Highland Exploring & Sea Kayaking

Overview:   With rolling mountains and blue seas, north-eastern Vietnam braces a spectrum of diversity still little known to local and foreign travelers alike. Cruising on immense Lake Ba Be, strolling around colorful hill-tribe fairs, viewing extraordinary limestone landscape and sailing in Ha long Bay surely make the trip memorable. Besides, a kayak ride in Ha Long Bay, rated among the top ten of sea kayaking destination in the world, will give visitors unforgettable experiences. The tour also offers them opportunities for shopping at border markets which sell a wide range of consumer goods at bargain prices. During the vacation in the bay, overnight stays on tour boats and full board will be arranged. The trip is feasible all year round and the best time is September/October and April/June, when the weather is dry and bright.

Hanoi / Ba Be / Cao Bang / Lang Son / Hai Phong / Cat Ba Island / Lan Ha Bay / Ha Long Bay / Hanoi

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi (D)
Arrive at Noi Bai Airport. Pick up and transfer to a hotel. Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital city, boasts tree-lined streets and centuries-old temples. An afternoon sightseeing tour features both cultural and historical highlights, comprising the Temple of Literature, the Ethnology Museum, the old quarters and a downtown pedicab ride (1 hour). Overnight in Hanoi.

Price / Person (for 2+)
Executive	Contact us for current pricing
Deluxe
Standard
(Single person surcharge applicable)

Day 2: Hanoi— Ba Be (B, L, D)
Leave for Ba Be (240km) passing picturesque tea plantations, terraced rice fields and forested mountains. Ba Be, a national park covering 23,340 hectares, comprises a chain of natural lakes and diverse fauna & flora. Late in the afternoon, take a short boat ride on the lake to Pac Ngoi, a cluster of lakeside houses-on-stilts of the Tay tribe. Stroll along the village path and visit local houses. Overnight at a guest house at the national park.

Day 3: Ba Be — Cao Bang (B, L, D)
In the morning, enjoy a boat ride on the Nang River and Lake Ba Be. Explore Puong Cave, Tay tribe villages and Fairy Pond. Discover more about the secrets of evergreen tropical forests. In the afternoon, transfer to Cao Bang (130km) via a mountainous road winding across beautiful passes (Gio, Cao Bac and Tai Sin Ho). Overnight in Cao Bang.

Day 4: Excursion to Ban Gioc (B, L, D)
Enjoy a full-day trip to Ban Gioc, 90km from Cao Bang boasting one of the most magnificent waterfalls in Vietnam. As Ban Gioc is located in a border area, a travel permit is to be arranged for every visitor. The trip also gives opportunities to visit a bustling hill-tribe fair (held every 5 days), forge villages of the Nung tribe at Phuc Sen, magical caves at Nguom Ngao and splendid limestone valleys at Trung Khanh. Have picnic lunch en route. Return to Cao Bang. Overnight in Cao Bang.

Day 5: Cao Bang — Lang Son (B, L, D)
The morning sightseeing trip is a pleasant drive to Pac Bo (60km) where President Ho Chi Minh’s hide-out built in 1941 can be seen. It is an ideal place to breathe fresh forest breezes and walk along a poetic stream in natural surroundings. Visit colorful hill-tribe markets (held every 5 days) en route. In the afternoon, transfer to Lang Son (130km), a major commercial gateway between Vietnam and China. Overnight in Lang Son.

Day 6: Lang Son — Hai Phong (B, L, D)
The morning sightseeing tour features the lady-shaped rock formation of To Thi, Tam Thanh Cave and Nhi Thanh Cave. Wander around the Dong Kinh Market selling a wide variety of Chinese goods. In the afternoon, transfer to Hai Phong (260km) via smooth roads passing rice fields and industrial parks. Overnight in Hai Phong.

Day 7: Hai Phong — Cat Ba Island — Ba Cat (B, L, D)
Depart for Cat Ba Island (50km) via a newly-built road on the southern edge of the island, passing straits, salt marshes, lush valleys and breath-taking cliffs. Have lunch en route. On arrival at Beo Jetty, board a private schooner for a cruise (1 hour) in Lan Ha Bay, famous for its primitive islands, crescent beaches, sea tunnels and crystal-clear coves. There is also time for kayaking and swimming at sunset. Enjoy a barbecue dinner and a campfire on a pristine beach under the stars. Overnight on board.

Day 8: Ba Cat — Ho Ba Ham (B, L, D)
Spend the whole day viewing the spectacular scenery of countless rock formations. Paddle kayaks to Ho Ba Ham Island (3 hours) with the schooner tagging behind, drench in sunshine and snorkel in turquoise water. Lunch and dinner of fresh seafood are served on board. In the evening, a kayak ride in phosphorescent water is optional. Overnight on board.

Day 9: Ho Ba Ham - Ha Long — Hanoi (B, L, D)
The morning features an exciting exploration of Ha Long Bay, a World Heritage site recognized by UNESCO in 1994. Relish the tranquility of nature from the upper deck and visit some magic caves. In the afternoon, transfer to Hanoi(170km). The sightseeing day ends with a water puppet show, a theatrical genre reflecting the agricultural civilization of thousands of years ago. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 10: Departure from Hanoi (B)
Downtown shopping (embroideries, lacquerware, wood-carvings,...).or at leisure before check-out. Transfer to the airport for departure.