HALONG BAY FROM THE TOP

    4 Days / 3 Nights

Hanoi - Halong Bay

Tour Highlights:

Exclusive Benefits:

*Note: Price is quoted on a twin-share basis & applies until 30 Sep 2015

Day 1: Upon arrival, your guide will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.

Start your city excursion in historic Hanoi in the afternoon not by foot, but on board a “cyclo”. Equal parts transportation and travel experience, these traditional bicycle rickshaws move at a leisurely pace that’s perfect for photos and slow-moving sightseeing. Sit back and relax while your driver weaves through some of the Old Quarter’s busiest streets, dodging speeding motorbikes and rolling past French colonial houses on the way to your next destination.

Next, hop off your cyclo at The Northern Gate of the ancient citadel, a gargantuan fortress in the heart of the city. Learn a bit about the history of the imposing structure and Cua Bac Church, a beautiful example of French and catholic influence in the city.

Set off to your meet at the front of Quan Thanh Temple. The 11th Century Taoist temple is one of the oldest and most culturally significant in the city, and about a ten minute walk from the citadel. Then embark on a lengthier stroll toward West Lake, hearing the story of John McCain and this temple along the way. Head off along a quieter back road, and stop next at historic Pho Cuon Restaurant for a quick snack.

Set off again to Chau Long Market for a closer look at Hanoian culture in the flurry of a local market. After exploring the street stalls here, set off along Nguyen Truong To Street - famous for its desserts -- toward Hang Than Street, the epicentre of Hanoi’s thriving wedding cake stores. Learn a bit about Vietnam’s unique wedding culture while sampling some wedding cakes. Shake off your sugar rush on a stroll to nearby Hang Cot Street for a look at Hanoi’s mat weaving borough before stopping off along Hang Ga Street for a local coffee shop. End your walking tour with a traditional Vietnamese coffee, and head back to Buffalo Tours tour desk at Silk Path Hotel to rest your feet.

Day 2:

Leave the noise of the city behind as you board a seaplane and take in the impressive aerial views over Hanoi as you fly 45 minutes to Halong Bay before taking a 15 minute scenic flight over Halong. Called “Bay of Descending Dragons” in Vietnamese, the archipelago of Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site composed of almost 2,000 islands and jungle-clad limestone pillars.

From up high in the sky you will have amazing views over this magnificent landscape of limestone pillars pushing up out of the green waters. See the islands of Cong Do, Ba Ham with their pretty lagoons and fly out to Dau Be on the edge of the Gulf of Tonkin. Then hop aboard a small tender to arrive at L’Azalee, a beautifully restored traditional wooden junk and admire the sublime beauty of the limestone karts jutting out of the jewel like water. Explore the bay by kayak, discovering sea caves and secluded bays. Visit a local fish farm and dine on fresh seafood before retiring to your cabin for the night.

Day 3:Wake up refreshed from a good night sleep as the boat motors towards Surprise Cave, the biggest in Halong Bay. Board the tender for a short trip to the cave and be amazed - the entry to the cave is deceptively narrow but once through, the cave opens up to a large chamber with impressive limestone formations. Surprise! Then it’s back to the boat and cruise to Halong Port arriving around noon, where you will continue to Hanoi.

Day 4:Your guide will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight.