Ninh Binh
2 days 1 night
Trekking, camping
4/10
5 (0 Customer rating)
Tour overview

Cuc Phuong National Park has long been renowned for its butterfly season, which runs from late April to late May, showcasing millions of colorful butterflies. However, starting from April and extending until July, it also marks the enchanting firefly season. During this time of the year, the warm dry summer weather makes it ideal for insects, butterflies, and fireflies to thrive. The prime spots for observing beautiful butterflies are along the road from the forest entrance to Bong, and along the branching paths with numerous puddles or along the streams within the forest. As for the best firefly viewing spots in Cuc Phuong, they include Bong, Mac Lake, and the accommodation area at the park entrance. The green light emitted by thousands of fireflies creates an enchanting, surreal scene in the ancient forest that one cannot easily forget.

Summary
  • Departure from: Hà Nội

  • Min: 5 people

  • Destination: Ninh Binh

  • Max: 15 people

  • Duration: 2 days 1 night

  • Best season: Apr - Jun

  • Activities: Trekking, camping

  • Level: 4/10

Images & Videos
Itinerary
Day 1: Ha Noi – Cuc Phuong NP

06:30 Arrive at the meeting point for pickup. Board the bus to Ninh Binh. Prepare your own breakfast to eat on the bus or have breakfast at rest stops along the way.

09:30 Arrive at Cuc Phuong, meet with forestry officers and local guides, receive instructions for the trip, and prepare gear for the adventure. Before entering the forest, we will visit the rescue center for endangered species to learn about the research and rescue efforts of Cuc Phuong National Park.

11:30 Continue by bus to Bong, the central area of the national park. Along this route, we will stop to admire and photograph butterflies at various spots. Upon arrival at Bong, have lunch at the restaurant before embarking on a 2-hour trek through the old-growth forest to the Giant Tree. Forestry officers will accompany us, sharing knowledge about the flora and fauna of the forest and survival skills.

15:30 Return to Bong. Set up camp and rest, or explore short hiking trails around Bong.

18:30 Dinner at a restaurant in Bong.

19:30 Visit firefly viewing spots. The remaining time of the evening will be spent relaxing by the campfire until bedtime.

*Meals included: lunch, dinner

Day 2: Cuc Phuong NP – Primate Rescure Centre – Ha Noi

07:00 Wake up to the sounds of birds and insects. Enjoy coffee or hot tea along with a full breakfast at the restaurant in Bong.

08:00 Break camp and board the bus to visit the Ancient People Cave, located on the road from Bong to the entrance of Cuc Phuong National Park. We'll continue to admire and photograph butterflies along this route. After visiting the Ancient People Cave, we'll board the bus to the Bear Rescue Center operated by the international organization Four Paws, located 10km from Cuc Phuong National Park.

10:00 Arrive at the Bear Rescue Center in Ninh Binh. This is a standard international environmental education and tourism site with professional infrastructure and activities. Rescue staff will guide the group through various areas of the center. The stories and experiences we witness here will help us gain a better understanding of contributing to the protection of bears in Vietnam.

12:00 After visiting the center, we'll board the bus to a restaurant in Ninh Binh for lunch.

14:00 Return to Hanoi. The tour ends upon arrival in Hanoi.

*Meals included: breakfast, lunch

Inclusion & Exclusion

The tour price includes:

  • Round-trip transportation by car from Hanoi to Cuc Phuong National Park and back to Hanoi
  • Camping equipment and trekking accessories
  • Meals (1 dinner, 2 lunches, 1 breakfast)
  • Tour guide services
  • Bottled water throughout the tour
  • Entrance tickets to attractions
  • Travel insurance

The tour price does not include:

  • Beverages outside of the provided program
  • Beverages during meals
  • Transportation before and after the program
  • Other personal expenses

 

Difficulty of the activity

Difficulty Level 4/10: This tour is suitable for everyone, including children. Activities are kept at a gentle level, so there's no need for prior physical preparation or experience. Tours typically last 1-2 days. For trekking tours at this level, trekking time is usually around 1-2 hours per day on easy terrain. For kayak or SUP tours at this level, paddling time ranges from 1-2 hours per day with plenty of time for photo stops and rest breaks.

