Trek Cuc Phuong National Park
North Vietnam (2 days / 1 night)
Hanoi – Cuc Phuong National Park – Endangered Primate Rescue Centre – Thung Nang – Hanoi
Highlights
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An authentic jungle trek in Vietnam’s first national park
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Endangered Primate Rescue Centre home to langur monkeys
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Village home stay
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Boat trip through stunning limestone karst country
Overview
Located 160km south of Hanoi, Cuc Phuong is Vietnam’s first national park opened by Ho Chi Minh in 1963. The park is one of Vietnam’s most protected areas and an important site for biological research and conservation. This eco tour combines trekking diverse jungle with a unique village home stay. The park is also home to the excellent Endangered Primate Rescue Centre, a German and Vietnamese joint venture to improve the wellbeing of Vietnam’s primates such as the langur. The second day offers a relaxing boat trip in Thung Nang – home to a magnificent lime stone karst landscape.
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1 |
Hanoi to Cuc Phuong National Park to Khanh Village Depart early in the morning from Hanoi for Cuc Phuong National Park. Upon arrival visit the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre, dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, breeding, research and conservation of the endangered primates of Vietnam. Drive further into the national park where we start our jungle trek. A park ranger accompanies us providing interesting commentary about the flora and fauna. Picnic lunch under the shade of a giant tree. We trek for around six hours with lots of descents and ascents on jungle trails. Our last climb downhill is to a peaceful valley where we reach the village of Khanh, home to Muong ethnic minority. Dinner and overnight in a traditional house-on-stilt Transfer: 2.5 hrs Trekking: 6 hrs/jungle trail Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Home stay |
Day 2 |
Khanh Village to Thung Nang back to Hanoi After breakfast we say goodbye to our hosts and drive to Thung Nang, known as “Halong Bay on the rice field”. This is a stunning area of limestone mountains, rice fields and river. The only difference to Halong Bay is the mountains are on the rice fields not on the sea. Sit back and relax on a boat trip and enjoy the picture postcard scenery famous in Vietnam. In the afternoon we head back to Hanoi arriving around 6 pm. Trekking: 1.5 hrs country road Boat trip: 2 hrs Meals: Breakfast, Lunch |
Prices
Private tour |
$AUD price per person |
3 to 4 people |
195 |
2 people |
235 |
Single supplement |
405 |
Validity |
31 December 2010 |
Prices are in Australian dollars based upon the number of people travelling together. Price is land content only + subject to currency fluctuations. Credit Card payments incur an additional 3% surcharge. See Booking Conditions for more details. Prices beyond the validity available on request. Call 1300 43 10 69 or email us for a booking form.
Includes
- English speaking guide
- National Park Ranger for day 1 trek
- Support Crew
- Village home stay and permission
- Boat trip in Thung Nang
- Water + snacks
- Meals as per the itinerary
- Entrance + sightseeing fees
- Equipment as listed in 'Trip notes'
Excludes
- Airfares and departure taxes
- Travel insurance
- Visa, passport or vaccination costs
- Other meals not specified in the itinerary
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, bar charges, tips, optional activities
Trip grade
MODERATE: If you are seeking fun and adventure and you like active travel, this is for you. A mixture of long and shorter activity days of four to seven hours duration. A good level of fitness is required.
Trip notes
Home stays
There is no better way to immerse in local culture than experiencing a village home stay. Not only is this a wonderful cultural exchange, it offers the visitor great respect for how people live without all the comforts and appliances of the West. By staying with a family we ensure that the economic benefits of our travel filter down to the villages and families that most need it. Home stays in villages are simple in terms of bedding and amenities. You sleep in a dormitory style room and are provided with a mattress, clean sheet and pillow. Amenities are shared with the host family. Toilets are usually western-style and hot water is available for a wash.
Food
A local cook accompanies your trekking tour. All meals, indicated in the detailed itinerary, are included in the price. When you are trekking, the emphasis is on healthy and nutritious fresh local produce, for example; rice, Vietnamese spring rolls, eggs, chicken and pork and noodles. Please advise us if you have any special dietary requirements.
Local guides
English speaking guides support your sightseeing and trekking activities. These guides love their job and are on hand to ensure you have a great trip. They have extensive experience in guiding outdoor tours in Vietnam and have internationally recognised first aid qualifications.
