Hoa Binh
2 days 1 night
SUP/kayak, trekking, swimming
6/10
5 (0 Customer rating)
2.970.000 VNĐ
Tour overview

This meticulously crafted outdoor getaway is the ultimate escape for nature enthusiasts seeking a harmonious blend of thrilling exploration and profound relaxation. Our journey centers around the magnificent Dragon Eye Lake (also known as Hoa Tien Lake), a pristine hidden gem nestled within Ngoi Hoa village in Hoa Binh province. What makes this lake truly remarkable is its subterranean connection to the vast Hoa Binh Reservoir. While the main reservoir's waters may shift in clarity throughout the changing seasons, Dragon Eye Lake remains an untouched emerald jewel, boasting crystal-clear waters year-round. Surrounding this aquatic marvel is Ngoi Hoa Bay, a remarkably peaceful sanctuary framed by dramatic limestone karsts, verdant jungles, and the idyllic, deeply authentic villages of the Muong ethnic minority.

Highlights

  • Uncovering the hidden, emerald-green waters of the secluded Dragon Eye Lake
  • Gliding on a SUP through the pristine and untouched waterways of Ngoi Hoa Bay
  • Embracing local culture with an overnight stay in a traditional Muong stilt-house homestay
  • Trekking through the vibrant, picturesque landscapes of the Ngoi Hoa Valley
  • Delighting in a curated selection of authentic, mouth-watering regional specialties
  • Paddling with absolute confidence, fully supported by a dedicated motorized escort boat

 

Summary
  • Departure from: Ha Noi

  • Min: 6 people

  • Destination: Hoa Binh

  • Max: 15 people

  • Duration: 2 days 1 night

  • Best season: Year-round

  • Activities: SUP/kayak, trekking, swimming

  • Level: 6/10

Images & Videos
Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi – Ngoi Hoa Pier – Ngoi Hoa Bay – Dragon Eye Lake

06:30 Your adventure begins as you meet your dedicated tour guide at the designated pick-up point in Hanoi. We will board our comfortable, air-conditioned transfer vehicle and set off towards the mountainous landscapes of Hoa Binh. A brief morning stop will be made in Hoa Binh City, allowing you time to enjoy a quick, energizing breakfast.

09:00 We arrive at the bustling Ngoi Hoa Pier. Here, you will be equipped with high-quality SUP gear and receive a comprehensive safety briefing from our expert instructors. Once comfortable, we will launch our boards and paddle gracefully towards the trekking point for Dragon Eye Lake. Leaving our SUPs behind, we embark on a captivating 20-minute hike through the lush forest. Dragon Eye is a remarkably secluded lake, entirely walled in by towering limestone mountains. Its landscape is highly dynamic, shifting with the seasonal water levels. When the water recedes, a mesmerizing scene of submerged dead trees is revealed, creating an enchanted, fairy-tale atmosphere that is endlessly photogenic. Prepare to lose track of time as you capture the flawless beauty of this natural sanctuary.

12:00 We hike back out of the dense foliage and board our spacious support boat, where a freshly prepared, well-deserved lunch awaits you on the water.

13:30 Reinvigorated, we resume our SUP expedition, paddling smoothly towards the majestic expanses of Ba Khan Bay. Our ultimate afternoon destination is a spectacular cape extending gracefully into the reservoir. This is your dedicated "chill time." Simply sit back, relax, and savor fresh tropical fruits and ice-cold beverages as you witness a breathtaking, golden sunset reflecting across the tranquil waters of Hoa Binh.

17:30 As dusk falls, we board the boat for a twilight cruise back to Ngoi Hoa village. Our home for the night is a charming, traditional stilt-house homestay. Impeccably clean and equipped with modern comforts, it perfectly balances authentic rural living with essential conveniences.

18:30 A magnificent dinner is served, featuring a rich array of traditional Muong dishes prepared with local ingredients. Following the feast, the evening is yours to enjoy. Gather around a crackling campfire, listen to soothing ambient music, share stories with fellow travelers, and sip on cold drinks under a canopy of stars before retiring for a restful sleep.

* Included meals: Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 2: Ngoi Hoa – Hanoi

07:30 Wake up to the gentle sounds of the village. Enjoy a wholesome breakfast and a hot cup of Vietnamese coffee right at the homestay, taking in the crisp, refreshing morning air.

08:30 We lace up our boots for an exciting morning trek. The trail guides us through the vibrant Ngoi Hoa Valley and ascends towards the ancient Hoa Tien Cave. The hike culminates at an extraordinary panoramic viewpoint. From this elevated vantage, you are rewarded with sweeping, majestic views overlooking the entirety of Dragon Eye Lake and the vast, winding stretches of the Hoa Binh Reservoir below.

