DAY 1: HANOI – HALONG BAY – LAN HA BAY IN CAT BA ARCHIPELAGO(L,D)
8:00 - 8:30: Hotel pick-up for trip on new highway to Tuan Chau International Marina, Halong City (if you book our shuttle bus).
12:00: Welcome to Heritage Cruises Lounge at No.28 of Tuan Chau International Marina for refreshments before boarding for the cruise.
12:30: Board the Heritage Cruises boat and enjoy a welcome drink as you receive a cruise briefing, safety instructions, and check-in to your suite. Lunch is served at L’indochine Restaurant.
12:40: Heritage Cruises takes you to contemplate the magnificent sceneries made from the limestone mountains of Lan Ha Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago. This bay is untouched and remote, as not many cruise boats use this route.
15:30: The cruise vessel approaches the Ba Trai Dao (Three Peach beaches) (upon the weather ) , or Tra Bau in Lan Ha Bay, a natural frontier between the provinces of Halong and Haiphong. This secret hideaway has beaches, caves, and coves, plus the spectacular natural beauty of about 400 islands. Guests can try kayaking or simply swimming in the crystal clear waters of the bay.
17:30: Return to Heritage Cruises, enjoy life aboard the vessel or in your suite, and with a cocktail in hand watch the sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin.
18:30: Activities include afternoon tea and the chef will lead a Vietnamese cooking class
19:30: A memorable dining experience will be offered at the restaurant, with local food in an intimate and romantic setting.
21:30: Enjoy evening views of the bay at the bar on the top deck. Try your hand squid fishing. The bars are open until late.
Overnight onboard
DAY 2: HALONG BAY – LAN HA BAY HIDEAWAY
06:15: Start the day with a session of Vovinam on the sundeck, followed by coffee, tea, and pastries.
8:30: Transfer to a speedboat to visit Viet Hai Village. Take a bicycle ride or electric car
through a rainforest tunnel that leads to a rice-field vista. Visit a traditional house in a village deep in a national park where you can observe the lifestyle of the local people and enjoy lunch in the village. Return to the speedboat to visit Lan Ha Bay.
13:30: Visit the Cat Ba Archipelago, cruise through Cai Beo floating village and then go to
the Ba Trai Dao beaches where you can explore the secret trail and beaches, enclosed by vertical cliffs (if the weather and tide permit) or just swimming and kayaking in Tra Bau area.
15:30: Return to Heritage Cruises to enjoy cocktails, beer, and fine wine as the sky changes
color.
17:30: Enjoy life aboard the vessel or in your suite, and with a cocktail in hand watch the
sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. The chef will lead a Vietnamese cooking class
19:30: Enjoy a fine-dining experience in the main restaurant
21:30: Welcome the night at the bar on the top deck, or try squid fishing. The bars are open late.
Overnight onboard!
DAY 3: EXPEDITION DAY ON THE CAT BA ISLAND, LAN HA BAY AND FLOATING VILLAGE
10:00: After a brunch, go by speedboat to the Gia Luan seaport and disembark to explore the largest island in the Gulf of Tonkin, Cat Ba.
10:30: Our driver and tour guide will meet you to drive you into the lush rainforest and scenic karst landscapes where you will stop to visit the largest cave, Trung Trang Cave or the Quan Y Cave close to Cat Ba National Park.
11:30: Head to the center of the island, join the locals at the market, and learn how Nuoc Mam (Fish Sauce) is produced, a favorite of the Vietnamese, at the 4 fisheries factory.
13:00: Have lunch at a local restaurant in the center of the island.
14:00: You can walk around the Cat Co beaches before heading back to Beo seaport. (Optional)
15:15: Detour to the Ben Beo floating village where the speedboat will be waiting to
take you out to explore Lan Ha Bay, the largest floating village in the Gulf of Tonkin, and relish the beauty of Lan Ha Bay.
16:00: Your adventure on land and water ends, and you are transferred back to Heritage Cruises.
16:00-19:00: Free time to enjoy the swimming pool and enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine at the Pool Bar while the sun sets over the bay.
19:00: Dinner will be served at Le Tonkin Restaurant.
21:30: Relax at the top-deck bar, try your hand at squid fishing. The bars are open late.
Overnight onboard
DAY 4: LAN HA BAY – TUAN CHAU – HANOI (B,L)
06:15: Start the day with a session of Vovinam on the sundeck.
06:45: Have a light breakfast on board.
07:15: Head off in a bamboo boat to explore the Dark and Bright Cave to enjoy the sparkling stalactites on the ceiling and feel the soul of the surrounding nature.
9:00 - 9:30: Return to the boat for checkout
10:00: Enjoy brunch while cruising back to the mainland
11:00: Return to Tuan Chau Marina and disembark for your onward journey.
12:10: While waiting for the pick-up service to your next destination, enjoy the comfort of our lounge
14:00: If you have booked our limousine service, our chauffeur will pick you up to take you to your hotel in Hanoi.
