Full Day Impressions of Tam Coc and Hoa Lu
Full Day Impressions of
Tam Coc and Hoa Lu
Dramatic landscapes at the pinnacle of its definition are merely a full day away from Hanoi.
Also known as the Dry Ha Long Bay, the Tam Coc region near Ninh Binh gets us every
single time without hesitation once sailing along the cliffs and eroded caves.
WHY THIS TOUR?
Vietnam is blessed with the scenery of outstanding beauty and it is not hard to be totally won over when travelling around, particularly when promises of the mystical, watery beauty of the Tam Coc “The Three Caves” region ignite your interest.
Effectively, it is a miniature landlocked version of UNESCO’s Ha Long Bay with three long, dark tunnel caves (called Hang Ca, Hang Giua, and Hang Cuoi) form the end of the line after being formed and shaped by erosion. Customers in search of a natural wow factor are guaranteed to get a high when paddling by sampan along the limestone rocks and cliffs.
TRAIL ITINERARY
08:00 - 17:30
Your English-speaking guide and dedicated driver welcome you to your booked accommodation in downtown Hanoi for a leisurely drive in the direction of Ninh Binh. Along the way, moments of traditional Vietnamese life pass the revue, and with your guide eagerly explaining the ins and outs of his / her beloved Vietnam.
After approximately 110 kilometres – with samples of the most beautiful landscapes of the Red River Delta passing you by just before reaching Ninh Binh- it is time to exchange the car seat for a more aquatic-based touring.
Continue on a sampan and explore the stunning beauty of Tam Coc or ‘The Three Caves’. This majestic site is also known as “Dry Ha Long Bay” or “Ha Long Bay on land” for its resemblance to the famous Ha Long bay with its impressive rock formations jutting out of the rice paddies. Enjoy the beauty of imposing limestone structures lying amid rice fields as you move along the Ngo Dong River and through the caves.
After lunch at a local restaurant, you will visit the ancient capital of Vietnam, Hoa Lu, where the impressive temples of the Vietnamese royal dynasties of Dinh and Le are waiting to be explored. Little remains of the once imperial citadel of Hoa Lu, built when the city was the country’s administrative centre. Now, Hoa Lu and the surrounding province of Ninh Binh are more commonly known for their unusual landscape. The three-level Bich Dong pagoda built in the 15th century will offer you some fascinating views of the surroundings. The energetic among us may undertake the climb of some 200 steps for a rewarding view for exploring the temples of Dinh Tien Hoang and Dai Hanh.
In the late afternoon, we drive the 110 kilometres back to Hanoi and your home far away from home – your hotel room in the Vietnamese capital.