Abstract
Characteristics
- Meals included (see “Price includes”)
- driver/guide English Speaking
- The staff on board the junk boat speaks English.,
Itinerary
Day 1 — Halong Bay
Early morning departure to, Ha Long Bay is one of the most spectacular places in the whole of Vietnam.
an estimated 1969 islands pepper Ha Long Bay itself, with a further two thousand punctuating the coast towards China. Ha Long disappointing, especially since this stretch of coast is also one of Vietnam’s more industrialized regions – a major shipping lane cuts right across the bay. The huge influx of tourism has, of course, added to the problem, not least the litter and pollution from fume-spluttering boats, but a sizeable proportion of tourist income does at least benefit the local communities. The winter weather is another factor to bear in mind; from November to March there can be chilly days of drizzly weather when the splendour and romance of the bay are harder to appreciate. Bar a clutch of gorgeous caves, conventional sights may be few on the ground, but even if you tire of the scenery there’s a lot to do in the bay – kayaking across the tranquil waters, swimming amidst the twinkles of phosphorescent plankton, or even climbing up a rocky cliff with your bare hands., I board a traditional wooden junk boat, which navigates through a myriad of islands, islets, cliffs, and rocks, within which caves open up where stalactites and stalagmites create the most extraordinary scenery. Lunch and dinner on board are based on fish and seafood.
Day 2 — Halong Bay
Tai Chi exercises at dawn. Breakfast and continuation of the navigation. Return to Hanoi with the boat's shuttle bus., end of the tour Optional (for a fee, see supplement): transfer to Hanoi airport (please schedule flights departing after 5:30 PM),
Notes
ROOMS: Triple rooms are double rooms plus an extra bed, typically smaller than the other two. Triple rooms are subject to availability at the time of reservation. Special requests for smoking, communicating, adjoining, high floor, low floor rooms etc. are always upon request and the service is never to be intended as guaranteed.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: before the start of the tour, all the participants must make sure they possess the required documents to enter the destination countries, and that such documents are comprehensive and valid.
FINAL HOTEL LIST: as in the travel documents
HOTEL, CHECK-IN: rooms are usually assigned starting from 3pm. Earlier check-in is at the hotel’s discretion. If you request earlier assignation, you must book an extra night at the beginning of your stay.
HOTEL, CHECK-OUT: rooms must be left in the morning (the exact time will be provided by the hotel). Supplements for late check-out amount to 50% of an extra night if you check-out by 6pm, and to a full extra night if you check-out after that
HOTEL / ITINERARY, CHANGES: The Organizing Body reserves the right to substitute the itinerary and/or the hotels to alternative of a similar or superior category in the event of unplanned circumstances, and if the safe and normal proceeding of the tour is threatened. Furthermore, when in the impossibility for all of the travellers to stay at the same hotel, the group will be split amidst several hotels of the same category.
TIMETABLES: departure times are indicative, depending on the number of hotel pick-ups per day. Tourists are kindly asked to be in the lobby at the indicated time. Depending on which hotel you are staying at, you may have to wait 15 minutes or more. The return times are indicative and subject to change depending on a number of factors, including traffic and duration of the visits.
PUNCTUALITY: you are advised to be punctual. No refund is issued to passengers failing to meet at designated time.
TIPS: not included; at your discretion
MEALS: not included when not specified
REFUNDS: If the tour or any part thereof cannot be conducted due to Force Majeure or Vis Majeure, the Company shall not be responsible to give any refund; also, no refund will be given for any portions of the tour unused by the traveler
TRANSFERS: not included when not specified. When included, transfers operate only from/to the hotels included in the tour, and only on the first and last day of the tour. A supplement is charged for transfers from/to different hotels; in the event of a longer stay; and in the event of arrival/departure at/from other airports. A supplement is always charged to individual passengers. Requests for unscheduled transfers from/to different hotels must be issued at least 3 weeks before departure; otherwise, an additional urgency surcharge will be applied.,
Starts from
2 days / 2 nights – from Halong Bay to Halong Bay,
Meals
Key: B breakfast, L lunch, D dinner,
Price includes
Meals: breakfasts, lunches, dinners, Accommodation in the selected junk type (to be confirmed at the time of booking), The staff on board the junk boat speaks English., Transfers to/from Hanoi with shuttle bus service provided by the shipping companies.,
Price does not include
Administration fees and “no-risk” coverage, trip cancellation, medical expense & baggage coverage, meals that have not been specified; beverage; any extra, tips, porterage, air travel and taxes, everything not expressly mentioned in "The fee includes",
Important notes
Types of junk boats available:
Standard category
Halong: Indochina Sails, Glory Cruise (or similar)
Superior category
Halong: Orchid Classic Cruise (or similar)
It is necessary to plan at least one overnight stay at Hanoi before the departure of the tour., on the last day, flight from Hanoi (not included): book a flight leaving after 17.30, the timetable in the travel plan is indicative. The definite timetable will be confirmed on site by your guides, Visiting Vietnam: starting from July 2015, an entry visa is no longer required. The exemption is valid for stays not exceeding 15 days (45 days starting from August 15, 2023)., Children: not allowed on the group tour under the age of 5.,
