LOTUSSIA TRAVEL l Customized adventure tours, small groups, family vacations in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia » Cruises

Halong bay junk cruise

lotussiatravel — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 04:54:14 +0000

Halong Bay Located in the northeastern part of Vietnam and constitutes part of the western bank of Bac Bo Gulf, including the sea area of Ha Long City and Cam Pha Town and part of Van Don island district. It abuts Cat Ba Island in the southwest. Halong Bay has twice been recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Area for its exceptional scenic beauty and outstanding geological and geomorphic values.

Day 01: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay

8.30am pick up you at your hotel in Hanoi. Travel to Ha Long city for about 3 hours drive. Upon arrival, transfer to a junk for a cruise around Ha Long Bay with a delicious local seafood lunch served on board. Passing Dog Island, Incense Urn Island, Ga Choi Island, Finger Island, Hoa Cuong Island, and visit Surprise cave and short swim at Titov beach (if weather permitted). Have dinner on board. In the evening, enjoy the night fishing (optional) and later over night on board.

Day 02: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi

In the morning, cruising to Bai Tu long bay, Fire Island, Bo Nau Island, fishing village. Having lunch on boat and arrive at Ha long wharf about 12.00 noon. Return to Hanoi by private car, arrive in Hanoi about 16.00pm.

Halong bay cruise tour

michael — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:18:06 +0000

Ha Long Bay, located in the Gulf of Tonkin, covers an area of 1,500 square km. With more than a thousand limestone peaks rising up from its crystalline emerald waters this area is one of the natural wonders of Vietnam and now one of five World Heritage-listed sites in Vietnam. The tiny islands are dotted with innumerable beaches and grottoes created by the wind and the waves that provide an excellent backdrop for swimming or just lazing about on the boat deck.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Hanoi – Halong Bay

You will be picked up from your hotel at 8:30 by our tour guide, driver and drive to Halong Bay through the fertile flood plains of the Red River Delta. Stop in route for a short rest or taking pictures of the everyday life sceneries (optional). Arrive in Halong Bay at midday, embark on your comfortable junk at 12:00 and begin your cruise around majestic Halong Bay. Seafood lunch will be served on board. Explore limestone caves dotted around the bay, soak up the sun on the top deck or go kayaking (optional). Watch the sun set over the bay whilst enjoying a delicious dinner. Overnight on board junk.

Day 2: Halong Bay – Hanoi

Brunch on board (Breakfast + Lunch). Then we continue our cruise in Halong bay while the boat is going back to shore. Arrive at Ha long wharf about 11h00 and take our car for our journey back to Hanoi. On arrival at about 16:00 you will be dropped off at your hotel or preselected drop off point (in Hanoi center). End trip.

Halong Bay 3 days 2 nights luxury cruise

michael — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 03:21:57 +0000

Halong Bay Cruise

Ha long Bay is the jewel in the crown of Vietnam’s travel destinations with a UNESCO World Heritage site and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places on earth. The bay is a magical blend of land and sea with thousands of limestone islands and islets in a myriad of shapes and sizes. The bay is bordered on the south and southeast by the Gulf of Tonkin, on the north by China and on the west and southwest by Cat Ba Island and encompasses an immense area of 1553 square kilometers.

Visitors have constantly marveled at Ha long Bays natural beauty. The tiny islands are dotted with innumerable beaches and grottoes created by the wind and the waves that make a excellent backdrop for swimming or just lazing about on the boat deck.

Day01: Hanoi – Ha long Bay

Transfers from Hanoi – Ha long with short drive about 03hours, embark Ha long pier then welcome on board for a cruise around Ha Long Bay with a delicious local sea food and International lunch served on board. Passing numerous islands contain Incense Urn Island, Finger Island, Hoa Cuong Island,… swim at Titop beach (if weather permitted) . Enjoy swimming, relaxing on the beach and climbing the steps to the top of the mountain on the island for fantastic views and photo opportunities. Water and towels supplied.

Sail to the Bat Cave area where can do kayaking program to the nearby Bat Cave and lagoon and surrounding waters (the 1st option should book advance) or the second option is to visit the largest floating fishing village in Ha long Bay then Anchor for overnight at Luon Bo area. Dinner – deluxe Vietnamese & Western Buffet or Set Menu Dinner.

