Tam Cốc - Tràng An
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 5.23 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,302 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Easy
- Elevation loss
- 1,302 ft
- Max elevation
- 410 ft
- TrailRank
- 50
- Min elevation
- 1 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Time
- 2 hours 44 minutes
- Coordinates
- 380
- Uploaded
- September 2, 2018
- Recorded
- August 2018
near Nguyên Ngoại, Ninh Bình (Vietnam)
Viewed 1108 times, downloaded 11 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
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Without a doubt, during our trip to Vietnam, we knew that a visit to Tam Cốc was not going to disappoint us. This inland "bay" hides many secrets and a special charm. Already in the photo it is amazing and we did not want to miss the opportunity to see the place!
START:
After talking to other travelers about Tam Cốc, many of them recommended that we go to Tràng An, instead of staying in the town itself. Both options travel through its waters in a rowboat guided by one of the locals, but the Tràng An option is much longer, allowing you to visit more caves, more temples and more hiding places. Having time, this option suits us better! Another thing that would catch our attention is that the style of rowing has changed! They no longer row with their feet, as they originally did, but do it with their hands. In this sense, a little disappointed... Only a few locals continue the tradition. After taking the first train in the morning from Hanoi to Ninh Bình, the best option to get here, we rented a motorbike to get around throughout the day. Tràng An is located about 10 or 15 minutes from Ninh Bình city. It is noticeable that Tràng An is becoming more and more touristy. The infrastructure and access is completely renovated and there is an amazing pier!
DESCRIPTION:
After purchasing the corresponding ticket and gathering the necessary group to access the boat (4 people), we begin the route! A Vietnamese man at the controls, rowing with his hands, not with his feet, as is tradition.
From the first meters, we realize that we are facing a spectacular landscape! Mountains, vegetation and a magical environment!
After a pleasant first stretch, in a straight line and without finding any major attractions, we reach the first temple, which we see on the left. The area opens up and we get a wider view of the place. We continue enjoying the boat ride, although it is getting warmer, even though it is still early.
Once we have passed the temple, we continue advancing as the river narrows. In the background we can already see the first cave!
In a few minutes we reached the first cave. We are surprised that we should change the way we sit in the boat! We must sit on the floor, stretching our legs over the boat. The height of the cave is minimal! And its length is quite considerable! The cave is spectacular and the space is minimal. Tremendous control that our rower has to avoid the rock formations. A beautiful labyrinth!
We left the claustrophobic cave and continued our boat ride. The environment is still magical! Second cave, much shorter and higher, so it will no longer be necessary to jump in the boat to cross it.
After passing the second cave, it's time for the third, of similar length to the previous one. This third cave leaves us in a beautiful area, much more open than the previous ones.
We continue the route arriving at a type of pier. At this dock we will leave the boat for a while, having the possibility of visiting a temple and using the public bathrooms that exist. We do not hesitate to tour the area and visit said temple, for which it will be necessary to climb a few stone steps. An effort that is worth it, because the views of the surroundings are spectacular! After visiting the temple and walking around here, back to the boat!
We continue the route returning along the last cave. Upon departure, instead of returning to the same place we came from, we continue with the same orientation to make the circular and longer route.
Another cave that appears before us! The river course is beautiful! Each cave offers different formations, some wider and others narrower, but none like the first, very different and spectacular, especially due to its low height.
We continue crossing another small cave! The river narrows and we are in good company, sailing between boats.
We arrived at the cave with the most beautiful entrance! A great entrance in a beautiful setting! The route is being lovely, despite the intense heat!
The course of the river opens and we are advancing at a good pace. Soon we arrive at another area of temples, where we will see a first temple and, after crossing a short cave, a second temple. We didn't stop at either of them, even though there are docks to leave the boat and visit the surroundings.
We follow the route through an area with more vegetation. The place is fascinating and the route is narrow. We are taking photos throughout the tour!
We continue the journey and reach one more cave. We crossed it without major problems, arriving at a much more closed area. Lovely!
To get out of this more confined place, we crossed the last cave, with a very round entrance, as if it were a mine mouth. We continue enjoying the surroundings of Tràng An.
After passing the last cave, we reach an open area again, where we connect with the outward route, very close to the first temple.
Now in the widest part of the river, all that remains is to enjoy the beautiful navigation until we reach Tràng An again, where we will conclude the route.
CONCLUSION:
A magical environment, 9 caves and 4 temples to visit. A beautiful rowboat ride worth seeing! Much more complete route than the one offered by Tam Cốc, more touristy access. 3 hours of pleasant navigation in a spectacular location!
