Weaving through the feet of giant limestone cliffs and crossing the center of the World Heritage site. This trip features the unique cruising route, great combination of comfortable boat cruise and fun kayaking, mystical caves, deserted lagoons and beautiful sandy beaches in a unique area far from the maddening crowd.

Day 1: Hanoi – Halong Bay (L, D)

Am:   Be picked up at your hotel for 3.5 hour bus ride through the country side of the Red River Delta to Ha Long City. 

Upon arrival, aboard, fresh seafood lunch (vegetarian menu available) would be served while the boat is gliding out.

Pm:   A short tender ride from the middle of the bay to an island for the famous Sung Sot cave. As the sun sets over the bay, you are free to swim from your boat or just relax on sundeck with your favorite drink. Dinner is served with typically local seafood and overnight on boat.

Day 2:  Halong Bay Kayaking (B, L, D)

Am:   Rise up for a breath taking on sundeck, be ready with your camera for a stunning vista in the serene bay. After breakfast, a kayaking support boat will take you further to the Southern end of Halong bay to anchor in the tranquil beauty of Lan Ha, away from the overcrowded water area. Learn some basic paddling techniques, then make your own strokes and private beaches hopping.

Pm:   Lunch and swim at a private beach. More kayaking for more deserted lagoons and exploring quiet floating village. Then goes a perfect time to take in the views in the cool of the afternoon as the last rays of the sun cast reflections over this beautiful area. You would be back on the Cruise at the end of the afternoon. Dinner and overnight on boat.

Day 3:  Halong Bay – Cat Ba Island (B, L, D)

Am:   Morning breath taking in the serene Heritage Site then breakfast before leaving Halong Cruise for an active day on another site of the bay. A local support boat will take us to a sleepy water area of Cat Ba National Park, where you grab the paddle and make your own strokes to discover parts of Lan Ha Bay. It is your time to go exploring labyrinth of limestone cliffs that rise out of the sea, paddle through floating houses and deserted lagoons and wild sandy beaches from our sleek ocean kayaks.

Pm:   Lunch on boat, relax and swim from your own private beach. More kayaking to other parts of the bay, by now you are pro kayakers, seeing other amazing limestone karts formations from the water up close and personal, in ways many people can only imagine!

When you get tired, leave your kayaks behind to take a transfer boat to Cat Ba Island. We then drive you to Cat Ba Eco Lodge, an ideal jungle lodge that compliments the local culture, perfectly in tune with the surrounding environment.

Day 4: Cat Ba Island – Hai Phong – Hanoi (B, L)

Am:   After your breakfast, options arise to:

Relax and do some reading at the lodge

Rent a motorbike (at your expense) from the lodge and drive to see the town

Stick to our original itinerary: be guided to hike Cat Ba National Park (2 hours hiking) after a short bus ride from the lodge. Physical reward and magnificent view!

Pm:   We take a hydrofoil boat ride from Cai Vieng Pier to Hai Phong City, and then 2 more hour drive back to Hanoi. Trip ends at your hotel around 17h00