Half-day Nature Walk: Start your walk from Avana, and along the route, you will witness the beautiful countryside surrounding you. Feel the peace emanating from the majestic green forests, the deserted country roads, and the verdant rice paddy fields. Get an insight into local life by meandering through the ethnic villages and admiring the charming scenery of the area.
- Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
- Distance: 6 kilometers
- Difficulty level: 1
- Elevation: From 100m to 300m
- Note: This hike is suitable for those 10 years old and older. Must be booked 24 hours in advance.
Full-day Hiking: A View from the Top (Picnic Lunch Included): Walking this trail is an iconic mountain trekking experience in Mai Chau. You will hike directly uphill into the mountains behind Avana until you reach the top of Bò Buôi Mountain. From there, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the whole valley below and experience a true sense of freedom. After a rest, continue to an ethnic Hmong village before hiking further downhill to visit some Thai ethnic villages. The hike provides an awesome opportunity to enjoy spectacular grasslands, hills, valleys, and local scenery. Avana's culinary team will prepare a gourmet picnic lunch as part of the package.
- Duration: 8 hours, 30 minutes
- Distance: 15 kilometers
- Level: 3
- Difference in height: 100 meters
- Elevation: 450m (from 350m to 800m)
- Terrain: Mountain trails
- Note: This hike is not recommended for guests younger than 15 years of age. Good physical fitness is required
Full-day Hiking: Hike to Hmong Village (picnic lunch included): After a 30-minute drive, you will reach the home of some Hmong ethnic people in Tau Na village. From there, you will hike further up until you can almost feel at one with the mountain while taking in the sights and sounds of the remote region. The hike then continues through a beautiful meadow dotted with Hmong stilt houses. You will likely see Hmong children in colorful clothes sitting on the rocks and playing while their parents work in the garden. Walking along the winding red dirt roads, you will certainly see buffalo roaming their trails before heading back down to Tau Na. A tasty picnic lunch will be served mid-tour, with an opportunity to rest and soak up the tranquil mountain atmosphere. After lunch, you will meet your driver and be transferred back to the resort.
- Duration: 7 hours
- Distance: 14 kilometers
- Difficulty level: 2
- Terrain: Mountain trails
- Difference in height: 200 meters
- Elevation: 550m (from 350m to 900m)
- Note: This hike is suitable for those 10 years old and older.
Full-day kayak getaway (lunch is included) After a two-hour drive today, you will arrive at Ba Lake and be prepared for your kayaking adventure. Enjoy the breathtaking view of tree-covered mountains, islands, and islets during your two-hour kayaking excursion on the lake's tranquil waters. Then, enjoy lunch at a local house as you admire the idyllic lake view before returning to Avana Retreat.
- Distance: 55 kilometers
- Duration: 2 hours per way (Avana-Ngoi Village-Avana)
- Duration of the Kayak activity: 2 hours
- Distance: 10 kilometers
- Level: Intermediate
- Time: From 07:30 to 16:00 (Hanoi - Ngoi Village - Avana)
Morning Jeep tour in the countryside: You will start your jeep tour from Avana Retreat and leave the area via the backroads, passing through areas of natural wonder as well as the local village. During the 1.5-hour Jeep tour, you will see a lot of beautiful rice fields and rice terraces, cross some small rivers and bridges, and witness the beauty of the countryside. You will have a lot of opportunities to learn about the culture and the region, and you will be able to stop for pictures.
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Notes: 3 people per Jeep
Cooking Class with the Chef (Meals Included: Lunch): Uncover the tasteful secrets of local cuisine with a cooking class at the resort. You will start the experience on a ride with the chef to visit a local garden, learn about the local vegetables, and hand-pick the ones needed for the cooking session. Then, travel back to Avana Retreat and try crafting a delicious meal. The chef will reveal his cooking techniques and the ingredients behind each dish. Finish with a tasting session of the food prepared in class.
- Duration: 5 hours, 30 minutes, from 08:00 to 13:30