Bac Kan
2 days, 1 night
AH-BB03
6/10
$197 USD
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WHY THIS TOUR?

This tour is a great choice for travelers who want a real adventure in Ba Be, combining paddleboarding, caving, camping, and lake exploration in one journey. You will paddle downstream on the Nang River, pass through the dramatic Puong Cave where the river flows under the mountain, camp beside the peaceful waters of Ba Be Lake, and spend the next day exploring the wild beauty of Tham Phay Cave. The experience is made even richer by time on the lake near Pac Ngoi Village, one of Ba Be’s best-known traditional stilt-house communities. It is the perfect mix of outdoor challenge, spectacular scenery, and memorable moments in one of northern Vietnam’s most beautiful natural areas.

 Highlights

  • Experiencing the spectacular natural scenery of the Nang River, Puong Cave, and Ba Be Lake during the SUP journey.
  • Camping by Ba Be Lake with a beautiful view
  • Exploring Tham Phay Cave and its impressive stalagmites
  • Enjoying swimming and relaxing in nature
SUMMARY

  • Departure Point: Hanoi

  • Duration: 2 days, 1 night

  • Destination: Bac Kan

  • Activities: Caving

  • Min : 5 people

  • Best time: Sep - Jun

  • Max : 15 people

  • Difficulty level: 6/10

ITINERARY
Day 1: Ha Noi - Cho Ra - Ba Be - Camping

08:00 Departing for Bac Kan. On the way, we will stop for a break in Thai Nguyen.

13:30 Arriving at Ra market and having lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we will take a short drive to the boat dock at Boc Luom. This is where we will start paddling SUP down the Nang River to reach Puong Cave and Ba Be Lake. The Nang River is quite narrow with a strong current. The scenery along the river is diverse and magnificent, with many sections flowing past steep cliffs, while other areas open up to narrow valleys or corn fields. The most exciting highlight is when we paddle through Puong Cave, a giant cave that the river flows through. Thanks to the strong current and paddling downstream, we won’t exert ourselves too much, even though the distance paddled is considerable. 

After exiting Puong Cave, we will stop at a small island in the river to enjoy Chill Time, consisting of fruits and cold drinks, amid the beautiful natural surroundings. We will continue paddling to the confluence of the Nang River and Ba Be Lake. Here, we will board a motorboat to enter the lake. In summer, the boat will stop so we can enjoy swimming in the crystal-clear waters of Ba Be Lake, which is always refreshing. Our stop today will be at the camping area, staying at the right side of the lake, not far from Pac Ngoi village. Upon arrival at the camping site, we will enjoy a welcome drink and receive our tents. After freshening up, we can relax before dinner.

19:30 Having dinner at the campsite. After a delicious meal at the camping area, we will enjoy a fun time around the campfire with friends before going to sleep.

* Meals included: Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 2: Ba Be - Tham Phay - Ha Noi

08:00 Having breakfast at the camping area.

09:00 Packing up and walking to the pick-up point. We will take a 20-minute drive to the starting point. The guide will provide safety instructions and supply the necessary equipment.

10:00 Starting the journey through the forest to explore Tham Phay Cave. The route is quite interesting, featuring slopes, winding paths, and valleys. 

11:00 Arriving at the cave entrance. You will explore the dome ceiling, rock layers, and unique beauties for about 4 hours, experiencing the mystery of this cave. Tham Phay Cave has two branches of underground rivers, creating a unique journey where you will navigate through narrow passages, cross steep mountains, and some deep pits, giving you the opportunity to take beautiful photos. Vegetation and algae cover much of the cave, forming calcite. The cave expands significantly as you go further beyond the initial entrance, continuing to offer excellent photo opportunities.

13:00 Having lunch in the cave before continuing to explore the second route of the cave system, which features magnificent stalagmites that are millions of years old.

14:00 Coming back to the cave entrance and heading back to the initial pick-up point. Trekking to the pick-up point.

15:00 Coming back to Ba Be to freshen up and change before boarding the bus back to Hanoi.

16:30 Departing for Hanoi. The program ends upon arrival in Hanoi.

* Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

 

INCLUSION/EXCLUSION

Inclusion:

  • Round-trip bus: Ha Noi – Ba Be – Ha Noi
  • Motorboat
  • SUP & trekking gear
  • Equipments for exploring Tham Phay Cave 
  • Meals as the schedule on the itinerary
  • Tour guides 
  • Daily drinking water
  • Fee for entrance tickets
  • Travel insurance 

Exclusion:

  • Other kinds of beverage unlist in the tour program
  • Personal expenses
  • Transportation fee before and after the trip
  • Beverages during meals

 

 

THE EQUIPMENT NECESSARY

Equipment provided by VAH:

  • Trekking pole
  • Insect repellent
  • First-aid kit
  • SUP board and accessories
  • Life jacket
  • Tent and camping equipment
  • Reusable bottle
  • Dry bag 

       What to bring: 

  • Hikking shoes / walking sandals
  • Backpack (10L–30L)
  • Water bottle
  • Long-sleeved clothing, hat/cap, sunglasses, gloves, sunscreen, etc.
  • Personal medications
  • Electronics (Mobile phone, camera, power bank...), appropriate waterproof cases
  • ID or passport 

   Also recommended:

  • Hand sanitizer
  • Clothingfor a 2-day tour
  • Multi-tool

 

TOUR EQUIPMENT
IMPORTANT NOTES

1. Trekking Notes

  • Distance: The paddling route is approximately 8 km per day and 4 km for trekking route.
  • Terrain: we will paddling approximately 8 km along Nang river. The entire paddling route follows a downstream current with a relatively fast flow. Physical fitness is generally not a major concern; however, for those with limited experience paddling SUP in moving water, it is normal to feel a bit uneasy at the beginning. The trekking route is relatively easy, with a short walking duration, well-defined trails, and minimal elevation gain.
  • Suitability: This route is ideal for most fitness levels, including beginners. Families are welcome, Children from 12 years old are eligible to participate.

2. Camping.

  • VAH provides shared 4-person tents (2 guests per tent), along with sleeping mats and sleeping bags. In addition, VAH supplies tables, chairs, and tarps to enhance comfort and convenience during the forest camping experience.

3. SUP Paddling notes

  • Participants are required to wear a life jacket and a safety leash at all times, and should not stand on the board immediately from the starting point. After paddling approximately 1–2 km, once you feel more comfortable and confident with the current, you may begin standing up to paddle.
  • While on the river, please pay close attention to avoid fast-flowing sections and obstacles such as tree branches, rocks, or other debris. If you are a strong swimmer and have significant SUP experience, you may remove your life jacket and secure it to the board; however, wearing the safety leash at all times is strictly mandatory.

4. Tham Phay cave exploration notes

  • We will explore Tham Phay Cave for approximately 4 hours. Inside the cave, there are several sections requiring wading through water up to 1.2 meters deep. The cave does not have extremely difficult terrain and does not require specialized equipment such as climbing ropes.
  • Vietnam Adventure Hub will provide participants with high-quality, professional helmets and helmet-mounted lights. In addition, dry bags will be provided for storing essential items during the cave exploration.

5. Responsible Travel & Environmental Protection

  • Leave No Trace: We strictly follow and promote the Leave No Trace principles in all our outdoor programs. We encourage our guests and partners to apply these ethics to minimize our impact on the natural environment. [See details about Leave No Trace here]
  • Reduce Plastic Waste: To limit single-use plastics, we encourage everyone to bring a reusable water bottle (minimum 1L capacity). Refill stations will be provided throughout the trip.
  • Local Regulations: We kindly ask all guests to comply with the specific environmental regulations and instructions provided by our guides at the destination.

6. Health & Safety

  • Medical Considerations: Your safety is our priority. If you have a history of cardiovascular conditions or chronic joint issues (knees, ankles, shoulders, etc.), please consult with your doctor before booking this trip.
  • Physical Fitness: Practice running or kayaking/SUP 1–2 weeks in advance. Each week, run 2 sessions, 3–5 km per session. Or paddle SUP/kayak 2–3 sessions per week, approximately 5 km per session.
  • Transparency: Please inform our tour guide of any existing health conditions or allergies at the start of the journey so we can support you best.