This tour takes you away from the hustle and bustle of the city into the peaceful beauty of nature. Not only will you explore the diverse and dramatic scenery of Ba Be National Park but you will also take a trip to the stunning Ban Gioc Waterfalls which sit on the border of Vietnam and China. As well as some incredible scenery you will also have the chance to meet the local Tay community who live and farm on the banks of Ba Be Lake.
Type of tour: Group tour (Private tour upon your request)
Standard: 3star
Price: US$219 Now only $199/person for group min 2 people. More than 2 people, please contact us.
Departure: Daily
Start from Hotel at Hanoi Old Quarter
Our tour guide will pick you up by car at your hotel around 7:30-8:00am, transferring you to Lang Son. We will start by driving in the direction of the Chinese border for about 3 hours, before stopping at Chi Lang Pass - a 20-km-long gorge created from a narrow valley between two mountains. This place occupies an important position in Vietnamese history, being the place of many victories against various Chinese invasions over the centuries and millennia, as far back as 981AD. As such it bears the reputation of Vietnam’s strongest citadel and bastion. Here you will have roughly an hour to walk around and explore the area around the Quy Mon Quan Gate, which translates as “The Gate of Monsters”, named for the many invasion forces that would spill through the pass over the course of history only to be beaten back by stalwart Vietnamese defenders. After lunch at a local restaurant in Dong Dang, you will continue your trip into the pass, stopping to visit Mother’s Temple and Dong Khe – an important historical site where The Battle of Dong Khe was fought during the First Indochina War. In fact, this was the very first battle of the Indochina Wars, and the fighting here took place through September and October 1950, ending in a resounding victory for the Viet Minh. In the evening you will get to enjoy dinner and overnight rest in a local homestay owned and operated by a local Nung family.
After enjoying breakfast at the homestay, you will depart for Trung Khanh which lies right on the border with China. Here you will have another chance to meet and interact with the local Nung people living in the village of Phuoc Sen, a mountainous village famous for its traditional blacksmithing. The farming tools made here are an integral part of the lifestyle which is evident in the surrounding rice paddies and fields. Nestled amongst these amazing landscapes is the breath-taking Ban Gioc Waterfall which spans over 300 meters, split half and half between Vietnam and China. You’ll get some time here to simply take in the amazing atmosphere surrounding the falls, which presents an excellent opportunity for some fantastic photography. Once you’ve finished at the falls, it’s time to head over to Nguom Ngao Cave, for a very different, but no less impressive natural wonder. The cave stretches for 2,144 meters underground and is brimming with incredible stalactites and stalagmites. You will then return to Cao Bang town and head down the “snake pass” to Ba Be Lake, where you will stay overnight in a homestay constructed in traditional Tay fashion and owned and operated by a local Tay family. Here you can relax and unwind from the day and enjoy a delicious and authentic home-cooked meal.
Highlights and activities: Ban Gioc Waterfall, Nguom Ngao Cave, Ethnic Villages
Accommodation: Homestay of Tay ethnic people
Meal: Breakfast, dinner at homestay. Lunch in local restaurant
After breakfast we’ll kick the final day of the tour of 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. Now that you’ve reached the end of your tour, you’ll be driven the roughly 230 kilometres back to Hanoi, with a stop at a tea plantation nestled among rolling hills. Once we arrive in Hanoi it is time to say farewell, having made lifelong memories and connections. The fact...
- We take you to the parts other can't reach!
Climate
From July to September, the climate is usually humid and hot.
From October to June brings cooler and more pleasant weather.
Transport:
- Boat
- Vehicle
Tour Guides:
Our experienced and friendly Tour Guide(s) speak excellent English.
They are extremely knowledgeable about local cultures, history and the environment.
Meals:
- 2 breakfasts.
- 3 lunches.
- 2 dinners.
We choose local ingredients, typical of the way people eat in the area, at local restaurants, markets or homes.
We also cater for Vegetarians but please request this at time of booking.
Accommodation:
- Homestay (1 night).
- Hotel (1 night)
Clean and comfortable homestay/ hotel with air-conditioning provided.
Tour price includes:
Private door-to-door pick-up & -off services.
All private transfer and transportation
Home-stay & hotel
Experienced English speaking guide.
Private boat trip
Meals as stated in the itinerary (B: Breakfast ; L: Lunch ; D: Dinner) – without beverage
All sightseeing tickets.
No extra charge after confirmation
24/7 hotline support guaranteed
Tour price excludes:
Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
Travel insurance
Beverage
Other services not mentioned above.
Hotel in Hanoi: will be offered up on request
What to take:
Pack essentials, including light comfortable clothes suitable for outdoor activities, comfortable walking shoes.
We also recommend packing insect repellent, sun cream, raincoat and sun hat...
Take a small day pack for hiking and trekking.
It is essential to bring your passport on this trip.
