Explorer Ha Long Bay By Kayaking Tour
( Tour Code: GTSP39 )

DETAILED ITINERARY

Ha Long Bay, located in the Gulf of Tonkin, covers an area of 1500 square km. with more than a thousand limestone peaks soaring from its crystalline emerald water. The calm sea provides an ideal location for sea kayaking as we paddle through a maze of islets amid dramatic natural scenery. With our modern kayaking equipment, we are able to maximize on speed and maneuverability as we paddle through the open sea and explore the many hidden lagoons and stalagmite caves that are difficult to access by any other means. After a day of paddling, we unwind on a deserted beach on one of Halong's many islands and enjoy dinner before retiring to sleep under a blanket of stars. This tour is ideal for those people who have very limited time in their schedule. Combining the best of sea kayaking and camping it allows the novice and the experienced kayakers to sample the delights of this sport in some of Vietnam's most stunning scenery. Our equipment includes modern Zebec Kayaks, which are lightweight, stable and safe with lightweight aluminium paddles. All passengers and guides are supplied with modern, international standard buoyancy vests. We also use lightweight tents, all of which are fitted with mosquito screens. In keeping with our philosophies on safety, our guides have been trained in basic first aid and CPR by an international medical clinic.

Day 1: Hanoi - Ha Long
Drive from Hanoi at 08.00 AM. to Halong, stopping en route to watch masons and woodcarvers at work in Sao Do at 10.00 AM. Continue to Halong Bay and arrive around 12.00 PM. Board a traditional red-sailed junk for a seafood lunch before sailing to Ba Men Temple. Disembark on this beautiful beach to receive instructions on kayaking techniques and safety procedures by our guide. At 03.00 PM., visit Ho Ba Ham (Three-Cave Lagoon) for the first exploration in Halong. At 07.00 PM. it is time to enjoy a Barbeque seafood dinner at the camping site. After dinner, come up and gather at Ba Men Temple. This is a great chance to take pictures of fishermen giving offerings to the Whale God. Once finished, one hour paddling under the moonlight is highly recommended.Overnight on board. (L, D)

Day 2: Ha Long
Start a new day at 08.00 AM from Ba Men Temple paddle to Dau Be Island, visit to the floating Fishing village where Fishermen are not only fishing but raising Crabs and Shrimps as well. There is a stop on the isolated beach for swimming until meeting the Mother boat for lunch at noon. At 02.00 PM, cross Lan Ha channel by kayak to the Three-Peach island, a wonderful place for swimming, fishing and sunbathing.
Overnight on board (B, L, D)

Day 3: Three Peach Island
Full day with kayak to paddle and explore the Three Peach Island starting from 7.30 AM. Evening, dinner on board while our boat is cruising towards Cat Ba island.
Overnight on board (B, L, D)

Day 4: Cat Ba - Ha Long
Morning disembark Cat Ba island and drive to Cat Ba National Park for whole day trek through jungle with packed lunch & water (25KM hard trek). Pick-up by our boat at Viet Hai Fishing village at the other side of Cat Ba Island. Cruise to Trong Mai island, upon arrival is time for swimming and relaxing after a hard day trek.Overnight on board (B, L, D)

Day 5: Hanh Cave
Morning motorized cruise to nearby Hanh Cave with the whole day for exploration by kayak to approach the Hanh cave. Hanh Cave is about 2 km long and it used to be a hidden place of Military during the American War & It was also a main route for coal transported by bamboo boats from Cam Pha down to Hon Gai Port.Overnight on board in front of Hanh Cave. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Ha Long - Hanoi
Return to Bai Chay by boat. Farewell lunch with crew on board at noontime before driving back to Hanoi.End of services. (B, L)