Mai Chau & Pu Luong 3-Day Adventure from Hanoi — Biking, Trekking, Homestays

Mai Chau•moderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

3 days

Fitness Level

Suitable for travelers with moderate fitness — you should be comfortable walking 7 km over uneven terrain and cycling short distances.

Overview

Swap Hanoi’s traffic for rice terraces and stilt houses on a three-day loop that pairs easy cycling with two days of trekking in Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Expect modest climbs, village homestays, and close-up cultural encounters with the White Thai communities.

Mai Chau & Pu Luong 3-Day Adventure from Hanoi — Biking, Trekking, Homestays

bus-tour

other

wildlife

walking-tour

hiking

bike-tour

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Nov 6

Travelers

The van peels out of Hanoi before sunrise, and the city’s edge gives way to a mosaic of rice paddies and low karst ridges. By late morning the valley opens: a wide green basin dotted with low stilt houses, women threading bright fabric at roadside looms, and water channels that gleam like ribbons. You dismount for a 10-kilometer bike loop—lanes narrow, tractors pass, and the rhythm of village life sets the pace.

Adventure Photos

Mai Chau & Pu Luong 3-Day Adventure from Hanoi — Biking, Trekking, Homestays photo 1

Adventure Tips

Start early for photos

Begin hikes and rides in the morning to catch soft light on the terraces and avoid midday heat; roads are quiet before 9am.

Bring a refillable bottle

Tap water is limited in villages—carry at least 1.5–2L for trekking days and refill when you reach homestays or the van.

Wear grippy shoes

Trails are farm tracks with loose stones and muddy sections after rain—trail runners or light hiking boots are best.

Ask before photographing

Many families welcome visitors but prefer to be asked first—offer a small tip or show photos as thanks.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Common kingfisher
Long-tailed macaque (at reserve edges)

History

Mai Chau has long been home to Thai ethnic groups whose stilt-house architecture and weaving traditions reflect centuries of upland rice cultivation.

Conservation

Pu Luong is a protected reserve balancing community-based agriculture and forest conservation—stick to trails, avoid single-use plastics, and follow guides’ instructions to minimize impact.