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Weaving through the feet of giant limestone cliffs and crossing the centre of the World Heritage site. This trip features the unique cruising route, great combination of comfortable boat cruise and fun kayaking
Day 1: Hanoi – Halong Bay (L, D)
AM:We pick you up from your hotel between 7:30 am. and 8:00 am. (we may do several picks up) for a 3.5 hour drive North East of Hanoi taking you across the Red River delta, the second biggest in Vietnam and through the scenic country side to reach Halong Bay.
You will arrive at Tuan Chau International Marina on the harbor of Halong’s biggest island. From here a tender boat will take you to our Halong Phoenix Cruiser. A refreshing welcome drink is served and you can check into your cabin.
PM: As you settle into your cabin, our boat sets sail to the centre of this World Heritage site. Lunch is served in the restaurant while you enjoy the amazing scenery and delicious lunch of fresh local seafood or your requested vegetarian meal.
From the marina area, our cruiser passes by Dog Head and Swan Islands, Ba Hang Floating villages (with floating houses), Incense Burner and Thumb Islands before reaching the Luom Bo area for kayaking.
Around 3pm, we have time to gear up for one hour of kayaking around Luom Bo area (the provincial border between Quang Ninh province and Cat Ba National Park of Hai Phong).
Your guide will show you some basic safety guidelines and techniques for paddling, before assisting you on our brand new sit-on-top kayaks. The kayaking area is so quiet that you will feel like the bay is untouched. You will see no other boats nor kayakers, beyond your group and our Phoenix Cruiser.
As the sun sets over the bay, we head back to our cruise and relax. Coffee, tea and fruits will be available on the sundeck or you can order your favorite drink from the bar.
The Halong Phoenix Cruiser continues to sail to a private, quiet anchorage area for the evening.
Dinner is served with local seafood and then you may choose to enjoy a drink from the bar or experience squid fishing, before retiring.
Day 2: Heritage Site – Lan Ha Bay –National Park – Anchorage Area (B, L, D)
AM: You may choose to rise early for a breath taking and stunning vista of the serene bay at sunrise. It is a wonderful experience. Today, you will travel further, to the other side of Halong Bay, by another boat, and return to your Phoenix Cruiser at sun set time.
After breakfast, you will board a kayaking support boat, which comes from Cat Ba Island and discover other parts of Halong Bay.
Sail past the famous Frog and Chop Stick Islands as well as Cua Van Floating Village. The boat will stop at around 10:00am for you to enjoy kayaking time. You will be guided on a round trip, exploring the bay, passing fishing villages, beaches and lagoons.
After a couple of hours you take a break to swim and relax on a private beach where your delicious lunch is served.
PM: After lunch, prepare to explore further north. A one hour cruise will take you to a new kayak area in Cat Ba National Park, where you can paddle through Dark Cave (at tidal permission) and Bright Cave to see an amazing cave and lagoon inside. Enjoy the quiet atmosphere of this area, its tranquil water, magnificent limestone formations and perhaps observe a family of Cat Ba Languar (the Golden Headed Languar) feeding on the nearby trees’ foliage.
Return to the support boat and sail to Halong Phoenix cruiser to watch the sunset over the bay while relaxing and enjoying tea, coffee, fruits or your favorite drink served from the bar on the sundeck.
Dinner is served with local fresh seafood in the restaurant. Relax and enjoy the evening.
Day 3: Halong – Hanoi (B, L)
AM: Breakfast is served from 7.30am until 8.30am. After that, you will visit an impressive grotto of Halong Bay – Surprising (Sung Sot) Cave, with your guide.
Return to the Halong Phoenix cruiser to begin your return journey to the harbor and experience viewing other areas and islands of Halong Bay.
10AM: A cooking demonstration onboard shows you how to make authentic Vietnamese spring rolls. You will learn about the recipes and the techniques that create this popular dish of the Vietnamese people.
Lunch is served on the boat as you near the harbor.
12:00AM: Depart the Halong Phoenix cruiser and travel by tender boat back to the marina where you then board the bus for your return journey to Hanoi arriving at your hotel at approximately 16:30.
What to bring:
- Original passport
- Water, favorite snacks
- Sunglasses, swimming suite and towel for a quick swim (warm clothes in winter)
- Money for drinks on boat (beer, wine)
Notes:
- All travelers are required a valid passport for the local registration
- Credit cards are accepted on board (Amex, Visa and MasterCard)
- Cruise itinerary and tour schedules are subjects to change upon weather conditions without prior notice
