Suggested itinerary to visit Cuc Phuong National Park during butterfly and firefly season

Tourists to Cuc Phuong National Park

Early May is the time when Cuc Phuong National Park (VQG) attracts many tourists thanks to the butterflies and fireflies in the breeding season. Flocks of butterflies fly out of the bushes, "strolling" on the main path of the forest, creating a magical scene.

Move

Travel time from Hanoi to Cuc Phuong National Park (Nho Quan district) is about two hours.

Adult visitors can do a day trip. Families with young children should stay overnight and visit the forest the next day or vice versa.

All visitors must buy a ticket to enter the forest for 60,000 VND/person (the ticket does not include the conservation areas at the forest gate).

Sightseeing spots

There were quite a lot of butterflies flying from the forest gate, but from the second ranger station onwards, there were more beautiful species and larger numbers, with all kinds of yellow, white, orange, red, blue, and clouded butterflies. There were many butterflies in the Mac Lake - Ancient People Cave area, the deeper you go, the more there are. Butterflies like water so they will gather in wet areas and lakes.

Visitors can drive a car or motorbike deep into the forest to the ranger station at the end of the forest, a round trip that takes about three hours. There is a bicycle rental service, but it is recommended to only cycle a short distance because the road is quite steep.

There are many lawns for children to run around, sit and eat, and set up camp. The weather is quite cool now, and the temperature in the forest is lower thanks to the many trees and fresh air.

If you want to visit places like the Cho tree, the Ancient Cave, or the conservation area, you have to park your vehicle at the station and walk through the forest. Each ranger station has a guide.

Depending on the weather, the number of butterflies appearing in flocks is also different. "If you go on a sunny day, there will be more butterflies than on a cool day," said tourist Thuy Ja, from Hanoi, adding that if you want to gather more butterflies, you should bring more soft drinks and honey, the butterflies will gather more.

Butterfly season ends at the end of May, but white butterflies can last until June.

Colorful butterflies in the garden

Food and accommodation

There are three accommodation areas inside Cuc Phuong National Park: the Garden Gate area, the Mac Lake area and the central area (Bong). Depending on time, program and needs, visitors can choose a suitable accommodation.

The garden gate area has four types of rooms, priced from 350,000 VND to one million VND per night. The Mac lake area has two types of rooms, priced from 500,000 VND to 800,000 VND per night. The Bong area has three types of rooms, priced from 100,000 VND to 700,000 VND per night. In addition, the forest areas also have stilt houses, priced from 1.2 million VND to three million VND per night.

Outside the national park, visitors can choose to stay at nearby hotels and resorts such as Cuc Phuong Mineral Retreat (formerly Cuc Phuong Resort), Wyndham Grand Vedana Ninh Binh, Trang An Golf & Resort, Cuc Phuong Hotel, Loli Hill Homestay. Room rates range from VND700,000 to VND4 million per night.

The above areas all have restaurants. Tourists traveling in large groups should make reservations in advance.

Night tour to see fireflies and wildlife

This is a product aimedat educating about the environment, natural life and wildlife. Night tours take place every day of the week, from 7pm to 10pm daily. Activities include learning about nature conservation and environmental protection; experiencing firefly watching in the old forest; observing rare wildlife such as deer, pangolins, civets, wild cats, otters; learning about insects and night life in the middle of the jungle.

For guests staying overnight in Cuc Phuong, the tour price is 120,000 VND per adult and child over 10 years old, 70,000 VND per child from 6 to 10 years old and 30,000 VND for children under 6 years old. Guests not staying overnight, the price is 180,000 VND per adult and child over 10 years old, 80,000 VND per child from 6 to 10 years old, 30,000 VND for children under 6 years old.

For groups of less than 5 people: minimum cost 600,000 VND per tour. Note, the tour prioritizes serving guests staying overnight and using services at the National Park.

Other services

In the National Park, there are rental services for forest equipment, electric cars, mountain bikes, meeting rooms from 40 to 200 seats, transportation, laundry, campfires, folk art performances, fishing, folk games, kayaking, and folk art programs.

Suggested one-day Cuc Phuong tour itinerary

- 6 hours: Travel from Hanoi.

- 9:00 a.m.: Arrive at Cuc Phuong National Park, visit the Primate Rescue Center.

- 10:30: Explore the butterfly forest, take photos along the way to the center of the forest.

- 12:00: Lunch at a restaurant with local specialties (inside the forest) or take-away food.

- 13:30: Trekking in the primeval forest, visiting the thousand-year-old acacia tree (from the center of the forest, trekking about 5 km, easy road).

- 15:30: Free to explore the locations in the garden center.

- 16:00: Depart for Hanoi.

Estimated cost is about 800,000 VND (if going in a group).

Note: Going on weekdays will be less crowded, you will have more time to see the scenery and there are many places where you can stop and play comfortably. The atmosphere will be quieter and more relaxing. Visitors need to book the night tour in advance, especially on weekends.

TB (according to VnExpress)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/goi-y-lich-trinh-tham-quan-vuon-quoc-gia-cuc-phuong-mua-buom-va-dom-dom-411749.html