Asia concierge

PU LUONG SANCTUARY

VIETNAM

TRAVEL DOSSIER

A 3 day / 2 night extension from Hanoi into the protected nature reserve of Pu Luong.

/ Summary

Asia Concierge

Pu Luong Sanctuary 3 day / 2 night travel program PRIVATE TOURING

This 3 day program out of Hanoi takes the visitor to one of Northern Vietnam’s most scenic regions without overly long drives. Pu Luong is a protected nature reserve with gorgeous valleys and mountain ranges lined with rice terraces and fields. The sublime landscape is accessible and deal for avid walkers without the hard trekking element that applies to the more rugged north of the country.

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The view from Pu Luong Retreat

Vistas of Pu Luong Reserve

This morning we depart Hanoi for a 4.5 hour winding road journey to Pu Luong.

Pu Luong (Pù Luông) is located on the cusp of Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa provinces, about 160km southwest of Hanoi. Its renowned Nature Reserve was established in 1999 to protect the area’s rich biodiversity. Inside the reserve, you’ll find a mix of pristine forest, limestone karsts and cultivated rice terraces resulting in some of the most dramatic landscapes in South East Asia.

Endless rice terraces overlook ethnic minority villages, home to distinct cultures that have inhabited these parts for centuries. The main ethnic group living in the reserve are Thai and their native tongue has a degree of overlap with the Thai language of Thailand. They learn Vietnamese in school so everyone is bi-lingual, although English is not widely spoken here.

As you enter Pu Luong Nature Reserve by mountain road you are presented with a panoramic view of the whole valley laid out beyond.

Arrive at your accommodation for a late lunch, followed by some time at leisure to explore the retreat, with its captivating panoramic views and tranquil setting.

In the afternoon you will be transferred 12km to a bridge over the Cham River, where you begin a short and beautiful walk passing large water wheels that move water from the river to handmade bamboo aqueducts via simple construction mechanisms.

After arriving at a local village, we embark on a bamboo river raft to float calmly along the waterway, absorbing the scenery and local life, in between learning how to paddle and steer your handcrafted rafts. We then back to the main road where we will be transferred back to Pu Luong Retreat for dinner and evening at leisure.

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Rice Terraces of Pu Luong

In the morning, we leave the Retreat and start to descend into the beautiful valley as we walk around tumbling rice terraces. Small paths shrouded in vegetation slowly reveal a picturesque ‘Uoi’ village sitting at the base of a towering mountain.

Our activity today involves 19kms of trails and paths taking approximately 6 hours in total duration (incl lunch). Other, shorter trails are available in the area. Please discuss your interest and walking ability with your Travel Expert to arrange appropriate excursions that meet your needs.

We continue to walk down hill to a local home, where we rest and then board bicycles for a ride through the ‘Lan’ ethnic village nearby. If feasible at the time we will visit a local family where we can learn about their traditional brocade weaving.

We continue cycling through the rice fields, from village to village and across bridges as we explore the scenic landscape surrounding us. All the while we make impromptu stops as desired.

Our final destination is Hieu Village, considered one of the most attractive in the area and home to the only waterfall in the reserve. It is a short hike to the falls and, depending on the time of the year, is a refreshing dip after our activities.

We cycle back to our original departure point and from there our vehicle awaits to transfer us back to Pu Luong Retreat for the remainder of the late afternoon and evening.

The pool at sundown is a particular inviting place to be.

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Pu Luong Retreat Pool

After a full day of trekking, today can be spent enjoying the bucolic countryside at leisure, either from the comfort of the retreat or on simple strolls within its vicinity.

For the active, and for those that wish to get the most out of their stay in this region, we can add a further half day excursion to Dong Dieng village and access one of the most beautiful valleys in Pu Luong. If timed during the September to October harvest season there will be ample opportunities to talk to the local farmers and learn about the harvest process. Alternatively, during the summer months the community plants the rice and attends to the crop as it grows in preparation and is also a good time to learn about the backbreaking work that is involved in bringing rice to the table in Vietnam.

Lunch will be taken at the Retreat at your leisure before check out and the return drive back to Hanoi in time for the early evening.

PROGRAM CONCLUDES

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Pu Luong Nature Reserve during harvest

Asia Concierge

PU LUONG SANCTUARY

VIETNAM

TRAVEL DOSSIER

Travel Designer Insights

Despite Pu Luong being very accessible from Hanoi, it sees far fewer visitors than the Northern mountain regions of Sapa. This may be due to the fact that there really is only one place to stay, the Pu Luong Retreat. There is also little in the way of man made attractions (a blessing!). The area feels authentic, far less commercial, and is a delight for short or medium length walks along the many paths and trails found outside of the retreat. The scenery is absolutely gorgeous. If possible, try to time your visit when the rice fields are either young and therefore a deep green in the summer months (June- August), or during the spectacle of harvest season in September - October (its busiest period).

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