Halong Bay Extension

2 days (Hanoi)

Destinations visited: Vietnam, Hanoi, World

Grading:

Discovery and Cruising level

Grading Definitions

Discovery & Cruising

These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery and cruises involve little or no extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travel days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms. These adventures do not go above 2500m and rarely involve camping.
Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2 -3 months prior to departure.

Adventure Touring

Suggested preparation: Two or three times a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour or more, for at least 3 months prior to departure.

Introductory

These trips involve trekking or walking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace and should never be misinterpreted to mean they are easy trips. These trips do not spend time at altitudes above 4000m and are usually a week in duration. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health.
Suggested preparation: 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for three months leading up to your trek. For trekking, hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is recommended.

Introductory to Moderate

These trips involve a combination of what is described in our INTRODUCTORY and MODERATE levels. The emphasis is on introductory activity with several moderate stages

Moderate

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health.
Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Moderate to Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health. Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling or rafting in remote areas in variable weather conditions for up to 8 to 10 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include spending successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 6000m. These trips may often be over three weeks in duration. You will need an excellent level of fitness, be prepared to carry a daypack weighing up to 8kgs (and in some cases a full pack) and be completely comfortable in adverse weather conditions.
Suggested preparation: One hour of aerobic type exercise, four to five times a week for three to six months prior to departure. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or on/off road cycling is also recommended.

Entry Mtn/Exploratory Treks

These adventures are classed as expeditions. They involve either extreme trekking and or basic mountaineering. Expect remote and poorly defined trails in variable weather conditions for up to 12 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include a number of demanding high pass crossings and evacuation may be difficult from remote areas. Suitable for first time mountaineers wishing to take the step from trekking into the realm of mountaineering. Prior experience trekking at altitude is preferable but not essential and you should be comfortable in adverse weather conditions. Prior technical mountaineering experience is not necessary. Terrain will involve low angle snow slopes. Ropes may be used during treks for glacier travel and steeper sections of ice and snow. When mountaineering, basic mountaineering instruction is given by our mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Intermediate Mtn Expedition

Participants should be competent and self sufficient in the outdoors and have experience in multi day trekking at altitude. Prior experience on an entry level mountaineering expedition is highly recommended. The terrain will involve low to moderate angle snow slopes and traveling on crevassed glaciers. Experience using ice axe and crampons is preferred but not essential.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Advanced Mtn Expedition

These are our most challenging expeditions. Clients must have prior mountaineering experience. Most are participatory expeditions & involve load carrying, setting up of camps, cooking and campcraft. Altitude is generally greater than 6500m. Some of these expeditions also involve “technical” climbing and are for experienced alpine climbers / mountaineers only. Technical expeditions involve steep climbing at high altitude (including rock climbing). Participation on one of these expeditions is subject to acceptance by one of our high altitude mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

from
USD$390

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With daily departures this extension can be combined with any of our adventures, ensuring you experience the natural beauty of Halong Bay

A perfect extension tour to many of our Vietnam or Indochina itineraries that do not already include a visit to Halong Bay. It can be taken any day of the week and visits tiny islands that are dotted with innumerable beaches and grottoes created by the wind and the waves providing an excellent backdrop for swimming or simply enjoying the natural beauty of the area.

Highlights

Cruising amongst the limestone karsts and islets
Sleeping aboard our 'deluxe junk’ boat
Guided kayak journey (optional)

Itinerary

Day 1 Hanoi - Halong Bay

We depart from the capital of Hanoi between 8.00am and 9.00am for the journey to Halong Bay (approx 3 hours). Our transport will be a shuttle bus, with other travellers who are joining the boat. The driver will speak some English however you will not be accompanied by an English speaking guide.Upon arrival at Halong Bay we will be transferred to our deluxe junk, which awaits us in open water. Once we have settled in we can begin our cruise around the majestic Halong Bay. Halong Bay is located in the north east of Vietnam on the shores of the Gulf of Tonkin. The bay is dominated by more than 1600 limestone karsts and islets which rise out of the waters of the bay up to heights of 100metres, and the numerous caves and grottos spread throughout the bay. Many of these uninhabited islets and outcrops have been given imaginative names by the locals, due to their perceived shapes, including Wading Ox, Fighting Cock and Wallowing Buffalo. After lunch our captain will find a secluded spot and from here the choice is yours. You can swim in the clear emerald waters, soak up the sun over a cool beer on the top deck sun lounge or try your hand at some kayaking amongst the huge limestone outcrops that surround us. Later we will explore some of the limestone caves dotted around the bay. In the late afternoon after we have finished exploring, we retire to the junk and relax on the top deck and enjoy a refreshing drink from the bar. In the evening our cook will prepare a delicious seafood dinner as we find a secluded place to anchor for the night. NB - guides are not allowed to join the cruises but there will be a Cruise Manager on board who speaks English and will assit with on board arrangements.

Day 2 Halong Bay - Hanoi

This morning after breakfast we continue to Luon Cave, passing beautiful Islets like Dau Nguoi (Man Head) and Con Rua (Tortoise). We will enjoy brunch mid morning before returning to the main harbour where our cruise ends. We transfer to our vehicle for the drive back to Hanoi, where the trip concludes. Note - Cruise itineraries and schedules are subject to change due to the weather,tide levels and operating conditions.

Additional Information

Inclusions

1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner (2 day/1 night cruise)
2 breakfast, 2 lunch and 2 dinner (3 day/2 night cruise)
Comfortable twin share cabins
Sightseeing as listed in itinerary
Kayaking
Halong Bay entry fees

Summary

2 day/1 night cruise or
3 day/2 night cruise

Trip Main Activities

Cruising

Group Size Min

Group Size Max

Accommodation Summary

It is possible to upgrade from our regular 'deluxe junk' to a 'first class luxury junk' for an additional charge. Please ask you reservations consultant for further details.

Equipment Required

There is no specialised equipment required for this trip.

What You Carry

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Book this trip with World Expeditions on their site

from
USD$390

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