UNICHARM CRUISE

AM: Cruise to enjoy the spectacular seascapes of Halong Bay in the Unique route

• 07:45 – 08:15 pick up at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter for Hai Phong on the free-way AH 5B enjoying the landscape of rice field and rural villages of the Red river Delta. (1,5-2 hours)
• Enjoy driving on the longest sea crossing bridge of Vietnam heading to Cat Ba Island
• 25 minutes on the ferry to Cat Ba Island where you will feel the tour starting by green mangroves running along the mountain feet.
• Along the coastal road for amazing views to the bay and the valley shadowed paths through the National Park for more authentic Nature to the other side of the Park is Gia Luan dock where you can obtain a great view of Halong Bay. Here we will embark Unicharm Cruise.
• 12:30 UniCharm crew warmly welcome you on board. Visit the boat, check in the room and enjoy your first fresh lunch on boat (We can cater Vegetarian or vegan food on your request).
• Lunching and cruising into the bay pass by Cap Bai Islet, Ngon Tay Island (Finger Islet), Sung Sot cave and Titop peak… (now we are in the middle of the World Heritage site of Ha Long bay).
• Continue towards Lan Ha bay on the hidden route for different amazing sightseeing, pass by Dark and Light cave, Ao Ech lagoon (Frog Lagoon), Ba Trai Dao (three-peach beach), Hon Dua (the Stick Islet), Buddhist statue stone…
• Arrive in Lan Ha – the Biosphere reserved area of the World, is famous for its crystal water, round lagoons, tunnel grottoes and the fisherman villages…and especially phosphorescence at night time.

PM: Kayaking and Snorkeling to Open the Hidden Charm and Feel how Unique it is

• On each 2-seat kayak our tour guide will lead you to paddle through narrow lanes of the karst mountains to fishing villages, we can visit and talk with the fisherman to get to learn more about the daily life on the sea.
• Paddle under a tunnel grotto to a stunning lagoon (depending on the tide sometimes). Here you can dip into the emerald waters. Swimming and Snorkeling to see Corals or you can also reach some secluded beaches for a while relaxing lying on sand…
• Enjoy the sunset on the bay
• Back to the boat for “cooking class” (our tour guide will show you how to make some famous Vietnamese traditional dishes that you can easily demonstrate home for your family after this trip).
• Enjoy Dinner and overnight on the lovely peaceful bay once on your lifetime.

Optional activities (you can join or skip)

AM: Trekking

• Wake up among the smooth waves (if you want to contemplate the sunrise, wake up earlier enough is important)
• Enjoy breakfast (Set menu)
• A local motorized boat will take you 40 minutes through Lan Ha bay pass by floating fishing villages of Cai Beo to Cat Ba island then a car drive up to the central of the park for trekking
• A moderate trek into the park upto Ngu Lam Peak (the trek up and down takes 2,5-3 hours depending). At the summit you will obtain a universal view of Cat Ba Island – Lan Ha Bay and Halong Bay. Triple scenes in your one Photo shot! that is amazing
• Trek down, visit the Hospital cave, the cave was used to be the hospital in the war (if you are not interested, you can skip or change to visit Trung Trang cave).
• Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant

PM: Kayaking in Lan Ha bay

• Car back and up to the mountain for a visit to Cannon fort – the old battle base of the island. Here will not only see the ruin relics of the war but also a great view to Lan Ha bay and Cat Ba coastal town.
• Afterwards boat back to the cruise
• You can enjoy more kayaking or swimming from the Cruise.
• Enjoy Dinner and overnight on boat. Fishing at night is available…

AM: Biking to visit Viet Hai village

• Wake up among the smooth waves (if you want to contemplate the sunrise, wake up earlier enough is important)
• A Light breakfast is served to energize for morning exercises by (fresh fruits, fresh fruit juices, cakes, tea and coffee or mineral water)
• 07:30 Tender ship to Cat Ba Island, Viet Hai dock for a bicycle trip to Viet Hai village.
• Ride a bike for 30 minutes on the shadowed paths, enjoying the landscape on the way to the village located in a beautiful valley of the National Park of Cat Ba. Visit a local house to get to know about the local people as well as their daily life of work or visit the island school…
• Afterward cycling back and tender to return to the cruise
• Relaxing on board or swimming in the bay or breathing nature on the large sundeck chairs
• 10:30 check out and start cruising on another route throughout thousands of limestone islands and islets, taking precious Uni pictures meanwhile enjoying our tasteful brunch.
• 12:00 arrive back at Gia Luan dock

PM: Driving back to Hanoi

• 12:00 – 12:30 Disembark UniCharm Cruise for another drive on the free-way AH5B back to Hanoi.
• Estimated to arrive back in Hanoi at 16:00 – 16:30 – end the tour at your hotel