Sailors have hoisted the sails and swabbed the deck. The Treasure starts its motion, spawning its way in beautiful emerald waters. The vessel is a stylish junk crafted by traditions and equipped with comfortable and modern amenities. Its name, Treasure, refers to the natural beauty of its environment. Something fragile and extremely rare that we must preserve and protect as a legacy for our future generations.
But no quest or roadmap here, we spare you the rough and lead you straight to the gorgeous. Just get on board, make yourself comfortable and let us show you the route to the most hidden jewels of the entire archipelago.
For the ones who want to explore Halong further and with a pronounced taste for active travel. Let’s discover some of the quietest parts of the archipelago with a harmonious combination of comfortable cruising and fun activities. This tour features the unique cruise on board of the Treasure Junk. But with an extra day to paddle the fjords of the archipelago, their floating houses and deserted sandy beaches.
DAY 1 HANOI – HALONG ARCHIPELAGO
Meals: lunch and dinner | Accommodation: Treasure junk
Depart from Hanoi at 8.00 for a 3.5 hours drive to Halong City through the Red River Delta. Upon arrival, get on board of the Treasure Junk. Start cruising from Hon Gai pier to the boundaries of Halong bay while lunch with fresh seafood is served (vegetarian and kids menus available).
After lunch, just make yourself at ease and relax. We are slowly getting off the classic cruising routes, far from the clichés of a busy tourism spot. Limestone rock formations will parade around us for about 2 hours before our first stop.
We reach the perfect spot, remote and scenic, where the waters of Halong and Bai Tu Long hit and wave together. Let’s get ready for serious things. Swimming suits, ok. Kayaks and tender boat, ok. Paddles and gears, ok. Let’s get closer to the water and explore the bay in depth.
After one/one and a half hour kayaking, we get back on board to refresh and start the aperitif on the sundeck. Dinner is served either inside or outside depending on weather conditions. Overnight on board in a cozy air-conditioned cabin with en-suite bathroom facilities.
DAY 2 HALONG BAY KAYAKING
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner | Accommodation: Treasure junk
The breakfast will be served from 7.15am. But if you like, we invite you to share a cup of tea or coffee from 6.30am and participate then in a Tai Chi session before breakfast.
Around 8.30am, we board a smaller boat. It takes us even farther from the touristy area, to the hidden nooks of the archipelago.
A whole day of fun and relaxation. More kayaking, more swimming, more sandy beaches, more floating houses, more local cuisine, definitely a “cruise++”… The exact program depends on tide and weather conditions but we guarantee that we will make this trip extension worth. Lunch will be served on the support boat.
The guide will lead you back to the Treasure Junk in the mid-afternoon. Time to refresh and to make yourself cozy on the sundeck. Dinner will be served again either in the dining room or on the deck. Second night onboard.
DAY 3 HALONG BAY – HANOI
Meals: brunch | Accommodation: N/A
We will be back at the pier about 11am, and driven to Hanoi with an expected arrival time about 4pm. The day will be short so let’s wake up early to take the maximum of it.
Coffee, tea and cakes will be served from 6.30am. Wake up smoothly while witnessing the silence of beautiful misty bay. A 30-minute Tai Chi session will be organized, energize your body and soul or just allow yourself some idle time on a sunbath with a cup of coffee.
About 7.45am, we hop on bamboo boats to go visiting a secluded floating village surrounded by the mountains. We spawn our way between numerous floating houses and small rowing boats that serve the everyday life as vehicle, itinerant shops, fishing utility, sometimes overnight shelter.
Back on treasure before 9am, we start cruising back to the pier. From 9.30am, a brunch will be served. Take a last glance at the rocks, standing still as the eternal guardians of a kingdom, we are about to reach the pier.
Once on land, we sit in a small café to wait for our overland vehicle.
Children policy:
- Under 4 year old: FOC if no meal request. Baby cot is available for kids under 2-year-old.
- 4-11 year old- Do not require extra bed (**) : 2 day/ 1 night program: $53 | 3 day/ 2 night program: $103 |
- 4-11 year old- Require extra bed: 1 adult + 1 child: Child price is 75% (child on normal bed) | 2 adults + 1 child: Child price is 50% (child on extra bed) | Max:1 child/ room.
- Suite cabin: Max 2 children- one sharing bed with adult and 1 on extra bed | 1st child: (**) price; 2nd child: 50%.
Shuttle bus:
- Price for return transfer: US$ 30/ seat
- Estimated departure time from Hanoi: 8.00 am – 8.30 am
- Estimated return time to Hanoi: 4.00 pm– 4.30 pm
Note:
- Tides and weather conditions may alter the times of meals and other activities.
- In line with our responsible vision of tourism, please note that we do not include the most popular caves of the bay in our program. We consider that they are an insult to heritage preservation.
- Tour program is subject to change without prior notice.
- For your convenience, and if you can arrange smaller backpacks, please leave your big suitcase at Handspan’s secure storage.
- On the way to Halong and back to Hanoi, we will stop at a place with food, beverages and souvenirs for sale. This is not to trick you and that will be the only times of the whole trip you may feel in the tourism mass. But that is the only place on the way, where you, your driver and your guide can use clean toilets without being forced to buy anything. Thanks for your understanding.
The Treasure features 14 cabins, all equipped with comfortable bedding, private western standards bathroom and a stunning view through large windows. The cabins are distributed as follow:
- 2 suites | potentially connectable through private balcony | 43 sqm | king size bed | bathtub Jacuzzi | A/C | private balcony.
- 2 double cabins | 11.5 sqm | queen size bed | shower cabin | A/C.
- 10 twin cabins | all convertible into double| 11.5 sqm | 90×190 cm beds | shower cabin | A/C.
Features and Activities
On all of its itineraries, the Treasure offers some kayaking. Real expeditions to lagoons, creeks and floating houses, around the huge standing karsts formations, always away from any other boat. We use Necky kayaks, high quality equipment, imported from Canada and carefully maintained.
To entertain your cruise, vegetable carving and cocktails classes are available. Sometimes upon request as it depends on the number of people on board. Nice wooden board games are also available.
The Treasure features a very large sundeck that you may enjoy anytime of the day. With a cup of coffee witnessing the transient serenity of the bay early morning; relaxing in the sun with a privileged view at the limestone labyrinth; celebrating with a drink this once of a lifetime moment when the moon rises over the karsts.
Food and Beverages
The Treasure offers a long drink list featuring softs, beers, spirits, wines, cocktails, mocktails, smoothies… to slake your thirst and set the aperitif up or accompany a romantic dinner.
Our chef and his team are devoted to offering you some of the most reputed cuisine of the region. The selection is wide and ingredients always local and fresh. Seafood-based, but not only, the menus are well balanced. Vegetarian and kids can be catered for. We strive to make each meal a colorful event for both eyes and papillae.