Evening activities include: film entertainment in the dining room, board games and playing cards are available, join squid fishing from the boat with our crew, massage services are available. Also at this time we offer, when possible – depending on weather conditions, an excursion to a nearby squid fishing boat. We travel by tender and you will be able to board the squid boat and see how the local fishermen catch squid and other fish.

Day 02: Ha long

The tranquil emerald green waters and the captivating vistas of the seemingly countless jutting limestone mountainous islands will soothe the soul and stimulate the senses. Few places in the world offer a more breath-taking glimpse of the awesome creativity of Mother Nature.

Transfer by tender to the “Day Boat” and begin to cruise to some of Ha long Bay’s more secluded and untouched locales. Exact locations depend on tide conditions. Enjoy a leisurely day of kayaking and swimming. A multi-course lunch will be served mid-day.

Anchor at Luon Bo area for overnight after return to the Luxury junk boat Dinner – deluxe Vietnamese & Western Buffet or Set Menu Dinner.

Day 03: Ha long – Hanoi

Coffee, tea and breakfast pastries served in the dining room before join Tai Chi instruction on the deck. Arrive Surprise Cave will be explore and marvel at their immensity and spectacular displays of stalactites and stalagmites. Freshen up before enjoy Breakfast Set Menu or Buffet served in the dining room. Relax on the sundeck or in the dining room and enjoy the bay scenery as we approach the pier.

Return to Hanoi by private car, arrive in Hanoi about 16.00pm.
Activities

Our itineraries are designed to maximize your holiday experience and enjoyment; included are daytime excursions to the largest floating fishing village on the bay and to an island featuring swimming and a climb to the best panoramic view of the bay. We offer kayaking through caves into peaceful lakes surrounded by limestone mountains. We also tour one of the bay’s largest and most spectacular indoor caves, “Sung Sot” or “Surprise Cave”.

Evening activities include an assortment of board games and film entertainment, and fishing for squid from the boat with our crew. We also offer, in squid season, an evening excursion to a nearby squid fishing boat for an up-close look at the local fishermen plying the waters of the bay for squid and other fish.

We offer kayaking in all of our itineraries for a unique opportunity to see some of Ha long Bay’s most interesting scenery while being as close to the sea as possible. Our kayaking excursions incorporate paddling through amazing caves and into placid and peaceful lagoons bringing you as close to the wildlife of Ha long Bay as possible. Sightings of monkeys and bats are often part of the excursions.

Onboard massage services are available as well to enhance your cruise. Each morning we offer our guests a unique start to their day; Tai Chi on the sun deck. They may join our Tai Chi masters for an introduction to this ancient form of meditative exercise. By imitating the movements of the instructor one will benefit externally and internally, physically and mentally, enjoying a balance and unity of the outer and inner self.

Halong Bay Vietnam 2 days 1 night cruise

michael — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:15:39 +0000

Halong Long Bay Boat Cruise

Day01: Hanoi – Ha long Bay

Day 02: Ha long – Hanoi

Mekong Vietnam River Cruise with La Marguerite Boat

michael — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:49:23 +0000

La Marguerite Boat on Mekong River

Cruising the Mekong with this unique concept sets it apart from the rest. This week long cruise offers a distinctive way of experiencing the Mekong as seen through the passionate French Novelist Marguerite Duras, who glamorized the Mekong with a unique cross cultural love epic “The Lover”. The guided tours to historic and cultural sites, local attractions, museums and galleries are developed with personal enrichment in mind.

Day 01: Saigon – Soai Rap ( L,D ).

Welcome onboard the RV La Marguerite where the vessel is moored at the Saigon port. Saigon, now known as Ho Chi Minh City, is peppered with old French colonial architecture along the riverside with sailling through the international waterways up to the board Mekong Ttrbtary.

Day 02: Soai Rap – Sadec ( B,L,D ).

Visit Cai Be’s colorful floating market, local cottage industries and an excursion to the evergreen islands in the middle of the meandering canals. Explore the hidden treasures through the canals on riverboats and partake in late morning bantering with floating markets vendors before going ashore to visit traditional candies making factory and rice paper mills. Sadec is welknown as The Lovers Museum local markets along the paved river banks, the ancient Pagoda and the Chinese deities at the Fujian Temple. Pass by the school where Marguerite’s mother’s taught and view the home of Marguerite from across the river bank.

