Scenic Halong Bay, with its emerald seas, rests beautifully over the Red River Delta. This region, "the Bay of the Descending Dragon", is dotted with more than 3, 000 mountainous islands, each with its own unique landscape. The islands are famous for their dolomite and limestone rock formations, many of which have been given names. Natural grottos, fjords, land tunnels and inlets are also common. During the Vietnam War, numerous large ships sailed through the open waters of the bay and now an excursion by junk, cruises or fishing boat gives you the memorable experience of sailing past silent, sea-girt caves and around the spectacular formations, tasting fresh and authentic Vietnamese cuisines, breathing cool breezing from the Gulf of Tonkin and enjoying a romantic night with your sweet hearts under the starry sky. That's all we can say how fantastic Halong is and how amazing our junk cruise you will feel because it's simply the best that we can offer you.

 

Itinerary
The area immediately northeast of Halong Bay is known as Bai Tu Long Bay and is the focus of our special itinerary. Hundreds of islets rising from the clear waters, long sandy beaches beckon, grottoes and lagoons entice the visitor – an area relatively underdeveloped and unpolluted by the tourist trade

08.30 approx
Our guide will meet you at your hotel. Mini bus or private car pick up.
Enjoy the peaceful scenery as we travel through the countryside, farmlands and Red River delta. You will have a chance to take photos.
Comfort break
The distance from Hanoi to Halong bay is approximately 3 ½ hours.

12 noon approxArrive Halong Bay. Welcome aboard The Paloma. Meet the captain and crew and join us for a welcome cocktail as we tell you about life onboard.
Check into your cabin. Time to refresh and unwind.
Set sail as lunch is prepared by our chef.
Join us for a relaxing lunch in the restaurant or on the outdoor dining area. Enjoy the stunning views of the Bay, its dramatic limestone islands as we sail through the calm waters.

AfternoonWhile we make our way to Bai Tu Long Bay, relax on the sundeck and watch the world go by or take an afternoon nap in your cabin.
Early afternoon we arrive at Cong Do Island with its many lagoons home to numerous species of sea-life, such as shrimp, crab, fish, squid and aquatic plants while south-west of the island has a preserved, almost undamaged coral reef.

We drop anchor.

Opportunity to go swimming in the clear warm waters or go kayaking. Kayaking is suitable for all levels and ages. Our expert will run through the safety procedures and after a basic paddling lesson our experienced guide will lead you to explore the Bay, its lagoons and beaches.

For those who prefer a relaxing afternoon, make the most of sunbathing on deck or pamper yourself with a massage and sauna in our luxurious spa.

Early eveningBack on board, enjoy the sunset with evening cocktails and fresh fruit.
Take an opportunity to refresh and then join friends for a pre-dinner drink in the bar.
A BBQ dinner is served in the restaurant or outdoor dining area, which is a gastronomic delight.After dinner, unwind in the bar where there is a selection of books, magazines and board games or relax in the spa; watch a movie on our plasma TV; join some of our team to go cuttle fishing at night or take a late night swim under the stars.

Accommodation and overnight on junk.