Ha Long Bay Spotlight
Discover Ha Long Bay
*This tour extension was previously called: Ha Long Bay Explorer Tour Extension
Bai Tu Long Bay, is actually a protected national park in its own right, less well known than Ha Long Bay. The latter is, in a mythical sense, the final resting place of the Mother Dragon who came to help the early Vietnamese defend their land from foreign invaders. Bai Tu Long, is known as the place where the Mother Dragon’s Children came to land and remained. It is a stunningly beautiful place, easily on par or in excess of the beauty of Ha Long Bay, and rewards those of us who have allowed more time to see this beautiful part of Vietnam. By spending two nights on the water, we can venture further out to this area, away from the throng of competing cruise boats in the main bay area.
The experiences on this tour are outstanding and include a paddling excursion by kayak, a barbecue lunch on the beach and some cave exploration, not to mention a visit to a fishing village where the community lives in floating houses.
This is the perfect way to begin or top off a visit to Vietnam, complementing the experience of our bicycle tours in the central and Mekong regions.
Activities
Walk / Kayak
Difficulty
Easy
Duration
4 Days / 3 Nights
Price From
US$790
Day to Day itinerary
Day 1
Travel to Hanoi
If you are taking this as a pre-tour extension, you will arrive into Hanoi international airport where a private driver will collect you for the 30-minute drive into Hanoi.
If you are taking this as a post-tour extension, on the afternoon of the last day of your tour, a driver will be waiting to take you to the Airport for the included flight to Hanoi (only applies to tours ending in Vietnam). An equally courteous driver will collect you for the 30-minute drive into the city.
Your hotel is located just on the edge of the Old Quarter, an area known as the original heart and soul of Hanoi, where the vibrant buzz of the city is strongest. After checking in, take a wander of the neighborhood, have a drink at a streetside bar and enjoy a delicious meal from one of the various restaurants that Grasshopper Adventures will recommend.
Day 2
Meals: B,L,D
Arrive into Bai Tu Long Bay
The bus will collect you at 8:30am for the 3 hour drive to Ha Long Bay. On arrival and after some formalities, you will board your 10 cabin ship and set sail. Within 30 minutes you will be passing through the iconic limestone karst scenery for which the area is famous. Lunch will be served on board and then as you relax on deck, the ship will navigate into a sheltered cove where the kayaks will be set down.
Paddling through gaps in the karts, through large caves and into lagoons within the islands, you will be amazed at the scenic beauty of this place. After a pleasant hour and a bit of paddling, you will return to the ship and continue cruising to another cove where the ship will drop anchor for the evening and dinner will be prepared.
Day 3
Meal: B,L,D
Paddling & Beach Time in the Bay
Today you will venture around the bay. Here you will have the opportunity to swim on a sandy beach and if you like, some more kayaking. Lunch will be served on the cruise and then in the afternoon, enjoy other activities on the bay or relax on the cruise/ beach to witness the majestic view of the “Dragon descending” bay.
Having a dinner with fresh seafood for this night and free at leisure.
Day 4
Meal: Brunch
Floating Fishing Communities and time to leave
This morning, visit Vung Vieng fishing village where the local people still earn their livelihood from the sea and where the school is on a floating pontoon. We explore the village in a row boat and this allows you to interact with the locals as you go instead of disturbing the peace with a motorboat.
Back on board the ship, we cruise to port and are set down just in time for lunch which is served in a restaurant near the pier. Then it’s a 3 hour drive back to Hanoi. You can expect to arrive back into the city around 4:30pm. A separate driver will then take you to the airport for your departure flight. It would be realistic to fly at 7:30pm or later.
If you are taking this as a pre-tour extension the flight to your starting destination will be arranged and included in the package (only applies to tours starting in Vietnam).
Tour inclusions
What’s Included
Arrival transfer.
- Day 1, Hotel night in Hanoi.
The Deluxe cabin.
All meals on board as mentioned in the cruise.
Mentioned activities (subject to change).
Entrance fee.
Welcome drink, two bottles of mineral water in each room.
Domestic Flight to or from Hanoi
- Onboard guide
What’s not
Airfare, visa.
Spa services, massage.
Drinks, tips, bonuses, and other personal expenses.
All other services are not explicitly mentioned above.
Tour Package
This tour extension comes with accommodation, activities and all meals outlined in the itinerary included in the package. The tour package is priced at US$790 p.p twin share, for solo travelers there is a single supplement of $458.
Sunset Over Ha Long Bay
Your Floating Hotel
How to book an extension?
This package is available as an extra when booking any one of our applicable tours.
You will find the option to add the extension within the online booking form. Alternatively, get in touch with our team to discuss adding this extension option to your tour booking.
Please note: If you are traveling solo, you must also select the “Single Supplement”.
