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VIETNAM

Explore Ha Long Bay, Vietnam By Sea Kayak

A National Geographic World Top 25 Adventure

• Ha Long Bay - Day Trip
   
• Ha Long Bay - Two Days
   
• Ha Long Bay - Three Days
   
• Ha Long Bay - Four Days
   
• Ba Be Mini Expedition - Four Days
   
• Ha Long Bay - 2 weeks

Halong Bay Photo Gallery >>
Halong Staff Training - 2006 Photo Gallery >>

PRICES

Normal escort boat:
(sleeping cabin have fan only)

Tour cost for two day trip and more (quoted in US$ per person per trip)

Deluxe junk boat: (sleeping cabin have air-conditioned)

Tour cost for two day trip and more (quoted in US$ per person per trip

Services inclusive :

• Transportation Hanoi-Halong-Hanoi.

• English speaking and paddling guide in Halong.

• Entrance fees and boat fees.

• Meals from lunch on first day to lunch on last day.

• Free using of soft drinks and mineral water onboard.

• Fresh fruits, snacks.

• Escort boat, kayaks.

Services exclusive:

• Alcoholic drinks.

• Hotel accommodation in Hanoi.

• Beverages and other expenses.

SETTING: A classic example of marine limestone topography, Ha Long Bay is a World Heritage site of more than 1,000 limestone karst islands, a prolific panorama of exotic geology from afar, yet delicate and detailed up close. The best way to explore this intricate nature is by silent, hand-powered sea kayak. You get eye contact with wildlife you would never see on foot.

SEASON: Year round, but foggy and rainy from December to March. Water is warm enough to sustain coral year round. Our comfortable boats are cabined with hot-water showers.

SKILLS: Easy. We paddle inside the caves, but encourage you to learn how to paddle outside the caves. Some caves are large enough to self-paddle on slack tides.

LODGING: Unfortunately, no camping allowed in Ha Long Bay so traditional sea kayaking in Vietnam has a different meaning than anywhere else on the Planet. You must use the escort boat to paddle the bay, and you must sleep on-board. On the up side, islands are widely scattered, making self-paddle expeditions impractical. Another positive is the boats are excellent and unreal value.

Our top-level escort boat is a spectacular fully equipped Junk including luxurious main cabin, staterooms with on suit toilet facilities, a full service galley, and dining room featuring SeaCanoe's famous Seafood vegetarian meal plan,

Normal escort boats still have a full galley providing the same great Seafood vegetarian meal plan. Sleep inside the large cabin or on the sundeck. We provide sleeping pads and bedding, the showers have hot water, and toilets are western style.

ACCESS Trips depart from Hanoi or Ha Long. Daily flights via Thai Airways, Vietnam Airlines and Air France. Several carriers fly direct from Hong Kong or Singapore. Visa on arrival available upon request.

DEPARTURES: Daily departures from your hotel in Hanoi or Ha Long.

HOT TIP: Our best Ha Long Bay trip accesses our favorite outer islands. Combining this trip with Ba Be makes an excellent group expedition

DESCRIPTION: As Asia's original sea kayak expedition company, John Gray's SeaCanoe emphasizes local conditions and culture. Ha Long is more than 1,000 islands, and we've been researching them since 1992, so you see many of the best sites rarely seen by outsiders while you fall into the quiet rhythm of Ha Long's spirit.

Kayaking inside limestone karst is one of our specialties. Aside from the comforts, escort boats allow your efficient experience of the remote geology and untouched culture harbored within Ha Long's scattered limestone islands. With tranquil on-the-water sunsets and sunrises, you chances of wildlife sightings are good, and the eerie romance of the islands is unforgettable.

The first day takes you to our overnighter site - a long narrow bay with several sea caves and rock gardens - where you adjust to the Bay's drama and ambiance. The next morning you motor further into the endless islands and spend the next few days exploring different points on the compass. We design each itinerary around the tides, and with so many islands, there are virtually unlimited options with many exceptional "Phong's". Caveman's favorites are the highly technical outer islands, but that requires a six-day trip.

Throughout your trip, you explore complicated rock gardens; paddle long dark sea caves and visit cliff-lined inland lagoons. ("Phong's" in Vietnam, "Hong's" in Thailand.) You learn about stalactites and stalagmites, coral gardens, wildlife and Ha Long's exceptional geology with English-speaking guides trained in cave kayaking and Ha Long's Natural History. In tight caves, staff do the paddling. However, some caves are large enough that cave self-paddling is an option on certain tides.

SeaCanoe's self-designed ultra-tough SOTAR inflatable kayaks allow you to explore deep into small caves, and make excellent photo and video platforms. Silent and smooth, you won't disturb bat colonies, and if you are lucky, you might see birds, primates, reptiles, fish, and coral closer than you ever dreamed possible. We occasionally see species considered rare or extinct in this habitat. (See the juvenile white belly sea eagle in the slide show.) We never guarantee wildlife sightings, but sunrise and sunset are the best times.

SAFETY NOTICE: John Gray started sea kayaking in 1983 and maintains a perfect safety record. He started exploring Ha Long in 1992, always surveying with an eye for safety. John developed his tidal technology in the sea canoes of the Moloka'i coast, the basic art required for sea caving. Ha Long has large caves and lagoons that often create dangerous tidal currents at varying but predictable times. The only kayaks especially designed for sea cave exploring; only SeaCanoe can guarantee your safe entries into the smallest and most complex of Ha Long's sea caves.

SeaCanoe Vietnam offers trips from one to six days, and a four-day trip in Ba Be, a National Park set in the limestone karst mountain and lake country north of Hanoi.

We provide almost everything from your hotel pick-up to your return - transfers including two snack breaks, English speak kayak guides, all Deluxe meals with brewed coffee, gourmet teas and soft drink included (lunch, dinner, breakfast, lunch), all kayaking, sleeping gear and all escort boat privileges.

You should bring the following on any SeaCanoe overnighter:

• Hat

• Shorts

• Sleeping clothes

• Sun block

• Mosquito repellant (just in case)

• Sunglasses

• Swimming gear

• T-shirts - protection from the sun

• Toiletries

• Towel/Sarong

• Very light long pants - protection against mosquitoes

• Beachcomber's footgear (booties, Tevas, heavy-duty sandals, etc.)

• Camera with lots of film

(We have dry bags, but Sea Canoe is not responsible for cameras optical or electronics gear.)

This information is a sample only, offered to give you a general idea of our product and is not contractual. Times and locales often vary according to tides, weather and the decisions of the expedition leader. Our objective is to give you the best possible experience within the time frame and detailed conditions of your expedition. Our policy is to continually update and improve our products for your benefit.

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