3 Days Lan Ha Bay Cruise
Most cruises around Lan Ha Bay cover more or less the same structure and itinerary as cruises in Ha Long Bay. However, there is a difference as trips around this area offer more solitude and serenity as not as many boats venture into this area, compared to Ha Long Bay. Therefore, an extension to a Ha Long Bay cruise to incorporate Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island National Park will provide unique experiences for those who want to cruise to a less visited place. Another advantage is that the boarding point is Hai Phong City, which is only a two-hour drive from Hanoi – half the transfer distance from Ha Long Bay. Also, as only a few companies offer the cruise to this destination, the activities and services will be a little more varied. These are detailed in the program below.
Day-to-Day Itinerary
Guests are collected from hotels in Hanoi and transferred to Ha Long (Tuan Chau Marina) or Hai Phong (Got pier), approximately a two or two and a half hour drive. (Some vessels may go to Lan Ha, but depart/ return from Tuan Chau Marina in Ha Long. Others depart/return from Got Pier in Hai Phong).
After boarding and a safety and itinerary briefing, lunch is served. The cruise proceeds to Da Chong Islet which is home to a French-built lighthouse. We also pass the limestone karst formations of Con Vit and Gia Luan which rise dramatically out of the sea. This area is relatively untouched as not many cruise ships use the route via Cat Ba Island to the Thoi Quyt-Coc Ngoi Islet-Cua Van-Ba Trai Dao area.
We then disembark and ride in a traditional circular coracle boat used by local fishermen and get an insight into how to fish from this tiny craft. In the summer months, guests can swim and kayak. In winter this is substituted with a guided cycling tour to a local village to visit an ancient local home constructed from straw, mud and bamboo. After the return to the boat, options include happy hour drinks at the bar, or a cooking class.
Dinner and overnight are on board.
Today you will wake up to an amazing seascape in the heart of the Bay. An optional tai chi class on the sundeck is followed by breakfast as we continue our cruise through an idyllic landscape.
Embark on the day boat outing to explore the some truly unique sights of Lan Ha Bay, activities and will return to main boat around 15.00.
Optional activities include kayaking, swimming (dependent on the weather), cycling and a visit to Viet Hai village. This destination is surrounded by the sea, high mountains and the dense jungle of Cat Ba National Park. It is a wonderful place to enjoy sublime nature and get away to a place of serenity and solitude.
Lunch and dinner are served on board.
Overnight is on the boat.
The perfect day starts with an energizing tai chi class on the sundeck as the boat navigates through a spectacular seascape.
Brunch is served ahead of the return to Ha Long (Tuan Chau Marina) or Hai Phong (Got Pier), disembarkation and the transfer back to hotels in Hanoi, which marks the conclusion of this cruise.
Please note there are many companies offering cruises on Ha Long bay. Consequently, the comfort level, decoration of the vessel and itinerary may differ. This itinerary suggests a general impression of activities and specific details will be advised on confirmation of the cruise. Details are subject to change depending on weather conditions. There is no private guide on board but an English-speaking in-house guide may be available.
Route
- Voluntary Carbon Offset Compensation: USD1.50 per person per day;
- Water on tour – We stop using single use plastic bottles on our tours and instead use reusable 5 & 19 litter bottles to refill the client’s bottles. We hope we can encourage clients to bring their own bottles;
- We will do all possible to comply with any dietary requirements during this tour; it may not always be possible to confirm your wishes in advance based on the choice of local restaurant;
- We reserve the right to make necessary changes to the tour in case of unfavourable weather conditions or situations where we are forced to make alterations to guarantee the safety of our guests;
- Official hotel check-in time: 11.30 and check-out time: 09.30;
- Guests traveling over and during local holidays may experience longer waiting times than normal, may see certain sites being closed down, and this program may be subject to supplementary charges;
- Tours and excursions often include obstacles of various kinds that may not make this excursion suitable for wheelchair users or guests with limited mobility;
- The protection of the country’s flora, fauna and its historical and cultural treasures is of immense importance for us. We will not pursue any activities that are not in line with our animal, wildlife and environment protection principles;
- Please ensure that you bring sunglasses, a hat/ cap and sunblock with a high SPF factor when traveling with us. Even when it is cloudy, the sun still has an immense power;
- All mentioned times, durations and stops are based on approximations and may change due to unforeseen circumstances, weather and traffic conditions beyond our control.
- Transfers with licenced English-speaking guiding services/ assistance. Other languages are on request and are subject to availability;
- Accommodation in sharing twin/ double;
- Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle, unless otherwise stated;
- All applicable taxes and service charges;
- Package 3D/2N on sharing cruise in Lan Ha Bay;
- All meals as indicated in the programme (food only).
- Personal expenses such as other meals, drinks, tips and gratuities, shopping, portage fees and optional tours/ visits, unless otherwise stated;
- Hotel accommodation in the destination of commencement;
- Private guide on board the cruise;
- Any domestic/ international airline tickets, airport taxes, visa fees, specific camera / video fees, additional transportation cost from and to the general pick-up / drop-off regions (such as airports, out-of-town resorts, ports, harbours and accommodation in surrounding towns);
- Any accommodation expenses of a personal nature. This includes (compulsory festive) meals and drinks, mini-bar consumption, laundry, room service, any telephone or other communication cost not mentioned in the programme;
- International travel and medical insurance coverage for customers;
- Vietnamese visa approval letter and Visa stamping fee;
- Asian Trails reserves the right to change a supplement to all guests if Tourism Authorities eventually decide to increase the fees applied to cruises in Lan Ha Bay (e.g USD 21/person on 3D/2N cruise programme).