  • Experience/Skill Requirement: None
  • Physical Requirement: Low
  • Tour Duration: 1-2 days
  • Outdoor Activity Duration: 2-3 hours per day
  • Children: From 6 years old can participate

 

 

Physical Preparation Suggestion: Train by running or kayaking/SUP paddling in the 1-2 weeks leading up to the tour. Run 2 sessions per week, covering 3-5km each session. Alternatively, kayak or SUP paddle 2-3 times per week, covering 5km each session.

Equipment

Equipment provided by Umove Adventure:

  • Tent, sleeping bag, air mattresses
  • Trekking pole
  • First-aid kit


Personal essentials to prepare:

  • Trekking Shoes or Sandals
  • Small Backpack (10L - 20L Capacity)
  • Flashlight or Headlamp
  • Water Bottle (Approximately 1L Capacity)
  • Long-sleeve Clothing, Hat, Sunglasses, Gloves, Sunscreen
  • Mobile Phone, Camera, Power Bank
  • Multi-tool or Swiss Army Knife
  • Personal Medications
  • Personal Hygiene Items
  • Identification Documents

 

Additional gear suggestions:

  • Extra Clothing
  • Waterproof Phone Pouch
Essential info

1. Travel Insurance:
Umove Adventure utilizes the services of Bao Viet Insurance Company, with a maximum insurance payout of 100 million VND per person per incident. Please see the details of Bao Viet's insurance policy here.

2. Read and Sign the Liability Waiver before Departure:
Customers purchasing Umove Adventure's adventure tours are fully aware of the "adventurous" nature and physical challenges as well as potential risks involved in the tour. Therefore, customers are required to read and sign the Liability Waiver before departure. Please carefully read the content of the Liability Waiver here before registering to join.

3. Trekking & Camping Route:
The trekking route is approximately 6-7km long. We will walk on relatively easy trails with minimal elevation gain.
The camping site at Bong is a flat and spacious grassland. Umove Adventure uses 3 or 4-person tents for 2 people, providing ample space. Each tent comes with an air mattress and a sleeping bag. There are toilets and bathrooms at Bong.

4. Opportunity to Observe Fireflies & Butterflies at Cuc Phuong National Park:
Fireflies, butterflies, or any other insects are natural elements beyond the control of Umove Adventure; therefore, we cannot guarantee a 100% chance of experiencing the magical world of fireflies and butterflies as depicted in photos taken at Cuc Phuong. We only commit to taking you to the locations with the highest concentration of butterflies and fireflies at Cuc Phuong and at the most appropriate times.
The butterfly season typically begins in April and may last until the end of May or even the end of June, depending on the weather. Butterflies tend to concentrate in moist areas such as puddles and dry creek beds. In Cuc Phuong, butterflies gather at Bong, Mac Lake, and along the 18km road from the national park gate to Bong.
The firefly season starts in April and lasts until July every year, with the peak period being in April and May. Generally, the hotter and drier the weather, the more fireflies there will be. The number of fireflies may decrease at certain times during the season if the moon is too bright, there are too many lights, it's raining, or there's a lot of smoke.

5. Environmental Protection Cooperation:
Umove Adventure supports and applies the principles of Leave No Trace in its programs and outdoor tour activities. We also encourage customers and partners to apply Leave No Trace principles in their lives. See more details about Leave No Trace here.
To minimize the use of single-use plastic bottles, Umove Adventure recommends that each traveler bring a 1L water bottle to fill up daily.
During the tour, customers must adhere to instructions and regulations regarding environmental protection at the destination.

6. Health Warning:
If you have heart disease or joint problems (knees, ankles), it is advisable to consult a doctor before deciding to join the trip.

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