2-Day Ninh Binh Nature Escape : Cuc Phuong Jungle Trek, Van Long Boat Ride & Scenic Bike
Overview
Trip Highlights
Overview of 2 Day Cuc Phuong Jungle Trek & Van Long Wetland Tour
Ninh Binh is renowned in Vietnam for its stunning limestone landscapes, Cuc Phuong National Park, and numerous historical sites, drawing a large number of visitors each year. If you’re a nature lover and adventure trekker looking to escape the crowds and immerse yourself in pristine tropical rainforests and nature reserves, we highly recommend a 2-day Cuc Phuong jungle trek and Van Long Nature Reserve tour.

On the first day, you’ll do a 16km adventure trek along jungle trails through the Cuc Phuong tropical forest. Breathe in the fresh air and surround yourself with towering forested limestone mountains and a rich ecosystem of diverse flora and fauna. After your trek, enjoy a home-cooked dinner and spend the night in a homestay with a local Muong family in Khanh Village—an authentic way to experience the cultural aspects of the Muong hill tribe.
The second day offers a more relaxed experience with a scenic boat ride through the less-touristic Van Long Nature Reserve, set against a backdrop of stunning mountains and wetlands home to birds, herons, storks, and the famous Delacour’s langurs. The journey continues with a visit to Hoa Lu ancient capital, where you’ll gain insight into Vietnam’s history during the 10th and 11th centuries when Ninh Binh was the capital.

Special Highlights of 2 Day Cuc Phuong Adventure Trek & Van Long Wetland Exploration
- Immerse yourself in the untouched beauty and serene landscapes of Cuc Phuong National Park and Van Long Nature Reserve.
- Take part in adventure treks through the lush jungle trails of Cuc Phuong, Vietnam’s oldest and largest national park, rich with tropical rainforest.
- Experience the local culture of the Muong ethnic group by staying in their traditional stilt houses and enjoying authentic, home-cooked meals.
- Learn about Vietnam’s rich history with insightful stories from the time when Hoa Lu served as the nation’s capital in the 10th and 11th centuries.
- Support sustainable tourism by contributing to the local economy through homestays and meals provided by the local community.
Travel Route Map Hanoi- Cuc Phuong – Van Long – Hoa Lu Exploration Tour – Hanoi
Itinerary
8:00 AM, our private car with driver & tourguide will pick you up at your hotel and drive to Cuc Phuong national park, the oldest national park in Vietnam.
10:30 AM, arrive in Cuc Phuong national park’s head quarter, firstly, we pay a visit to the Primate Rescued Centre, which is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, breeding, research and conservation of the endangered primates in Vietnam.

Primate Rescue Center to rescue endangered langurs
Then, we continue driving further into the core area of Cuc Phuong forest for your adventure trek through the jungle ups & downs the hidden trails.You will have a great exposal to the rich ecosystem of fauna & flora in the park, inhale the fresh air & conquer yourselves on hard trek of 16km to Khanh village – a typical hamlet of Muong ethnic minority.
A picnic lunch is served en route under the shade of a giant tree. After 5-hr trek with lots of descents and ascents on jungle trails, we will make the last climb downhill to a peaceful valley and reach Khanh village of local Muong hill tribe.
The rest of the day is at leisure, you can walk around the village to learn more about local people’s daily life.
You will have a dinner of local home-cooked dishes & a quiet night homstaying in a local family’s house on-stilt.

Inclusions : private car transfer with driver, tourguide of English speaking, local guide in the park, entrance sightseeing fees, meals (L-Lunch, D-Dinner), soft sleeper berths with mosquito net & blanket in the homestay.
You get woken up by the song of rousters and feel the sense of the village’s lifestyle : quiet with the sound of ducks or cows ….somewhere around the village – that you could not experience in our modern world.
Have breakfast with the coffee or tea served in the homestay.
Saying a goodbye to local family, then do some walk to the main road where you will meet driver for a scenic drive along Cuc Phuong national park to Van Long nature reserve, a famous setting location of the latest Kong Movie “ Kong: Skull Island”.Van Long, the largest wetland area in Northern Vietnam, is less touristic and famous for its primitive landscapes of limestone outcrops & natural caves.

