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Pu Luong travel guide : The ultimate guide & top things to do 2024

 

Pu Luong travel guideThis article includes everything you need to know about traveling to Pu Luong Nature Reserve in 2024 with up-to-date and practical information. This Pu Luong travel guide is written by David, a tour guide for the past 12 years. I include things to do, places to stay, what to eat, how to get around, the best time to go, pro tips for traveling to Pu Luong Nature Reserve, and more.

Why do I write this Pu Luong travel guide

When I google Pu Luong travel guide,  most are information written by travel agents and tour businesses, but none from a tour guide. In this article, I try to give practical, accurate information about Cat Ba. 

Most of the writers have never been to Pu Luong but they still wrote about Pu Luong. I did travel there lots of times as an independent traveller and also on a guided tour. I want to give accurate and down-to-earth information. 

Pu Luong Nature Reserve: The basic

pu luong travel map

For this part, I will write the general information about Pu Luong nature reserve to answer simple questions: What, where, when, and how, and my personal opinion to answer the frequently asked question “Is Pu Luong worth a visit?”

If you have spent hours doing research about Pu Luong, please skip in

Where is Pu Luong?

Pu Luong is located in the Southwest of Hanoi, about 170 kilometers (106 miles) which takes 4-hours drive from Hanoi, 3 hour drive from Ninh Binh

Pu Luong is known as an alternative to the touristy Sapa: remote, rustic, and beautiful. Pu Luong is famous for its lush green rice fields, friendly locals, bamboo rafting, waterwheels, bamboo trees and more.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET TO PU LUONG FROM HANOI?

It takes about four hours to get to Pu Luong from Hanoi including toilet break halfway

Following the Highway Hanoi – Hoa Lac, then onto Hoa Lac – Hoa Binh expressway to connect Hanoi and Hoa Binh. then drive along National Road number 6, then left turn at Tan Lac town, then take a left turn along road 440 via Lung Van, then take a left turn at Tom Village T-juction to National Road 15C to reach Don village (Pu Luong

HOW MANY DAYS IS ENOUGH FOR TRAVELLING IN Pu Luong?

I recommend 3 days 2 nights. If you have more time, spend another night in Mai Chau on the way back to Hanoi.

For 3 days trip, you have enough time to explore a different part of Pu Luong on sightseeing on trekking day tours through jungles, and ricefields. 

CAN YOU VISIT PU LUONG AS A DAY TRIP FROM HANOI?

No, Pu Luong is too far from Hanoi, at least 2 days 1 night trip if you don’t have time. But you can take a  Pu Luong day trip from Mai Chau

SAPA OR PU LUONG?

There is an elephant in the room. There are mix ideals about where to go. Here is the reason why you should choose Pu Luong Nature Reserve

  • Pu Luong is authentic, rustic and less touristy
  • Only 4 hour’s drive from Hanoi instead of 6 hours drive to Cat Ba
  • There is almost no winding road which is good for those who have car-sick
  • There is some remote trekking routes that many tourists know

MAI CHAU  or PU LUONG, WHICH ONE IS BETTER?

Carry rice on a motorbike in Pu Luong

Mai Chau is good for mountain gateway who just want to relax and do light activities like short walk, short biking which is good for families with kids, or senior couples. 

There are more sightseeing options in Mai Chau, not just trekking

Pu Luong is more remote with more things to do for active and you travelers. 

Best time to visit Pu Luong Nature Reserve

In my opinion, the best time to visit Pu Luong is during the rice field season from March to May, and late July to October. 

in March and early April, I suggest doing the trekking trips a bit later which starts from 9am so it won’t be not too misty and foggy

Also, November and December is a good time for trekking since it’s a bit chilly and almost no rain. 

How to get to Pu Luong from Hanoi

Hanoi to Pu Luong with tourist-friendly bus option

If you are travelling on a budget, taking a tourists-friendly bus is a good choice. The ticket is about 17 USD per person, you can book through an agent or directly with the bus company. The ticket fare includes pick up and drop off at your hotel in Hanoi or somewhere near the hotel. 

For pick up and drop off in Pu Luong, you’d better ask in advance since there is some remote homestays and hotels so door to door pick up isn’t available. There are 3 main bus companies: Pu Luong Transfer Services (run by my friend, Vic), Pu Luong First Class Express ( run by my friend, Vang A Luc) – not a direct bus (via Ninh Binh) , Pu Luong Excursion.

Hanoi to Pu Luong by private transfer

If you are going with a party of 4 to 5 people, taking an SUV or a minibus is a great option. If you take a shuttle bus, it costs 68 USD for 4 people and 90 USD for 5 people. Just pay a bit extra to get a private car which is faster and more convenient and save more time

I have written an article about getting to Pu Luong from Hanoi in the link below

Read more : Hanoi to Pu Luong by private car 

How to get to Pu Luong from Ninh Binh

From Ninh Binh, it takes 3 hours to get to Pu Luong. You can either take a limousine Dcar or shuttle bus with Ninh Binh Express or First class Xpress (They runs from Hanoi via Ninh Binh to Pu Luong)

Or other option is to go with a private car which is more comfortable, faster and more convenient with affordable price.

I have written a detail guide about “How to get from Ninh Binh to Pu Luong” in the link below

Read more : Getting from Ninh Binh to Pu Luong

How to get to Mai Chau to Pu LUong

It takes one and a half hour from Ninh Binh to Pu Luong. There is only private car option from Ninh Binh to Pu Luong. Read the article below for more details

Read more : Getting from Mai Chau to Pu Luong

Top things to do in Pu Luong

Joining locals with farming works is a great fun

If you are looking for a professional farm tour in Pu Luong, then take a guided tour to learn about day-to-day life, and farming work like how to transplant rice into the field, preparing soil etc or vegetable farming. 

If you just want to experience farming, getting to Pu Luong during the rice planting season in late Feb, June or harvesting in May, late Sept and early Oct, trekking around and join your hands with rice farmers.

Seeing amazing bamboo waterwheels near Cham stream

Bamboo waterwheels in Pu Luong

One of the Pu Luong highlights is waterwheels. Your trip to Pu Luong nature reserve won’t be completed without seeing waterwheels that supply water to local families of white Thai ethnic groups. 

Enjoying a home-cooked lunch or dinner at a local family

There is no better way to experience local culture than by having local specialties cooked by local families. Bamboo shoot, pumpkin soup, free-ran, BBQ stream fish etc. Eating, having a chit-chat, and enjoying a sip of rice liquor is a great ways to experience local culture in-depth.

Trekking in nature through pathways, jungles and along water streams

 

Most of the tourists come to Pu Luong for trekking. They often take day tours or multi-day guided trekking tours around Pu Luong. There are a few types of trekking routes for all types of travellers to choose from

Read more : Private Pu Luong day tour from Mai Chau

Small walks on flat village roads and pathways

Family trekking around Pu Luong

This is the most common for seniors and families with their kids to enjoy short trekking on an easy flat road to see local villages, rice fields, trees, and more. You can walk around your accommodation like Don village or Hieu village area. 

This is also more suitable for DIY travellers

There are hidden easy walks that only be done with a guided trekking tour in Pu Luong 

Medium and hard trek up and downhill, through jungles along small hidden trails or buffalo trails.

Swimming at Hieu Waterfall

This is the route for real adventurers like your couples, and families with older kids. I have done 4 hours trekking from Don village to Hieu village, it was tiring, trekking uphill, downhill through hidden small trails, via flat roads of different villages, and along a water stream but the feeling of taking a bath at Hieu waterfall after a hot, sweaty afternoon is amazing. 

Those routes are offered by tour companies on a guided trekking tour with a local guide

Trek Pu Luong peak

Pu Luong submission is 1700 meters above sea level. The trekking tour of Pu Luong Peak is for real adventurers. The trek takes 4 hours to get from the bottom to the peak, having lunch and 1pm trekking downhill. Getting back to your accommodation at 6pm. 

Where to stay in Pu Luong 

Which neighborhood to stay in Pu Luong

Don village

Pu Luong in the harvest season

The main tourist hub where most luxury resorts and hotels are located. If you go to Pu Luong as a weekend gateway, just want to relax and chill. Staying in Don Village is the best place since there are a ton of restaurants, cafes, and bars.

