Northern Vietnam Adventure. Join us on a 5-day tour full of adventure activities such as kayaking, rock climbing, hiking and eating scrumptious seafood. This adventure takes you through the stunning landscapes of Ha Long Bay World Heritage Site with its majestic rock formations, uninhabited islands, tiny floating villages and to Cat Ba Island. An adventure not to be missed!
Day 1: Ha Noi - Ha Long Bay
Day 2: Ha Long Bay - Cruise and Kayak
Day 3: Ha Long Bay- Cruise and Rock Climbing
Day 4: Cat Ba Island Cruise and Trekking
Day 5: Cat Ba - Hanoi
Level of fitness and cycling ability is required.
Undoubtedly, weather is one of the determining factors for your traveling decisions. If you are heading to Vietnam, then, take it easy to make up your mind. Vietnam’s climate is not just steamy hot as what you are frequently exposed to on movies. All year round here, there is always a perfect place where it is pleasant to stay. Basically, the whole country falls into the tropic and subtropics but its stretching length and diverse topography allow it to span several different climate zones. The weather thus, tends to vary considerably from season to season and also from region to region.
Northern Part
The North of Vietnam is generally cooler than other South East Asian regions in the same longitude. It experiences two main distinct seasons. In winter months, the weather gets colder and colder fromNovember to March and considerably warmer in April (a leap into summer). This is also time to observe much cloud and frequent drizzle. The average winter temperature is 17.2°C (62.9°F). Particularly, the mountainous areas (Northwest) are often much colder, temperature may keep below 10°C (50°F) for long period. Ice and snow even cover Hoang Lien Son Mountains and nearby Sapa town for some times with the lowest record of -3°C (26.6°F) in Feb 2008.
In the summer (from May to October), the whole region is quite hot. Temperature may rise to 37°C (98.6 °F) in the peaks of June and July. Hanoi and coastal provinces around the Red River Delta generally enjoy equitable weather with high average humidity (80%) all year round though they may occasionally be subjected to typhoons and heavy rain in late summers (September to November). Vietnamese people even identify four seasons in the Northern provinces (from Hai Van Pass toward the north) with their distinct features: pleasant spring (typically March-April) and autumn (October-December), a chilly winter (December- February) and a hot summer (June – July).
Central Part
The Central Vietnam with two sub-regions, coastal lowlands and central highlands, can be seen as an in-between climatic area of the North and the South. The coastal strip is usually dry and hotter than the rest in the summer, as the Truong Son Mountains do not allow it to enjoy most rainfall of south-western monsoon (from April to October). Unprotected coasts in their turn, however, make it wet and colder than the rest in winter-monsoon season (from November to March). Also, storms and typhoons strike this area more frequently than the northern coasts in summer months (from July to November). The Central Highlands in particular enjoys nearly double the average rainfall of the country. Two biggest towns in this plateau, Dalat and Pleiku, are ideally cool throughout the year. Near-the-south coastal cities, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang and Phan Thiet, on the contrary, experiences steamy hot weather (21°C-32°C / 70°F-90°F) all year round.
Southern Part
The South of Vietnam, merely 8 degrees north of the Equator, is typical of humid tropical climate which is excellent for growing rice. The region’s temperatures experience little variations in a year (around 27-32°C/80-90°F). There are two main seasons: the rainy and the dry. During the rainy/monsoon season (from May to November), downpours are expected to happen nearly every afternoon, resulting in occasional street flooding in and around Saigon. In the dry season, it is hot from late February to April then slightly cooler when first downpours come. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) enjoys rather equitable tropical climate with high humidity all year round. December to March is said to be the most pleasant time to hit this region’s center.
Note: In all, Vietnam climate is so diverse that there is almost no definition of an average temperature for the whole country. Thanks to these regional variations in weather, generally, you can drop in Vietnam at any time of year. Commonly, based on the duration of your stay, you should plan to catch the good weather and places by either dropping in Saigon in February or March then following the coast to north or hitting Hanoi in October-November then tracing southward.
Day 1: Ha Noi - Ha Long Bay
You depart on a lovely, scenic road to Ha Long Bay, 160km to the east of Ha Noi. Ha Long Bay is one of the world’s natural wonders and one of Vietnam’s five UNESCO World Heritage Sites with over three thousand jagged limestone islands emerging from its emerald green waters. While some islands are no more than large rocks others are much more substantial and contain huge cathedral-like caves of stalactites and stalagmites. Most of the islands are clothed in thick green vegetation, and ring with the sound of bird song early in the morning. Secluded sandy coves are everywhere and in the summer months the warm waters of the bay are ideal for swimming.
Upon arrival in Ha Long city, you will transfer to a traditional deluxe junk for a cruise among the islands. The boat is one of the more traditional varieties that sail through this spectacular area. Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch on board while cruising through the breathtaking scenery and thousands of limestone outcrops. There will be time to enjoy kayaking in the afternoon. You will have dinner and stay overnight on the junk.
