Halong bay cruise

Halong bay - Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Sapa 11 days


A great chance to discover the northern highlights of Vietnam, the 10 day vacation will take you from the colonial elegance of Hanoi to the World heritage Ha Long Bay, up to the quiet mountains of Sapa. Cruise Halong Bay on a junk, Savour delicious food on deck, Swim amid stunning karst scenery, Explore Sapa hilltribe villages and mingle with colourful ethnic minorities. This trip does it all...

Highlights
- City tour of Hanoi and the Water Puppetry performance
- Junk cruise in the World Natural Heritage Site of Halong Bay
- Enjoy fabulous seafood meals on board, swim in the crystal clear water
- Sampan riding in Trang An - Ninh Binh
- Trek through the spectacular scenery of Sapa mountain
- Mingle with colourful Montagnards


ITINERARY
Day 1 Hanoi arrival
Upon arrival at Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport, our guide and driver will welcome you and transfer you to hotel in Hanoi.
The rest of your day is at leisure for independent exploration ? just catch a sight of Hoan Kiem lake or explore the maze of streets in the city's fascinating Old Quarter where you are certain to find something unique to buy.

Overnight at Allure hotel in Hanoi
Meal inclusions: None


Day 2 Hanoi city tour - Water Puppetry performance
On the morning of day 2 we take a city tour to Ho Chi Minh complex, his house on stilts and the museum and One Pillar Pagoda. We also make a visit to the Temple of Literature ? the first university of Vietnam, which is now dedicated to Confucian worship and ?Hanoi Hilton? ?a nick name given by US pilots during the war. For lunch we are going to taste a speciality of Hanoi: ?Pho? (Noodle soup)
In the afternoon we take a cyclo tour around the Old Quarter and attend a traditional performance of Water puppetry

Overnight at Allure hotel in Hanoi
Meal inclusions: Breakfast and lunch


Day 3 Ninh Binh sightseeing, Tam Coc boat trip
In the morning our guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel for the 2-hour drive Ninh Binh. You will have a short break of 15 minutes to stretch your legs, use the facilities or have a quick snack. 10h30 arriving in Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam from tenth centurey, we will visit the Temple of King Dinh and King Le to learn more about Vietnamese history under the Dinh, Le, and Ly Dynasties. We continue the tour for 45 mins – cycling around the village to discover the life of the local people.
We have a lunch with local specialties at restaurant, then our car brings you to Tam Coc, known as “Halong Bay on the land”, where you will spend 1.5 hours on the bamboo boat to explore this area. On this excursion down the Ngo Dong River, you will pass through the beautiful paddy fields, limestone karst formation, and a stunning cave system including Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba caves for a unique experience.
We continue to visit Mua Cave, also known as the “Great Wall of China” in Vietnam, and climb 500 steps to reach the peak of Ngoa Long Mountain, overlooking the amazing view of the city and Tam Coc below.
We spend the night in Tam Coc area.

Overnight at Tam Coc Garden homestay
Meal inclusions: Breakfast, lunch and dinner


Day 4 Cycling Bich Dong pagoda, Thai Vi temple, Thung Nham bird valley - Overnight train to Sapa
Breakfast at hotel then be ready for the trip, our guide will take you cycle to visit the Thai Vi temple and Bich Dong pagoda (the second most beautiful cave in Viet Nam), we check out the hotel and have lunch in the restaurant with a lot of local foods such as goat meat, fish, spring roll, fried rice…
After lunch we continue to Thung Nham Bird Valley. Get on a small sampan to discover Hang But (Buddhist Cave), about 500m in length, a magical view of the stalactites and stalagmites, and see a big Buddha-shaped stalactite sitting beside an underground river, as well as visit an orchard of tropical fruits in this area.
The best time for the bird park in the afternoon, sit quietly on a boat and slowly paddle through Thung Chim (Thung Nham), discover the most features of this area with more than 4,000 birds of 40 species flying to inhabit every day. Your best chance to take nice photos and immerse yourself in the wild and nature.
We return to Hanoi in the late afternoon. In the evening we jump on the night train for Sapa. We travel in air-conditioned comfort in our private soft sleeper cabins!.

Overnight on train (Private cabin)
Meal inclusions: Breakfast and lunch


Day 5 Sapa trekking, Ta Van village homestay
The train arrives in Lao Cai at about 6:00 am where our guide will welcome you. Look for the sign bearing your name when you exit the train station. Then take a morning drive through the clouds by car to Sapa (about 1.5 hours). Have breakfast at a local restaurant before the trip starts. Trek with our H?mong guide down to Lao Chai village to visit the Black H'Mong . Have a picnic lunch on the way then keep going along the Sapa valley to get to Ta Van village to visit the Day people, which is supposed to be the most beautiful one in the area, where you stay overnight in a local Dzay family.

