DEEP OF VIETNAM KAYAKING TRIP (10 DAYS)
Destination: Hanoi – Babe lake – Ha Long bay – Cat Ba Island
Legend-bound Halong Bay, a dreamlike setting of sheer limestone islets soaring above a sheltered sea, for an exhilarating sea kayaking journey among its jagged isles, hidden lagoons, and splendid sea caves. This is a wonderful, enchanting place for beginners to be introduced to this easy and enjoyable sport!
Explore the magical islands, caves and grottos of Halong Bay by kayak, stopping to swim on isolated beaches, sleeping and dining on a traditional red-sailed junk.
Day1: Hanoi arrival
Pick up in airport , transfer hotel in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi – Babe Lake (L,D )
Ba Be National Park
Meet at your hotel in Hanoi, drive north about six hours (240 km) to Ba Be National Park, situated in Bac Kan province of northern Vietnam (picnic lunch en route). Ba Be, a relic of natural lower mountain forests that once covered all the mountain ranges from east to west north of the Red River delta, covers an area of some 90 square miles, of which more than half is strictly protected and the remaining is in a forest restoration zone. The park’s densely forested area is a refuge for unique flora and fauna (410 plant species and 300 wildlife species), and surrounds the only natural lake in Vietnam (it is actually three linked lakes). The area is home to Tay, Hmong, Dao, and Nung ethnic groups, who have lived on the shore of the lake and in the surrounding mountains for hundreds of years. We will arrive in the early afternoon and cross the lake by boat (30 minutes) to a Tay village where we stay in a wooden stilt house on the edge of the lake.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Home stay
Day 3: Babe Lake walking (B,L,D )
Walking Dao hill tribe village , roundtrip walking in the mountains trails visiting to a remote Dao hill tribe village that still retains age-old cultural traditions. (Well carry a packed lunch.). Return to the Tay village for overnight. ( 6 hours walking ; 10 km)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner – Home stay
Day 4: Babe Lake Kayaking (B,L,D )
The many limestone mountains surrounding Ba Be have numerous caves and under-streams, including the Nang River, which flows through the 100-foot-high, 1,000-foot-long Puong Cave all the way to Ba Be Lake. Today we will paddle an inflatable kayak right through the cave on a navigable 14-mile section of the river.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Over night in Ba Be National Park Lodge
Day 5: Babe Lake – Hanoi – Haiphong (B,L,D )
Am: Return drive to Hanoi, and the transfer to Haiphong city, with the afternoon free to explore the city.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Overnight in Haphong city
Day 6: Hai phong – Catba- Halong (B, L, D)
Morning take hydrofoil boat to Catba. Board our traditional red-sailed junk for a sumptuous seafood lunch before sailing to Ba Men Temple, deep in the bay. Disembark at its beautiful beach to receive instructions on kayak safety procedures. Afternoon, paddle to a series of hidden lagoons. Barbecue seafood dinner on the beach, followed by moonlight kayaking.
Overnight on board
Day 7: Ha Long(B, L, D)
Morning, kayak around Dau Be Island, passing a hidden floating fishing village on the way, then paddle around the limestone crags emerging from the sea or stop for a swim at an isolated beach before meeting the junk for lunch. Afternoon, kayak across in to Ba Ham cave a wonderful place for swimming, fishing, paddling to the beach of Ba Men temple, relaxing before back to mother ship. Dinner on board.
Overnight on board.
Day 8: Ha Long bay (B, L, D)
Morning, our ship will moving to Bai Tu Long bay while we have breakfast. Boat will stop in Cong Dong island for full day kayak around island, passing a floating fishing village on the way, then paddle to the Ngoc Vung island take walking tour in island . Come back mother ship for dinner on board.
Overnight on board.
Day 9: Ha Long-Three Peach Island (B, L, D)
After breakfast, boat will moving to cave kayak in to the incredible karst cave . Lunch then we moving to Three Peach Island. Visit the oyster farms and hidden coves around this corner of the bay. Evening, dinner on the boat.
Overnight on beach ( depend of weather )
Day 10: Three Peach Island- Cat Ba island (B, L, D)
After breakfast, kayak around the incredible karst peaks near Three Peach Island before paddling out to one of the most isolated areas in the huge bay of Halong. Lunch on board while the boat cruises to Cat Ba Island. Check in at hotel . The balance of the day is free to explore Cat Ba. Dinner in local restaurant .Overnight in Cat Ba Hotel
Day 11: Cat Ba island- Hai Phong – Hanoi (B, L)
Morning, Free time as leisure . Farewell lunch before back to Hanoi. Over night in Hanoi
Day12 : departure
Free time visit Hanoi, then transfer to airport for departure flight
What’s Included
English speaking local guide
Accommodations as boat and hotel
Mother boat and sea kayaking arrangements
Meals as noted (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
Sightseeing and activities as noted in the itinerary
Ground transportation
Additional guides where necessary
Entrance fees and permits
What’s Not
International airfare; meals not noted on itinerary; Vietnam visa; insurance other than basic medical ; optional tipping to local guides and local staff; excess baggage charges; international airport taxes; cost of medical immunizations; items of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc..)
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