MORE INFORMATION:
Tam Cốc - Tràng An
ROUTE Index
Map of ROUTES and SUMMITS
Rubén Wanderlust (www.rubenwanderlust.com)
START:
After talking to other travelers about Tam Cốc, many of them recommended that we go to Tràng An, instead of staying in the town itself. Both options travel through its waters in a rowboat guided by one of the locals, but the Tràng An option is much longer, allowing you to visit more caves, more temples and more hiding places. Having time, this option suits us better! Another thing that would catch our attention is that the style of rowing has changed! They no longer row with their feet, as they originally did, but do it with their hands. In this sense, a little disappointed... Only a few locals continue the tradition. After taking the first train in the morning from Hanoi to Ninh Bình, the best option to get here, we rented a motorbike to get around throughout the day. Tràng An is located about 10 or 15 minutes from Ninh Bình city. It is noticeable that Tràng An is becoming more and more touristy. The infrastructure and access is completely renovated and there is an amazing pier!
DESCRIPTION:
After purchasing the corresponding ticket and gathering the necessary group to access the boat (4 people), we begin the route! A Vietnamese man at the controls, rowing with his hands, not with his feet, as is tradition.
From the first meters, we realize that we are facing a spectacular landscape! Mountains, vegetation and a magical environment!
After a pleasant first stretch, in a straight line and without finding any major attractions, we reach the first temple, which we see on the left. The area opens up and we get a wider view of the place. We continue enjoying the boat ride, although it is getting warmer, even though it is still early.
Once we have passed the temple, we continue advancing as the river narrows. In the background we can already see the first cave!
In a few minutes we reached the first cave. We are surprised that we should change the way we sit in the boat! We must sit on the floor, stretching our legs over the boat. The height of the cave is minimal! And its length is quite considerable! The cave is spectacular and the space is minimal. Tremendous control that our rower has to avoid the rock formations. A beautiful labyrinth!
We left the claustrophobic cave and continued our boat ride. The environment is still magical! Second cave, much shorter and higher, so it will no longer be necessary to jump in the boat to cross it.
After passing the second cave, it's time for the third, of similar length to the previous one. This third cave leaves us in a beautiful area, much more open than the previous ones.
We continue the route arriving at a type of pier. At this dock we will leave the boat for a while, having the possibility of visiting a temple and using the public bathrooms that exist. We do not hesitate to tour the area and visit said temple, for which it will be necessary to climb a few stone steps. An effort that is worth it, because the views of the surroundings are spectacular! After visiting the temple and walking around here, back to the boat!
We continue the route returning along the last cave. Upon departure, instead of returning to the same place we came from, we continue with the same orientation to make the circular and longer route.
Another cave that appears before us! The river course is beautiful! Each cave offers different formations, some wider and others narrower, but none like the first, very different and spectacular, especially due to its low height.
We continue crossing another small cave! The river narrows and we are in good company, sailing between boats.
We arrived at the cave with the most beautiful entrance! A great entrance in a beautiful setting! The route is being lovely, despite the intense heat!
The course of the river opens and we are advancing at a good pace. Soon we arrive at another area of temples, where we will see a first temple and, after crossing a short cave, a second temple. We didn't stop at either of them, even though there are docks to leave the boat and visit the surroundings.
We follow the route through an area with more vegetation. The place is fascinating and the route is narrow. We are taking photos throughout the tour!
We continue the journey and reach one more cave. We crossed it without major problems, arriving at a much more closed area. Lovely!
To get out of this more confined place, we crossed the last cave, with a very round entrance, as if it were a mine mouth. We continue enjoying the surroundings of Tràng An.
After passing the last cave, we reach an open area again, where we connect with the outward route, very close to the first temple.
Now in the widest part of the river, all that remains is to enjoy the beautiful navigation until we reach Tràng An again, where we will conclude the route.
CONCLUSION:
A magical environment, 9 caves and 4 temples to visit. A beautiful rowboat ride worth seeing! Much more complete route than the one offered by Tam Cốc, more touristy access. 3 hours of pleasant navigation in a spectacular location!
MORE INFORMATION:
Tam Cốc - Tràng An
ROUTE Index
Map of ROUTES and SUMMITS
Rubén Wanderlust (www.rubenwanderlust.com)
Waypoints
Waypoint
-7 ft
Religious site
Cave
Ferry
Comments (3)
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Hola, quería saber cuánto pagó por cada viaje en bote. gracias!
PERDONA MI ESPANOL! quería saber cuánto pagó por cadauna persona por este tour. 😊
Hola SELVATIKA! El precio de la excursión es de 200.000 VND por persona, aproximadamente 7,50 EUR / 8,50 USD. Saludos!