Halong Bay Cruise and Cave Exploration
08.00: Meet your English-speaking Halong tour guide at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter for a private, on-time trip (pick-up between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM). Please be ready within this time range. Travel comfortably on the new Hanoi-Haiphong-Halong Expressway, which saves time on the journey. Along the way, you can enjoy views of rice fields, roadside local life, the longest sea-crossing bridge, and the commercial shopping centre.
10.50-11.15: Visit a pearl workshop. Halong Bay is famous for its floating pearl farms and export-quality products. However, a one-day tour does not allow enough time to visit a floating farm, so you will stop at a land-based workshop to see the pearl collection process and watch craftsmen create jewellery from pearls.
11.45: Board the cruise. The bus will arrive at Tuan Chau Marina, where you will easily board the cruise from a private pier. The crew will serve welcome drinks, followed by a briefing from the Cruise Manager.
12.40: Enjoy a nice set-menu lunch as the cruise makes its way past several islets.
Relax on the sundeck.
14.00: Head to a water cave area for kayaking, rowing a bamboo boat, or simply staying on board to relax while the boat moves slowly through the bay, offering breathtaking views. The boat will continue to the Hangluon (three tunnels) area.
15.05: Leave the boat for about an hour to explore Sung Sot (Surprising) Cave in the core area of the Heritage site. This lesser-known cave is located on a remote island.
16.15: Take a rest after a day full of activities and capture the sunset over the bay. During the break, you can savour a cup of tea, cocktails, fruits, and snacks (included).
17.15: Disembark and get on the bus for the return journey to Hanoi via the new expressway.
18.15: Make a short stop for refreshments (about 5 minutes).
19.30-20.00: Return to your hotel.