11:30 Add a touch of local thrill to your journey as we return to the homestay via traditional motorbike taxis (xe ôm). You will have ample time to take a refreshing shower, pack your belongings, and sit down for a deeply satisfying farewell lunch.

14:00 We say goodbye to our hosts and board the boat at the Ngoi Hoa dock for a scenic final cruise back to the main pier. Our transfer vehicle will be ready and waiting to ensure a smooth, comfortable drive back to the city.

16:30 We arrive safely back in Hanoi, officially bringing this unforgettable and restorative nature retreat to a close.

* Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Inclusion & Exclusion

Inclusion:

  • Round-trip transportation: Hanoi – Ngoi Hoa Port – Hanoi
  • Escort support boat throughout the paddling route
  • SUP and accessories
  • Trekking poles
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • Homestay accommodation in Ngoi Hoa
  • Tour guide throughout the journey
  • Travel insurance
  • Daily drinking water
  • Entrance fees

Exclusion:

  • Drinking water outside the itinerary
  • Beverages during meals
  • Transportation before and after the tour
  • Other personal expenses

 

Departure schedule
Departure day Finish day   Tour cost
Difficulty of the activity

Difficulty Level (6/10): Most people can participate in the tour, children from 6 years old and above also can join with parents. It will be easier and more comfortable for you to experience outdoor activities if you have good preparation for physical training before the trip. The duration of each trip is generally 2 days. With those trekking tours at this level, it might take 2 – 3 hours/day to do the trek with the relatively easy terrain. At the same level, the kayaking and SUP tours, 2 – 3 hours/ days paddling with the large water surface, and plenty of times to take photos and rest as well. 

Suggested physical training: Practice running or kayaking/SUP 1 - 2 weeks in advance. Run twice a week, each session 3 - 5km every night. Or paddling from 2- 3 times, each time is 5 km.

Equipment

Equipment provided by UA:

  • SUP or double sit-on-top kayak
  • Life jacket
  • First aid kit for the whole group

Essential stuff you need to bring: 

  • Water shoes, sandals
  • Sports shoes/sneakers for trekking
  • Water bottle (approx. 1L capacity)
  • Winter: warm clothes, windbreaker, thermal wear, wetsuit
  • Summer: long-sleeved swimwear (rashguard), hat, sunglasses, arm sleeves, sunscreen...
  • Mobile phone, camera, power bank, suitable waterproof case...
  • Personal identification documents

Other items you may consider to bring:

  • Spare clothes
  • Personal medication
  • Bath towel, hand sanitizer
  • Waterproof phone pouch
Essential info

1. Travel Insurance:

  • Umove Adventure uses the services of Bao Viet Insurance Company with a maximum payout of 100 million VND/person/incident.

2. View the tour postponement and cancellation policy in the Terms and Guidelines tại đây

3. Read and sign the Liability Waiver before departure: Customers purchasing adventure tours from Umove Adventure are fully aware of the level of "adventure," the physical challenges, and the potential risks involved in the tour. Therefore, customers are required to read and sign the Liability Waiver before departure. Please carefully read the contents of the Liability Waiver below before registering to join.

                                                                       Phiếu miễn trừ trách nhiệm.                                 

4. Notes on SUP/kayak paddling and trekking routes:

  • On day 2, we will be in Ngoi Hoa Bay, a quite enclosed bay surrounded by high mountains. The paddling time is about 2 - 2.5 hours. While paddling, we will have an escort motorboat following us.

  • Before starting to paddle, the tour guide will instruct you on how to paddle and provide safety and route notes. You need to wear a life jacket and a leash properly. For first-time SUP paddlers, it is not advisable to stand up on the SUP right from the starting point. After paddling for about 1km - 2km, if you feel comfortable and confident with the water current, you can start standing up to paddle.

  • While paddling on the lake, please pay attention to avoid obstacles such as tree branches, rocks, etc. Paddle close to the shore and watch out for motorboats operating on the lake.

  • If you know how to swim and have a lot of paddling experience, you may take off your life jacket and tie it to the SUP, but you absolutely must not remove the leash.

  • In case of entering Mat Rong (Dragon Eye) Lake, we will trek for about 20-25 minutes along a small mountain trail. The path is not difficult, but it requires wearing sports shoes or sports sandals (flip-flops are not allowed).

