Essence of Ninh Binh

Depart from your hotel to Ninh Binh. Following a two-hour drive through the beautiful countryside, you will reach Trang An ecosystem. Visit Trang An Scenic Landscape complex nearby which recently recognized as a UNESCO World Natural heritage, get on a rowing boat (small sampan) travelling along the small river with scenic mountain and green fields landscape. The boat takes you to visit cave complex of Trang An: Sang Cave, Toi Cave, Ba Giot Cave, Nau Ruou in mystery and wildness, the scenery of mountain and rivers - Halong on the land of Ninh Binh.

Lunch at local restaurant before transferring back to the hotel.

Depart from hotel for a day tour of Tam Coc. Here, we will start our bicycle ride on a very quiet and peaceful trail without any tourist. The trail provides gorgeous views of the surrounding beautiful limestone mountains. Cycling there gives you the amazing experience of the awesome natural wonder of what the area offers you. You will feel like you're right there interacting and soaking in the magnificent beauty.

Stop at Dancing Cave, have a short hike to the top of Hang Mua where you can see the whole view of Tam Coc. We will stop at a local house in a peaceful village with an amazingly beautiful setting. Enjoy your time chatting, learning how the local here live their daily life.

Have our lunch at a local restaurant then drive nearly 3km to reach Bich Dong pagoda - an ever ancient three-tiered cave pagoda. It is only accessible by steep stone steps, but it is really worth climbing up for a charming pagoda and stupendous view from the top. Bich Dong pagoda is composed of 3 structures: Ha Pagoda (lower pagoda), Trung Pagoda (Middle pagoda), and Thuong Pagoda (upper pagoda).

Continue to visit the little remains of the once impressive citadel of Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of the Dinh and Le dynasties dating back to the 11th century. Temples that are still standing include the royal temple of the early Le Dynasty, Dai Hanh and Dinh Tien Hoang, another royal temple which contains a statue of Emperor Dinh Bo Linh and his sons. The energetic may undertake the climb of some 200 steps to explore the temples and for a rewarding bird's-eye view of the surrounding countryside. A short drive to Bai Dinh pagoda - a Buddhist complex, it leans on the hillside near Ninh Binh. The work started in 2003 and completed in 2010. It is very impressive with the landscapes surrounding either sunrise and sunset. The range of limestones is at that far including the vast rice paddy fields. This complex is functionally used for grand or national Buddhist ceremonies.

Return to the hotel for freshening up and relax.

You are free at leisure until being transferred back to Hanoi city/hotel.