Itinerary Pu Luong Ninh Binh Lan Ha Bay 5 days / 4 nights

DAY 1: Hanoi – Pu Luong. (L, D) 200km

Easy Trek to Chieng Lau, Yen, Ba villages, Bamboo rafting on Cham Stream (4.5km):

• 07:30 – 08:00 = Pick-up at Hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter and start the Pu Luong Ninh Binh Lan Ha Bay tour by Limousine Bus.
• 09:00 = Short break in Luong Son (Outside of Hanoi).
• 11:00 = Stop at the local market of the Muong Ethnic Minority; enjoy the beautiful scenery of Thung Khe Pass (One of the 10 most beautiful passes in Vietnam).
• 12:00 = Arrival in Mai Chau and transfer to a van to go to Pu Luong Reserve nature
• 13:00 = Check in and lunch at Pu Luong Eco Garden – The Mountain Retreat.
• 14:30 – 17:30 = Board the van to the starting point. Following the small road through the terraced rice and sugar cane fields, cross the Hanging Bridges to visit other remote rural villages of Thai Ethnic. Stop at the giant waterwheels, ducks farm to learn about the agriculture before getting on the Bamboo Raft for a relaxing cruise on Cham stream (cruise depending on weather conditions).
• 17:30 = Pick up the van to go to the Eco Garden – Mountain Retreat. Enjoy swimming in the Infinity Pool.
• 19:00 = BBQ Dinner at the lodge, enjoy some local rice wine. Have a quiet night in the middle of the Reserve.

 Day 2: Explore Kho Muong village and Doi Cave (6km) – Ninh Binh 120km. (B,L,D):

•  07:00 – 08:00 = Have breakfast in the lodge. Enjoying the breathtaking view from Pu Luong Eco Garden – The Mountain Retreat.
• 08:30 – 12:00 = Trek following the small roads through the terrace rice fields and cross the stream to visit the remote hidden village of Kho Muong to learn about the local people in Pu Luong. Explore Doi Cave (Bat cave), this is the largest cave in Pu Luong. (Depending on the weather condition)
• 12:00 = Back to the Eco Garden – The Mountain Retreat, check out.
• 13:00 = Have lunch and have free time to relax in the Infinity pool or walking around the village before boarding the bus to go to Ninh Binh at 14:30.
• 17:30 = Arrive in Ninh Binh Retreat, check-in and have free time.
• 19:00 = Have dinner at the retreat

 Day 3: Cycling to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and boat ride in Trang An (B,L,D):

• 7:30 – 8:30 = Breakfast at the Retreat
• 8:30 to 12:00 = Cycling through the limestone karsts to reach 2 temples of the first 2 Emperors in the 10^th Century in Hoa Lu Ancient Capital hike up the Ma Yen Mountain to visit the King’s tomb in the 10^th century and enjoy the panorama view from the mountain.
• 12:00 -13:30 = Check out and have lunch at the Retreat
• 13:30 -16:00 = Go to Trang An for a boat ride in between the karst pics and enjoy the beautiful scenery and peaceful atmosphere.
• 16:30 = Back to the Retreat.
• 16:30 – 19:00 = Free time in the Retreat > possibility to jump on a bike to visit the surroundings or to join the family to learn how to prepare some local dishes
• 19:00 = Diner and enjoy a peaceful night in Trang An
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Day 4 : Ninh Binh  Lan Ha Bay > Transfer to Tuan Chau Wharf and cruise  (B,L,D)

• 06:30 – 07:00 = Breakfast and check out
• 07:15  Transfer Ninh Binh Lan Ha until the Tuan Chau Warf
• 11.45  Check-in time at Tuan Chau Wharf, transfer to SERENITY CRUISES
• 12.15  Embark on SERENITY CRUISES
• While enjoying a welcome drink, our cruise manager will deliver a cruise briefing and safety introduction. After that, you will check in your cabin
• 12.45 Enjoy International buffet lunch
• Buffet lunch is served. In the meantime, SERENITY CRUISES will get you far away from the crowded parts of Ha Long bay and head to magnificent scenery in Lan Ha Bay – an extension of Ha Long Wonder which is more peaceful and less touristic. The cruise passes Finger Islet, Frog Islet and hundreds of uniquely shaped limestone mountains.
• 15.00 = Explore Lan Ha – Ha Long bay hit the water on a kayak and go swimming
• SERENITY CRUISES reach Dau Be Island, one of the most beautiful islands located in the South East of Ha Long bay. It is your time to discover Ha Long bay on your own way by doing double –sharing kayak, explore the beauty of nature in a hidden lagoon with lots of stalactites hang down from the ceiling cave. This activity might depend on the tide level of the bay. In case the tide level is too high or too low, we will do kayaking in Dark Cave, Bright Cave area. There is a stop for those who wish to swim and snorkel in the beautiful colored water
• 16.30 = Happy Hour & cooking demonstration
• Back to SERENITY CRUISES after outdoor activities, this is a perfect time to relax with a cocktail on the upper deck. Onboard, you may join a traditional cooking class presented by our crew.
• Before dinner, our experienced captain will choose the most tranquil area to anchor for overnight
• 19.00 = Taste deluxe Dinner Set Menu

Enjoy dinner made with all the energy of our experienced chefs. After the incredible dinner, the rest of the evening is free time for SERENITY CRUISES’ guests to relax on the sundeck with a drink, enjoy a spa treatment, watch a movie in the restaurant.

Day 5: Continue the cruise and transfer back to Hanoi (B,L)

• 6.30 = Wake up yourself in a stunning and fairy scenery, start the second day on SERENITY CRUISES with Tai Chi on the sundeck. Afterward, light breakfast is served.
• 7.45 = Visit Viet Hai Village
• Our crew will take you to Viet Hai village, located in the valley in the core of Cat Ba National Park. Spending around 30 minutes for biking along, you will feel the peaceful atmosphere and the charming ambient of a typical village in the North of Vietnam.
• 9:15 = Return SERENITY CRUISES, you may simply relax on the cruise then spend few minutes to settle your bill and check out from 9.15-10.00 am
• 10:00 = Enjoy delightful brunch
• While a well-prepared brunch is served, SERENITY Cruises slowly navigates emerald water and thousands of karst mountains towards the Harbour.
• 11.30 = Disembark SERENITY CRUISES,
• 12.00-12.15 = “Goodbye Lan Ha – Ha Long bay”
• Return at Tuan Chau Wharf and get ready for driving back to Hanoi (for booking in advance)
• 15.00 = Return and drop of in Hanoi Old Quarter. Tour ends.

 Note: The cruise itinerary might subject to change due to the weather or tide condition without prior notice.