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Pedal pushers: Foreign tourists bike along a path through Cuc Phuong National Park. — VNS Photos |
One
of the nation's larg-est rainforests in Cuc Phuong National Park in the
northern province of Ninh Binh has become a hot destination for
adventure and nature lovers, complete with wildlife treks and homestays
in the communes of Thai and Muong ethnic groups.
Located in the triangle formed by Hoa Binh, Ninh Binh
and Thanh Hoa, 120km southwest of Ha Noi, the park is just three hours
away from the capital.
The 22,200ha park – home to 2,000 primates, flora,
fauna, a series of caves and several big lakes – was established in 1962
by the Government to preserve forest ecosystems in the northern part of
the country.
Over 300 species of birds have been recorded at Cuc
Phuong Park, including red-headed woodpeckers, silver pheasants and the
pitta brachyura.
An Endangered Primate Rescue Centre was built to
protect endangered animals, including Delacour's Langur, the
Gray-shanked Douc Langur and the Golden Headed Langur, all of which are
endemic primates that exist only in Viet Nam.
In spring, between March and May, the park is aflutter with countless butterflies and covered in wild flowers.
"The park hosts around 100,000 tourists annually and
the park's accommodations can hold around 300 visitors a night," the
park's tour operator, Do Hong Hai, said.
Wildlife trekking
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Protection seeking: Cuc Phuong Park is home to the Delacour's langur, which is listed as one of the world's 25 most endangered primates. |
A
special wildlife tour was first organised six years ago, but it still
only draws a limited number of adventurers, as the number of wild
animals in the park have dramatically decreased in recent years.
The park's staff suggested that tourists should come during the dry season between September and December.
"Tourists will have more trouble during the rainy
season, as leeches and mosquitoes are everywhere. However, in the dry
season you won't be as exhausted after your treks," Hai said.
He said that it's very rare chance to see leopards,
tigers or bears at night because the number of animals has been reduced
due to climate change and illegal poaching.
However, he said that the owston civet, the giant black
squirrel, the Indian flying squirrel and the loris could be seen
between 7pm and 9pm most days.
"You can catch the glowing eyes of the civets,
squirrels and loris very often these days. The two hours you will spend
tracking them down at night will give you an unforgettable experience
and a sleepless night!" Hai said.
Prehistoric cave
Cuc Phuong Park is also well-known for its prehistoric cave.
The limestone cave, which was excavated in 1966, was
one of the earliest discoveries of human habitation in the country, with
graves, stone axes, bone-made spears and tools dating back some 7,500
years.
During the excavation 44 years ago, archaeologists
found skeletons in three tombs where they believed prehistoric people
had lived in the forest 7,500 years ago.
In 2000 archaeologists discovered a fossilised sea
reptile called placodontia, the first to have been found in Southeast
Asia, dating back 200-300 million years.
Visitors can also trek through a primary forest of
century-old trees to meet the giant cho tree (parashrea stellata),
believed to be around 1,000 years old.
Living with the locals
Khanh Commune –home to 100 Muong people – is the one of
six communes recognised as a place to make a homestay by the park
administration.
The Muong ethnic commune is an ideal place to stop for
the night after an entire day of walking around. Tourists can spend the
night and see traditional folk dances around a camp fire at night.
"The travellers can dance along with the locals, and
roast potatoes and cassava roots for dinner. A cheerful night in the
stilt house will refresh you for your next day's journey," said tour
guide Le Vu Ha.
Ha said that rafting along the Buoi River was a favourite pastime for travellers.
"It's very interesting. Local people use bamboo rafts
to cross the river, and travellers can try their hands at rowing them,"
Pham Van Cuong, a guide from a Ha Noi-based travel agency, said.
"Travellers can row themselves along the river, which is surrounded by rice paddies and corn fields."
Tourists can also expect to pay US$211 a piece for a group tour for two for a two-day, one-night trip.
Travellers can also get a bus from the Ha Noi-based Giap Bat station to Cuc Phuong at 3pm each day, for a price of VND65,000.
Another bus leaves the station for Nho Quan District,
but it needs another 25km drive on a xe om (motorbike taxi) to reach the
park.
Tour arrangements can be made through Luxurytravel, Handspan Adventure Travel, Exotissimo Travel and Buffalo Tours in Ha Noi.
To learn more or to book a package, visit
www.cucphuong-tourism.com.vn. — VNS
by http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn
