Cuc Phuong National Park Vietnam Trekking Guide, Routes, Map

Cuc Phuong National Park is the centerpiece of Vietnam’s conservation efforts and one of the most accessible parks in Vietnam. The park is located about 120km from downtown Hanoi, and the car trip takes about 2-3 hours.

Cuc Phuong National Park can be visited from Hanoi as a day trip or you can stay at the park’s guesthouse for a longer stay. Visiting the park is a good opportunity to get a close look at Vietnam’s nature and fees generated from tourism help protect the parks wildlife and improve the local economy.

Cuc Phuong National Park Map

How to Get to Cuc Phuong National Park?

Getting to Cuc Phuong National Park from Hanoi

If you rent a private car with driver from Hanoi, on the highway No1, you pass the Gian Khau bridge then turn right and follow the big asphalted road on the dike along the Boi river to Bai Dinh Pagoda. From Bai Dinh follow the concrete road with 26 km to the park.

Local buses leave Giap Bat Bus station for Nho Quan (nearest town) at 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., noon, 13:00 p.m., 15:00 pm, 16:00pm, and leaves Nho Quan for Hanoi at 7am, 8am, 11am, noon, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm. Tickets are available at the counter. From Nho Quan to park headquarters, you can either take a taxi or motorbike taxi (Xe Om).

Getting to Cuc Phuong National Park from Ninh Binh City

From Ninh Binh city, follow the road to Bai Dinh pagoda (15km), via Trang An world heritage, continue to Bai Dinh pagoda. From Bai Dinh to the park (26km), take the road behind the parking of Bai Dinh then follow the big concret road to the park.

When to Go Trekking in Cuc Phuong National Park?

The best time of year to visit the park is in the dry months from November to February of the following year.

From April to June it becomes increasingly hot, wet and muddy, and from July to October the rains arrive, bringing lots of leeches.

Visitors in April and May might see some of the millions of butterflies that breed here. Weekends can be busy with Vietnamese tourists.

What to Explore at Cuc Phuong National Park?

Limestone Caves

Exploration of Cuc Phuong’s many limestone caves makes a rewarding excursion. The cave’ include Thang Khuyet Cave, Con Moong Cave, Pho Ma Cave, and Nguoi Xua Cave and the Cave of Prehistoric Man (Dong Nguoi Xua). The Cave of Prehistoric man is the site of the one of the earliest discoveries of human habitation in Vietnam. Excavated in 1966, the cave revealed human graves, stone axes, pointed bone spears, oyster shell knives, and tools for grinding dating back 7,500 years ago. These artifacts have long been removed and the cave is open to tourists.

Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden located near the park’s headquarters is good place to take a stroll and get an introduction to the region’s flora. Early in the morning you can hear birds singing, accompanied by perhaps a gibbon or two.

Endangered Primate Rescue Center

cuc phuong national park endangered private rescue center

The Endangered Primate Rescue Center is an important rehabilitation center for Vietnam’s critically endangered and majestic primates. Langurs, loris, and gibbon species are housed at the center and include the critically endangered Delacour’s Langur, Golden-Headed Langur, Tonkin Snub-Nosed Monkey and Black Crested Gibbon. The center was established in 1993 with the help of the Frankfurt Zoological Society and has grown to 100 animals in 30 cages, 4 houses, two semi-wild enclosures. The primate species at the site were confiscate from wildlife smugglers and include representatives of 16 Indochinese primates.

Turtle Conservation Center

The Cuc Phuong Turtle Conservation Center was established in 1998 and is home to some of the most endangered turtles in Vietnam. Six-hundred turtles representing 15 of Vietnam’s 23 native species are bred at the center and released back into the wild. At the center it is possible to see hatchlings and adult turtles. The turtles at the center are mostly specimens rescued from smugglers who supply the illegal trade in Vietnamese turtles to China, where they end up on restaurant menus. The center can be visited during the day and donations are encouraged.

Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Center

A Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Center is located next to the turtle center and houses civets, including the rare Owston’s civet, and other small carnivores (including weasels, otters and wild cats) and pangolins rescued from the wildlife trade. Due to quarantine restrictions and the need for secluded breeding facilities for endangered civiets the center is not open to visitors unless special arrangements are made in advance.

Cuc Phuong National Park Things to Do?

Trekking in the Primary Forest

Excellent hiking opportunities abound in the park and you could spend days trekking through the forest. Popular hiking trails will lead you to several ancient trees, caves and Muong villages. Park staff can provide you with basic maps to find the well-marked trailheads. However, a guided tour is the best and most informative way to get the most out of both short and long treks. Longer walks to Ngoc Son Nature Reserve and Pu Luong Nature Reserve, overnight treks and camping trips are also possible.

Community Based Tourism

The forests of Cuc Phuong are immensely important culturally, providing livelihood resources for local communities. However, the forests and its resources are under constant threat. Community-based ecotourism initiatives are beginning to turn marginalized communities into local stakeholders, creating incentives to support conservation. Why not take a trek to the Muong village of Khanh or to the villages in Ngoc Son Nature Reserve or Pu Luong Nature Reserve where the hospitable local people offer 1 or 2 night home-stay in their traditional stilt houses? While in the village you will live as one of the family, eat together, have an opportunity to explore their culture and try out bamboo river rafting!

