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Code: |
VNBKTD01 |
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Routes: |
Hanoi - Thay Pagoda - Tay
Phuong pagoda - handicraft villages -
Co Loa - Nam Hong - Lim Town - Ha Long
Bay Kayaking - Hanoi |
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Duration: |
05 Days |
Itinerary in brief
Day 1: Thay pagoda and handicraft villages (bike 35km)
Day 2: Nam Hong - Lim Town (bike 40km)
Day 3: Lim Town-Ha Long (kayak 5-7km)
Day 4: Ha Long Bay (kayak 5-7km)
Day 5: Ha Long - Hanoi (kayak 5-7 km)
Detail Itinerary
Day 1: Thay pagoda and handicraft villages (bike 35km)
From Hanoi, a 30km-drive brings you to the 15th
century Thay Pagoda, famous for its fantastic
collection of carved wooden Buddha statues.
After exploring the pagoda, bike through
sweeping rice paddies, stopping at a traditional
So noodle-making village. Peddle on through
other villages, experiencing daily life deep in
northern Vietnam's countryside and learning
about the local traditions. Enjoy a picnic lunch
before taking a leisurely walk beneath an avenue
of betel nut trees to Chuong village, where
villagers still produce one of Vietnam's most
enduring symbols the conical palm-leaf hat.
After shuttling back to Hanoi spend the late
afternoon sightseeing around Hoan Kiem Lake,
whose waters are said to hide a sacredâ and
indeed magical golden turtle. Spend your first
night in Hanoi.
Day 2: Nam Hong - Lim Town (bike 40km)
After traveling by shuttle to Dong Anh, a
suburban district of Hanoi, bike through the Nam
Hong flower village and on through other
villages that grow bonsai trees. Spin through a
colorful patchwork of green paddy fields,
vegetable plots and flower fields en route to
the ancient citadel of Co Loa, a large complex
of temples and ruined earth fortifications that
date back to the third century B.C. From the
citadel ride to Thiet Ung village, famous for
its intricate wooden statues, and visit the
200-year-old home of a prize-winning master
carver. A quaint brick road leads to Dong Ky,
another wood carving village, this one
specializing in furniture. Peddle along a river
dyke to Lim town, stopping to visit a beautiful
village temple that perches above a
lotus-covered pond. Travel by shuttle to Ha
Giang and enjoy a home-cooked meal followed by a
performance of traditional Quan Ho folk songs
performed by local artists clad in colorful
1930s-style dresses. Shuttle back to Hotel and
spend the night.
Day 3: Lim Town- Ha Long (kayak 5-7km)
Depart Lim Town for Ha Long with many photo
opportunities en route: rice paddies, water
buffaloes, farmers in the fields. Arrive at Ha
Long Bay around noon and board our traditional
wooden junk, then dine on fresh-caught seafood.
After lunch, explore one of the largest caves in
the bay, Sung Sot (Surprise Cave). Return to the
boat for instruction on kayaking techniques and
safety procedures, then follow your guide to
explore three sea caverns. Back on the boat take
the time to photograph the sun slipping behind
the bay's myriad islands, then join your fellow
travelers for dinner. If you wish, take a
night-time paddle through the moonlit bay, then
retire to your cabin to be lulled to sleep by
the soft lapping of the waves.
Day 4: Ha Long Bay (kayak 5-7km)
Kayak through the biggest floating fishing
village in Ha Long Bay, making stops at the
floating primary school and at various floating
houses to discover the locals' unique way of
life. After lunch, a two-hour paddle brings you
to the Three Lagoons, which you enter via a sea
cavern. Next stop is Ba Men Temple, where local
fishermen make offerings to the Whale God.
Return to the junk and cruise to Three Peach
Island, an ideal spot for a swim. Back on board,
travel to Titop Island, where the boat will
anchor overnight. Enjoy dinner on board and
relax.
Day 5: Ha Long - Hanoi (kayak 5-7 km)
Enjoy the sunrise and an onboard breakfast as
you cruise back to Duck Rock, from where you
paddle to Incense Burner Island and explore a
cave. Back on board the junk, enjoy the
magnificent scenery as you cruise back towards
the harbor. Following lunch in Ha Long City,
drive back to Hanoi and bid the group farewell.
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