Day 03: Tan Chau – Phnom Penh ( B,L,D ).

Arrives to Tan Chau, a remote small town on the main Mekong River., visit a floating fish farm and navigates along the tiny tribunals where stilt houses are haphazardly leaning on one another. Go ashore to explore the famous at traditional silk making factory and rattan mats and slippers making factory. Song Tien’s Vietnam border and Ka Om Samnor’s Cambodia border is will be immigrated before jouney into Cambodia and heads towards Phnom Penh.

Day 04: Phnom Penh ( B,L,D ).

Dock midstream near Phnom Penh Port and the boat will continue to sail towards Phnom Penh Port. Visit Phnom Penh city is well-known as the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and National Museum, the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng (S21) detention center. Shopping is optional. A special Cambodia performance awaits at the Saigon Lounge is performed.

Day 05: Phnom Penh – Kampong Cham ( B,L,D ).

The ship sails towards Kampong Cham in morning time, arrive at Chong Koh Village where is packed excursion gear and visit Chong Koh Silk Weaving Factory . Sailling towards Peam Chi Kang for viisitting the Wat/Monastry and its schools.

Day 06: Kampong Cham – Phnom Penh. ( B,L ).

RV La Marguerite will sails towards Wat Hanchey to follow guides and explore Wat Hanchey where is a hilltop pagoda overlooking the Mekong. The upland regions near Kampong Cham are rich in timbers, including Ceylon ironwood, rosewood, bean trees, teak, and rubber trees. Visit 12th century Angkorian temple of Wat Nokor and Eco village after arrival to Kampong Cham.

High Water Level

Day 07: Phnom Penh – Kampong Chhnang ( B,L,D ).

At midnight, sail from Phnom Penh to Prek Kdam until noon time , arrive at Kampong Chhnang and visit Kampong Chhnang. Enjoy a quintessential river excursion through the floating houses to get a glimpse of the local lifestyles in the Tonle Sap River. Moor safely along the banks and go ashore for leisurely walk through the city and perhaps find a good bargain at the market. Haveing a cultural forum on Cambodia at Saigon Lounge before sunset with farewell dinner & cocktail.

Day 08: Siem Reap ( B ).

Reach to Siem Reap, bid farewells to the crew and guides and disembark and take local boats and arrive at local jetty approximately 5 to 6 km away from the middle of the lake. Transfers to motor coach/bus to Le Meridien Angkor Hotel.

Low Water Level

Day 07: Phnom Penh – Kampong Chhnang( B,L,D ).

At midnight, sail from Phnom Penh arriving Kampong Chhnang to take the local boats for enjoy a quintessential river excursion through the floating houses to get a glimpse of the local lifestyles in the Tonle Sap River. Moor safely along the banks and go ashore and enjoy a leisurely walk through the city and walk around local market. Before sunset, attend cultural forum on Cambodia at Saigon Lounge.with farewell dinner and drinks to night time. Enjoy the night’s stay in Prek Kdam.

Day 08: Siem Reap( B ).

Bid farewells to the crew and disembark with guide. Transfer by motor coach/bus for Siem Reap. Arrive at Le Meridien Angkor Hotel.

A day-tour to Halong bay by helicopter

michael — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:42:45 +0000

Halong Bay view from Helicopter

At 07:00 we pick up you at the hotel, we transfer to Gia Lam Heliport for a 50-minute flight by helicopter to Ha Long Bay. (Each helicopter can carry from 20 to 24 passengers.)

Arrive at Ha Long Heliport and transfer to the Ha Long Harbor. We will board our private boat for a four-hour cruise of this stunning area, stopping along the way to visit one of the limestone caves in the area.

As we cruise our boat staff will serve you a sumptuous local seafood lunch on boat.

Transfer back to Ha Long Heliport and board the helicopters for a different but just as spectacular view of the bay. After a 45-minute fly over the bay head back to Hanoi. Transfer to the hotel on arrival at Gia Lam Heliport.