Trip overview
The usual pairing gains a day in Ninh Binh, run from the same hotel over three nights before you head out to the overnight cruise. Temples at Hoa Lu and the karst scenery of Tam Coc set the countryside against the streets of the capital and the open water of the bay — and it is precisely the day that shorter versions of this trip leave out.
None of the bay is sacrificed: Surprise Cave is on the programme, as is the stop at Ti Top Island for sunset, and the transfer afterwards runs straight to the airport. Choose it when you have one spare day and want more of the north without committing to the mountains or the centre of the country. October through April is the better half of the year for it.
Trip highlights
- Rowed through the grottoes and karsts of Tam Coc, close to Hoa Lu
- A whole day in the capital, from the Mausoleum to the Old Quarter
- A night aboard on the bay, with Surprise Cave to follow in the morning
- A swim stop and sunset views from Ti Top Island
Your day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi (about a 45-minute, 25 km transfer from the airport)
Streets under trees, buildings the French put up and pagodas at the water's edge make for an easy first day in the north. The afternoon you land is usually spent near the hotel, perhaps on an optional wander through the trading streets of the Old Quarter before the busier days start.
Day 2: Ninh Binh, Hoa Lu and Tam Coc excursion
First stop is Hoa Lu, which served as the country's capital under the Dinh and early Le dynasties from 968 into the early 11th century; a short walk brings you to the temples that survive. At Tam Coc you board a small rowing boat — the boatmen here row with their feet as much as their hands — and pass through three grottoes, Hang Ca, Hang Hai and Hang Ba, before the drive back.
Day 3: Hanoi city tour
The Mausoleum and stilt house come first, then One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, Quan Thanh Temple and Tran Quoc Pagoda at the edge of West Lake. The Museum of Ethnology follows lunch, and the day ends beside Hoan Kiem Lake with a walk into the surrounding Old Quarter.
Day 4: Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, board overnight cruise (about 3 hours / 170 km one way)
You are collected from the hotel at 8am for the drive out past the farms and villages of the Red River Delta. Aboard the junk, the route takes in Dinh Huong, Ga Choi, Dog and Sail Islands, calls at a pearl farm and paddles into Luon Cave; there is time to swim off Ti Top Island before sunset, and dinner is served on board.
Day 5: Ha Long Bay to Hanoi Airport, departure (about 3½ hours / 190 km one way)
Tai Chi on the sundeck starts the morning, then Surprise Cave, up roughly 100 steps and seen on foot. Brunch follows, with a final pass by Ga Choi Island, Binh Phong Mountain and Tortoise Island, before you step ashore at Tuan Chau port for the drive to Noi Bai Airport.
What's included
- Accommodation with twin/ double/ triple sharing room basis with daily breakfast in the category chosen or similar (subject to availability).
- Meals as mentioned in the Tour Itinerary.
- Sightseeing & Transfers according to the above Tour Itinerary Details only.
- Transportation by vehicle with A/C
- Local English-speaking guide’s assistance.
- All Entrance fees for attractions included in the program
- All activities and cruises clearly mentioned in the program
- Government taxes & service charge
- Air Fare / Train fare.
- Personal Expenses such as Laundry, telephone calls, tips & gratuity, mineral water, soft & hard drinks, porterage, water sports.
- Early check-in, late check-out
- Additional sightseeing or extra usage of vehicle, other than mentioned in the itinerary.
- Room Up gradation Charges.
- Any cost arising due to natural calamities like, landslides, road blockage, political disturbances (strikes), etc (to be borne by the client, which is directly payable on the spot).
- Travel Insurance.
- Bank Charges
- Tip to Driver & Guide (Compulsory)
- Airport Taxes
- Visa and Visa arrangement
- Anything which is not included in the inclusion.
Not included
- Air Fare / Train fare.
- Personal Expenses such as Laundry, telephone calls, tips & gratuity, mineral water, soft & hard drinks, porterage, water sports.
- Early check-in, late check-out
- Additional sightseeing or extra usage of vehicle, other than mentioned in the itinerary.
- Room Up gradation Charges.
- Any cost arising due to natural calamities like, landslides, road blockage, political disturbances (strikes), etc (to be borne by the client, which is directly payable on the spot).
- Travel Insurance.
- Bank Charges
- Tip to Driver & Guide (Compulsory)
- Airport Taxes
- Visa and Visa arrangement
- Anything which is not included in the inclusion.
Booking this trip
- Days
- 4 nights / 5 days
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