Day 1: Hanoi to Dong Hoi

Your central Vietnam journey begins when you board the night train from Hanoi to Dong Hoi. The train is well equipped with air conditioning and soft sleeper berths.

Day 2: Dong Hoi to Chay Lap (65Km)

Your English speaking guide will meet you upon your arrival at Dong Hoi station. From Dong Hoi we transfer to Chay Lap village, your home for the next 2 nights. After meeting your host family and taking a short rest we begin our kayaking adventure on the blue Chay River, to the Phong Nha Cave (4km) and the Dark Cave (2km).  A picnic lunch will be served on the banks of the river.  Upon our return to Chay Lap village, enjoy a traditional dinner with the host family before spending the night in the village.

Day 3: Chay Lap and biking (50 Km)

Today we will explore the surrounding areas of Chay Lap by bicycle. Starting from Chay Lap village, we journey to the Nuoc Mooc Cold Spring and Eco-Trail for a guided hike and a refreshing swim in the spring water. Continuing  on  the bike route we will visit the war memorial site of Tam Co Cave and follow the historic Ho Chi Minh Trail to the forest and Botanical gardens.  In the late afternoon we return to Chay Lap Village where we will spend a final night with the host family.

Day 4: Chay Lap - Sun Spa Resort (65Km)

This morning you have a number of choices depending on how active you want to be!

Option 1: Enjoy a short 8km trek to Tram and Me villages.

Option 2: Trek to Tro Moong to see Vooc.

Option 3: Volunteering in  Chay Lap village by helping in the fields, doing some painting or some garden or construction work. . The villagers are mostly poor farmers and need assistance in the areas of education, environmental conservation, and building construction.  By volunteering with local families you are helping to enrich the lives the villagers.

After you finish your morning activities you will return to the family for lunch before transferring to Dong Hoi. Our accommodation for the night is the Sun Spa resort. Upon arrival to the Sun Spa Resort, relax and enjoy a traditional massage; partake in water sports such as windsurfing and kayaking, or simply chill out on Le Thuy beach.

Day 5: Dong Hoi - Vinh Moc - Hanoi.

After spending a relaxing morning in the resort, we journey to the Vinh Moc Tunnel complex. Strategically located on the border of North and South Vietnam, the tunnels were built to shelter people from the intense bombing  during the Vietnam War.  The complex was home to around 60 families until 1972, and as many as 17 children were born inside the tunnels. After exploring the Vinh Moc tunnels, you will be dropped off at the train station for the overnight journey back to Hanoi. The trip finishes upon arrival at Hanoi train station.