Halong Bay Deluxe
(3 days / 2 nights)
UNESCO World Heritage Halong Bay – Tai Chi – Kayak lagoons + bays – Vietnamese cooking demonstrations
Highlights
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Two nights in deluxe junk on the Bhaya Classic
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Tai Chi at sunrise
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Guided sea kayaking tour
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Vietnamese cooking demonstration on board
Overview
UNESCO World Heritage, Halong Bay is a spectacular natural wonder. The dramatic scenery dotted with islets makes this an excellent semi-sheltered, open water location for kayaking. Cruise on a deluxe junk combing oriental style with contemporary luxury. Together they are the perfect recipe for an enchanting and relaxing holiday. This two night cruise is ideal for the keen novice or experienced kayaker alike.
Itinerary at a glance (departs daily)
Day 1 |
Hanoi to Halong Bay
At 05:00pm cruise through the Bay to its overnight anchorage near Ho Dong Tien just in time for Happy Hour & Vietnamese cooking demonstration on the Sundeck, followed by sumptuous seafood set dinner. Retire to your cabin or join the fishing program. |
Day 2 |
Halong Bay Up early at 06:15am to start your day with Tai Chi on the Sundeck. At 07:00am we weigh anchor to cruise the Bay as you have an early breakfast in the Dining Room. At 08:30am transfer to junk for the Lan Ha Bay excursion. Depending on weather, we cruise: Option 1 for calm seas: Guided kayaking, swimming & snorkeling at Three Peach Beach, a pristine natural beach lapped by the turquoise water. A fresh seafood lunch is served onboard. Continue onto discover Ho Ba Ham Islet, the most remote point in Lan Ha Bay and bordering the Gulf of Tonkin. Visit its quaint fishing village and lagoon. Possibility of kayaking through an amazing tunnel under a karst mountain (time permitting). Late afternoon return to the Junk and cruise back through the Bay to its overnight anchorage near Ho Dong Tien. Happy Hour & Vietnamese cooking demonstration on the Sundeck followed by a sumptuous seafood set-dinner onboard. Retire to your cabin or join the fishing program. Option 2 for choppier seas: Guided kayaking tour of Hang Luon, perhaps the most beautiful lagoon in the Bay, where you can expect to see monkeys, birds and other wildlife. Visit the top of Titov or Soi Sim Islet and enjoy 360 degree views of Halong Bay. Fresh seafood lunch is served onboard while cruising to the Hang Toi area. In the afternoon, kayak around the Hang Toi area then visit Van Gia fishing village (time permitting). Late afternoon return to the junk and cruise back through the bay to its overnight anchorage near Ho Dong Tien. Happy Hour & Vietnamese cooking demonstration on the Sundeck followed by a sumptuous seafood set-dinner onboard. Retire to your cabin or join the fishing program. |
Day 3 |
Halong Bay to Hanoi Up early at 06:15am to start your day with Tai Chi on the Sundeck. At 07:00am Bhaya Classic weighs anchor to cruise through the Bay passing beautiful spots like Trong (Drum), Trinh Nu (Virgin) and Me Cung Caves and Coc Ngoi (Toad) Islet. Take a short boat trip to explore the Surprise Cave (Sung Sot), returning back to the junk in time for a buffet brunch. The vessel cruises leisurely back to Halong City disembarking around 11:00am for your transfer back to Hanoi. You arrive back at your hotel or Hanoi’s Opera House at around 04:00pm. Meals: Brunch |
Prices
Return transfers |
Cabin |
$AUD per person |
Shuttle Bus |
Twin share |
480 |
Shuttle Bus |
Single supplement |
385 |
Private Car |
Twin share |
540 |
Private Car |
Single supplement |
385 |
Validity |
31 December 2010 |
Prices are in Australian dollars, per person, twin share / double bed cabin. Price is land content only + subject to currency fluctuations. Payment by credit card via PayPal incurs a 3% surcharge. See Booking Conditions for more details.
Prices beyond the validity available on request.
Call 1300 431 069 or email us for more information and bookings.
Looking for a different experience in Halong Bay > Click here.