You will do a private rowing boat ride around the area to admire gorgeous landscapes and view hundred kinds of birds, storks, silver pheasants, swampy herons and sometimes the Delacour’s langurs (one of the most endangered primates in the world) strolling around on mountains for food in this nature reserve..
Keep going on with a scenic bike ride to explore the beauty of the nature reserve and surrounding local villages for an hour
Lunch of local dishes will be served in a local restaurant.
The trip is continued with a visit to Hoa Lu ancient capital for your great insight of Vietnam’s history in 10th & 11th century when Hoa Lu was chosen as the capital of Vietnam

After Hoa Lu capital, our driver will pick you up for a journey back to Hanoi capital.See you in your next trip to Vietnam !
Inclusions : private car transfer with driver, tourguide of English speaking, entrance sightseeing fees, boat ride in Van Long nature reserve, meals (B-Breakfast & L- Lunch)
The Trip’s Inclusions :
- Private car transfer with driver following the travel itinerary.
- Local tourguide of English speaking following travel program
- Accommodation in local homestay of Muong ethnic group : solf-sleeper berths with blanket & mosquito nets.
- Entrance sightseeing fees of mentioned visiting places
- Boat ride in Van Long nature reserve.
- Meals as stated in the program (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D- Dinner).
The Trip’s Exclusions :
- Tips to guide & driver
- Online payment fees.
- Drinks
- Personal expences……..
Frequently Asked Questions
While most Ninh Binh tours focus on the busy boat routes of Tam Coc or Trang An, this Cuc Phuong adventure trek focuses on a challenging 16km off-the-beaten-path hike. You will traverse deep into the core zone of Vietnam’s oldest national park, exploring dense tropical rainforests and limestone mountain trails that are rarely seen by standard tourists, offering a true “wilderness” experience.
The 15km trek is considered an adventure-level hike and takes approximately 5 hours to complete. It involves uneven jungle trails and forested slopes. While it is rewarding for those with a good level of fitness and a spirit of adventure, we recommend it for travelers who are comfortable with long-distance walking in a tropical environment. Our professional guides ensure a safe pace and provide insights into the local flora and fauna.
Staying in Khanh Village offers a deep dive into the culture of the Muong ethnic group. You will spend the night in a traditional wooden stilt house and share an authentic, home-cooked dinner with a local family. This is not a hotel experience; it is a cultural exchange that supports the local hill tribe economy and provides a unique look at rural life in the Ninh Binh highlands.
Yes, it is the game of luck but Van Long Nature Reserve is the best place in the world to spot the critically endangered Delacour’s Langur in the wild. As you glide through the wetlands on a traditional bamboo boat, you can also observe diverse birdlife, including herons and storks, set against a stunning backdrop of “petrified” limestone peaks. It is a much quieter, more natural alternative to the more commercialized boat sites.
On the second day, the journey includes a visit to the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. Our guides share insightful stories about the Dinh and Le dynasties from the 10th and 11th centuries, when this rugged landscape served as the strategic political center of Vietnam. It provides the perfect historical context to complement the natural exploration of the national park.
As a licensed local tour operator, Golden Holiday Travel specializes in sustainable, community-based tourism. We coordinate the complex logistics—from private transport from Hanoi to the Muong homestay arrangements and expert jungle guiding—ensuring your trip is safe, impactful for the local community, and far removed from the typical tourist crowds.
Good to Know
Before travelling to Vietnam, please ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date and has at least two blank pages for immigration stamps and visa purposes.
Citizens from several countries, including France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain, can currently enter Vietnam visa-free for stays of up to 45 days. Visa policies may change from time to time depending on nationality and travel regulations.
If you intend to stay longer than the visa exemption period, or if your nationality is not included in the visa-free list, you can apply for an e-visa online.You are also welcome to contact our team for updated visa information and travel assistance before your trip to Vietnam.
Travel insurance is not included in our tour package; however, valid travel insurance is mandatory for all participants joining the tour. Your policy should provide adequate coverage for:
- Emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and repatriation
- Trip cancellation, delays, or interruptions
- All activities included in your itinerary, including outdoor and adventure excursions
We also recommend checking whether your credit card offers travel insurance coverage and purchasing additional protection if needed to ensure comprehensive coverage throughout your journey.
The official currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). While some hotels and tourist-oriented businesses may accept US dollars or euros, payments are generally preferred in local currency.
Visa and MasterCard are commonly accepted at most hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and larger establishments, especially in major cities and tourist destinations. However, cash is still widely used for local markets, small shops, and rural areas.
ATMs are easy to find throughout Vietnam, particularly in cities and popular travel destinations. Currency exchange services are available at international airports, banks, hotels, and licensed exchange counters.
Also, please make sure your banknotes are clean and undamaged, as torn, heavily worn, or marked foreign bills may not be accepted for exchange or payment in Vietnam.
Vietnam is a year-round destination, offering diverse weather patterns across its different regions. In general, spring (February to April) and autumn (September to December) are considered the most comfortable times to visit, thanks to pleasant temperatures, lower humidity, and less rainfall.
As Vietnam stretches over 1,600 km from north to south, the climate can vary greatly depending on where you travel:
- Northern Vietnam: Experiences four distinct seasons, with cool and sometimes chilly winters (December to February) and hot, humid summers (May to August).
- Central Vietnam: Usually enjoys warm weather, though the rainy season typically occurs between September and November.
- Southern Vietnam: Has a tropical climate with warm temperatures throughout the year, alongside occasional tropical showers during the rainy season from May to October.
We recommend packing light, comfortable clothing as well as seasonal items suited to the regions included in your itinerary.
International flights are not included in our tour prices, giving you the flexibility to choose the airline and flight schedule that best suit your travel plans and budget. If needed, our travel consultants are happy to assist you in finding the most convenient and competitive flight options.
For international departures, we highly recommend arriving at the airport at least 3 hours before your flight to allow enough time for check-in, immigration procedures, and any unexpected delays or issues that may arise.
If your itinerary includes domestic flights within Vietnam, all flight schedules, airline information, and booking details will be included in your final travel documents before departure.
For a smooth journey, we recommend arriving at the airport at least 2 hours prior to your flight. Please make sure to carry your passport along with your e-ticket or booking reference.
Baggage Allowance: Checked baggage allowance typically ranges from 20kg to 23kg depending on the airline and ticket class, while cabin baggage is generally limited to 7kg per passenger.
Important Notice: Extra baggage fees may apply for your overweight or oversized luggage. We strongly recommend reviewing the baggage policies of your airline in advance, such as Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, or Bamboo Airways.
Please note that domestic flight schedules may occasionally change due to airline operations or weather conditions. Should there be any updates, our team will inform you as soon as possible.
If your journey includes a connecting domestic flight within Vietnam, please keep the following information in mind upon arrival:
- Collect your checked luggage after landing.
- Complete immigration and customs procedures.
- Proceed to the domestic terminal for your onward flight. At some airports, this may involve a short walk or shuttle transfer between terminals.
- Airport staff are usually available to assist passengers, so feel free to ask for directions or support if needed.
Recommended connection time: at least 2 hours 30 minutes
This allows enough time for immigration clearance, baggage collection, customs procedures, terminal transfers, and possible flight delays.
Practical Tip: At major airports such as Noi Bai International Airport and Tan Son Nhat International Airport, international and domestic terminals may be located in separate buildings. Please follow airport signage carefully and allow sufficient transfer time.

No reviews yet!
All Reviews
2-Day Ninh Binh Nature Escape : Cuc Phuong Jungle Trek, Van Long Boat Ride & Scenic Bike