Our itinerary
Panorama 1 (Sun) Arrival in Hanoi (D)
Arrival at Hanoi Airport. A shuttle bus takes you to your hotel in the heart of the old quarter of Hanoi. Despite its three million inhabitants, Hanoi's traditional charm is pervasive. The historic old town district is considered as one of the best preserved in Southeast Asia. The colourful and bustling streets contribute to the Asian flair. We may take a walk through the streets and meet your fellow travellers in the late afternoon at our hotel. During the dinner and a visit to the famous water puppet theatre - a traditional Vietnamese form of art – we get to know our fellow travellers better. Overnight we stay at the hotel.
Panorama 2 (Mon) Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Hoa Lu - Tam Coc (B, L, D)
(Pedal 35 km)
After breakfast our shuttle bus takes us in the direction of the rural province of Ninh Binh. That’s where we start our first cycling tour along vibrant green rice fields to Hoa Lu, the former capital of Vietnam. After exploring the fascinating historical site with its well-preserved relics of past dynasties, we continue our cycling tour, which takes us through Vietnam's most spectacular landscapes. On the way, we are able to admire some traditional pagodas. We complete the day with a traditional rowing boat trip on the Tam Coc River. Overnight stay in Tam Coc.
Panorama 3 (Tue) Tam Coc - Ha Long Bay (B, L, D)
After breakfast our shuttle bus takes us to Ha Long City, where we enjoy a delicious lunch on board of our boat. As we set off on our voyage, we embark on our first boat trip through the impressive island world of the Ha Long Bay with its bizarre rock formations. In the afternoon we visit one of the numerous caves, which were formed in the course of the millenniums. Let your imagination run wild in the formations of stalagmites and stalactites as well as the crudely shaped cavern walls where creative thinking will bring the subterranean chambers to life. At the end of the day we climb the most famous and beautiful viewpoint of the UNESCO protected Ha Long Bay. From here we can gaze far over the rocky fairy tale world. We spend the night on anchor.
Panorama 4 (Wed) Insel Trà Bản – Bai Tu Long Bay (B, L, D)
(Pedal 25 km)
After an early breakfast we jump ship and navigate our way to the island of Tra Ban via hydrofoil, a unique place untouched by modern day tourism. The island offers us an insight into the earlier, traditional life of the island inhabitants; as if time had stood still. A common sight are the Vietnamese water buffaloes grazing as we pass, we may even come into conversation with one of the local farmers tending to their fields who greet us with their kind smiles. For lunch we enjoy a relaxing picnic together. In the afternoon, the hydrofoil will take us back to the pier where our junk awaits us. A relaxing cruise through the island world of the Bai Tu Long Bay tops this eventful day off. Enjoy an evening under the stars with a nice sundowner.
Panorama 5 (Thu) Bai Tu Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay (B, L, D)
(Kayak-day)
This morning we disembark the Junk and take a transfer boat to Lan Ha Bay, where we are able to take part in an introductory lesson in kayak touring. As soon as you feel secure with your tandem partner, you are able to take a guided tour through the lagoon-like shoreline landscape. With a bit of luck, we will be able to observe monkeys that live on the steep rocks with lush vegetation and occasionally their curiosity will bring them down to the shore. Today’s beach destination is beautiful beyond imagination. After lunch and a lengthy relaxing swim break in the emerald green waters our Kayak tour will take us past floating houses to Cat Ba, the next destination of our journey. A short transfer takes us to a beautiful resort, where the evening can be enjoyed on the hotel’s very own sandy beach or at the pool.
Panorama 6 (Fri) Cát Bà Insel – Việt Hải Village (B, L, D)
(Pedal 15 km)
Early in the morning a transfer will bring us to a small dock. A one hour crossing will bring us to yet another small jetty. From here we will start a cycling tour through the national park of the island to a small tribal village of the Việt Hải minority. Parking the bikes here, a guided walk will take us through the protected old-growth forest where the wild, unspoilt nature rules. The aim is to reach the highest peak of the island which, on a good day, offers breath-taking views of the Hạ Long Bay and the rest of the island. After the walk a bike tour will lead us back to the boat, taking us back to Cat Ba City. Overnight stay in a hotel.
