After enjoying breakfast at the homestay, you will depart for Trung Khanh which lies right on the border with China. Here you will have another chance to meet and interact with the local Nung people living in the village of Phuoc Sen, a mountainous village famous for its traditional blacksmithing. The farming tools made here are an integral part of the lifestyle which is evident in the surrounding rice paddies and fields. Nestled amongst these amazing landscapes is the breath-taking Ban Gioc Waterfall which spans over 300 metres, split half and half between Vietnam and China. You’ll get some time here to simply take in the amazing atmosphere surrounding the falls, which presents an excellent opportunity for some fantastic photography.

Once you’ve finished at the falls, it’s time to head over to Nguom Ngao Cave, for a very different, but no less impressive natural wonder. The cave stretches for 2,144 metres underground and is brimming with incredible stalactites and stalagmites.

You will then return to Cao Bang town and head down the “snake pass” to Ba Be Lake, where you will stay overnight in a homestay constructed in traditional Tay fashion and owned and operated by a local Tay family. Here you can relax and unwind from the day and enjoy a delicious and authentic home-cooked meal.

After breakfast we’ll kick the final day of the tour of by boarding a boat and setting off onto the lake. It’s up to you how to spend your time on the boat, whether it’s relaxing and enjoying the views or going for a swim in the cool waters to refresh yourself. The views consist of stunning karst formations all around you covered with patches of wild vegetation and a rich wildlife. The boat will then continue along the Nang River, giving you a chance to explore the caves of Puong Grotto where you can marvel at the stalactites and stalagmites created through river erosion, as well as observe the thousands-strong bat colony that lives here. Now that you’ve reached the end of your tour, you’ll be driven the roughly 230 kilometres back to Hanoi, with a stop at a tea plantation nestled among rolling hills. We arrive in Hanoi around 05:00 – 05:30 pm.

On the fourth day we depart for Ha Long Bay at around 8:00-8:30 for a 3.5 hour drive to Hong Gai Tourist Wharf, where we’ll check in at Oriental Sails JSC’s private waiting hall, the OS Lounge. Here we can relax until embarkation around 12:30-13:00 followed by a quick briefing. We’ll spend our first few hours on-board enjoying the views of the limestone islands of Bai Tu Long Bay and savouring a delectable lunch, until at 15:30-16:30 you are free to choose between two activities: Option 1: Fishing village visit For those that are interested in learning about local life in the bay. Take a bamboo rowing boat trip lasting roughly 45 minutes, around Vung Vieng fishing village, one of the largest of its kind in Ha Long Bay. The village is set inside a closed lagoon, surrounded by mountains, which makes it a great place for photos in addition to the cultural experience. Option 2: Beach and kayaking For the more active travellers and beach-bums, you can be taken in a small boat to Ban Chan beach, where you can sunbathe, swim, play volleyball or try your hands at some kayaking in the magnificent setting of the bay. You’ll arrive back at the cruise around 16:30, with enough time to get cleaned up and relax before the sun starts to set. At 17:30 you can enjoy happy hour at the bar on the sun deck, enjoying the sunset with a drink in hand, and also take part in a cooking class with the resident Chef. At 19:00 dinner will be served, and the rest of the evening can be spent socialising with other guests, night squid fishing or just lazing around. There will also be singing and dancing activities until 22:00. Overnight on-board with the ship anchored in the Cong Do Area of the bay.

Early risers can enjoy a 30 minute Tai Chi exercise on the sundeck at 06:30 before enjoying the view of the surrounding seascape with your breakfast as you cruise towards Thien Canh Son Cave. You’ll arrive at the cave at 9am and spend about half an hour exploring this medium sized and less visited cave situated in Bai Tu Long Bay. After your cave visit its time to check out of your room at the boat and return to port, docking at noon after having early lunch on-board. Our driver will be waiting for you at the pier and will transfer you back to Hanoi for an arrival at your hotel around 16:30. At this point it’s time to say goodbye to your guide, driver and group, hopefully with life-long memories gained and friendships made.