September 28th , 2010 → 10:51 am @ admin // One Comment

The 9-day trip includes trekking in Mai Chau, river boat trip in Tam Coc with easy countryside cycle, kayaking and scuba diving in Halong bay.

Day 01: Arrival in Hanoi.

Upon your arrival at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, you will be greeted by Lotussia Travel guide, driver and escorted to your hotel in town. Check-in hotel and stay free at leisure (check in time from 12h00). Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 02: Hanoi full day city tour.

Breakfast at hotel. Then we will have a half day tour of Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi. Hanoi is a unique city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental temples. The city tour includes such sights as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature – The first National University of Vietnam. In the afternoon, continue to visit the Ethnology museum where you can find the biggest object collection of 54 Vietnamese ethnic groups. In the evening, attend to the water puppet show, one of famous Vietnamese traditional art. Overnight in Ha Noi.

Day 03: Hanoi – Maichau valley. Half day hiking.

Depart Hanoi for Hoa Binh province and the town of Mai Chau. This scenic drive takes around three and half hours. Along the way we pass fields of tapioca and sugar cane as well as rice paddies. Arrive in Mai Chau valley around noon. After lunch, we leave the village for a half day walking around. We will pass many different Thai hamlets, through rice fields, hill sides…We will stop by some local houses to talk with local people to understand their customs and culture. In the evening, assist to the traditional music and dance show which is performed by The Thai young girls and boys (optional). Overnight in a stilt house.

Day 04: Maichau valley – Ninhbinh. River boat trip.

A contrasting and more challenging ride today, though there is plenty of opportunity to stop, rest and admire the views. After breakfast enjoy a four hour drive to Tam Coc, also called “Ha Long Bay on land”, or the “Vietnam’s second nicest grotto” (to Huong Tich) for its poetic and inspirational natural scenery. After your lunch which will be provided at local restaurant, we will take a two hour boat trip around natural caves and grottoes, admire the wonderful landscape of the tourist area.  The trip in Tam Coc is wonderful for photo hunters, especially when local people come to harvest the water rice planted along the river, or when they transplant some seedling for the next crops. Overnight in Tam coc, Ninh Binh.

Day 05: Ninh Binh – Halong Bay. Boat cruise (pm).

Enjoy the journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life. Arrive in Halong and board the Bai Tho traditional sailing junk (or similar junk). Whilst cruising the exquisite waters sample the regions fresh seafood. Visit the recently discovered Surprise Grotto with its great views, and on the next island see the yawning mouth of Bo Nau Cave. Enjoy a swim in the emerald waters of Halong Bay or walk uphill the Titop mountain to have a great view. Watch the sun set over the bay whilst enjoying a delicious dinner. Overnight on board junk.

Day 06: Halong bay scuba diving.

At 8h00, will will be picked up at the boat/junk by our Diving Team and transferred by another wooden boat to our first divesite – Chim Island. Enjoy 01 dive before having lunch on board. In the afternoon, we will move to another divesite – Me Cung Island. There we will enjoy one more hour diving before being dropped off at another boat-house for overnight. Dinner and overnight at local boat-house.

Day 07: Halong bay sea kayaking.

Breakfast on boat. Transferred by support boat to Hai Pies Beach. Briefing and gear-up before start paddling through Lan Ha Bay to ward Ba Trai Dao beach for a lunch break.

In the afternoon, paddle along the cliff through Monkey Lagoon to Ranger’s base. Fresh seafood home cooked dinner then bunk down in your tents on the front yard.

Day 08: Continue kayaking. Catba – Haiphong – Hanoi.

After our popular big breakie, navigate your way through quiet small bays through floating fish farms. Lunch break on the way before docking at Gia Luan to take the local shuttle bus to Cat Ba town. Then take hydrofoil to Hai Phong where your car will be ready for your journey to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 09: Departure.

Breakfast at hotel. Free time till transfer to the airport for your onward flight back home. End tour.

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Tags: diving halong, hiking mai chau, kayak halong, kayaking cat ba island, scuba diving halong bay, sea kayaking halong bay, trekking mai chau