Includes
- Return transfers from Hanoi
- Welcome cocktail
- Entrance + sightseeing fees
- Halong Bay package on Bhaya Classics 3 day / 2 night cabin with private facilities
- Kayaking, Tai Chi, boat trips, cooking demonstrations
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Service fees + taxes
Excludes
- Airfares and departure taxes
- Travel insurance
- Visa, passport or vaccination costs
- Other meals not specified in the itinerary
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, bar charges, tips, optional activities
Trip grade
EASY TO MODERATE: Soft adventures enjoyed by just about anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. A mixture of long and shorter kayaking activities on day two for around two to three hours at a time.
Trip notes
The Junk
The deluxe junk combines oriental style with contemporary luxury. There are nine rooms (4 x double bed rooms; 5 x twin share rooms) all with private facilities and air con. Prices are based upon twin share accommodation. A single traveller pays the single supplement price for sole use of a cabin.
Food
All meals, indicated in the itinerary, are included in the price of the trip. On the junk, you are served a range of delicious fresh seafood, local and western dishes - this is a gourmet delight! Please advise us if you have any special dietary requirements.
Local guides
An English speaking guide support your kayaking activities. Your guide has extensive experience in guiding outdoor tours in Vietnam. These guides love their job and are on hand to ensure you relax and have a great trip. If you feel your guide provide you with excellent service, a tip at the end of the tour would be greatly appreciated... a little bit goes a long way in Vietnam.
Kayaks
We use tandem sea kayaks. Paddle and life jacket are also supplied.
What to bring
Swimmers, sun block, hat, insect repellent, sunglasses, rain coat, flashlight, toiletries, original passport. We recommend warm clothes for the evening in the cooler months from November to February.
Note on client safety
We reserve the right to deviate from this itinerary for any reason, including weather conditions, frequency of visits to a village or for any other factor that may impact client safety.
Transfers
This tour departs daily from Hanoi from either Hanoi's Opera House in the Old Merchant Quarter or from your hotel if it is within 5km distance of the Opera House. You travel in a shuttle bus with other travellers who have booked with Bhaya Cruises. The shuttle bus transfers you back to Hanoi at the end of the tour. For an additional cost you can travel by private car with a driver to and from your hotel in Hanoi.
Tipping guidelines
It is customary to express a personal thank you to your guide and driver at the end of your trip, especially if he or she has provided you with excellent service. As a guideline only, we suggest tipping around AUD$4-$5 per day for the guide and AUD$2-$3 per day for the driver. You can pay this in local currency or US dollars. Of course whether you tip and how much is always at your discretion.
Vietnam visa
Most visitors to Vietnam need a visa to enter the country. Inner Journey Expeditions offers a Vietnam visa on arrival service where you obtain an entry visa stamp on arrival at HCMC, Hanoi or Danang International Airports. We arrange a Vietnam visa approval letter which you present with a valid passport, passport photo and your visa stamp fee to the Personnel of Vietnamese Immigration. This service is inexpensive, easy to arrange, only takes four working days and is all done on email - no need to mail your passport.
Let us arrange your Vietnam Visa > CLICK HERE.
Climate
Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta in the South are hot all year round with average day time temperatures at 30 degrees Celsius. The hottest period is from March to May with average temperatures of 35 degree Celsius. The wet season runs from May to November where it down pours for an hour or so in the afternoon but this rarely interferes with travel services. Hanoi and Northern Vietnam experience four seasons. Summer from May to October can be hot and wet with regular downpours and occasional typhoons. July to August is the hottest months with temperatures reaching 33 degrees Celsius. Winter runs from November to April with cold and humid conditions. December and January can be particularly cold with temperatures ranging between 10 – 20 degrees Celsius.
Health issues
Good medical advice usually recommends vaccinations in advance of travel to Vietnam. We suggest you consult with your doctor to discuss health care needs specific to your holiday.
Insurance
You must have comprehensive travel insurance to travel with us. Insurance should include cover for personal accident and medical expenses, evacuation and repatriation, baggage loss and cancellation or curtailment of your holiday. Your trip notes + vouchers will not be issued until you confirm possession of appropriate insurance. Better be safe than sorry!
Pre and post tour arrangements
We can arrange additional hotel nights at the beginning or the end of your tour or if you are interested in doing additional touring we can organise a private tour to cater to your interests and time frame. Check out the IJE website for more details. |
Handy travel tips + travelling responsibly
For more information on how you can participate in sustainable tourism go to Handy Travel Tips. To help plan your trip go to Vietnam Visa + Travel Guide.
