Meals: lunch, dinner | Accommodation: Superior cabin, on board the Treasure Junk
This morning at 7:45 you will proceed to check-in at Handspan’s head office (Ma May 78) and will be leaving on our shuttle bus for a 3.5-hour drive to Halong City. Upon arrival, you 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. You 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 to the water and explore the bay in depth paddling on our own kayak.
You’ll get back on the Treasure before sunset, when you will be able to enjoy a cocktail on board while you will sail till the anchorage area where you will spend the night offshore. The dinner will be served either inside or outside on the deck, depending on youather conditions. Overnight on board in our cosy air-conditioned cabin with en-suite bathroom.
Note: On our way to Halong, you will stop at a place with food, beverages and souvenirs for sale. Please bear in mind that you are not trying to incite you to buy any product. This is just the only place on the way with proper facilities that our travellers, guide and driver can use without being forced to buy anything. Thanks for your understanding.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, 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. You 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 you will have the chance to energize our body, mind and soul, although if you prefer, you can simply enjoy a sunbath with a cup of coffee.
You will hop later on a bamboo boat to visit a secluded floating village surrounded by mountains. You will trace our way among numerous floating houses and small rowing boats that are used in everyday life as vehicle, itinerant shops, fishing utility and even sometimes as an overnight shelter.
You will be back on the Treasure before 9:00 am to start cruising back to the pier. From 9.30, a brunch will be served. Take a last glance at the emerging rocks, standing still as the eternal guardians of a kingdom, you are about to reach the pier.
Once in Terra Firma, you will be transferred from Halong to Ninh Binh. The drive will take us around 4 hours, reaching Tam Coc (known as one of the most scenic spots of the region) in the late afternoon.
Meals: breakfast, lunch | Accommodation: not included
This morning, after breakfast, you’ll 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 to 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 though the less travelled canals of the region, whose beauty has nothing to envy the busiest ones. You will be sailing through caves and along the Thung Nham youtland, a part of the spectacular natural site of Trang An landscape complex.
After the boat trip, you’ll stop on the way and visit the famous Bich Dong pagoda on Ngu Nhac mountains, exploring the unique cave pagodas dating back to 15th century. Afterwards, you will continue our cycling route through the scenic rural landscapes in Tam Coc, having a chance to get a closer look to the villages’ rural life.
You are back to your hotel to check out. A late lunch will be served at one of the village house. 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 about 5.30pm.
If you prefer not to cycle, please inform your travel consultant at info@treasure-junk.com so that you can customize your itinerary to meet your preferences.