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Paddling through Rice Paddies

Tour from Hanoi

Route: Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Hanoi

Less than a two hour drive away from Hanoi lies a world of steep rocky mountains
and emerald green rice terraces known as Dry Halong Bay. Many travellers visit this unique part of Vietnam during a day tour from Hanoi. We on the other hand prefer spending the night locally so that we're able to enjoy the sights before the day-trippers do.

During our 'Paddling through rice paddies' trip you'll visit two historic temples at sunrise and you'll bike along narrow paths through rice paddies. Everywhere you look you'll see monolithic rock formations shooting up to your left and right, their rugged peaks shrouded in a mysterious-looking mist. Once you reach the waters of the bay you'll go just a little bit further than most tourists go by boarding a small boat and sailing through the channels. In between the moments of silence you'll hear the boat's oars rushing through the still waters. You'll see fishermen standing waist-deep in water, patiently waiting for their catch of the day. Back on land you'll find a lovely lunch waiting for you and a little later you'll travel back to Hanoi.

Duration	2 days/ 1 night	Accommodation	1 night at a hotel Comfort level 2 (see accommodation)
Price	£118 per person - based on 2 people sharing a cabin	Included	Accommodation, breakfast, transfers, bicycle and rowing trip
Transport	Transfer Hanoi - Ninh Binh and vice versa	Excluded	Other meals

Day 1: Tour from Hanoi

Today you'll have until shortly after lunch to do your own thing. Sleep in, go for a stroll through the old town centre or visit Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum for instance. 'Uncle Ho's' embalmed body is kept in the mausoleum. He was one of Vietnam's most important revolutionary political leaders. Dress accordingly when entering the building; wearing shorts or tanktops is considered disrespectful. Despite the somewhat macabre atmosphere, we were very touched by the solemn surroundings.

After lunch you'll be collected from your hotel for a 2 hour drive to Tam Coc; a small town hidden away between green rice paddies and steep karst mountains. You'll spend the night in a modest, yet cosy hotel.

Tour from Hanoi - A very colourful lunch

Tour from Hanoi - Biking past the karst mountains

Day 2: Biking and sailing amongst the karst mountains

This morning you'll avoid the tourists doing a day tour from Hanoi by starting out early. First you'll visit two of King Hoa Lu's and his successor King Dinh's 11th century temples. Many of the temples were destroyed during wars, but thanks to very detailed reconstruction you'll get to see what the temples once looked like.

Then it's time to climb on your bike. As soon as you leave the main road you'll follow a narrow path past karst mountains and rice paddies. The scenery is great for photos, but don't forget to stop, take in the atmosphere and really enjoy the view. When skies are clear we recommend stopping off at the Hang Mua check point. After a short 15 minute walk uphill you'll have a wide open view of the entire area.

After the bike ride you can sit back and enjoy a rowboat ride. You'll sail through an area where very few other tourists ever venture out. The rowers, usually women, will be waiting to take you through the network of narrow waterways and rock formations. As you sail along you'll see fishermen standing waist-deep in water and you'll hear birds chirping all around. After about 1.5 hours you'll return to where you started out and you'll bike back to the hotel.

You'll arrive back at your hotel at around 13.00, just in time for a tasty lunch. After you've had a bite to eat you'll pack up your things and you'll drive back to Hanoi. Afterwards you can add another tour from Hanoi to your itinerary; check out our summary of tours in Northern Vietnam.

If there are several different travellers returning to Hanoi today you'll share transfers back to Hanoi (up to 9 people per transfer) and you'll bike through the rice paddies in a small group.

Tour from Hanoi - Water buffalo in the rice paddies

Tour from Hanoi - Accommodation (Click to enlarge)

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