Day 1: Hanoi Arrival – City tour (D)
Welcome to Hanoi, the Capital City of Vietnam!
Our local guide will be welcoming you at Noi Bai airport; it takes us 35 minutes driving to the center of Hanoi. Check in hotel and have a short time to freshen up.
Late afternoon, have an overall view of the capital by a “cyclo” visit, which will go through the fascinating network of narrow alleys and shop houses also known as ‘The 36 Streets’ – each street being named after the merchandise traditionally sold there, ranging from fabrics to crafts and from medicines to tombstones. Drop by at Ngoc Son Temple located on the Hoan Kiem Lake. Welcome dinner at the local restaurant will be followed the sightseeing.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi – Full day urban retreat (B, L)
Breakfast at hotel.
09:00 AM: Picked up by driver and transfer to wellness studio complex for our full day retreat.
Amid the hustle bustle of life, pause and immerse yourself in a nuturing space with combination of various experiences, including: a curated Yoga/Pilates session, a deep metitation session, a body massage, a head spa and a mini workshop. In between experiences, enjoy organic healthy lunch set, short tea break and an afternoon tea set.
04:30 PM: Transfer back to hotel.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi – Pu Luong – Walking & Rarfting – Yoga exercise (B, L, D)
After breakfast and check out hotel, we transfer to Pu Luong Nature Reserve via a breath taking mountain pass. Enjoy panoramic view of the whole valley along the way. We arrive at Pu Luong Retreat in time for a delicious lunch with local dishes. After lunch, check in the room and have some free time to explore the beautiful retreat, with its captivating views of the surrounding and tranquil setting.
This afternoon, drive to a suspension bridge over Cham River, where we begin our walk passing a stunning water wheels to reach a local fisherman’s house. Have a short rest to gear up for the rafting adventure with the local expert team. Float along the calm river and enjoy the scenic views, learn how to paddle and steer the handcrafted rafts. Arrive at Tan Lap bridge, disembark and drive back to Pu Luong Retreat.
Gentle yoga session before dinner.
Overnight in Pu Luong Retreat.
Day 4: Pu Luong – Yoga exercise – Trekking – Yoga/Lower body release tension (B,L,D)
Morning yoga session.
After breakfast, take a light trek into the beautiful rice terraces, through small paths to a picturesque village sitting on the foot of a towering mountain. Trek through the villages, wild fields, ponds, rivers, mountains and open land until we reach our lunch spot. We get closer to the village life and interact with locals living upon the hills. After picnic lunch, enjoy free time refreshing at a nearby river. Walk up to our pickup point and drive back to the Retreat.
Yin yoga/deep stretch for lower body session after the hike to release tension.
Dinner and overnight in Pu Luong Retreat.
Day 5: Pu Luong – Yoga exercise – Ninh Binh - Van Long – Meditation (B, L, D)
Morning Yoga session.
After breakfast, enjoy your free time resonating with the tranquil scenery of nature.
Have lunch and check out.
11:00 AM: transfer to our next destination: Van Long Nature Reseve, located in a picturesque scene of mountain ranges, fields, and rivers.
05:00 PM: Arrived and check in Emeralda Resort.
Enjoy your dinner with organic menu featuring Vietnam cuisine at the resort restaurant.
Meditation/sound healing session for deeper sleep.
Overnight in Emerlarda Ninh Binh.
Day 6: Van Long – Yoga exercise - Tam Coc – Cycling – Van Long – Breathwork (B, L, D)
Morning Yoga session.
Breakfast at hotel.
The sightseeing today will start with a short drive to Van Lam Village where we will board a rowing boat trip along Ngo Dong River through the paddy fields to visit Tam Coc (Three Grottos). The trip will take 2 hours. We continue walking to Thai Vi temple which is not far from Tam Coc wharf, set in a peaceful place, dedicated to Tran Dynasty. Though the temple looks modest, it contains a great cultural and historical value. Have a short drive to Bich Dong Pagoda which was built on mountain side featured by its unique architecture of perfect combination of ancient pagodas with cross-covered roofs, natural caves and majestic mountains. The Pagoda has three temples – Ha Pagoda, Trung Pagoda, Thuong Pagoda named as their positions from the foot hill to the top of the mountain. Once you reach to Thuong Pagoda, you will be treated with a beautiful scenic view of the surrounding countryside. After lunch at the local restaurant you will pedal along the scenic village roads to explore the rice fields, limestone mountains and have a chance to chat with the local people. Return to Emeralda Ninh Binh.
