DAY 1 HANOI- HALONG & BAI TU LONG BAYS

Meals: Lunch, dinner | Accommodation: Onboard the Treasure Junk

This morning from 8:00 to 8:30 we will pick you up at your hotel and leave on our shuttle bus for a 3.5-hour drive to Halong City. Upon arrival, we will board the Treasure Junk and start to cruise towards the boundaries of Halong bay while a delicious lunch with fresh seafood is served (vegetarian and kid’s menus available).

Make yourself at ease and just relax after lunch. Hundreds of emerging limestone rock formations will parade all around us for about 2 hours before our first stop. We will reach then the perfect spot, where the waters of Halong and Bai Tu Long hit and wave together. Let’s get ready for a closer look at the water and explore the bay in depth paddling on our own kayak.

We’ll get back on the Treasure before sunset when we will be able to enjoy a cocktail on board while we will sail to the anchorage area where we will spend the night offshore. The dinner will be served either inside or outside on the deck, depending on weather conditions. Overnight on board in our cozy air-conditioned cabin with an en-suite bathroom.

Note: On our way to Halong, we will stop at a place with food, beverages, and souvenirs for sale. Please bear in mind that we are not trying to incite you to buy any product. This is just the only place on the way with proper facilities that our travelers, guide, and driver can use without being forced to buy anything. Thanks for your understanding.

DAY 2 HALONG- TAM COC, GREEN NINH BINH

Meals: Brunch, dinner | Accommodation: Hotel in Tam Coc

Wake up smoothly while witnessing the silence of the beautifully misty bay. From 6:30 am, coffee, tea and cakes will be served. We will be free to join a 30-minute Tai Chi session at the first light of dawn, organized by our Tai Chi master on board, so we will have the chance to energize our body, mind, and soul, although if we prefer, we can simply enjoy a sunbath with a cup of coffee.

We will hop later on a bamboo boat to visit a secluded floating village surrounded by mountains. We will trace our way among numerous floating houses and small rowing boats that are used in everyday life as a vehicle, itinerant shops, fishing utility, and even sometimes as an overnight shelters.

We will be back on the Treasure before 9:00 am to start cruising back to the pier. From 9.30, brunch will be served. Take a last glance at the emerging rocks, standing still as the eternal guardians of a kingdom, we are about to reach the pier.

Once in Terra Firma, we will be transferred from Halong to Ninh Binh. The drive will take us around 5 hours, reaching Tam Coc (known as one of the most scenic spots in the region) in the late afternoon.

DAY 3 TAM COC, NINH BINH- HANOI

Meals: Breakfast, lunch | Accommodation: not included

This morning, after breakfast, you will have a short transfer to Hang Mua (Mua Cave) for an adventurous 500 steps to a spectacular view. As you are here early enough, while it’s not guaranteed, there’s a chance to have a place for yourself. Once on top, enjoy the spectacular view of the rivers, ricefields, and villages in the surrounding area. Returning to Tam Coc, you will hop on your bicycles for an easy-paced ride to a local pier to board a rowing sampan for about one hour, sailing through the less-traveled canals of the region, whose beauty has nothing to envy the busiest ones. You will be sailing through caves and along the Thung Nham wetland, a part of the spectacular natural site of the Trang An landscape complex.

After the boat trip, you will stop on the way and visit the famous Bich Dong pagoda on the Ngu Nhac mountains, exploring the unique cave pagodas dating back to the 15th century. Afterward, you will continue our cycling route through the scenic rural landscapes in Tam Coc, having a chance to get a closer look at the villages’ rural life. You are back to your hotel to check out. A late lunch will be served at one of the village houses.

We’ll then set off for Hoa Lu – the ancient imperial capital. Let’s learn about pieces of Vietnam History before we drive back to Hanoi. Arrival can be expected at about 5.30 pm.

If you prefer not to cycle, please inform your Handspan travel consultant at info@handspan.com so that you can customize your itinerary to meet your preferences.

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