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Anchors away in Halong BayHalong Bay CruiseHalong Bay is an awe-inspiring archipelago composed of almost 3000 limestone islands. Some of these islands are thickly forested, while others are bare rock. The spellbinding region is one of the greatest natural wonders of Vietnam, and is best explored leisurely by boat. During this module you'll weave slowly through the maze of islands on a traditional Chinese junk boat. This will allow you to take in the breathtaking scenery and observe local people going about their daily lives while you relax on deck with a cold beer. You'll spend one magical night aboard the comfortable Huong Hai junk, complete with its set of characteristic red sails. You'll anchor at several of the tiny islands in this mysterious bay and explore atmospheric sea caves. If you need to cool off during this two-day boat cruise, you can dive into the turquoise waters and watch the exotic fishes scatter under the surface. |
| Duration: |
2 days - 1 night Offered daily |
Accommodation: |
Comfortable, traditional junk boat 2-3 (see accommodation) |
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Price: |
From $209 per person - based on 2 people sharing |
Included: |
1 x night onboard junk boat, all meals, transport to and from Halong Bay, entrance fees |
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Transport: |
Bus, Huong Hai Junk Boat |
Excluded: |
Kayak hire |
Day 1: Departure Hanoi - cruise Huong Hai junkThis morning, you'll be collected from your hotel at approximately 8:00 AM and taken to the coastal town of Halong. The junk awaits you. Once onboard, you'll kick off your trip with a lunch caught fresh from the sea. The scent of the fish dinners being prepared in the kitchen are sure to create quite an appetite. Afterwards the boat will begin its superb cruise through the region past small limestone islands, some of which are thickly forested, others are inhabited and yet others have secretly secluded sandy beaches. During the cruise you'll visit one of the many hidden caves and you'll be able to take a dive into the azure waters from one of the tropical beaches. Fishing enthusiasts can attempt to catch their evening meal with a traditional rod and tackle. During dinner, you can mull over the impressions of the day and watch the sunset whilst enjoying a glass of Vietnamese wine. Life really doesn't get much better than this. |
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Day 2: Huong Hai junk - HanoiThe next morning you'll be woken by the wafting scent of a delicious breakfast. You'll then begin your morning cruise, which features trips to various islands and visits to fascinating rock formations. This entire area is a photographer's paradise, so be sure to keep your camera at the ready. Following this, you will board a small bamboo boat to explore the spooky Luong Cave. Lunch will be served aboard the junk during your return to the mainland. At Halong, a transfer will be waiting to take you back to Hanoi. This is where the module will end. To follow this laid back trip, we would recommend a more active module in the north of Vietnam, such as Hill tribes of Sapa or Sapa- train and trekking. Alternatively, you could choose to travel south, dropping in on the old historic cities of Hué and Hoi An along the way. |
Halong Bay LegendHa Long literally means ‘descending dragons’ and legend holds that this is precisely what happened at Halong Bay. A long, long time ago when the ancestors were fighting invaders from the north, the gods decided to send help. They sent a family of dragons from heaven to help the local people defend their land. The dragons descended into Halong Bay and began to spew jewels and jade. As soon as these gems touched the water they turned into islands, forming a barrier to keep the invaders away. This allowed the ancestors to keep their land and form Vietnam. After the victory, the dragons liked Earth so much that they decided to stay. Legend has it that the mother dragon still lies in Halong and her children lie in Bai Tu Long. The tails of the dragons form the Bach Long Vi area. |
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