3 DAYS BA BE LAKE – BAN GIOC WATERFALLS

DAY 1: HANOI – LANG SON – QUANG UYEN (L/D)
7.30 – 8:00 Pick up at your hotel in Hanoi and depart for Lang Son, a Vietnam and China border province. Stopover at Chi Lang Pass – a 20-km-long structure created from a narrow valley between two mountains. This place is associated with great victories against invading armies in the past. Spend 1 hour walking to visit the “Quy Mon Quan” gate which means the Gate of Monsters where many of the invaders came to Vietnam in the numerous incursions had to enter and where many were killed by the Vietnamese defenders.
After lunch at a local restaurant in Dong Dang town, visit to Mother’s Temple and Dong Khe – the history site where The Battle of Dong Khe was fought during the First Indochina War. The fight took place in Dong Khe, in the Province of Tonkin, during September and October 1950, ending with a Viet Minh victory. Then onward to Quang Uyen village for overnight. Dinner at homestay a Nung’s family in Quang Uyen.

DAY 2: CAO BANG – BAN GIOC WATERFALLS – BA BE LAKE (B/L/D)
AM: breakfast at homestay, depart for Trung Khanh which lies on the border with China. Visit Nung people in the village of Phuoc Sen, a mountainous village famous for its traditional blacksmith craft. The farming tools made here are an integral part of the lifestyle which is evident in the surrounding rice paddies and fields. Nestled in amongst these amazing landscapes is the breathtaking Ban Gioc Waterfall,  which spans over 300 meters, half in Vietnam and half in China. Time to soak up the powerful atmosphere of the falls and take some fantastic photos before heading to another natural wonder, Nguom Ngao Cave. This cave stretches out 2,144 meters underground and is brimming with incredible stalactites and stalagmites.

PM: Return to Cao Bang town and going down on snake pass to Ba Be Lake, enjoy the beautiful mountain landscape along the way. Arrive at Ba Be lake in late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at a traditional house of Tay ethnic family.

DAY 3: BA BE LAKE – HANOI (B/L)
AM: After breakfast, embark a motor boat to explore the stunning Ba Be Lake. Enjoy the scenery of the surrounding karsts decorated with patches of wild vegetation and inhabited by all sorts of interesting creatures. Then boat rides along the Nang River, stop at the caves of Puong Grotto where you can explore the stalactites and stalagmites which are a result of the erosion of the river on the karst as well as looking out for the bat colony several thousand strong. Visit to Fairy Pond and An Ma Temple to know more religions and beliefs in Vietnam.

Swimming in fresh water of Ba Be Lake near Widow Islet or enjoying the hand-driving boat to our village

PM: Transfer back to Hanoi with some hills tea plantations.