The trekking day
Day one trekking is moderate grade, ascending and descending jungle trails for up to six hours. It is wet, slippery and challenging in June and July. Access is prohibited between August and early October. We aim to reach the village home stay between 4.30pm and 5.30pm. During the trek you have short breaks for rests, snacks and there’s plenty of opportunity for photographs.
What to bring
Pack lightly for the trek, no more than 10kg as you are only going for one night! We recommend using a small sports bag for your overnight luggage which is transported in the car to the village home stay. Use your day pack and travel wallet to carry your personal items and important documents. We recommend using a sturdy day pack with good back support and a waterproof cover.
Your luggage should include: trekking boots or walking shoes, thongs or comfortable slip-on shoes for night time, light weight shorts & long pants, shirt & t-shirt, warm clothes for at night, raincoat, hat, sunglasses, sun block, insect repellent, toiletries, flashlight, water bottle, small towel, camera & spare batteries/charger, pen & paper, original passport, small amount of money for shopping in markets, toilet paper, zip lock bags, barley sugar or lollies for sustenance and personal medication. (Optional: light weight sleeping bag.)
Equipment provided
Silk inner sheet, first-aid kit, walking pole and gaiters (on request).
Note on client safety
We reserve the right to deviate from this itinerary for any reason, including road and weather conditions, frequency of visits to a village or for any other factor that may impact client safety.
Tipping Guidelines
It is customary to express a personal thank you to your guide and driver at the end of your trip, especially if he or she has provided you with excellent service. As a guideline only, we suggest tipping around AUD$4-$5 per day for the guide and AUD$2-$3 per day for the driver. You can pay this in local currency or US dollars. Of course whether you tip and how much is always at your discretion.
Vietnam visa
Most visitors to Vietnam need a visa to enter the country. Inner Journey Expeditions offers a Vietnam visa on arrival service where you obtain an entry visa stamp on arrival at HCMC, Hanoi or Danang International Airports. We arrange a Vietnam visa authority letter which you present with a valid passport, passport photo and your visa stamp fee to the Visa Landing Counter. This service is inexpensive, easy to arrange, only takes four working days and is all done on email - no need to mail your passport.
For more details, CLICK HERE.
Climate
Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta in the South are hot all year round with average day time temperatures at 30 degrees Celsius. The hottest period is from March to May with average temperatures of 35 degree Celsius. The wet season runs from May to November where it down pours for an hour or so in the afternoon. Hanoi and Northern Vietnam experience four seasons. Summer from May to October can be hot and wet with regular downpours and occasional typhoons. July to August is the hottest months with temperatures reaching 33 degrees Celsius. Winter runs from November to April with cold and humid conditions. December and January can be particularly cold with temperatures ranging between 10 – 20 degrees Celsius.
Health issues
Good medical advice usually recommends vaccinations in advance of travel to Vietnam. We suggest you consult with your doctor to discuss health care needs specific to your holiday.
Insurance
You must have comprehensive travel insurance to travel with us. Insurance should include cover for personal accident and medical expenses, evacuation and repatriation, baggage loss and cancellation or curtailment of your holiday. Your trip notes + vouchers will not be issued until you confirm possession of appropriate insurance. Better be safe than sorry!
Pre + post tour arrangements
We can arrange additional hotel nights at the beginning or the end of your tour or if you are interested in doing additional touring we can organise a private tour to cater to your interests and time frame. Check out the IJE website for more details.
Handy travel tips + travelling responsibly
For more information on how you can participate in sustainable tourism go to Handy Travel Tips. To help plan your trip go to Vietnam Visa + Travel Guide.
What next
To reserve a place on this trip, contact us now and we will send you a booking form. To guarantee your booking you must email the first section of the booking form to us and pay your non-refundable deposit of 30% of total tour cost. The balance of payment is due 50 days prior to departure. Once your booking is confirmed and you have paid in full, you will receive your tour voucher and detailed itinerary for this tour.Book now
> CLICK HERE + request a booking form
> Get in touch with us via EMAIL
> Live in Australia call 1300 43 10 69
> Find out more about our other trips at www.IJE.com.au
> About Inner Journey Expeditions
