DAY ONE: HANOI – HALONG BAY – LAN HA BAY IN CAT BA ARCHIPELAGO
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).
11:30 Welcome to Heritage Cruises Binh Chuan Lounge at No.28B of Tuan Chau International Marina for refreshments before boarding for the cruise
12:30 Board the Heritage Cruises Binh Chuan boat and enjoy a welcome drink as you receive a cruise briefing, safety instructions, and check-in to your suite.
12:40 Heritage Cruises Binh Chuan 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.
13:00 Lunch is served at L’Indochine Restaurant
14:30 The cruise vessel approaches the Ba Trai Dao (Three Peach beaches) (upon the weather), or Tra Bau ( during the period from May to September) 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.
17:00 Return to Heritage Cruises Binh Chuan, enjoy life aboard the vessel or in your suite.
18:00 Activities include afternoon tea and the chef will lead a Vietnamese cooking class
Join our HAPPY HOUR (from 17:00 to 19:00) while enjoying the amazing scenery while watching the sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin.
19:15 A memorable dining experience will be offered at Le Tonkin Restaurant, with local food in an intimate and romantic setting.
19:45 Turn down service
21:30 Enjoy evening views of the bay at the bar on the top deck. Try your hand squid fishing on 1st deck or watching movie on 3rd deck. The bars are open until late.
Overnight onboard
DAY TWO: LAN HA BAY HIDEAWAY
06:15 Start the day with a session of Vovinam on the sundeck, followed by coffee, tea, and pastries.
07:45 Full breakfast is served at Le Tonkin restaurant.
8:30 Transfer to speedboat or dayboat to visit Viet Hai Village. Take a bicycle ride or electric car through a rainforest tunnel that leads to local field. Visit a traditional house in a village deep in a national park where you can observe the lifestyle of the local people.
Then enjoy lunch in Viet Hai village or on dayboat and the scenery in Lan Ha Bay.
13:00 Visit Lan Ha Bay and then go to the Ba Trai Dao beaches (if the weather and tide permit) or crystal-clear water area for swimming and kayaking.
15:30 Return to Heritage Cruises Binh Chuan
17:30 Enjoy life aboard the vessel or in your suite, with afternoon tea, 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 THREE: EXPEDITION DAY ON THE CAT BA ISLAND, LAN HA BAY
06:15 Start the day with a session of Vovinam on the sundeck, followed by coffee, tea, and pastries.
06:45 Have a light breakfast on board.
Or you can choose a luxurious breakfast, especially served in the swimming pool on the 3rd floor (time from 6:30 – 8:30). Maximum for 2 groups of guests and maximum to 6 guests (with surcharge).
10:00 After breakfast, 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, visit the local market where you can meet locals, enjoy some foods and buy souvenirs.
13:00 Have lunch at a local restaurant in the center of the island.
14:00 You can walk around the Cat Co beaches (optional) before heading back to Gia Luan seaport.
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, afternoon tea, happy hour and cooking class.
19:15 Dinner will be served at Le Tonkin Restaurant.
21:30 Relax at the top-deck bar, watch movie or try your hand at squid fishing. The bars are open late.
Overnight onboard
DAY FOUR: HALONG BAY – HANOI
06:15 Start the day with a session of Vovinam on the sundeck.
06:45 Have a light breakfast on board.
Or you can choose a luxurious breakfast, especially served in the swimming pool on the 3rd floor (time from 6:30 – 8:30). Maximum for 2 groups of guests and maximum to 6 guests (with surcharge).
07:15 Head off in a bamboo boat to explore the Dark and Bright Cave Area 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.
Notes:
Itineraries may be subject to change without prior notice due to weather, pandemic conditions, or regulation of Port authorities. Wi-Fi is available in the restaurant/bar area, but internet connectivity is limited due to the geography of the bay. Thank you for your understanding.