Hanoi – Hoa Lu or Bai Dinh – Trang An – Mua Cave – Cuc Phuong National Park

Useful information

Discover the highlights of Ninh Binh with a perfect combination of spiritual sites, natural wonders, river grottoes, panoramic mountains, and Vietnam’s oldest national park. This two-day, one-night experience provides a memorable journey through culture, history, and untouched nature.

Itinerary

Day 1: Bai Dinh or Hoa Lu – Trang An – Mua Cave

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

07:00 – 07:45 – Pick-up in Hanoi

Your tour guide meets you at your hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Begin the 110–kilometer drive through peaceful countryside landscapes. A short break will be made along the way.

Option 1: Bai Dinh Pagoda Complex

10:00 – Bai Dinh Pagoda

Visit the largest pagoda complex in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. Located at the foot of Dinh Mountain, Bai Dinh offers breathtaking views of river valleys and limestone formations.

Highlights include:

• 500 stone statues of Arhats

• Two massive bronze bells weighing 27 and 36 tons

• The thousand-eyed, thousand-armed Quan Yin statue

• The majestic Gautama Buddha statue

Option 2: Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel

10:00 – Visit Hoa Lu
Explore the former capital of Vietnam and visit the Dinh King Temple, a historic site dating back to the seventeenth century.

12:00 – Lunch at a Local Restaurant

Enjoy a delicious Vietnamese meal featuring regional specialties.

Trang An Grottoes

13:00 – Sampan Boat Trip

Travel to the Trang An Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its dramatic limestone mountains, tranquil valleys, freshwater ponds, and lush jungle.

Ride a traditional sampan boat through caves such as:

• Lam Cave

• Vang Cave

• Dai Cave

• Thanh Truot Cave

Along the route, you will also see Cao Son Temple, Suoi Tien Temple, and Vu Lam Temple.

Mua Cave and Ngoa Long Mountain

15:30 – Climb to the Peak

Explore Mua Cave and begin the trek to the top of Ngoa Long Mountain. The summit offers breathtaking panoramic views of rice fields, mountains, and the surrounding nature.

17:00 – Check-In at Homestay or Bungalow

Relax, enjoy the swimming pool, read, or simply unwind before dinner at 19:00.

Note: The tour guide is not available again until the next afternoon.

Day 2: Cuc Phuong National Park – Hanoi

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning

Breakfast is served at the bungalow. After checking out, your guide will take you to Cuc Phuong National Park.

Endangered Primate Rescue Center

Visit the Endangered Primate Rescue Center, home to langurs, monkeys, and gibbons. Here, professional conservation staff work to protect rare species and preserve their natural habitat. This meaningful visit provides insights into Vietnam’s wildlife protection efforts.

Lunch and Jungle Trek

After visiting the center, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant recommended by your guide.

In the afternoon, take a trekking trip deep into the forest to see:

• The One-Thousand-Year-Old Tree

• The Prehistoric Man’s Cave (if time permits)

Experience the cool jungle atmosphere and learn about the biodiversity of Vietnam’s oldest national park.

Return to Hanoi

16:30 – Depart for Hanoi

Leave Cuc Phuong and return to Hanoi.

18:30 – 19:00 – Arrival in Hanoi

Drop-off at your hotel. The tour ends.

Inclusion

• Pick-up from hotel or accommodation in Hanoi Old Quarter

• Round-trip transfers with two complimentary bottles of water per person

• English-speaking guide as per itinerary

• Meals: 2 lunches, 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

• All entrance fees and boat trip as mentioned

• Accommodation at homestay or bungalow (twin or double sharing)

• Transportation to Cuc Phuong National Park and entrance ticket

Exclusion

• Beverages, travel insurance, and personal expenses

• Electric car at Bai Dinh Pagoda (5 United States Dollars per person)

• Tour guide overnight service at bungalow

• Tips for tour guide

• Children from 5 to 8 years old: 75 percent of adult price

• Children from 9 years old and above: full adult price

• Children under 5 years old: free of charge (excluding entrance tickets, meals, and bus seat)

• Single supplement