Exploring Cuc Phuong National Park - Season of Fireflies & Butterflies (late April-end of May only)
Cuc Phuong National Park has long been famous for its butterfly season, which occurs from late April to the end of May, with millions of colorful butterflies.
However, starting from April and lasting until July is also the season for the incredibly magical fireflies. This time of year is the warm and dry summer, ideal for the activity of insects, butterflies, and fireflies. The most beautiful spots to see butterflies are along the road from the park entrance to Bong and the branch trails with many water holes or along the forest streams. As for the best places to watch fireflies in Cuc Phuong, they are Bong, Ho Mac, and the guesthouses near the park entrance. The green light from thousands of fireflies creates an unforgettable, mesmerizing, surreal scene in the ancient forest.
Experiencing Cuc Phuong in butterfly & firefly season
Inclusion
Round-trip car: Ha Noi – Cuc Phuong forest – Ha Noi
Camping equipment (tent, mattress, sleeping bag)
Trekking gear (trekking poles, gloves, leech repellent, first aid kit)
Meals as the schedule on the itinerary (1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner)
Tour guides
Daily drink water
Environmental protection and sightseeing fees, tickets
Travel insurance
Exclusion
Personal expenses
Beverages during meals
Other kinds of beverage unlist in the tour program
Transportation fee before and after the trip
Ha Noi – Cuc Phuong – Trekking – Butterfly & Firefly Watching
Meet up
06:30 - Arriving at the pick-up point. Heading to Ninh Binh. You can prepare your own breakfast to eat on the bus or during a stop along the way.
09:30 - Arriving at Cuc Phuong National Park, communicating with the local forest rangers and tour guides, listening to instructions for the trip, and preparing your gears for the exploration. Before entering the forest, we will visit the Primate Rescue Center to learn about the research and rescue efforts at Cuc Phuong National Park.
11:30 - Continue going to Bong by bus, the center of the national park. Along the way, we will stop to admire and photograph areas with large groups of butterflies. When we reach Bong Campsite, we will have lunch at a restaurant before starting a 2-hour hike through the ancient forest, and follow the trail to the giant Cho Dang tree. A forest ranger will accompany us to share knowledge about the flora and fauna in the forest, as well as survival tips.
15:30 - Returning to Bong. Setting up camp and having rest, or freely exploring some of the short walking trails around Bong.
18:30 - Having dinner at a restaurant in Bong.
19:30 - Heading to firefly viewing spots. The rest of the evening will be spent relaxing by the campfire until bedtime.
* Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Cuc Phuong – Bear Rescue Center – Ha Noi
Breakfast
07:00 - Waking up and enjoying the sounds of birds or insects. Having a full breakfast with hot coffee or tea at the Bong restaurant.
08:00 - Striking camp and departing by bus for the Cave of Prehistoric Man, located on the route from Bong to the national park gate. We will continue to observe and photograph butterflies along this road. After visiting the Cave, we will head to the Four Paws Bear Rescue Center, located 10 km from Cuc Phuong National Park.
10:00 - Arriving at the Ninh Binh Bear Rescue Center. This is an internationally certified environmental education and visitor site with professional infrastructure and operations. The rescue staff will guide us through various areas of the center. The stories and what we witness here will help us gain a better understanding of how to contribute to bear conservation in Vietnam.
12:00 - After the visit, we will drive to a restaurant in Ninh Binh for lunch.
14:00 - Returning to Hanoi. The tour ends upon arrival in Hanoi.
* Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
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