Hanoi - Cat Ba National Park

On day 1, you’ll be picked up from your hotel at 08:00 and be whisked straight away on your Northern Vietnam adventure. Starting with a drive to Dinh Vu Harbour, from which you’ll board a high speed boat for the journey to one of the jewels in Vietnam’s crown, Cat Ba Island. Upon arrival at this wonderful island, you’ll head straight for a bite to eat in the local town. Afterwards, accompanied with your expert local guide, you’ll spend the afternoon in the Cat Ba National Park hiking to the Viet Hai Village, this stunning protected reserve takes up half of the Cat Ba Island, so it’s fair to say  it’s wildlife is very much in abundance. With a myriad of  indigenous plant and fascinating animal species, including native cats, spotted deer, snakes, thousands of species of butterfly (yes there are that many) and if you’re lucky you’ll spot one of the rarest primates in the world, the Cat Ba langur, with a population of around just 70, these little guys are critically endangered (But conservation efforts are on the up) and are indigenous to Vietnam only. Even in the human-inhabited areas of Cat Ba National Park, the only real evidence of man made influence is limited to gravel roads and a few local villages. So you’ll be fully off the beaten track here.

Your accommodation for the evening  will be a homestay at the Whisper Nature Bungalow in Viet Hai Village.

(Meals included: lunch and dinner).

Lan Ha Bay

After an early 07:30 breakfast, with your guide, you’ll hike to the top of Marine Hill which serves up panoramic views of Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay. On your return, you’ll have some time to relax before cycling to to Viet Hai Harbour. From here, you’ll board a boat to explore Lan Ha Bay, located just south east of Cat Ba town, this is one of the most naturally beautiful bays in the country. Filled with small local fishing craft and water villages, that float on the gorgeous green limestone tinged water. And the best part about it? Not as many tourist venture here, due to it being away from the hotspot of Halong City, so you don’t have to worry about sharing the waters with shed loads of other tour boats. It’s even possible to have it all to yourself (apart from the locals, obviously).

You’ll have lunch aboard the boat and then set out kayaking around Hang Luon Cave, this wondrous open air cave can only be accessed by boat and is made up of limestone cliffs and a cool, green lake, with a vibrant natural ecosystem of mammals and fish.

Afterwards, your guide will take you to some of the beautiful local beaches for a swimming and snorkelling session.

You’ll then head back to the boat for dinner and this spend the night here aboard the ship!

(Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner).

Lan Ha Bay to Hanoi

You’ll be up early to enjoy your breakfast watching the sunrise over the bay. You’ll then continue on the boat to explore more of Lan Ha Bay. Today, you’ll head to the colourful local village Cai Beo. This fascinating little village is home to just 450 families, the houses here have walls, roofs and ceilings just like any humble abode. But the garden? Yep, it’s all just ocean.

After your visit to Cai Beo, you’ll have some lunch either on board the boat or on land. And disembark travel back to Hanoi City.

(Meals included: breakfast and lunch).