Overnight aboard Bai Tho/Huong Hai Traditional junk
Meals: lunch and dinner
Day 2: Ha Long Bay Cruise and Kayak
You have the whole day to cruise and kayak as we explore the beauty and mysteries of Halong Bay. You will see Man’s Head Island and Tortoise Island as you are paddling, then explore Luon Cave (Tunnel Cave), a beautiful crater-like lagoon encircled by towering cliffs and accessed only via a half submerged 30m tunnel cave. Paddle to Cua Van fishing village then cruise to the unusual Ba Ham Lake, another crater-like lagoon split into two sections. Have a swim at the stunning Three Peach Beach before returning to the junk for dinner and overnight stay. (Optional: night paddle).
Overnight aboard Huong Hai Traditional junk
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3: Ha Long Bay - Cruise and Rock Climbing
You continue to cruise and kayak, exploring Ha Long Bay as you go, then sail to Lan Ha Island and the amazing Moody’s Island beach. With sea water caressing two shorelines beneath massive limestone cliffs, you’ll have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the beauty of Lan Ha Bay as your certified climbing guides outfit you with safe and comfortable UIAA standard climbing harnesses and rock climbing gear. After instruction, your guides will set up top-rope systems on a variety of different routes to suit your climbing ability. With the coaching and encouragement of our experienced guides, you can climb as high as you like overlooking the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay enjoying spectacular views like no other. If climbing is not your thing then spend the time swimming and sunbathing - this is island life! Return to the junk, which is moored overnight.
Overnight aboard Huong Hai Traditional junk
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4: Cat Ba Island Cruise and Trekking
You bid a sad farewell to the junk and board a smaller boat to take you to Cat Ba Island. Cat Ba boasts a great diversity of landscapes and ecosystems, including offshore coral reefs, sandy beaches, mangrove forests, freshwater swamp forests, small freshwater lakes and forested hills. After a short transfer on the scenic coastal road, you arrive in the lush green hills of the secluded Lien Minh Village and the stunning scenery of Butterfly Valley. This village has only twelve farming families and it is from here the guided walk starts into the jungle and mountains of this remote and unspoiled part of the national park. We return to a local home where, seated under a handmade bamboo enclosure, you will enjoy a wide array of locally cooked food while interacting with the genuinely friendly locals of Lien Minh. You take a short walk through the farmlands of Butterfly Valley passing friendly water buffalo and cattle exploring the valley’s rich flora and fauna on the way. Drive to Cat Ba town and the rest of the day is yours to relax by the beach or walk around the village.
Overnight in Cat Ba.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5: Cat Ba - Hanoi
The morning is free for you to explore. Around lunchtime, you will take a speedboat to Hai Phong City where our vehicle awaits to transfer you on the two-hour journey back to Hanoi. The trip concludes at your hotel in Hanoi.
Overnight in Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast
End of your trip!
This tour is private and can be tailor-made to suit your travel needs. As a result the price is quoted in US dollars and shown on a per-person basis. The 'Price From' quoted above is for parties of 2, 4 and 6 people and for accommodation in 3 star hotels. The final price will be privately quoted, based on the number in your party, your preferred time of travel, grade of hotel and any additional services requested. Please click on the BOOK NOW button and fill in the booking form, after which one of our travel consultants will customize the best value holiday for you.
REMARKS:
We are aware that a good tour must have good hotels. In Indochina particularly, hotel price makes up most of the cost of your Cambodia cycling, Vietnam cycling, Laos cycling, Myanmar cycling or Thailand cycling. All of our prices are calculated on a twin-shared basis. As a guide, Travel Loops defines hotel grades as follows:
>>Superior Level (3 star hotels in good locations): > 40 USD/room/night
>>Deluxe Level (4 star hotels): > 80 USD/room/night
>>Luxury Level (5 star hotels): > 180 USD/room/night
Price based on twin shared accommodation.
Tour price is indicative only, please enquire for a detailed quotation.
More people means more discount. Please enquire for more details
If, after reviewing the details of this tour, you would like to receive a "Special Offer" tour price, just click on the "INQUIRY" button below. If you wish to “Tailor Make" your trip, simply click on the "CUSTOMIZE TRIP" and enter your contact details.
COST INCLUDED:
- Experienced English speaking guide
- Private transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
- Accommodation in double/twin sharing rooms with daily breakfast
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water for sightseeing
- All sightseeing entrance fee where required in the itinerary.
COST EXCLUDED:
- International/domestic airfares & tax
- Visa fees
- Travel Insurance. (We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance from home)
- Personal expenditure (telephone, laundry, shopping and so on…)
- Tips for guide, driver, porters and project cost
- Beverage and alcoholic drinks
- Any other services not clearly mentioned on itinerary and trip inclusive portion.
The hotels listed below are just our suggestions offering the best value for this trip according to the hotel category chosen, but Travel Loops also offers more options to cater for different grades, personal taste, and budget. Please let us know if you have any specific choice of hotels, or personal preferences/requirements.
Note: Our choices for each level of accommodation have been highlighted in orange. As mentioned above our selection criteria are based on: prior client reviews, hotel management and staff training, facilities maintenance, location, business relationship and advantages given exclusively to our clients on price and service.
Related Tours:
