Northern Vietnam: May - Aug 2023
Travel Route: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Pu Luong - Halong Bay Overnight on cruise - Hanoi
Dates: May - August, 2023
Duration: 7 nights / 6 days
Tour Price in USD per person (Double Sharing)
2 pax: $975 | 4 pax: 835 | 6 pax: $780 | 8 pax: $748 | 10 pax: $714
Single sharing is an additional $220
TCS is 5% of package price and is REFUNDED back to you
Meals indicated as B (breakfast), L (lunch), and D (dinner)
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: HANOI (D)
Arrival (early morning) in Hanoi. We head to the hotel to stretch our legs and freshen up, leave our luggage and head out to explore. We get around the Old Quarter of 36 ancient streets by green car. Then visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple located on an islet in the lake. Hoan Kiem Lake is the center point of Hanoi and home to a rare endangered giant turtle species. Its name “Returned Sword” comes from a legend of a sacred sword being lent to an ancient Vietnamese King by a holy turtle from the lake. We check in to our hotel at 2:00 pm and relax. 05:20 pm we head for the Water Puppet Show.
Dinner at local restaurant and overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: HANOI – MUA CAVE & TRANG AN IN NINH BINH (B, L)
08:30 am: Guides and drivers will pick you up from the hotel post breakfast, and we depart for Ninh Binh city (2 hour drive) . First, you will visit Mua Cave which was constructed following the model of “Miniature Great Wall” in China with nearly 500 steps up the mountain to conquer. You will spend about one hour doing some serious trekking up to the top of the mountain for the impressive panoramic view of Tam Coc, Trang An & Ninh Binh city.
View from Hang Mua Top
In the afternoon, take a half day tour to Trang An boat operation station, you will get on a small Sampan boat and enjoy 3 hour row on a little river which goes through many small limestone caves. The scenery is spectacular as you are rowing through the towering karst formations of this newly recognized UNESCO heritage site. After the boat ride, your lunch is served at a local restaurant where you will enjoy a Vietnamese meal with local specialties. Transfer back to the hotel in Ninh Binh. Overnight in Ninh Binh.
Day 3: NINH BINH – PU LUONG (B, D)
Breakfast at hotel, 09:00am we depart from your hotel in Ninh Binh and transfer to Pu Luong Natural Reserve. Starting the trip following the small road through the terrace rice and sugar cane fields, cross the Hanging Bridges to visit other remote rural villages of Thai Ethnic.
Have dinner at the restaurant in the resort and overnight in Pu Luong.
DAY 4: PU LUONG – HANOI (B,D)
The daily life here starts early, it will be interesting for you to get up at the first sign of day light and take part in the activities in the morning, or take a stroll around the village before having breakfast.
We start easy trekking following the small roads through the terrace rice fields and cross the stream to visit remote rural villages of Kho Muong Minorities to learn about the local people in Pu Luong. Explore Doi Cave of Kho Muong village, this is the largest cave in Pu Luong. On the way, you will meet local people with welcoming smiles. After lunch time (exclusive), we drive back to Hanoi.
Upon arrival in Hanoi, check-in to the hotel and enjoy free time to discover the city. Have dinner at an Indian restaurant and overnight in Hanoi.
DAY 5: HANOI – HALONG BAY (B,L,D)
07:45 am: After breakfast at the hotel, the shuttle bus and tour guide from the cruise will pick us up at hotel and drive to Halong, one of the earliest World Heritage Sites designated by UNESCO for Vietnam in 1994.
11:30 am– 12:00 pm: Arrive at Tuan Chau harbor.
12:00 – 12:30 pm: Board the cruise and enjoy a welcome drink, meet the captain & crew to get a brief introduction about cruise and safety guidelines. Complete check-in procedure.
01:30 pm: Enjoy Vietnamese seafood and a choice of vegetarian lunch, while cruising in the magnificent Halong – Lan Ha Bay, admiring the fascinating rock formations in the bay.
03:45 pm: Head to Ba Trai Dao area. It is time for you to chill out in the swimming pool on the cruise or discover the lagoon on a kayak (highly recommended).
05:00 pm: Come back to our La Casta Cruise and participate in our Sunset party with Fruit, Snack and Happy Hour (1+1, excl wine) for a drink.
07:00 pm: Time for dinner - enjoy a set Vietnamese menu (Buffet dinner served instead if the guest number on board are more than 30 people).
09:00 pm: Evening entertainment on the cruise include cards, chess, squid fishing, massage (check with the cruise manager). Relax with a drink at Skybar.
Overnight on the La Casta Cruise in Halong Bay.
DAY 6: HA LONG BAY - HA NOI (B,L)
06.30 am: Early morning risers can enjoy a fantastic view of the sunrise on the sundeck.
7:00-7:45 am: Have a light breakfast and witness the morning view of the bay’s landscape over a cup of tea or coffee.
08:15 am: Immerse yourself in the stunning views of the Bay and it’s dramatic limestone islets. Explore Skull Island (In 2017, Hollywood came here to use that place for the background of the movie King Kong). You can do kayaking or swim in the bay.
09:00 am: Back to your cabin, relax and check your luggage before leaving your cabin.
09:30 am: Check-out from the private cabin and enjoy a fantastic cruise on the bay. Complete check-out procedure and enjoy your lunch at La Casta Regal cruise.
11:30 am: Cruise docks at Tuan Chau Harbor, say goodbye to the sailors. Our shuttle bus and tour guide will pick you up and drive back to Hanoi for hotel check-in. Free time to explore. Overnight in Hanoi.
DAY 7: HANOI - DEPARTURE
Post breakfast, you are free to explore then transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for your flight back home.
HOTELS FOR TOUR (or similar):
Hanoi - HM Boutique Hotel - http://www.hanoihmhotel.com/ - Executive Room
Ninh Binh - Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel - https://hiddencharmresort.com/ - Superior room
Pu Luong - Pu Luong Boutique Garden - https://puluongboutiquegarden.com/ - Deluxe room
Halong Bay - La Casa Cruise - http://lacastacruise.com/ - Junior Suite cabin
Inclusions
E-visa into Vietnam
Hotel accommodations based on Twin/ Double shared rooms
A/C private transfer with experienced driver and shuttle bus for Halong Bay
English speaking local tour guide
Cruise package 2 days/ 1 night in Halong bay
Sampan in Ninh Binh
Meals without drinks as indicated: B = Breakfast ; L = Lunch ; D = Dinner
All sightseeing fees as program
02 bottles of 0,5l on each day tour
Travel Insurance (including COVID insurance)
Exclusions
International air ticket to / from Vietnam
Early check-in and late check-out
Other meals not mentioned in programs
Gratuities for tour guides; Drinks, personal expenses and others…
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations made before 30 days of travel will qualify for a full refund after deducting bank/credit card charges if applicable. Thereafter, refund shall be made as follows:
• 50% of the total amount charged if cancelled between 3-4 weeks prior to the trip
• 75% of the total amount charged if cancelled between 1-3 weeks prior to the trip
• 100% Cancellation charge in if cancelled less than 1 week of travel/postponement of the trip/no show
For bookings and other details contact:
Laidback Outdoor
Whatsapp: +91 8375090772
Email: nakblaidback@gmail.com
Instagram: @laidbackoutdoor
Facebook: @LaidbackIndia