Yin & breathwork session for relaxation before dinner.
Overnight in Emerlarda Ninh Binh.
Day 7:Van Long –Yoga exercise–Van Long Natural Reserve–Breathwork for Mind&Body Master class (B,L,D)
Morning Yoga session.
Breakfast at hotel then we’ll take a short walk to Van Long wharf to board traditional reed boats that will take us to the edge of the towering cliffs that rise up out of the water. From our vantage point among the reeds and lotus we hope to view the endangered Delacour’s Langur. This monkey clad in black and white is endemic to this region and we hope to observe them as they scamper up and down the limestone pinnacles and cliff faces. Numerous species of waterbirds are also protected at Van Long and we will look for several species of herons, bitterns and perhaps even an eagle or stork.
Walk back to Emeralda to have healthy organic lunch then free time to explore the beautiful retreat, with its captivating views of the surrounding and tranquil setting or relax with multiple choices of spa treatment and therapeutic massage.
Later afternoon, participate in an 2hr master class on breathwork for your mind and body. Concluding the session, savor your organic traditional dinner.
Overnight in Emerlarda Ninh Binh.
Day 8: Van Long – Halong – Kayaking – Cooking class – Overnight on the Cruise (B, L, D)
Share a breakfast and farewel with our dedicated wellness instructor, check out and ready for exciting activites on an overnight cruise.
07:00 – 07:30 AM: Head East for more than 3 hours to Halong Bay, the pride of the Gulf of Tonkin, a Natural World Heritage as designated by UNESCO in 1994 and 2006. Upon arrival in Halong, check in the overnight cruise to discover the magnificent beauty of this “Descending-dragon” bay, created by thousands odd-shaped limestone rocks and karst grottoes.
01:00 PM: Cruise check in, enjoy a welcome drink, meet the captain, crew to get a brief introduction about cruise and safety guidelines. Enjoy lunch, while cruising in the magnificent Halong Bay, admiring the fascinating rock formations in the bay. Check-in your cabin. Continue cruising through Con Vit islet (Duck Islet), Thumb islet. Discover the lagoon natural area belonged to Lan Ha Bay
03:00 – 05:00 PM: Kayaking and swimming at Tra Bau area (the background of “Kong Skull Island movie”).
05:30 PM: Sunset party (cakes, fruit, peanuts, tea). Enjoy happy hour and relax.
06:00 PM: Join cooking class guided directly by cruise’s chef. You have a chance to practice Vietnamese traditional dishes such as spring roll or famous cuisine of Vietnam.
07:30 PM: Time for dinner, enjoying special seafood and BBQ food.
08:30 PM: Enjoy the nightlife of the bay from the deck. Immerse yourself in music. Taste some cocktails at the bar. Otherwise, you can go squid fishing with the sailors or simply relax in the room and watch Ha Long Bay from the balcony.
Overnight on cruise.
Please note the program may be little varied upon the cruise.
Day 9: Halong Bay Cruise – Tai Chi exercise – Cave exploring – Hanoi (B, L)
You should wake up early to enjoy the dawn on the sea in the early morning. The Vietnamese call the "East Sea" by a point-oriented name "Eastern Sea", so you may guess how miraculous seeing the sunrise over the islets of the Bay.
06:30 AM: Begin the day full of energy with the Tai Chi session and enjoy the sun just rising up beyond the horizon.
07:30 AM: Have breakfast while cruising on the beautiful bay.
08:15 – 10:00 AM: Mingling yourself in the stunning views of the Bay and its dramatic limestone islets as we sail through the calm emerald waters heading to Dark & Bright cave. Take your option either exploring the cave yourself on a kayak or comfortably on a local bamboo boat rowed by the locals. Go back to the cruise.
10:30 AM: Check-out your cabin, please put your luggage in front of the door and return your room key to the receptionist and take good care of your important belongings.
10:45 AM: Have lunch at the restaurant
11:30 PM: Leave cruise. Transfer back to Hanoi
03:00 PM: Arrive in Hanoi.
Please note the program may be little varied upon the cruise.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 10: Hanoi - Departure (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Check out and transfer to the airport for the departure flight back to your sweet home or extending some days for beach relax or sightseeing at other cities.
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change