Ba Be itself is actually three smaller lakes joined together – Pe Lam, Pe Lu and Pe Leng. The climate is cool with an average temperature of 22°C. The best time to visit the area is during the dry season, which is during winter and spring. Ba Be Lakes lie in the middle of a vast limestone mountain range of Ba Be District, in Bac Kan Province, 200km north-west of Ha Noi – dubbed a "precious jade of Viet Nam" and one of 500 lakes recognised as worthy of attention.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (Meals : D)

Arrival at Noi Bai Airport. Meeting with guide and transfer to the hotel. Welcome dinner featuring Vietnamese specialties. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Ha Noi - Thai Nguyen - Ba Be National Park (240km/6hrs) (Meals : B/L/D)

7:30am - Start for a drive through the Red River Delta north along Hwy 3 to Thai Nguyen. Of interest here is the Museum of the Cultures of Viet Nam's Ethnic Groups. Leaving the delta behind, you'll start climbing into the mountainous area of Ba Be National Park. Take a short boat trip (30 minutes) to a Tay village for dinner and home stay in a local house.

Day 3: Ba Be (Meals : B/L/D)

Ba Be Lake, surrounded by rugged limestone mountains, is Viet Nam's only natural mountain lake. This important eco-system is well known for over 330 species of butterflies! Have breakfast with your Tay hosts before exploring the lake with lush forest clinging to the surrounding mountains. Reach the end of the lake and trek to Dau Dang Waterfall, boat back to the village. Overnight in homestay.

Day 4: Ba Be - Hanoi (240kms/6 hours). (Meals : B/L/D)

After breakfast in Tay family, transfer to BaBe National Park. Start 1 three-hour trekking in the Park. Have lunch in Ba Be National Park restaurant the head back to Hanoi. Overnight in the hotel in Hanoi.

Day 5: Hanoi City Tour (Meals: B/L)

At 9.00 AM, we start the city tour to visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple. Then continue to visit the Temple of Literature well known as Vietnam’s first university and the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem with its sacred Ngoc Son Temple. Free afternoon for shopping. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day6: Hanoi departure (Meals: B)

At leisure until transfer to Noi Bai Airport for departure flight (check out hotel before 12h00).