| Day
1. Hanoi –Xa Linh – Hang Kia (4 hours)
Leave Hanoi early morning by road arriving at Xa Linh
for a home-cooked lunch. Following lunch begin trekking
to Hang Kia. After an easy start on dirt paths, trek
down two slippery streambeds before climbing up a
steep mountainside. The vegetation is dense and the
trail down is steep. The path eventually leads to
an open valley, known locally as “Elephant Valley”,
where there is a flat trail. The trail leads up and
over a final pass before descending down a rocky path
to the H’mong village of Hang Kia. Overnight
in Hang Kia village.
Day
2. Hang Kia – Cun Pheo (6 hours)
Today’s trekking is mainly downhill, and the
scenery a contrast to the previous day. Begin with
a gentle descent on a wide track, which turns into
a narrow path, which winds through hamlets, cultivated
fields and affords beautiful views of the Mai Chau
Valley below. The trekking is challenging involving
several stream crossings, steep descents and balancing
between rice paddies! There are spectacular views
of karst rock mountains in the distance. The path
crosses two suspension bridges before arriving at
Cun Pheo, a village of the White Thai minority. Overnight
in Cun Pheo.
Day
3. Cun Pheo – Sam Khoe – Xo village (5
hours)
After a leisurely start begin trekking along jeepable
trails past many villages to Sam Khue and refreshments.
From here trek a further few kms before eventually
conquering a steep uphill. Overnight in the wonderful
village of Xo, another White Thai village nestled
high on the mountainside.
Day
4. Xo village – Pom Coong – Hanoi (4hours)
After breakfast in the village continue contouring
the mountainside and trek a final few km uphill before
reaching the pass. From the top it is an 11km hike
downhill all the way to Pom Coong village nestled
in the Mai Chau Valley. Have lunch and rest weary
bones. In the afternoon transfer back to Hanoi by
road.
Arrive
Hanoi . End tour. |
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