the

afternoon we climb a mountain next to the village

that offers a spectacular view over Ban Gioc waterfall and the nearby pagoda. On the way to the mountain

top we will visit a limestone cave. From the top we then hike downhill to the waterfall where you have time

to enjoy one of most beautiful natural attractions of Vietnam before we head back to the homestay for dinner.

Day 4: Nguom Ngao cave – Cao Bang city – Hanoi (B/L/-)

08:00 visit to Nguom Ngao cave and handicraft villages

lunch in Cao Bằng City

13:00 car transfer back to Hanoi

In the morning you will visit Nguom Ngao Cave before returning to Hanoi. You will visit handicraft weaving

and paper making villages on the way back to Cao Bang. After lunch in Cao Bang City we will drive you back

to Hanoi.

NOTE

We recommend to bring good walking shoes, raincoat, jacket, insect repellent, long sleeved clothes, hat or

umbrella, sunscreen and sunglasses.

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Included

• Tours and transfers as mentioned in the itinerary (air conditioned vehicle)

• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)

• 2 water bottles/day/pax. For environmental protection the empty bottle needs to be returned for recycling.

• English speaking guide; local guide

• Entrance fees for all visits and activities as mentioned in the itinerary

• Community fund: 10% of your homestay fee will contribute to the community development fund

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Not Included

• Beverages and personal expenditures

• Local cultural perfomance/show

• Other transfers than mentioned

• Other meals than mentioned

• Other services than mentioned

• Travel insurance for the trip Hanoi – Hoang Su Phi – Hanoi

• Tips

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General terms and conditions

We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance (covering emergency medical evacuation) for trips

to Vietnam.

Please see the General Terms and Conditions before booking a tour.

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