Ninh Binh Mini Adventure

Duration

4 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Average

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

On this Short Break Adventure, you’ll be picked up and dropped off in Hanoi – the bustling favourite of northern Vietnam.

Highlights

Explore the Pu Luong Nature Reserve, surrounded by lush limestone peaks, and get to know the Thai people that settled here long ago with a cooking class and dinner.
Trek right to the core of Cuc Phuong National Park – Vietnam's first national park and the country's largest nature reserve.
Take a boat along the still waters of Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve and then cycle around the biodiverse flora and fauna in the afternoon to catch the sunset.
Get to know true Vietnamese and Thai hospitality with two homestays where you can swap stories with the locals.
Visit Save Vietnam Wildlife Center and learn about their efforts to re-wild these amazingly biodiverse areas and how they use conservation to protect their land.

Trip Details

Duration

4 days

Transportation

Private transport for Hanoi-Pu Luong- Ninh Binh 4 days 3 nights

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Pu Luong Nature Reserve, Vietnam

Finishes

Hanoi, Vietnam

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Physical Rating

Average

Itinerary

Day 1: Pu Luong Nature Reserve

Xin Chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 8 am in front of the grand entrance of the Opera House, where your local leader will be waiting for you and your fellow travellers. From Hanoi, you’ll take a private transpoort to Pu Luong – home of the Thai ethnic people. After lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll take a 1-hour walk with your leader around the ancient Hieu village (Ban Hieu), ending at the Hieu waterfall. The Pu Luong Nature Reserve is considered an area of outstanding natural beauty – rich in culture and biodiversity, the area is covered in forests, limestone peaks and rice paddies. The peaceful hamlets throughout the reserve feature traditional stilt-houses and tonight, you’ll stay in a homestay with your local hosts within the reserve. In the late afternoon, take part in a cooking class with the locals to make some traditional dishes that you’ll enjoy together for dinner.

Included Activities:

Pu Luong Nature Reserve - Cooking class & dinner
Pu Luong Nature Reserve - Homestay
Pu Luong Nature Reserve - Hieu village & waterfall walk

Accommodation:

Homestay (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Ninh Binh

After breakfast with your hosts, transfer to Ninh Binh – a small city in the Red River Delta of northern Vietnam and the capital of the Ninh Binh Province. Popular with visitors due to its natural beauty, this limestone peak-covered area is a must-see. When you arrive, you’ll head into Cuc Phuong National Park – Vietnam's first national park and the country's largest nature reserve. Visit the Save Vietnam Wildlife Center (our Intrepid Foundation partner) and learn how this non-profit organisation focuses on conserving pangolins and local carnivores, protecting the wildlife and ecosystem of the area. You’ll see some of the animals that live here (the resident wildlife can’t re-enter the wild due to injury), then you’ll head to lunch at the National Park restaurant. This afternoon, take an easy trek through the park, looking out for the diverse flora and small animals along the way. This park is home to 97 species of mammals, 300 species of birdlife and 53 species of reptiles and amphibians. The rest of your afternoon and evening is free.

Included Activities:

Cuc Phuong NP - Save Vietnam's Wildlife (The Intrepid Foundation partner) visit
Cuc Phuong National Park - Afternoon trek

Accommodation:

Homestay (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Ninh Binh

Fuel up on breakfast this morning and enjoy your peaceful time. Then in the afternoon head out on a 1.5-hour boat trip in the Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve – home to the endangered langur monkeys, this conservation area is the largest wetland natural reserve in Red River Delta and is known as ‘waveless bay’ for the still water surface that reflects the surrounding mountains. The boat will take you around the lagoon through limestone peaks and small caves. After that, take a cycling tour around the reserve over sunset. The rest of your evening is free. Tonight, you’ll stay in a small and authentic homestay with your friendly hosts.

Included Activities:

Ninh Binh - Cycling & sunset at Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve
Ninh Binh - Van Long Nature Reserve boat trip

Accommodation:

Homestay (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Hanoi

After breakfast, you’ll transfer back to Hanoi, arriving at about 4 pm. This is where your Short Break Adventure comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay in Hanoi, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $480

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 4 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Average

On this Short Break Adventure, you’ll be picked up and dropped off in Hanoi – the bustling favourite of northern Vietnam.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 16 Oct 2025

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Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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