NB 05: Cycling tour to Tam Coc - Thai Vi - Bich Dong - Mua Cave



Tam Coc is known to travelers as Viet Nam `s Ha Long Bay without water. Ha Long Bay on the rice paddies (a striking resemblance to Guilin and Yangshuo in China ). Tam Coc has huge rock formation jutting out of rice fields. Tam Coc means  "Three Caves".
 

Mua Cave  Bich Dong Pagoda


Bich Dong is the most second beautiful pagoda of Viet Nam, after Perfume Pagoda. It is a couple of kilometres north of Tam Coc. The Lower Pagoda is located at the foot of the outcrop, from which it`s a climb of about 100-step to the Middle Pagoda, then a shorter but still steep ascent to the upper Pagoda. Inside each cave temple, looming statues and the smoke of burning incense create an otherworldly atmosphere. Outside the reverse couldn`t be more true: there are some incredible views of the countryside.
 

Mua Cave ( Cave of Dance ) is very impressive with small grove of trees, but the main attraction is a 500-step trek to the pagoda at the top where there`s a simple altar to Quan Âm ( Goddess of Mercy ). Really spectacular views including Tam Coc cave ( see where the tour boats go! )

Cycling tour to Tam Coc, Thai Vi temple, Bich Dong, Mua cave
(the best way to avoid Highway #1A is cycling tour)

08h30: 


Leaving your hotel to Tam Coc on bike riding through the lush green fields of the Ninh Binh countryside, past water buffaloes, wild birds, and tiny villages untouched by tourism.

09h10: 

Taking a 2-hour boat trip along Ngo Dong River to admire a great scenery of Tam Coc.

11h10:   

Finish the boat trip and then continue to ride on a bike to Bich Dong.

11h40:   

Visiting Bich Dong pagoda which was considered to be the most second beautiful

 

grotto in Vietnam in the 17th century.

12h40: 

Continue to ride on a bike to a local restaurant for lunch nearby Tam Coc center.

12h50: 

Having lunch.

14h50: 

Continue to ride on a bike to Mua cave.

15h30: 

Hike up entrance zigzags with a 476-step trek to the pagoda at the top of the hill to

 

see spectacular views where the tour boats go on the Ngo Dong River in Tam Coc.

16h30:  

After visiting Mua Cave, the guide will cycle with you on the contryside road

 

to your hotel in Ninh Binh city and ends at around 17h10.

 

The facts...

 Physical activities: Cycling and boating
  +  a 25-km cycling
  +  a 2-hour boat trip
  +  a 576-step hike
 

From May to August, the climate is usually humid and hot. From
September to April brings cooler and more pleasant weather.

 

What to bring:

+ Camera

+ Umbrella

+ Sunblock

+ Hat

+ Comfortable shoes
 

Included in price:

+ English Speaking guide (local)

+ Other languages upon your request

+ Bicycles

+ Boat trip (rowing by local people.)

+ All entrance and sightseeing fees

+ Lunch (we carter vegetarians),

+ Pick-up & drop-off at hotel in the city center (outside the city center, surcharge USD 8.00 ++/ per person)

+ All taxes & services charge.

 

Not included in price :

+ Beverages and other meals do not indicate in the program.

+ Travel insurance

+ Drinks and other personal expenses. 

+ Tips/ Gratuities 
+ Any additional expenses caused by reasons beyond our control such as natural calamities (typhoon, floods), flight delays, rescheduling or cancellations, any accidents, medical evacuations, riots, strikes etc.
 

Important notes :
+ Child 1-4 years old: F.O.C ( Free of charge )
+ Child 5 - 8 years old, 75% adult price
+ Peak season surcharge 25% on Dec 24th and 31st and Lunar New Year Eve.
 

Other notes:
+ Join-in group is not available. Please contact us if you need further information
+ In case you could not receive our automatic email-reply in some minutes, kindly send us a message
   to our backup mailbox at thevancouverhotel@gmail.com. Thank you!

Jennifer T
Toronto, Canada
1 review

“A magical day trip to Ninh Binh”

••••• 
Reviewed Dec 4 2014 NEW  via mobile


My sister and I just got back from a day tour organized by the Vancouver Hotel, the one on the hotel website which includes cycling to Tam Coc, the Binh Dong Pagoda, and the Mua Caves. It was quite honestly the most incredible tour I have ever been on. Mr. David, the owner of the hotel, helped us arrange transportation from Hanoi, a personalized itinerary, and a fantastic guide. He even went above and beyond when he personally accompanied us to the train station at the end of the day to ensure that we wouldn't be late. The tour was magical: bike riding through the lush green fields of the Ninh Binh countryside, past water buffaloes, wild birds, and tiny villages untouched by tourism. We had a 1-2 hour boat ride through Tam Coc, the "Halong Bay on land", flanked by towering llimestone mountains . The highlight of the trip was climbing up to the Mua Caves at sunset and seeing the most breathtaking view of Ninh Binh (and of Vietnam) ever. Well worth the 486 step climb! Overall, I was blown away by the quality of the tour (for a very reasonable price), the excellent service provided by David and the tour guide, and the unbelievable landscapes I got to see.
 

Stayed December 2013, traveled with family

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

 


PRICE FOR PER PERSON IN VND OR EUR OR USD FOR A PRIVATE GROUP

 

Number in group
private group

Price per person in party of group

1 pax

2 – 4 pax

5 – 6 pax

7–10 pax

11-15 pax

Price in VND

3,668,000

1,785,000

1,592,000

1,490,000

1,390,000

Price in EUR

EUR 149

EUR 73

EUR 65

EUR 60

EUR 56

Price in USD

USD 154

USD 75

USD 67

USD 63

USD 58


Other notes:
+ Join-in group is not available. Please contact us if you need further information
+ In case you could not receive our automatic email-reply in some minutes, kindly send us a message
   to our backup mailbox at thevancouverhotel@gmail.com. Thank you !