Panorama 7 (Sat) Cát Bà Island – Hải Phòng– Hội An (B, L)
(Pedal 35 km)
After breakfast a taxi boat will take us to Hải Phòng where a bus waits to take us to the nearby airport. In the morning our flight to Đà Nẵng departs. On arrival a short transfer with the shuttle bus will bring us to our Hotel Resort in Hội An. Here we are able to relax in the river-side palm tree gardens of the hotel before we start your first stroll through the picturesque old town of Hoi An.
Panorama 8 (Sun) Hội An (B, L)
(Pedal 17 km)
Today we have the possibility to observe the daily life of the local farmers. In the morning we cycle to Tra Que - a small village in the suburban area of Hội An. The name of the place originates from a sweet vegetable often used by the locals to spice their meals: a totally new and foreign speciality! Our host prepares the meal together with us and familiarises us with the exotic ingredients. The afternoon can be spent individually: A stroll through the picturesque old town or a relaxing afternoon swim at the white beach of Cửa Đại.
Panorama 9 (Mon) Hội An – Huế (B, L)
The morning in Hội An is free to our disposal. We will check out of the hotel first in the early afternoon and hop on the shuttle bus to Huế. En route we make a brief stop at the Cloud Pass, the weather line between North and South Vietnam. Afterwards we make a short stopover on Lăng Cô Beach. If weather conditions allow we can stay for a refreshing swim, before we continue back to Huế. After checking in to the hotel we visit one of the most popular emperor’s graves, which lies not far away from the town centre.
Panorama 10 (Tue) Huế (B, L)
(Pedal 21 km)
This day is dedicated to the old imperial city of Huế, situated between rolling hills and rice fields along a bend in the Perfume River. The spiritual heart of Vietnam beats here, with more than 300 temples and pagodas. By bike and on foot we first visit the Dong Ba Market, where we are able to catch interesting insights in the variety of regional products. On the north shore of the Perfume River we continue our way to the old town of Bao Vinh, where we can still see and feel the trading activities of the capitals former past. On our way we visit the rambling citadel, which once was reserved for the emperors of the Nguyen-Dynasty. A late lunch in one of the regionally typical restaurants gives the daily program its perfect finish. The rest of the afternoon is free and can be spent strolling through the alleys of the town.
Panorama 11 (Wed) Huế – Hồ Chí Minh City– Mekong Delta (B, L, D)
(Pedal 20 km)
After breakfast we have a flight to Hồ Chí Minh City with a subsequent transfer to Mỹ Tho, where check-in on board the ship takes place. The ship takes us along the Mekong in the direction of Cái Bè. During the short trip we cruise along the Mekong and can enjoy the flourishing nature of the delta as well as the river related life of the inhabitants. North of Bến Tre we have a relaxing and short cycle tour. Back on board lunch is served. In the afternoon the schedule includes the discovery of the green island Ngũ Hiệp and we have the opportunity to try exotic fruits while being astonished by different local handcrafts.
Panorama 12 (Thu) Mekong Delta: Cái Bè – Islands of Vĩnh Long und Traon (B, L, D)
(Pedal 30 km)
In the morning we cross over to Vĩnh Long Island, where we cycle under palm-shaded paths around the island. We continue by boat to Traon Island where we again have the opportunity to explore the surroundings by bike. Later on we can enjoy the excellent cuisine on board and the wonderful evening atmosphere in the water labyrinth of the Mekong Delta.
Panorama 13 (Fri) Cần Thơ – Hồ Chí Minh City (B, L, D)
During breakfast the ship takes us to Cần Thơ, where we will be transferred to a small boat taking us to Cái Răng, the most famous floating market of the Delta. Make sure to have your camera ready before getting caught up in the unique atmosphere of the merchants on their vibrantly painted boats. The following cruise through the small tributaries of the Delta completes our visit in the south. After lunch on board of the Conchinchine we check out and are transferred back to Hồ Chí Minh City.
Panorama 14 (Sat) Hồ Chí Minh City (B, L, D)
Hồ Chí Minh City, former Saigon, is the Boomtown and the modern centre of Vietnam. On a guided city tour we learn about the growing mega-city, the town hall, the cathedral Notre Dame, main post office and other important sights which characterize the city’s history. In the afternoon we have the possibility to buy some souvenirs and dive into the madding crowd of the Bến Thành Market. A comfortable evening meal together allows us to reflect on the events of the vacation and to farewell our engaged tour guides and caring crew. Overnight stay in the hotel.
Panorama 15 (Sun) Departure (B)
Departure after breakfast or prolongation in Hồ Chí Minh City or Siem Reap.