Overnight at homestay in Ta Van village
Meal inclusions: Breakfast, luncn and dinner


Day 6 Sapa exploration
Get up early in the morning to enjoy the daily life of the ethnic minorities in the village. We follow the buffalo path to Giang Ta Chai village of the Red Dzao minority via the paths between terraces and through bamboo forests. Visit silver waterfall and suspension Rattan Bridge, visit the people in the village and then cross Muong Hoa River up to the mountain to visit the last village of the trek - Supan village of the H'mong.
After a short rest, we trek further up to enjoy magnificent scenery, visit local house of the red Dzao, visit, talk to learn about the minority pupils of Giang primary school before heading to the main road where you will be picked up by a jeep. Ride back to Sapa, the remainder of your day is at leisure to explore this fascinating hillside town.

Overnight at The View hotel in Sapa
Meal inclusions: Breakfast and luncn


Day 7 Visit Cat Cat village, overnight train back to Hanoi
Wake up in Sapa, breakfast at the hotel then enjoy some exercise with a walk to Cat Cat Village, set in a beautiful valley just outside Sapa. Cat Cat is home to the H'mong people who originated from China about 3,000 years ago. The H'mong people are easily recognisable by their dark blue or black clothing, dyed using the juice of indigo plants, which are native to the area. H'mong women wear long aprons with embroidered waistcoats and have their hair rolled up into a turban-like hat, while the men wear black skullcaps, long waistcoats and loose trousers.
In the afternoon we depart for the Lao Cai train station. We have dinner here before boarding the night train to Hanoi.

Overnight on train (Private cabin)
Meal inclusions: Breakfast and lunch


Day 8 Halong bay cruise, overnight on boat
08.30 Pick up at hotel, leaving for Halong city. Stopover on the way 15 minutes for tea break.
12h00: Board Halong Papaya Cruiser. Lunch is served with a welcome drink while the boat cruises the bay to enjoy the beautiful limestone seascape.
You will see Dog Rock, Incense Burner Rock, as well as Fighting Cock Rock before heading to Sung Sot Cave (Cave of Surprises ). Then, we stopover at a floating house owned by fishermen before kayaking to Luon Cave to enjoy the quiet atmosphere of the bay. Late in the afternoon we anchor in a safe and scenic location for swimming and our overnight stay.

Overnight on board Papaya cruiser
Meal inclusions: Breakfast, lunch and dinner


Day 9 Halong bay exploration
After breakfast, you are transfered to a day – trip boat with private crew and another wonderful cruise to the bay’s most untouched areas to visit Tortoise island, Man's head island, Dong Tien Lake, Van Gia floating villages..., if the tides are low, we have a chance to visit Ba Ham Lakes, Three Peach Island. Lunch is served on board by your chef, your cruise continues as you move around the bay finding more secluded lagoons for swimming or kayaking. Late in the afternoon we return to the mother boat for the night.

Overnight on board Papaya cruiser
Meal inclusions: Breakfast, lunch and dinner


Day 10 Halong cruise - Hanoi
Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay we have time for an early morning dip or enjoy a morning view of the Bay's landcapes with a cup of tea. The boat keeps cruising to float fishing village for you to have a look of local people lives on water. We enjoy brunch on board and around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for your journey back to Hanoi. We should be back in Hanoi at around 16.00

Overnight at Allure hotel in Hanoi
Meal inclusions: Breakfast and lunch


Day 11 Departure
Today is your departure, you are free at your leisure until transferred to Hanoi airport for the flight home. Tour ends.

Meal inclusions: Breakfast

Tour Includes:
- Transfers round trip
- English speaking guide
- Accommodation based on twin room
- All meals as mentioned in the itinerary
- Entrance fees and permits
Tour does not include:
- Pre & post trip arrangements in Hanoi
- Beverages and meals not mentioned
- Tips, Personal expenses


Number of passengers Price per person in USD
2-4 000
5-10 000
 


OTHER PROGRAMS


 


CRUISE-HALONG-BAY.COM
Email:
contact@cruise-halong-bay.com

Address: 18B/2 Trai Alley, Dong Anh District, Hanoi city, Vietnam
Hotline: +84.1688.861.242




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