General information
Tour route: Hanoi – Lan Ha Bay – Cat Ba Island – Hanoi
Duration: 5 days/ 4 Nights
Departure Date: Any time you wish
Start/ End: Hanoi/ Hanoi
Tour Type: Private Tour
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi – Hai Phong – Maya Cruise (L, D)
Day 2: Maya Cruise (B, L, D)
Day 3: Maya Cruise – Transfer to the Whisper of Nature Homestay (B, L, D)
Day 4: The Whisper of Nature (B, L, D)
Day 5: The Whisper of Nature – Back to Maya Cruise – Hanoi (B, L)
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi – Hai Phong – Maya Cruise (L, D)
You will travel to Got pier by yourself and wait for the group at Maya’s lounge. Transfer by tender to the MAYA CRUISE. Along the way to the main boat, you will have a chance to see Cai Trap canal. You will be greeted on board the MAYA CRUISE, enjoy Welcome Drink, receive cruise briefing, safety instructions and check-in. Start your cruise and explore Lan Ha Bay & Ha Long Bay.
MAYA CRUISE takes you to Da Chong islet, marvel at a lighthouse built by the French over 100 years ago. Have lunch while passing via the islets. You will see these amazing limestone karst formations rising up out of the sea in an impressive manner.
Move on Tra Bau area of Lan Ha Bay – a separate part of Halong Bay. This is a quiet tourist paradise in Vietnam. Opt to try kayaking or simply just enjoy a swim. Turn back MAYA CRUISE and enjoy the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. Onboard you may join a traditional cooking class where you can get instructions for cooking some Vietnamese dishes.
A well prepared local dinner will be served for you. We offer a delightful meal in an intimate romantic setting. Relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere the bay at night up on the top deck. Relax whilst enjoying drinks from the bar. Try your hand at night squid fishing or watching a movie in the restaurant. Overnight on board.
Day 2: Maya Cruise (B, L, D)
Start an early morning onboard MAYA CRUISE with Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Before continuing your trip, a light breakfast with coffee, tea, and pastries is waiting for you in the dining room. Board a day boat to visit Viet Hai village. Traveling by bike along the village path and go through rainforests and dark tunnel. Soak up the stunning scenery of rice fields on the way. Stop at the village to relax and visit an ancient local house, made from straw, mud, bamboo…observe the daily life of locals in the valley. Back to your boat and continue to soak up Lan Ha Bay. Lunch served on the day boat.
Head to Ba Trai Dao beach area of Lan Ha Bay- a separate part of Halong Bay. Known for its pristine beaches and spectacular beauty, having about 400 fascinating islands, this is a quiet tourist paradise in Vietnam. Unlike Halong Bay, the islands of Lan Ha Bay are mainly forested, and most are small in stature. Then participate in kayaking or swimming activities to immerse in the crystal clear waters of the bay (if the weather permit). Return to MAYA CRUISE. You will join a traditional cooking class and learn to cook some Vietnam dishes. The magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin is an unmissable thing to see. A well prepared local dinner will be served for you. We offer a delightful meal in an intimate romantic setting. Relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere the bay at night up on the top deck. Sip a drink, watch TV or your hand at night squid fishing to end your second day. Overnight on board.
Day 3: Maya Cruise – Transfer to the Whisper of Nature Homestay (B, L, D)
Join Tai Chi session on the sundeck and have a light breakfast. Upon completing breakfast, head out in the bamboo boat to explore the bay in the area where the Dark & Bright cave is situated. Return MAYA CRUISE for check-out procedures
Whilst cruising back, the rest of the people will enjoy a delightful brunch BUT you will take lunch box (have earlier lunch) and move to a tender to dock Gia Luan pier where our local guide and driver are waiting & take you to the whisper of nature homestay. You will be dropped at Beo pier for a canoe to Viet Hai village. From here you will bike to the whisper of nature homestay (the biking distance is 5km).
You will check in your room in the homestay. Then followed by a walk to the top of Marine Hill which offers panoramic views of both Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay. Transfer back to the homestay for overnight.
Day 4: Lan Ha Bay – Cat Ba Island (B, L, D)
Have breakfast at homestay Then transfer by car to Viet Hai village. Take a private boat glides past the fascinating landscapes of craggy karsts. Then we follow by kayaking around Hang Luon Cave. If the weather is hot, you can stop at some beautiful wild beaches where you can enjoy swimming and snorkeling. Have lunch on board In the afternoon, travel back to the homestay to have dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Cat Ba Island – Back to Maya Cruise – Hanoi (B)
Have breakfast at homestay Transfer to Viet Hai pier, get a canoe to get Beo pier and have a private car to Gia Luan pier where the Maya cruise’s tender take you back cruise.
Cruise back to the Got per and take a shuttle bus to back Hanoi. Drop off your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter. Ending the services.
Julie M –
That’s an amazing experience! Our tour guide was Anthony. He was fabulous! Very direct, no messing around, but fun and kind at the same time. He tried to make the long bus ride fun by getting people to sing. My friend and I were the only ones who sang… but after all, it was quite fun.
Thanks a lot!