Cat Ba Island
2 days, 1 night
Trekking, SUP
6/10
$182 USD
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DESCRIBE

Here is the most exciting trip to fully explore the natural world of Cat Ba Island. Trekking through the ancient forest, spending one night in Viet Hai village, and paddling a SUP or kayaking on Lan Ha Bay will offer you unforgettable experiences. The trekking route is not too difficult but the challenges are enough to make you feel elated when you emerge from the forest and catch sight of the peaceful rooftops in the Viet Hai valley. After trekking through the forest is a fun challenge that works up a sweat, a SUP or kayaking trip from Viet Hai Wharf to Ba Trai Dao Bay will be especially appealing, particularly in the summer, as we'll have plenty of stops to swim and relax in the crystal-clear waters of Lan Ha Bay.

Highlight

  • Trekking through exciting Cat Ba National Park
  • Staying at homestay in Viet Hai village
  • Padding SUP to explore the vast, pristine Lan Ha Bay  
  • Having support boat accompanying the entire paddling route
  • Having professional and experienced tour guides

 

SUMMARY

  • Departure Point: Ha Noi

  • Duration: 2 days, 1 night

  • Destination: Cat Ba Island

  • Activities: Trekking

  • Min : 2 people

  • Best time: Year-round

  • Max : 15 people

  • Difficulty level: 6/10

ITINERARY
1st day: Ha Noi – Cat Ba National Park – Viet Hai village

06:30 – Departing for Cat Ba. Upon arriving at Cat Hai, we will take a ferry to Cat Ba Island, then keep going by car to Cat Ba National Park. After preparing the necessary gear, we begin our trek through the forest to Viet Hai Village, an ancient village isolated in a large valley, accessible only by trekking through the forest or by boat from Lan Ha Bay. 

After about 2 hours of walking, we will stop for lunch at Frog pond, a small swamp and a paradise for frogs, situated at 100 meters above sea level. Our lunch will be a picnic lunch provided to each person before the trek. After having lunch at Frog pond, we keep hiking  to Viet Hai Village. Along the way, we will make several stops for resting  and taking photos. 

After about 4 hours of trekking, we will arrive at Viet Hai Village. Checking in, taking a shower, and having a rest. Before having dinner, we will have time to take a walk around Viet Hai Village or enjoy a relaxing foot soak in the stream running through the ecolodge. Dinner will be served at the ecolodge, followed by relaxing time around the campfire until bedtime.

Accommodation in Viet Hai Village: Whisper Nature Ecolodge. The ecolodge offers rooms for 2, 3, or 4 people. Depending on group size or room availability, the tour operator will arrange suitable accommodations for the group.

* Meals included: Lunch, Dinner

 

2nd day: Viet Hai village – Lan Ha Bay – Ba Trai Dao Bay – Cat Ba – Ha Noi

07:00 – Having breakfast at the ecolodge. After that, we will take an electric car to Viet Hai Wharf. The road from the village to the wharf is very scenic, passing through the forest and being flanked by towering cliffs. At the wharf, we will board a boat to Lan Ha Bay and begin kayaking from the middle of the bay to a beautiful, secluded area far from Cat Ba called Ba Trai Dao (Three Peaches). This area is known for its quiet, pristine beaches. Depending on the season and tides, we may also have the opportunity to snorkel and explore the coral reefs. After exploring some beaches, we will have lunch on the boat in Ba Trai Dao Bay. Then, we will return to Cat Ba and come back to Hanoi, the program will be finished around 19:00 upon our arrival in Ha Noi.

* Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

 

INCLUSION/EXCLUSION

Inclusion:

  • Supporting boat
  • Round-trip bus: Ha Noi – Cat Ba – Ha Noi
  • SUP & trekking gear
  • Homestay at Viet Hai village
  • Meals as the schedule on the itinerary
  • Tour guides
  • Drinking water
  • Fee for entrance tickets
  • Travel insurance 

Exclusion:

  • Other kinds of beverage unlist in the tour program
  • Personal expenses
  • Transportation fee before and after the trip
  • Beverages during meals

 

 

THE EQUIPMENT NECESSARY

Equipment provided by us:

  • SUP & gear
  • Trekking pole
  • Gloves
  • First aid bag 

Essential stuff you need to bring: 

  • Trekking backpack 10L - 20L
  • Trekking shoes/sandals, and waterproof trekking shoes
  • Winter: warm clothes, windbreaker, thermal jacket, wetsuit 
  • Summer: Quick-drying clothes, long-sleeved swimsuit (rashguard), hat, sunglasses, gloves, sunscreen...
  • Undergarments
  • ID card or Passport
  • Flashlight
  • Water Bottle (1 liter) 

Other items you may consider to bring:

  • Personal medicine
  • Spare clothes
  • Towels, hand sanitizers
  • Waterproof phone pouch   
 
TOUR EQUIPMENT
IMPORTANT NOTES

1. Notes on the SUP Paddling and Trekking Routes

  • The forest trekking route is not too difficult, with 2/3 of the path being easy-to-walk trails. The remaining 1/3 of the route, just before reaching Viet Hai, is more challenging, with some sections requiring hand-climbing.
  • The length of our paddling route will be determined by the guide based on the weather, time, and the health of the group members. The final destination is Ba Trai Dao Bay, the farthest point of Lan Ha Bay. Inside Lan Ha Bay, the water is quite calm, but as we approach Ba Trai Dao, we will pass through a wide, wavy sea area. The guide will provide instructions to ensure we paddle safely.
  • Before starting, the guide will teach paddling techniques and provide safety guidelines and route information. You must wear life jackets and attach the leash to your SUP board properly. For first-time paddlers, it is recommended not to stand on the SUP immediately at the start. After about 1-2 km, if you feel more comfortable and confident with the water, you can begin standing to paddle.
  • While paddling in the bay, be mindful of obstacles like reefs and boats. Avoid paddling too close to rock walls if there are waves, as the waves can push you into the sharp barnacles on the rocks.
  • We will have the boat that supports us throughout the paddling session. If you want to stop paddling and get on the boat, just inform the guide.
  • Please note, if you are an experienced paddler and a strong swimmer, you may remove your life jacket and secure it to your SUP, but never remove the leash.

2. Food & Drinks

  • Apart from the picnic lunch in the forest, which will be a light packed meal consisting of sandwiches, fruit, and dessert pastries, all other meals will be complete and served hot.
  • Each person is responsible for carrying their own water during the trek (around 1L). To help reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles, we encourage you to bring your own bottle to refill from the large water containers on the vehicle.

3. Protecting the environment together

  • We supports and practices Leave No Trace principles in each program and outdoor activities itself. We also encourage our customers and partners to apply to Leave No Trace principles when traveling in the outdoor environment. See details about the Leave No Trace tại đây
  • In order to limit the use of single-use plastic, we encourages each of us to prepare for ourselves a bottle of water with a 1L capacity for daily water refilling.
  • On the tour, tourists comply with the instructions and regulations on environmental protection at the destination. 

4. Medical assistance

  • If you have cardiovascular disease or bone and joint diseases (knees, ankles, shoulder joints, etc.), you should consult your doctor before deciding to join the trip. 
  • In any case, if you go into the water to swim, you must wear a life jacket.