Wildlife Night-Spotting

The park can organize night-spotting trips into the primary forest. These special tours offer opportunities to see the more elusive mammal species of the park including the Black Giant Squirrel, the Indian Flying Squirrel, Samba Deer, Loris and several small carnivores.

Bird Watching

Cuc Phuong is home to a wealth of beautiful tropical birds, many of them endemic to Vietnam and Indochina. Some of the 308 species of rare birds that you might encounter are the Silver Pheasant, Red-collared Woodpecker, Brown Hornbill, Bar-bellied Pitta and so on. Cuc Phuong is quickly becoming a must-see destination for scientists and birdwatchers alike. The best time for bird-watching is early in the morning or in the late afternoon.

Cycling through the Forest

One fantastic way to experience Cuc Phuong is by cycling through the forest. Biking offers the visitor not only silence and a cool breeze, but it is also a great way to view the more secretive animals and birds of the national park.

Amphibians, Insects, Reptiles Spotting

Cuc Phuong is also home to many different species of amphibians, insects, and reptiles, many of them endemic to Cuc Phuong and Vietnam. Some species are common with interesting characteristics, such as the viper, green tree frog and stick-insects.

Biodiversity Hotspots

So far Cuc Phuong has a total of 43 biodiversity hotspots. All of these are recognized by the Scientific Department of the national park and they offer you an excellent opportunity to study and see many different species of tropical plants.

Traditional Music Performance

Cuc Phuong was a settlement of generations of Muong minority people with their own unique culture. While visiting the park, you will have chance to enjoy the traditional songs and dances of different minorities which will be performed by young Muong girls and boys who live around the national park. This activity was set up in order to preserve and bring into play the Muong and other minorities’ cultural characters, and through this you will understand more about the minorities of Vietnam.

Kayaking on the Lake

While stay at the park, you can also participate into many fascinating entertainment activities including kayaking on artificial Mac lake or the natural lake of Yen Quang.

Visit the Carnivore and Pangolin Education Center

Visit Save Vietnam’s Wildlife’s Carnivore and Pangolin Education Centre which is 500 metres from Park Headquarters and find out more about Vietnam’s beautiful but sadly threatened wildlife. At the interactive education center you can: See rescued animals in well designed and spacious enclosures and hear their stories; Watch videos about the rescue and release work of rare and critically endangered pangolins; See the traps used to hunt endangered wildlife; See the animals’ footprints and hear their calls; And there is lots of information on Vietnam’s carnivores and pangolins.

Cuc Phuong National Park Hiking Trails

Once you’ve reached the park’s center there are numerous stone paths for trekking. Dozens of trails cut through the forest and can be used for simple hikes for an hour or two day treks through the forest.

Trekking options include loop trails that take only a few hours of moderate walking to a two day trek across the park. If you do decided to get off the path and into the brush make sure you are wearing a long sleeved shirt and long pants. The prickly vines will make mincemeat out of any exposed flesh and the disgusting, yet harmless, leeches will find a quick and easy lunch.

Cuc Phuong National Park Trekking Tours

At Hiking Vietnam we arrange Cuc Phuong National park day tour from Hanoi and Cuc Phuong national 2 day tour which include about 3-6 hour walking. The short trip begins from the park center, taking you to the 1000 years old tree, then you walk back to the park centre. The longer hike begins either from the center of the park or Khanh village of the Muong. Taking the second option, you hike for about 6 hours through the park. The departure should be in the morning. You finish the trip at about 15.00 pm.

FAQ

What is the best time to go trekking in Cuc Phuong National Park?

The best time for trekking in Cuc Phuong National Park is during the dry season, which typically spans from November to April. During this time, the weather is more pleasant, and the trails are less muddy and easier to navigate.

Are there any guided trekking tours available in the park?

Yes, there are guided trekking tours available in Cuc Phuong National Park. These tours are usually led by experienced local guides who can provide valuable insights into the park’s flora and fauna. You can arrange these tours at the park’s visitor center.

What are some recommended trekking routes in Cuc Phuong National Park?

Some popular trekking routes in Cuc Phuong National Park include the Mac Lake Trail, the Ancient Tree Trail, and the Muong Village Trail. Each of these routes offers a unique experience, from scenic landscapes to encounters with indigenous communities.

Is camping allowed in Cuc Phuong National Park?

Yes, camping is allowed in designated areas within the park. You can obtain camping permits at the park’s visitor center. Remember to follow park regulations and practice Leave No Trace principles when camping to preserve the park’s natural beauty.

What wildlife can be spotted during a trek in Cuc Phuong National Park?

Cuc Phuong National Park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including langurs, macaques, various bird species, and rare reptiles. While trekking, you may have the chance to spot some of these creatures, especially if you venture deeper into the park’s trails.

Cuc Phuong National Park Trekking