Ninh Bình 2 Days 1 Night: Tràng An, Tam Cốc, Hang Múa & Hoa Lư
Sampan through the caves of Tràng An and Tam Cốc, the climb up Hang Múa, the old capital at Hoa Lư, and a bike ride through the villages. One night in Tam Cốc.
Hanoi – Hoa Lư – Tam Cốc – Hang Múa – Tràng An – Hanoi
Overview
A 2-day, 1-night trip from Hanoi to Ninh Bình covering Hoa Lư, Tam Cốc, Hang Múa and Tràng An. You sleep one night in Tam Cốc and return to Hanoi on day two. From 226 USD per person.
Ninh Bình: Tràng An, Tam Cốc, Hang Múa & Hoa Lư
Ninh Bình is about two hours south of Hanoi by road. People call it "Hạ Long Bay on land": limestone peaks standing in rice fields and rivers, and Hoa Lư, the 10th-century capital. Tràng An is a UNESCO World Heritage site, which makes this an easy trip to fit into two days.
You spend both days on the water and on foot. In Tràng An and Tam Cốc, a rower takes you by sampan through low caves and along the Ngô Đồng River, between rice fields and steep cliffs. On day two you cycle through the villages and lotus ponds around Tam Cốc.
On day one you also climb the stone steps up Hang Múa, around 500 of them, for the view over the valley. At Hoa Lư you visit the temples of the Đinh and Early Lê kings, who ruled from here before the capital moved to Thăng Long. The local dishes to try are mountain goat (dê núi) and cơm cháy, crispy scorched rice.
Three Things You Will Remember
Tràng An & Tam Cốc by Sampan
A rower takes you through limestone caves and out again into rice fields. Duck your head at the low spots.
The Hang Múa Climb
Around 500 stone steps to the top. It is a short, steep climb, and the view over the valley is the reason people do it, especially in the late afternoon.
Hoa Lư Temples & Village Cycling
Visit the temples of the first independent dynasties, then ride a bicycle along quiet village roads under the cliffs.
Highlights
Return transport between Hanoi and Ninh Bình.
Boat tickets for Tam Cốc and Tràng An, and entrance tickets for Hang Múa and Hoa Lư.
One night in Tam Cốc, then a bicycle ride through the countryside on day two.
Meals: 1 breakfast, 2 lunches and 1 dinner.
An English- or Vietnamese-speaking guide throughout. Korean, Chinese or Japanese guides on request.
From 226 USD per person.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Hanoi – Hoa Lư – Tam Cốc Boat Ride – Hang Múa
- Pickup from your hotel in Hanoi in the morning
- Arrive at Hoa Lư, the capital of the Đinh and Early Lê dynasties in the 10th century
- Visit the temples of King Đinh Tiên Hoàng and King Lê Đại Hành
- Lunch with local dishes, including mountain goat and cơm cháy (crispy scorched rice)
- Afternoon sampan ride along the Ngô Đồng River at Tam Cốc, passing through three caves
- Climb the 500 or so stone steps to the Hang Múa viewpoint, best in the late afternoon
- Check in to your hotel in Tam Cốc and have dinner
Day 2
Tràng An Caves – Countryside Bike Ride – Return to Hanoi
- Breakfast at the hotel before travelling to Tràng An
- Board a rowboat at the Tràng An scenic complex
- Pass through the cave sections of the route, including Hang Sáng, Hang Tối and Hang Nấu Rượu
- Stop at the small temples along the water and the Kong: Skull Island film set
- Cycle along village roads and through the countryside around Tam Cốc
- Lunch with northern Vietnamese dishes, then check out of the hotel
- Drive back to Hanoi by expressway
- Arrive at your Hanoi hotel in the late afternoon
Included / Not Included
Included
- Round-trip transport Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Hanoi
- 1 night at a Tam Cốc hotel or homestay
- Tam Cốc and Tràng An boat tickets
- Hang Múa and Hoa Lư entrance tickets
- Bicycle for countryside exploration
- Meals: 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
- English- or Vietnamese-speaking guide
Not included
- Drinks outside the programme
- Tips for the guide, driver and boat rower
- Single-room supplement
- Korean-, Chinese- or Japanese-speaking guide
- Personal insurance