5. Homestay:

  • Our homestay is with a Muong ethnic family in Ngoi Hoa village. We will sleep in a traditional stilt house. Each person will have their own mattress, blanket, and mosquito net.

6. Food & Drink:

  • Meals at the homestay are quite diverse and feature many "local characteristics of the Muong ethnic group" such as grilled fish, grilled pork, stir-fried and boiled vegetables... If you have dietary restrictions or are vegetarian, you must inform the UA operator in advance so we can prepare suitable food for you.

  • In case you have special dietary requirements that we cannot accommodate (for health, medical, or religious reasons, etc.), we suggest you prepare and bring your own food.

  • Drinking water will be fully provided on the vehicle and while paddling.

  • Alcoholic beverages are not allowed while paddling SUP, kayak, or trekking. Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks are not included in the meals.

7. Joining hands to protect the environment:

  • Umove Adventure supports and applies the principles of Leave No Trace in its outdoor tour programs and activities. We also encourage customers and partners to apply the principles of Leave No Trace when traveling in outdoor environments. View details about Leave No Trace here.

  • During the tour, guests must follow all instructions and regulations regarding environmental protection at the destination.

8. Safety and Medical Warnings:

  • If you have cardiovascular diseases or bone and joint issues (knees, ankles, shoulder joints, etc.), you should consult with a doctor before deciding to join the trip. The tour guide will carry a basic first aid kit. If you have health issues that require medication, you should bring your own personal medicine.

  • In all cases, if you go into the water to swim, you must wear a life jacket.

Q&A
What is the most suitable time for this program?

You can travel to Hoa Binh at any time. From April to October is the ideal time for SUP paddling and swimming activities. From November to March, Hoa Binh becomes an ideal destination for relaxation, driving away the hustle, bustle, and noise of daily life.

How old do children need to be to join this tour?

If children paddle by themselves, they must be 12 years old or older. If children sit in a kayak or on a SUP with an adult, they can join from around 8 years old.

If I have never paddled a SUP/Kayak before, can I join this tour?

With a difficulty level of 6/10, even those who have never paddled a SUP before can still participate. Before you go into the water, the tour guide will instruct the group on basic paddling skills and safety skills when paddling a SUP. Tourists will have time to get familiar with the SUP before paddling.

Can I participate if I don't know how to swim?
You can still participate even if you don't know how to swim, provided that you strictly follow the safety instructions of the tour guide. 100% of SUP paddlers who wish to go into the water to swim must wear a life jacket and a leg leash.
If I get too tired while paddling SUP/kayak and cannot continue, can I stop?

When paddling, if you become too tired to continue, you must quickly notify the tour guide or support boat to receive assistance. Most of Umove Adventure's tours have an escort motorboat following for support. In case you are too tired to keep paddling, you can board the motorboat to follow the group for the remainder of the program.

Can I join this tour if I am traveling alone?

This is a group tour, so you can join the tour alone. However, the minimum number of guests for the tour to depart is 6, so if the minimum number is not met, UA will notify you 1 week in advance so you can decide to change your departure date to another day or receive your deposit back.

How much deposit do I need to pay upon registration? When is the remaining balance due?

When registering for the tour, customers must pay a 50% deposit via bank transfer or credit card through Onepay. The remaining 50% balance must be paid by the customer no later than 1 day before the departure date, also via bank transfer or credit card through Onepay. UA will not confirm the booking if the tour deposit has not been received.

Can I postpone/cancel the tour before the departure date?

Depending on how far in advance the postponement or cancellation is from the departure date, you may be subject to a fee. In case you wish to change your departure date or switch to another tour, Umove Adventure will change the departure date for you and may (or may not) charge a fee. For details, please see our Cancellation Policy. Chi tiết xem tại Chính sách hoãn huỷ của chúng tôi.

If I am a vegetarian (or have specific dietary restrictions), can the tour accommodate it?

You will need to inform Umove Adventure before booking the tour about your vegetarian or dietary requirements. We will check if the destination can accommodate those needs and then notify you. Typically, Umove Adventure will have vegetarian options available for customers depending on the tour's location.

What camping equipment will Umove Adventure provide on this tour?

Please refer to the Equipment section in the tour details.

Can I bring my pet (dog/cat) along?

Umove Adventure does not organize tours specifically for guests bringing pets, therefore bringing a pet will depend on the consent of the other passengers on the tour. In case you wish to bring a pet on the tour, Umove Adventure will ask for the opinions of everyone in the group to see if they agree, and you will be fully responsible for ensuring general hygiene as well as the safety of your pet.

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