Violet Cruise

Day 1: Hanoi - Hanoi Bay (L,D)

Welcome aboard and sail through Halong Bay. Allow your eyes to swim across the azure waters of this magical place, where thousands of sculpted limestone islands rise from the water like gigantic teeth of dragons.

A delectable lunch is served shortly after boarding and you find yourself getting acquainted with the facilities of the boat. The boat starts to cruise into the Bay and within the first hour you can enjoy this World Heritage Site.

A first visit will take our guests by tender to the Tien Ong Cave. The Cave is very large – about 1000 sqm – and is peppered with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites, formed out of ancient limestone karsts about 700,000 years ago. The cave is five meters above sea level. This visit will last approximately 20 minutes (we strongly recommend that you do not wear high heel shoes for this excursion).

The voyage continues with the arrival at the Cua Van Fishing Village, the biggest and oldest floating fishing village in Halong Bay. The village is explored via a pleasant boat ride (a maximum of four persons per boat). You will pass through this ancient village which comprises fishing boats and floating houses – simply irresistible.

After returning to the boat in the late afternoon guests can sharpen their culinary skills at our cooking class performance conducted by our energetic chef. Surely you can give him a helping hand any time and try your skills in preparing special Vietnamese dishes. The boat cruises slowly with the evening sun to its mooring point. If not now, when then is it time to enjoy a massage or at least to quaff a drink – in the miraculous descending sun – on our Sundeck.

At 07:30pm another delicious meal – dinner is served. After dinner the night is yours; kick back on a comfy pillowed chair or watch the stars from the Sundeck and inhale the surreal beauty whilst sipping a glass of wine.

Not many places in the world offer those special feelings. The mooring place is a fantastic overnight spot with glittering lights from the other boats and a calm sea, perfect for your first dream in the middle of the Bay where once Dragons played amid sparkling jewels.

Day 2: Halong Bay - Relaxing (B,L,D)

Today, all guests will embark on our day boat – the Sunset. You will cruise to the Bay’s more untouched areas, deep in Lan Ha Bay. Take a light bike ride along the coast line of Cat Ba, through the rain forest to the Viet Hai village. A fantastic way to get in touch with the nature of the biggest Halong Bay Island. Please read below the options of this day:

A. If weather conditions are good:

In the morning, the Sunset crew welcomes all guests from Ginger, Jasmine and Violet. Breakfast is served in the cozy restaurant while the Sunset moves deeper into Halong Bay straight to Cat Ba Island. The nature is simply marvelous in this area of the Bay.

We arrive at Viet Hai dock and take a leisurely bicycle ride along the water front, passing forests and a stone tunnel on the way to the Viet Hai Village. If one does not want to travel by bicycle they may ride the back of a motorbike or travel by electric car. We explore the village with its traditional houses and its residents. Guests can take a short walk to the surrounding jungle. The journey continues to the local primary school (Heritage Line supports this school with teaching equipment). A memorable way of interacting with the children in the classroom is to become their substitute teacher or sing along with the kids – if you dare.

After this, guests head back to the dock and board the junk. The cruise continues unhurried to the Bat Cave. During this slow trundle, lunch is served. At the Bat Cave guests kayak through water tunnels and close to stunning rocks and islets.

This beautiful lagoon allows as well to jump from the boat for a refreshing swim. Back on board take your seat or sunbed on the Sundeck and simply dive into the nature on the way back to your mother junk for your second night.

B. If weather conditions are not good (strong waves prohibit cruising to Viet Hai Village)

In the morning, the Sunset crew welcomes all guests from Ginger, Jasmine and Violet. Breakfast is served in the cozy restaurant while the Sunset moves to the bat Cave. Although the weather might not be that suitable still the Bay offers mysterious views and photo opportunities from the Sundeck.

At the Bat Cave guests kayak through water tunnels and close to stunning rocks and islets. This beautiful lagoon allows as well to jump from the boat for a refreshing swim.

The cruise continues unhurried to the Pearl Village. During this slow trundle, lunch is served.

At the Pearl Village there are fish farms for viewing and an operating pearl farm and pearl processing factory. The guests will be guided through the process which results in the final product. There is also a pearl jewelry showroom.

After the tour there is opportunity for swimming from the boat before heading out. Back on board take your seat or sunbed on the Sundeck and simply dive into the nature on the way back to your mother junk for your second night.

Preparation and inclusions on this day:

Biking helmet, First aid kit, durable shoes, water bottle during cycling, rain coats in case of light showers, (in the event of heavy rain, biking will be cancelled), kayaks/paddles and life jackets.

Day 3: Halong bay - Hanoi (B,L)

For early risers complimentary tea, coffee and pastries are served in the restaurant followed by-if you so desire – a Tai Chi Class on the Sundeck (07:00am). A great morning activity to feel one with this natural wonder.

Then it is time for an early morning swim – in the Bay. By tender boat we bring the guests to a natural white sandy stretch of a beach. Sporty ones can also climb up to a hill top to have a last view from above over Halong Bay before we return to the boat and cruise slowly back to Halong City, passing picturesque areas like the Tam Cung Cave and Poem Mountain.

During our trundle breakfast is served before we arrive at the shore at around 11:00am. The crew will bid you farewell and you disembark with our tender boat to Tuan Chau Marina.

Price: USD550 per person