Mai Chau school tours : Educational and Volunteer Mai Chau – 8 days

Mai Chau Volunteer trip and Educational Travel  : 8 days

Day 1: Hanoi – settle in

Check in to your hotel and spend the day touring the city and its main sites. A good prelude to this tour is a trip to the Museum of Ethnology – this museum will give you an overview of all the local tribes and ethnicities.  Of further cultural interest is the Women’s Museum. Then, perhaps take a walk through the backstreets of the old town. These tight streets are full of the sights and sounds of big city living. Have dinner in a local restaurant before getting a good night’s rest in your accommodation

Day 2: Cycling tour

Included: Lunch and Dinner

You will be collected in the early morning and begin the journey to Mai Chau. The bus will stop on the way for refreshment about halfway through the journey, with arrival in Mai Chau scheduled for noon.

12pm: On arrival, enjoy lunch with your hosts and settle into your accommodation – marvel at the architecture of the homes built on stilts.

Your host will take some time after lunch to discuss the tour package, give some basic information on the traditional ways of living and the schedule for the activities ahead.

2pm: An afternoon bicycle tour of the surrounding area is planned, during which we will stop at a few local settlements in order for you to get your bearings – it is these villages in which you will be undertaking your activities. You’ll be sure to get some great photographs of daily living on this part of the tour.

Stop as you please and meet and greet the locals – you will get to know some of them better later! The bicycle tour is on flat terrain, however if you prefer we can organize a motorbike to transport you instead.

In the early evening take a trip downstream on a traditional bamboo raft before heading back to your hosts for a short rest and refreshment. Dinner is served in your accommodation and is sure to be an interesting experience with several local dishes on offer.

Day 3:  Get down to work on the farm

Included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a hearty breakfast it is time for you to take your newly acquired tools and follow your guide to their plot of land to assist them with daily tasks. Help them prepare the land, or take in some crops depending on the season. You will be grateful for lunch at midday, before heading back out to finish the afternoon learning some more about traditional farming. Dinner is again served at home by your hosts.

Day 4: Rice Farming

Included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today’s activity will begin again after breakfast.  A local rice farmer will greet you and take you through a little information about their farm and daily activities. Your tour guide will also explain the process of growing rice and how the land is prepared, before assisting you into your farming gear suitable for the mud that will greet you on the field.

Once on the paddy you will get to put into practice what you learned from your guide and farmer earlier this morning, as you plant or irrigate the field.

Day 5: Continued agriculture work

Included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you will continue on the rice paddy by collecting snails from the field. After lunch you will move from rice to vegetables – planting whatever is typical for this time of year. This evening, it’s time to try your hand at some cooking with your host.

Day 6: Building and crafts

Included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You will continue to assist in the local village – perhaps you will be invited to assist with building a home or communal building. You will also be able to meet with other locals and learn some more about different people in the area. Tonight, it’s time to make a traditional basket out of bamboo.

Day 7: Visit the local schools

Included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is a favorite day for many – get up early to be with the children at 7am! In the nursery school you will assist the teacher with the morning routine – playing with the children or reading stories. They will be sure to be interested in learning a few words of English too.

Some small contribution to the school in the form of learning tools would be sure to be appreciated by the teacher. It will also be possible to meet some older children in the higher grades – they will definitely wish to practice their English with you!

Your last meal with your host is your opportunity to pass on your thanks for their hospitality and local knowledge.

Day 8: Morning Free Time – return to Hanoi

Included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, take a final stroll through the area, perhaps saying goodbye to new friends or purchasing some gifts for your family and friends at home. Your host will prepare a light lunch before you head back to Hanoi for your onward journey tomorrow.

Happy family and student after construction

Mai Chau stone laying work

Welcoming local students in Mai Chau

$640 per person (Applied for a group over 10 people)

Included

• English speaking Vietnamese tour leader
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary ( 08 lunches, 07 dinners, 07 breakfasts)
• Donation for construction works for locals
• All accommodation (homestays, guest houses)
• Local guides in Mai Chau
• Tool and materials for the community service project

Excluded

Tipping

Personal expenses

Other services not mentioned above