I don’t mean every place is touristy. Lots of accommodation in Don village is less touristy. If I compare to Sapa, it is way less touristy than that. For sure, you won’t feel overcrowded like Sapa. Weekends during summertime (May to July) will be busy because of the domestic tourists and high tourist seasons like Christmas, Near Year, and March for foreign visitors. 

Hieu village

This is for those who like less touristy spots. However, Hieu village can be touristy during weekends of summertime from May to August because of domestic tourists. Walking around the village, swimming at Hieu waterfall and relaxing. 

Not many options for restaurants, you may only eat in your accommodation. 

Bang Village

Just a bit away from the main tourist hub. Bang village area is quieter with a few bungalows, resorts and homestay 

Kho Muong village

It is a true off-the-tourist-trail location is only for those who take a multi-day guided walking tour with simple accommodation of homestays and guest houses

Cheap homestay in Pu Luong

The price ranges from 10 to 25 USD per night

  • Pu Luong homestay holiday (Don village)
  • Gateway Inn Pu Luong (Don village)
  • Pu Luong Eco Charm (Bam village, near Don village) 
  • Pu Luong Duy Phuong homestay (Hieu village) 
  • Thai Tai Dam homestay (Hieu village)

Standard accommodation in Pu Luong

The price ranges from 30 to 50 USD

  • Pu Luong home (Don village)
  • Pu Luong boutique garden (Don village)
  • Pu Luong Ecolodge (Don village) 

Deluxe accommodation in Pu Luong

The price ranges from 60 to 90 USD

  • Pu Luong hillside lodge (Hieu village) 
  • Les Bains de Hieu (Hieu village) 
  • Pu Luong Luna (near Pho Doan)
  • Ecobin Pu Luong (Bang village, near Don village)
  • Central hill Pu Luong (near Kho Muong)
  • Pu Luong Eco garden (Bang village near Don village)
  • Pu Luong Jungle Lodge (Don village)
  • Pu LUong Natura (Don village)
  • Puluong Bocbandi Retreat (Nong village)
  • Hanasa Pu Luong (Don village) 

Luxury accommodation in Pu Luong

The price ranges from 95 USD per room pernight

  • Pu Luong Retreat (Don village)  : One of the most luxury accommodations in Pu Luong, popular for travellers on guided tours
  • Pu Luong Casa resort  (Nong village) 

Best restaurants in Pu Luong

Most of the restaurants in Pu Luong offer reasonable prices. You expect to pay from 5 USD to 20 USD per person depending on the dishes that you order 

Pu Luong Deer restaurant

The restaurant is located in the Hieu village area, feast authentic Vietnamese food. The price is reasonable. They also host lots of Western visitors with their Vietnamese set menu and ala carte. 

Pu Luong La Fumée Restaurant

This restaurant is good for travelers who stay in Bang Village, or any tourists who go on a guided trekking tour that includes Bang Village. They are famous for their hospitality and great food. They serve both Vietnamese and European fusion. It is a kind of upper-middle restaurant since the price isn’t cheap. 

Culture Pu Luong Restaurant

An excellent choice for those who take a trekking day trip to Kho Muong or spend the night here. The restaurant service Vietnamese food

Pu Luong May and Home Cafe

An excellent choice for someone who wants a light meal with some drinks. They serve Vietnamese food rice spring roll, fried rice etc..

The restaurant is located in Don village, which is an ideal location for both tourists in Pu Luong and those from Mai Chau to take a Pu Luong day trip.

Dac San Pu Luong (Pu Luong’s specialties)

A variety of choices for authentic local cuisines and Vietnamese food 

 

Pu Luong itinerary

There are a couple of options for day trips and multiday trips around Pu Luong

Pu Luong day trips

Option 1  : Walking around Hieu village, Medium trek to Hieu village, swim at Hieu waterfall. Return Don village.

Option 2 : Walking around Hieu village, Easy walk around Ban Coc village, Bamboo rafting, see bamboo waterwheels

Pu Luong multiday trips

Day 1 : Hanoi – Pu Luong – Easy walk around Don village

Day 2 : Pu Luong sightseeing (Baboo rafting, waterwheels, easy walk around Ban Cong, easy walk around Hieu village) 

Day 3 : Easy walk around Bang, Bam village. Lunch in Mai Chau. Easy walk around Mai Chau. Drive to Hanoi

Over to you

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